Plateau Drive Guidebook
Food scene
American fare, kid-friendly, country western theme. Good food! 0.2 mi. 4-minute walk. Outdoor seating. Full bar
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Cowboy Bar & Grill
5447 Hwy 9American fare, kid-friendly, country western theme. Good food! 0.2 mi. 4-minute walk. Outdoor seating. Full bar
Highly recommend! Healthy and delicious food and drinks. Always seasonal and fresh. Outdoor seating. Amazing location, across from Steamer Lane on West Cliff in Lighthouse Field State Park. A must try!
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Steamer Lane Supply
644-670 W Cliff DrHighly recommend! Healthy and delicious food and drinks. Always seasonal and fresh. Outdoor seating. Amazing location, across from Steamer Lane on West Cliff in Lighthouse Field State Park. A must try!
Highly recommend! One of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz. Mediterranean cuisine. Fine dining. Downtown Santa Cruz
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Laili
101 Cooper StHighly recommend! One of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz. Mediterranean cuisine. Fine dining. Downtown Santa Cruz
An excellent natural foods market, sandwiches to go, vitamins and supplements, deli, organic foods, and more. Downtown Felton. 0.8 mi
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Wild Roots Market
13159 Central AveAn excellent natural foods market, sandwiches to go, vitamins and supplements, deli, organic foods, and more. Downtown Felton. 0.8 mi
3 minute walk. Local coffee hangout with 4.5 * Yelp reviews. Famous chai. Breakfast goodies. 0.8 mile
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White Raven
6253 Hwy 93 minute walk. Local coffee hangout with 4.5 * Yelp reviews. Famous chai. Breakfast goodies. 0.8 mile
Excellent bakery and deli in Capitola. Very popular. A "must try." Nice place to pick up food for day trips. 10.7 miles
504 Bay Ave, Capitola
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Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay AveExcellent bakery and deli in Capitola. Very popular. A "must try." Nice place to pick up food for day trips. 10.7 miles
504 Bay Ave, Capitola
Our favorite restaurant on the wharf. Fantastic views from the end of the Santa Cruz Wharf. Good Mexican Food! Unique menu with lots of seafood options. Good chips, salsa, guacamole and margaritas. Love their carnitas tacos.
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Olitas Cantina & Grille
49 Municipal WharfOur favorite restaurant on the wharf. Fantastic views from the end of the Santa Cruz Wharf. Good Mexican Food! Unique menu with lots of seafood options. Good chips, salsa, guacamole and margaritas. Love their carnitas tacos.
Local. Organic. Pizza, Lasagna, Salads, Beer & Wine. 2 minute drive, 13 minute walk. Good food!
6205 Highway 9, Felton; 0.7 mile
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Redwood Pizzeria
6205 CA-9Local. Organic. Pizza, Lasagna, Salads, Beer & Wine. 2 minute drive, 13 minute walk. Good food!
6205 Highway 9, Felton; 0.7 mile
Local. Hearty portions of comfort food. 4.4**** reviews; Breakfasts, lunch and dinner. An easy walk. Good food!
0.7 mile
6155 Hwy 9
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Empire Grille
6155 Hwy 9Local. Hearty portions of comfort food. 4.4**** reviews; Breakfasts, lunch and dinner. An easy walk. Good food!
0.7 mile
6155 Hwy 9
Heavenly Roadside Café
1210 Mt Hermon RdGood breakfasts. 3.1 mi, 7 minute drive
Our favorite Italian restaurant in all of Santa Cruz county. RSVP required.
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Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveOur favorite Italian restaurant in all of Santa Cruz county. RSVP required.
Felton Donuts & Pastries
6259 Graham Hill RdIf you like fresh, warm donuts, these are really good! Really!
The Grove Cafe and Bakery
Recently opened. Fantastic! 6249 CA-9, Downtown Felton
Downtown Santa Cruz on Pacific Garden Mall. Serves Spanish shared plates, paella, wine and cocktails. Several vegetarian and vegan entrees. Really good! RSVP
Barceloneta
1541 Pacific AveDowntown Santa Cruz on Pacific Garden Mall. Serves Spanish shared plates, paella, wine and cocktails. Several vegetarian and vegan entrees. Really good! RSVP
In the heart of Ben Lomond, 4.5 miles north on Highway 9. Cozy and inviting atmosphere, excellent food and service! Highly recommend! 
Aroma
In the heart of Ben Lomond, 4.5 miles north on Highway 9. Cozy and inviting atmosphere, excellent food and service! Highly recommend! 
Very popular! Recently joined up with S.C. Bread Boy to serve up fantastic Smash Burgers. Limited hours of operation. Check online for updates. Downtown Felton.
Humble Sea Tavern | Felton
Very popular! Recently joined up with S.C. Bread Boy to serve up fantastic Smash Burgers. Limited hours of operation. Check online for updates. Downtown Felton.
Sightseeing
A must see! Peaceful and grounding. Favorite hiking!
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Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdA must see! Peaceful and grounding. Favorite hiking!
A gem, right in our neighborhood. Ride the train to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk or Bear Mountain.
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Roaring Camp, Big Trees and Pacific Railroad Station
North Big Trees Park RoadA gem, right in our neighborhood. Ride the train to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk or Bear Mountain.
Beautiful, especially at sunset. Check out the tide pools at low tide and the monarch butterfly trail
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Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrBeautiful, especially at sunset. Check out the tide pools at low tide and the monarch butterfly trail
A beautiful drive up the coast and on a windy day the kite surfers and wind sailers will be out.
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Waddell Beach
A beautiful drive up the coast and on a windy day the kite surfers and wind sailers will be out.
Historic Covered Bridge and the tallest in the USA. Playground; Sand Volleyball Court; River Access; Lawn Area; Fishing; Picnic Area
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Felton Covered Bridge County Park
Graham Hill RoadHistoric Covered Bridge and the tallest in the USA. Playground; Sand Volleyball Court; River Access; Lawn Area; Fishing; Picnic Area
Picturesque ocean spot with tidepools. Any beach along the PCH north of Santa Cruz is going to be beautiful. Stop at as many state beaches as possible.
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Bean Hollow State Beach
New Years Creek RoadPicturesque ocean spot with tidepools. Any beach along the PCH north of Santa Cruz is going to be beautiful. Stop at as many state beaches as possible.
Highly recommend! Scenic 17-Mile Drive in Picturesque Pebble Beach. Dramatic coastal cliffs, snow-white beaches, championship golf courses. Stop at Gayle's bakery in Capitola on the way for picnic foods.
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17-Mile Drive
17 Mile DriveHighly recommend! Scenic 17-Mile Drive in Picturesque Pebble Beach. Dramatic coastal cliffs, snow-white beaches, championship golf courses. Stop at Gayle's bakery in Capitola on the way for picnic foods.
Aquarium and marine science, museum. Great for kids! Interactive and hands on.
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Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister WayAquarium and marine science, museum. Great for kids! Interactive and hands on.
A hidden secret of southern Santa Cruz County, this beach is tucked away between the farmlands. Pack a picnic for the evening, drive down along the secluded roads and watch the sunset over the ocean and sands.
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Sunset State Beach
Sunset Beach RoadA hidden secret of southern Santa Cruz County, this beach is tucked away between the farmlands. Pack a picnic for the evening, drive down along the secluded roads and watch the sunset over the ocean and sands.
Año Nuevo State Park offers docent-guided walks between December 15 and March 31, which feature the elephant seals in their natural habitat. To view the elephant seals during this season, you must be on a guided walk. Elephant seal viewing requires a 3-4 mile moderate hike over varied terrain, including sand dunes. The walks last about two and a half hours. They operate daily from early morning to mid afternoon.
For more information and to reserve a tour, search: Elephant Seal Guided Walks
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Ano Nuevo State Park
Año Nuevo State Park offers docent-guided walks between December 15 and March 31, which feature the elephant seals in their natural habitat. To view the elephant seals during this season, you must be on a guided walk. Elephant seal viewing requires a 3-4 mile moderate hike over varied terrain, including sand dunes. The walks last about two and a half hours. They operate daily from early morning to mid afternoon.
For more information and to reserve a tour, search: Elephant Seal Guided Walks
Visitors experience demonstrations that appear to defy gravity, on the short but steep uphill walk and inside a wooden building on the site
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The Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot RdVisitors experience demonstrations that appear to defy gravity, on the short but steep uphill walk and inside a wooden building on the site
Hiking and Biking
One of our favorite local places to hike. Huge views of the bay and zero crowds on the western edge of Santa Cruz at Moore Creek Preserve, a 246-acre greenbelt. A peaceful hike with open meadows and Redwood canyons. We like to park by Pacific Shores Apartments at 1240 Shaffer Road and Hwy 1. Walk across Hwy 1 to the trail. Very limited parking on Meder Street.
Moore Creek Preserve
Moore Creek TrailOne of our favorite local places to hike. Huge views of the bay and zero crowds on the western edge of Santa Cruz at Moore Creek Preserve, a 246-acre greenbelt. A peaceful hike with open meadows and Redwood canyons. We like to park by Pacific Shores Apartments at 1240 Shaffer Road and Hwy 1. Walk across Hwy 1 to the trail. Very limited parking on Meder Street.
Quail Hollow Ranch County Park
800 Quail Hollow RdA favorite hiking place. Great views of the area
Great hiking and biking! Follow the Old Landing Cove Trail along the bluffs for some majestic ocean views. 2.4 easy miles. Other good hiking and biking trails across the highway.
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Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdGreat hiking and biking! Follow the Old Landing Cove Trail along the bluffs for some majestic ocean views. 2.4 easy miles. Other good hiking and biking trails across the highway.
All kinds of biking and hiking trails. Convenient and peaceful walk to the park, especially early morning or early evening. Lots of deer around sunset, sometimes coyotes. Enjoy a 360 degree view from the Observation Deck, a 5.3 mi. loop, a moderately challenging hike. There's a QR code at the park's kiosk with an downloadable hiking trial map.
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Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdAll kinds of biking and hiking trails. Convenient and peaceful walk to the park, especially early morning or early evening. Lots of deer around sunset, sometimes coyotes. Enjoy a 360 degree view from the Observation Deck, a 5.3 mi. loop, a moderately challenging hike. There's a QR code at the park's kiosk with an downloadable hiking trial map.
Nice spot for a lengthy beach walk. Try famous Marianne’s Ice Cream right outside the park entrance
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Seacliff State Beach
State Park DriveNice spot for a lengthy beach walk. Try famous Marianne’s Ice Cream right outside the park entrance
Several shady trails for hiking during those hot days. A beautiful spot that's nearby. Photos were taken by our Airbnb guest and talented photographer, Saul Shiffman from Pittsburgh.
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Fall Creek Unit Trailhead
Felton Empire RoadSeveral shady trails for hiking during those hot days. A beautiful spot that's nearby. Photos were taken by our Airbnb guest and talented photographer, Saul Shiffman from Pittsburgh.
A moderately challenging hike through old growth redwoods up to a rewarding lookout with views of the Monterey Bay on one side and the Santa Cruz Mountain ridges and valleys on the other. A rare Santa Cruz sandhills habitat, with ponderosa pines, gnarled manzanita and bush lupine.
Henry Cowell Redwoods Observation Deck
A moderately challenging hike through old growth redwoods up to a rewarding lookout with views of the Monterey Bay on one side and the Santa Cruz Mountain ridges and valleys on the other. A rare Santa Cruz sandhills habitat, with ponderosa pines, gnarled manzanita and bush lupine.
Pogonip
501 and 410 Golf Club DrAwesome mountain bike and hiking trails.
So majestic! One of the most beautiful places on earth. Go early if you want parking, otherwise hike in. Worth the drive!
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Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1So majestic! One of the most beautiful places on earth. Go early if you want parking, otherwise hike in. Worth the drive!
Libations
Beer, wine and cocktails
An historic and highly rated vineyard in our own neighborhood. Just a 3 minute drive or a 20 minute walk away. You might stop at Wild Roots Market to pick up picnic needs to enjoy with a bottle of wine and relax on their deck.
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Hallcrest Vineyards
379 Felton Empire RdAn historic and highly rated vineyard in our own neighborhood. Just a 3 minute drive or a 20 minute walk away. You might stop at Wild Roots Market to pick up picnic needs to enjoy with a bottle of wine and relax on their deck.
Just down the street. Fantastic dive bar and local favorite. Fun atmosphere and awesome bartenders. A lovely outside garden area with fire pit, and a great pool table inside. A juke box with a great selection of tunes.
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Monty's Log Cabin
5755 Hwy 9Just down the street. Fantastic dive bar and local favorite. Fun atmosphere and awesome bartenders. A lovely outside garden area with fire pit, and a great pool table inside. A juke box with a great selection of tunes.
Local Music
Great food! A 13 minute walk away, a local favorite. As per their website, "brings an unrivaled live music experience to the Santa Cruz mountains. Music lovers of all genres can see both the best local talent or their favorite touring musicians while enjoying fresh craft food and drinks served in-house. Our restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday 4-9PM. Seating is limited and please order from the bar."
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Felton Music Hall
6275 Hwy 9Great food! A 13 minute walk away, a local favorite. As per their website, "brings an unrivaled live music experience to the Santa Cruz mountains. Music lovers of all genres can see both the best local talent or their favorite touring musicians while enjoying fresh craft food and drinks served in-house. Our restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday 4-9PM. Seating is limited and please order from the bar."
Adventures
Zip line and other Aerial adventures in our local forest. Highly rated!
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Mount Hermon Adventures
17 Conference DrZip line and other Aerial adventures in our local forest. Highly rated!
Scenic 175-acre reservoir park for fishing, boating & hiking
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Loch Lomond Recreation Area
100 Loch Lomond WayScenic 175-acre reservoir park for fishing, boating & hiking
Playgrounds
Skypark
361 Kings Village RdGreat playground for kids, skatepark, basketball courts, picnic areas
Closest playground for kids. Across from Safeway.
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Felton Covered Bridge County Park
Graham Hill RoadClosest playground for kids. Across from Safeway.
A fun playground with swings and climbing structures. Skate park.
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Highlands County Park
8500 CA-9A fun playground with swings and climbing structures. Skate park.