Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
Best coffee shop in town tucked away off the beaten path. Nice and easy morning stroll from the pad. Also cool to watch their roasting operation and they have some yummy pastries.
220 locals recommend
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveBest coffee shop in town tucked away off the beaten path. Nice and easy morning stroll from the pad. Also cool to watch their roasting operation and they have some yummy pastries.
Favorite breakfast place in town!! Classic breakfast and lunch fare with very fresh ingredients and super friendly staff. The two muffins of the day are always delicious. Can get crowded,
67 locals recommend
Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright AveFavorite breakfast place in town!! Classic breakfast and lunch fare with very fresh ingredients and super friendly staff. The two muffins of the day are always delicious. Can get crowded,
Great smoothies, coffee, bagels, etc... Wonderful, large outdoor patio. Really nice place to hangout, relax and enjoy the sunshine.
26 locals recommend
Java Junction
519 Seabright AveGreat smoothies, coffee, bagels, etc... Wonderful, large outdoor patio. Really nice place to hangout, relax and enjoy the sunshine.
Craft brewery with some tasty food and great outdoor patio. They also host a lot of bands so you can listen to some live music. Also a quick walk away.
74 locals recommend
Seabright Social
519 Seabright AveCraft brewery with some tasty food and great outdoor patio. They also host a lot of bands so you can listen to some live music. Also a quick walk away.
They have a good burger plus a ton of other food options. Great place to stop by after working up an appetite from bodysurfing all day.
65 locals recommend
Betty Burgers
505 Seabright AveThey have a good burger plus a ton of other food options. Great place to stop by after working up an appetite from bodysurfing all day.
Very good Italian food. They serve lunch and dinner. Be warned that it is so good it is always packed. Make reservations ahead of time to avoid waiting.
125 locals recommend
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveVery good Italian food. They serve lunch and dinner. Be warned that it is so good it is always packed. Make reservations ahead of time to avoid waiting.
They serve up food all day and feature a full bar. Situated in a very cool, old building with an amazing outdoor garden. There are also a lot of local bands that play all nights of the week.
109 locals recommend
The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel AveThey serve up food all day and feature a full bar. Situated in a very cool, old building with an amazing outdoor garden. There are also a lot of local bands that play all nights of the week.
Local bagel place that is a Santa Cruz establishment. Try the Duke and Moxy bagels.
23 locals recommend
Bagelry
1636 Seabright AveLocal bagel place that is a Santa Cruz establishment. Try the Duke and Moxy bagels.
Engfer Pizza Works
537 Seabright AveVery close and great wood-fired local pizza joint.
Great spot for a good meal and drink. Can't beat the view of the beach and harbor! Upstairs is the bar area that is always hopping and they host summer beach parties along with concerts year round.
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrGreat spot for a good meal and drink. Can't beat the view of the beach and harbor! Upstairs is the bar area that is always hopping and they host summer beach parties along with concerts year round.
Located right along the harbor on the water, like over the water on piers, this is a wonderful Santa Cruz establishment that has been around forever. Almost all of the seating is outdoors on the deck.
56 locals recommend
Aldo's Harbor Restaurant
790 Mariner Park WayLocated right along the harbor on the water, like over the water on piers, this is a wonderful Santa Cruz establishment that has been around forever. Almost all of the seating is outdoors on the deck.
My favorite taqueria in town. There menu consists of tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Cash only and it can get crowded during rush hour.
28 locals recommend
Tacos Moreno
1053 Water StMy favorite taqueria in town. There menu consists of tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Cash only and it can get crowded during rush hour.
La Posta
538 Seabright AveNice Italian restaurant a short walk away. Comfy setting and good food.
Italian restaurant with great lunches and dinners. Lunch special is a great deal and it is located a short walk away.
38 locals recommend
Tramonti
528 Seabright AveItalian restaurant with great lunches and dinners. Lunch special is a great deal and it is located a short walk away.
One of the best bakeries in town. They offer pastries, cookies, cakes, bread along with a cafe serving breakfast and lunch items.
133 locals recommend
The Buttery
702 Soquel AveOne of the best bakeries in town. They offer pastries, cookies, cakes, bread along with a cafe serving breakfast and lunch items.
Everything Else
Your in Santa Cruz so why not go to one of the best beaches? It features restrooms, showers, seasonal lifeguards and bonfire pits!
32 locals recommend
Seabright Beach
Your in Santa Cruz so why not go to one of the best beaches? It features restrooms, showers, seasonal lifeguards and bonfire pits!
Wooden roller coaster, live games, beach setting and fresh cotton candy. Admission is free to stroll around the grounds. Free summer concert series is always fun. Ride the Giant Dipper and Log Ride!!
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StWooden roller coaster, live games, beach setting and fresh cotton candy. Admission is free to stroll around the grounds. Free summer concert series is always fun. Ride the Giant Dipper and Log Ride!!
Drinks & Nightlife
Classic no nonsense dive bar with stiff drinks and interesting Santa Cruz characters.
12 locals recommend
Brady's Yacht Club
413 Seabright AveClassic no nonsense dive bar with stiff drinks and interesting Santa Cruz characters.
Arts & Culture
Movie theaters, music venues, bars, shopping, coffee shops and eateries can all be found downtown. Talk a stroll down Pacific Avenue which is the main street and just explore for a few hours.
28 locals recommend
Downtown Santa Cruz Info Kiosk
1130 Pacific AveMovie theaters, music venues, bars, shopping, coffee shops and eateries can all be found downtown. Talk a stroll down Pacific Avenue which is the main street and just explore for a few hours.
Book a cruise and sail on this lovely boat for a different perspective of the Monterey Bay. They offer several options of themed charters including sunset cruises.
45 locals recommend
Chardonnay Sailing Charters
790 Mariner Park WayBook a cruise and sail on this lovely boat for a different perspective of the Monterey Bay. They offer several options of themed charters including sunset cruises.
Take a stroll down the street to this climbing gym. They also offer bouldering and lessons.
16 locals recommend
Pacific Edge Climbing Gym
104 Bronson StTake a stroll down the street to this climbing gym. They also offer bouldering and lessons.
Sightseeing
Lots of restaurants and shops line the wharf which make for a nice stroll. Watch the Sea Lions, surfers and check out the Boardwalk as well. You can fish off the wharf and rent small craft.
143 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal WharfLots of restaurants and shops line the wharf which make for a nice stroll. Watch the Sea Lions, surfers and check out the Boardwalk as well. You can fish off the wharf and rent small craft.
Watch the surfers and take a stroll on West Cliff for some great views along this iconic Santa Cruz stretch of coastline.
81 locals recommend
Steamer Lane
700 W Cliff DrWatch the surfers and take a stroll on West Cliff for some great views along this iconic Santa Cruz stretch of coastline.
Essentials
The local version of a Whole Foods way before Whole Foods. Natural grocery/health food store in Santa Cruz.
69 locals recommend
Staff of Life
1266 Soquel AveThe local version of a Whole Foods way before Whole Foods. Natural grocery/health food store in Santa Cruz.
A Santa Cruz establishment and neighborhood grocery store with an excellent butcher department.
76 locals recommend
Shopper's Corner
622 Soquel AveA Santa Cruz establishment and neighborhood grocery store with an excellent butcher department.