Santa Cruz Favorites

Gabriel
Santa Cruz Favorites

Food Scene

Great coffee and quick breakfast options.
44 locals recommend
Coffeetopia
3701 Portola Dr
44 locals recommend
Great coffee and quick breakfast options.
Good Mexican food (try the Enchiladas a la Parilla) with happy hour everyday from 4-6pm (and all night Tuesday). Happy hour includes half-off appetizers and drink discounts (great Sangria).
9 locals recommend
El Jardin Restaurant
655 Capitola Rd
9 locals recommend
Good Mexican food (try the Enchiladas a la Parilla) with happy hour everyday from 4-6pm (and all night Tuesday). Happy hour includes half-off appetizers and drink discounts (great Sangria).
A quintessential Santa Cruz restaurant overlooking the harbor and beach--try the all night happy hour on Wednesdays (in the upstairs lounge).
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff Dr
276 locals recommend
A quintessential Santa Cruz restaurant overlooking the harbor and beach--try the all night happy hour on Wednesdays (in the upstairs lounge).
Great homestyle Italian food!
125 locals recommend
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel Ave
125 locals recommend
Great homestyle Italian food!
Good breakfast burritos and all-day Mexican meals in an incredible beach side setting.
35 locals recommend
Cafe El Palomar
2222 E Cliff Dr
35 locals recommend
Good breakfast burritos and all-day Mexican meals in an incredible beach side setting.
Yummy coffee and amazing pastries, cakes, and breakfast/lunch items. A must go for any SC visitor!
133 locals recommend
The Buttery
702 Soquel Ave
133 locals recommend
Yummy coffee and amazing pastries, cakes, and breakfast/lunch items. A must go for any SC visitor!
Amazing middle Eastern/Mediterranean (silk road) food. If you eat beef, the filet kabobs are a MUST have. Also, the outdoor patio is a fantastic place for an afternoon lunch date.
104 locals recommend
Laili
101 Cooper St
104 locals recommend
Amazing middle Eastern/Mediterranean (silk road) food. If you eat beef, the filet kabobs are a MUST have. Also, the outdoor patio is a fantastic place for an afternoon lunch date.
When you need some really hipster coffee drinks, this is the place to go!
220 locals recommend
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st Ave
220 locals recommend
When you need some really hipster coffee drinks, this is the place to go!
You can't beat the fresh Asian flavors here!
80 locals recommend
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Ave
80 locals recommend
You can't beat the fresh Asian flavors here!
Fantastic vegetarian food in a casual, family friendly environment. Try the Dan Dan noodles or Szechuan Tofu--also, the mashed potatoes and gravy side is fantastic!
62 locals recommend
Dharma's Restaurant
4250 Capitola Rd
62 locals recommend
Fantastic vegetarian food in a casual, family friendly environment. Try the Dan Dan noodles or Szechuan Tofu--also, the mashed potatoes and gravy side is fantastic!
Hands down, best and most authentic taqueria in town--try the ceviche tostadas for a light, lime-infused meal!
10 locals recommend
Taqueria Los Pericos
139 Water St
10 locals recommend
Hands down, best and most authentic taqueria in town--try the ceviche tostadas for a light, lime-infused meal!
Great beer and great kitchen--don't miss the chicken and waffles...
55 locals recommend
Discretion Brewing
2703 41st Ave
55 locals recommend
Great beer and great kitchen--don't miss the chicken and waffles...
Simply delicious food.
32 locals recommend
HOME
3101 N Main St
32 locals recommend
Simply delicious food.
This fantastic breakfast spot is within walking distance and has some great food (and beverages). Get there early (by 8:30) if you don’t want a long wait. If you are waiting you can help yourself to coffee or order a Bloody Mary or Greyhound (if you’re starting the day off on an interesting foot). There’s also a nice park/playground across the street if you want to keep the kids entertained while you wait. Try the Frittata Supreme with a biscuit and side of gravy (enough food to split between two).
102 locals recommend
Harbor Café
535 7th Ave
102 locals recommend
This fantastic breakfast spot is within walking distance and has some great food (and beverages). Get there early (by 8:30) if you don’t want a long wait. If you are waiting you can help yourself to coffee or order a Bloody Mary or Greyhound (if you’re starting the day off on an interesting foot). There’s also a nice park/playground across the street if you want to keep the kids entertained while you wait. Try the Frittata Supreme with a biscuit and side of gravy (enough food to split between two).
Delicious Oaxacan cuisine and Mescal bar.
10 locals recommend
Copal Restaurant
1203 Mission Street
10 locals recommend
Delicious Oaxacan cuisine and Mescal bar.
Really good coffee and avocado toast.
71 locals recommend
Cat & Cloud Coffee
3600 Portola Dr
71 locals recommend
Really good coffee and avocado toast.

Essentials

Beer, Wine, Liquor and other convenience store items--less than a five minute walk from door to door.
Harbor Liquor
650 Capitola Rd
Beer, Wine, Liquor and other convenience store items--less than a five minute walk from door to door.
For all your food and beverage needs!
165 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
700 Front St
165 locals recommend
For all your food and beverage needs!
For all your drugstore needs--within minutes of our house!
8 locals recommend
Walgreens
1718 Soquel Ave
8 locals recommend
For all your drugstore needs--within minutes of our house!
157 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel Ave
157 locals recommend

Parks & Nature

Stroll through the big trees on a mellow .8 mile (flat) loop--or find a more challenging trail for a quieter experience (less people!).
335 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park Rd
335 locals recommend
Stroll through the big trees on a mellow .8 mile (flat) loop--or find a more challenging trail for a quieter experience (less people!).
This is the closest beach to our house--it's about a 20 minute walk (or 5 minute bike ride). It's a nice beach with all of the amenities (restaurants, coffee shop, bathrooms).
65 locals recommend
Twin Lakes Beach
995 Live Oak Avenue
65 locals recommend
This is the closest beach to our house--it's about a 20 minute walk (or 5 minute bike ride). It's a nice beach with all of the amenities (restaurants, coffee shop, bathrooms).
Don't miss the Monarch butterflies when they're around...
261 locals recommend
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff Dr
261 locals recommend
Don't miss the Monarch butterflies when they're around...
A fantastic place for a hike in the redwoods or for splashing in the creek with the kids.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek Road
272 locals recommend
A fantastic place for a hike in the redwoods or for splashing in the creek with the kids.
Great hiking trails, historic farm compound for the kids to explore, and fantastic mountain biking on the hill side of the property.
219 locals recommend
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast Rd
219 locals recommend
Great hiking trails, historic farm compound for the kids to explore, and fantastic mountain biking on the hill side of the property.

Getting Around

19 locals recommend
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
919B Ocean St
19 locals recommend
For daily (every third day is free) or weekly rentals. Check out their website: http://www.bicycletrip.com/en-US/page01/ You can call them at: 831-427-2580
11 locals recommend
Bicycle Trip
1001 Soquel Ave
11 locals recommend
For daily (every third day is free) or weekly rentals. Check out their website: http://www.bicycletrip.com/en-US/page01/ You can call them at: 831-427-2580

Drinks & Nightlife

Aside from the delicious crepes, this place has a great local music scene and a classic bar setup.
109 locals recommend
The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel Ave
109 locals recommend
Aside from the delicious crepes, this place has a great local music scene and a classic bar setup.
30 beers on tap and a huge selection of bottles--great family friendly atmosphere. Need I say more...
82 locals recommend
Beer 30
2504 S Main St
82 locals recommend
30 beers on tap and a huge selection of bottles--great family friendly atmosphere. Need I say more...
57 locals recommend
Johnny's Harborside
493 Lake Ave
57 locals recommend

Arts & Culture

Small, but a great place for local culture and art!
133 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front St
133 locals recommend
Small, but a great place for local culture and art!

Entertainment & Activities

Fantastic local music venue--check them out online to see what's coming up...
83 locals recommend
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial Way
83 locals recommend
Fantastic local music venue--check them out online to see what's coming up...
Recently expanded and remodeled--they even serve beer now!
23 locals recommend
CineLux Capitola Cafe and Lounge
1475 41st Ave
23 locals recommend
Recently expanded and remodeled--they even serve beer now!