Santa Cruz Visitors Guidebook
Sightseeing
This is a fun thing to do that takes about an hour and it’s super close to us.
208 locals recommend
The Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot RdThis is a fun thing to do that takes about an hour and it’s super close to us.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdHiking trails surrounded by Redwoods
Fun summertime place to hang out and people watch, summer concerts, arcade, rides and the beach.
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StFun summertime place to hang out and people watch, summer concerts, arcade, rides and the beach.
Great place to grab some food and hang out. Get very close to the harbor seals!
143 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal WharfGreat place to grab some food and hang out. Get very close to the harbor seals!
World class surfing destination. Great place for people watching and hanging out.
116 locals recommend
Pleasure Point
World class surfing destination. Great place for people watching and hanging out.
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrGreat place to hang out.
Beautiful local beach. Grab some BBQ at Holy Smokes and eat on the beach.
33 locals recommend
Sunny Cove
Beautiful local beach. Grab some BBQ at Holy Smokes and eat on the beach.
Action Adventure
Redwood Canopy Tour
17 Conference DrCanopy tour in the redwoods! Soooo much fun!
World class surfing destination. Great place for people watching and hanging out.
81 locals recommend
Steamer Lane
700 W Cliff DrWorld class surfing destination. Great place for people watching and hanging out.
Ride the Redwoods | Mountain Bike Tour Guides
1010 River StDownhill now!
Pacific Edge Climbing Gym
104 Bronson StGreat place to go climb indoors!
Neighborhoods
Capitola
Beach, food, shopping, drinks... all day hang out!!
Great for a stroll along the beach especially at sunset, shop on 41 Ave or go for a surf.
116 locals recommend
Pleasure Point
Great for a stroll along the beach especially at sunset, shop on 41 Ave or go for a surf.
Food scene
Great food and cozy romantic! Stroll around downtown then go eat! After cross the street and get some Penny Ice cream!!!
31 locals recommend
Gabriella Café
910 Cedar StGreat food and cozy romantic! Stroll around downtown then go eat! After cross the street and get some Penny Ice cream!!!
Steak and seafood. If you need a steak look no further! Oyster bar that’s awesome but it is is pricy.
11 locals recommend
Alderwood Santa Cruz
155 Walnut AveSteak and seafood. If you need a steak look no further! Oyster bar that’s awesome but it is is pricy.
Snap Taco
1108 Pacific AveCraft tacos in the heart of down town. Great place to drink a margarita and sit outside.
The Penny Ice Creamery
913 Cedar StMy favorite ice cream joint! All home made.
Marianne's Ice Cream
1020 Ocean StMy wife’s go to ice cream place!
La Posta
538 Seabright AveItalian done well. Owners are wonderful. Food is always on point!
Sugo Italian Pasta Bar
1116 Soquel AveReasonably priced Italian with amazing pizza.
Oswald Restaurant
121 Soquel AveCalifornian menu done well. Great drinks!
Lulu Carpenter's
1545 Pacific AveCoffee and pastries. Tasty selection of bites!
The Buttery
702 Soquel AveIf you need to get your baked goods on this is it. Amazing pastries!
Great coffee and baked goods. Sit outside and people watch.
220 locals recommend
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveGreat coffee and baked goods. Sit outside and people watch.
Mexican Mexican Mexican... there will be a line but it’s worth it! Not expensive and really delicious!
10 locals recommend
Taqueria Los Pericos
139 Water StMexican Mexican Mexican... there will be a line but it’s worth it! Not expensive and really delicious!
Great BBQ!!! Leave your car parked there and walk over with your BBQ to Sunny Cove beach and eat on the sand.
Holy Smokes Country BBQ and Catering
21505 E Cliff DrGreat BBQ!!! Leave your car parked there and walk over with your BBQ to Sunny Cove beach and eat on the sand.
Great Hawaiian food and great drinks. By the shopping area downtown. Easy parking.
102 locals recommend
Hula's Island Grill
221 Cathcart StGreat Hawaiian food and great drinks. By the shopping area downtown. Easy parking.
New Orleans-Style Beignets... will have to get your coffee elsewhere... perhaps at Verve or Lulu Carpenters both excellent choices!
Roux Dat Cajun Creole
118 Cooper StNew Orleans-Style Beignets... will have to get your coffee elsewhere... perhaps at Verve or Lulu Carpenters both excellent choices!
Wine tasting on the west side. Cool area with some shops and lots of places to eat.
11 locals recommend
Sones Cellars
334-B Ingalls StWine tasting on the west side. Cool area with some shops and lots of places to eat.
Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard
334 Ingalls StGo here for some tasty beer!!!
Poke House
1698 Hostetter RdPoke poke poke!
Waffle and pancake breakfast downtown! Always a hit for breakfast.
38 locals recommend
The Walnut Avenue Cafe
106 Walnut AveWaffle and pancake breakfast downtown! Always a hit for breakfast.
This is also downtown next to all the shops. We LOVE this place for delicious food and great mixed drinks. They have wonderful wines as well. These are the same owners as La Posta restaurant another favorite of ours.
55 locals recommend
Soif
105 Walnut AveThis is also downtown next to all the shops. We LOVE this place for delicious food and great mixed drinks. They have wonderful wines as well. These are the same owners as La Posta restaurant another favorite of ours.
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdLaili
101 Cooper St