Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
Very good authentic Italian! Yummy seafood, great knocci…yummy polenta! Everything is delish!$$
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Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveVery good authentic Italian! Yummy seafood, great knocci…yummy polenta! Everything is delish!$$
walking distance, fun atmosphere, not just a bar, their food is amazing!Awesome outdoor patio..pet friendly! Local brews & wine served!! Yummy fish n chips!
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Seabright Social
519 Seabright Avewalking distance, fun atmosphere, not just a bar, their food is amazing!Awesome outdoor patio..pet friendly! Local brews & wine served!! Yummy fish n chips!
best burgers and sweet potato fries in town. also walking distance!$
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Betty Burgers
505 Seabright Avebest burgers and sweet potato fries in town. also walking distance!$
one of the very breakfasts or lunch in all of Santa Cruz…get there early, or be prepared to wait, they're worth it!
$
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Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright Aveone of the very breakfasts or lunch in all of Santa Cruz…get there early, or be prepared to wait, they're worth it!
$
excellent prime rib, salads, and my favorite is the monterey cesar salad! Yum!!!$$
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Café Cruz
2621 41st Aveexcellent prime rib, salads, and my favorite is the monterey cesar salad! Yum!!!$$
Cafe Brasil
1410 Mission Stit's actually 1410 mission street, sc
wonderful!$
Yummy Italian family owned restaurant...walking distance..reservations recommended!
$$$
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La Posta
538 Seabright AveYummy Italian family owned restaurant...walking distance..reservations recommended!
$$$
This is a MUST!!! Call ahead and make a reservation on their beautiful patio....You'll feel like you're dining in Italy somewhere...even though it's a mediterranean place...The trout is TO DIE FOR!$$
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Laili
101 Cooper StThis is a MUST!!! Call ahead and make a reservation on their beautiful patio....You'll feel like you're dining in Italy somewhere...even though it's a mediterranean place...The trout is TO DIE FOR!$$
BEST SUSHI IN ALL OF SANTA CRUZ...HANDS DOWN!! ONLY THREE BLOCKS FROM OUR HOUSE!!!$$
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Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel AveBEST SUSHI IN ALL OF SANTA CRUZ...HANDS DOWN!! ONLY THREE BLOCKS FROM OUR HOUSE!!!$$
TRAMONTE ITALIAN RESTAURANT
528 Seabright AvenueAwesome authentic Italian pizza.. Walking distance, outdoor patio.$$
The Buttery
702 Soquel AveYum!
Pacific Thai Santa Cruz
1319 Pacific AveBest Thai in santa cruz!
Rated #1 brewery..walking distance from our place!!
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Sante Adairius Santa Cruz Portal
1315 Water StRated #1 brewery..walking distance from our place!!
Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard
334 Ingalls StAwesome brewery and food!
Shanty Shack Brewing
138 Fern StDumpy neighborhood...Great beer!
Beer 30
2504 S Main StPet friendly..and great beer, great corn hole..great fun!!!
Storrs Winery
303 Potrero StDeeeeelicious wines!!!
Shopping
one of the best organic grocery stores in town, only three blocks away!
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Staff of Life
1266 Soquel Aveone of the best organic grocery stores in town, only three blocks away!
heart of downtown Santa Cruz. Everything is there!!! food, shops, lots to look at, movies, night clubs!!!
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Pacific Avenue
Pacific Avenueheart of downtown Santa Cruz. Everything is there!!! food, shops, lots to look at, movies, night clubs!!!
Santa Cruz Roller Palladium
1606 Seabright AveSuper fun and only two blocks from the Cottage!!!
Just six miles away from Santa Cruz, Capitola is a picturesque beach town with a charming village atmosphere. This historic seaside resort has a great selection of restaurants, cafés, and boutiques. Tourists will enjoy spending a few hours here for a meal and shopping. The town is an especially inviting place for brunch on a sunny day because many of the restaurants and cafés have gorgeous views of the Monterey Bay. Shadowbrook Restaurant is an upscale restaurant with a unique tropical ambiance. An elevator takes guests down a mountain to enter the restaurant.
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Capitola
Just six miles away from Santa Cruz, Capitola is a picturesque beach town with a charming village atmosphere. This historic seaside resort has a great selection of restaurants, cafés, and boutiques. Tourists will enjoy spending a few hours here for a meal and shopping. The town is an especially inviting place for brunch on a sunny day because many of the restaurants and cafés have gorgeous views of the Monterey Bay. Shadowbrook Restaurant is an upscale restaurant with a unique tropical ambiance. An elevator takes guests down a mountain to enter the restaurant.
O'Neill Surf Shop
110 Cooper StPick up some local shirts or stickers for someone special!
Pacific Wave
1502 Pacific AveBest Surf shop in Santa Cruz!! Awesome local designers!
Essentials
a wide variety of ready made meals, plus everything else you could hope to find…and then some!
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Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel Avea wide variety of ready made meals, plus everything else you could hope to find…and then some!
Everything Else
The very best family run grocery store in all of Santa Cruz county!!!
They have the most friendly butchers, and such a wonderful selection of fresh locally grown produce, everything is top notch!
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Shopper's Corner
622 Soquel AveThe very best family run grocery store in all of Santa Cruz county!!!
They have the most friendly butchers, and such a wonderful selection of fresh locally grown produce, everything is top notch!
A must if you're in the area!!!
Especially the jellies exhibit!
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Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowA must if you're in the area!!!
Especially the jellies exhibit!
Five Branches University, Santa Cruz
200 7th Aveacupuncture academy..sliding scale health, healers.
Ashtanga Yoga Institute at Pacific Cultural Center
1307 Seabright AveYoga Institute.
For more than 100 years, the Santa Cruz Wharf has been used as a fishing pier. It was constructed from 70-foot-long Douglas fir pilings driven 21 feet into the ocean floor. More than 2,000 feet in length, the wharf was built in 1914 to serve deep-water vessels. The original steamship dock and freight warehouse no longer exist. Nowadays, the pier is only used for recreational fishing and tourism. Visitors enjoy strolling the pier, taking in the serene views of the bay, and shopping at the boutiques. With several excellent fish restaurants, it's a great place to enjoy a fresh seafood meal. Birdwatching and sea lion viewing are other favorite pastimes. Sea lions make their home here year-round
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Santa Cruz Pier
21 Municipal WharfFor more than 100 years, the Santa Cruz Wharf has been used as a fishing pier. It was constructed from 70-foot-long Douglas fir pilings driven 21 feet into the ocean floor. More than 2,000 feet in length, the wharf was built in 1914 to serve deep-water vessels. The original steamship dock and freight warehouse no longer exist. Nowadays, the pier is only used for recreational fishing and tourism. Visitors enjoy strolling the pier, taking in the serene views of the bay, and shopping at the boutiques. With several excellent fish restaurants, it's a great place to enjoy a fresh seafood meal. Birdwatching and sea lion viewing are other favorite pastimes. Sea lions make their home here year-round
Entertainment & Activities
wonderful, expansive beach. natural history museum across the street, with big grey whale statue to climb on.
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Seabright State Beach
wonderful, expansive beach. natural history museum across the street, with big grey whale statue to climb on.
This famous amusement park, overlooking the sandy shores of Monterey Bay, has been delighting visitors since 1907. It's considered one of the best seaside amusement parks in the world because of its fantastic setting and historic roller coaster rides. The boardwalk is the most popular tourist destination in Santa Cruz and is especially popular with families. The biggest crowds turn out during the summer months (around June through September) for the exciting rides and fun-loving games. Be sure to go on the park's most famous roller coaster, the Giant Dipper, a wooden landmark built in 1924 that still has a thrilling effect plus panoramic ocean views. On a hot day, the Logger's Revenge ride!
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StThis famous amusement park, overlooking the sandy shores of Monterey Bay, has been delighting visitors since 1907. It's considered one of the best seaside amusement parks in the world because of its fantastic setting and historic roller coaster rides. The boardwalk is the most popular tourist destination in Santa Cruz and is especially popular with families. The biggest crowds turn out during the summer months (around June through September) for the exciting rides and fun-loving games. Be sure to go on the park's most famous roller coaster, the Giant Dipper, a wooden landmark built in 1924 that still has a thrilling effect plus panoramic ocean views. On a hot day, the Logger's Revenge ride!
Ride the steam train, or just go on a hike through Henry Cowell Redwoods!!!
Visitors can take an old-fashioned steam train ride through the most scenic areas of Santa Cruz. The Roaring Camp Railroad based in nearby Felton offers two different routes on its 19th-century narrow-gauge steam train: the Redwood Forest Steam Train and the Santa Cruz Beach Train. The Redwood Forest Steam Train travels through soaring redwood groves, winding through the mountains to the top of Bear Mountain. During the journey, the conductor shares information about the forest and the history of Roaring Camp Railroad since it was created in the 1880s to haul lumber out of the mountains.Santa Cruz Beach Steam Train!
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Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill RdRide the steam train, or just go on a hike through Henry Cowell Redwoods!!!
Visitors can take an old-fashioned steam train ride through the most scenic areas of Santa Cruz. The Roaring Camp Railroad based in nearby Felton offers two different routes on its 19th-century narrow-gauge steam train: the Redwood Forest Steam Train and the Santa Cruz Beach Train. The Redwood Forest Steam Train travels through soaring redwood groves, winding through the mountains to the top of Bear Mountain. During the journey, the conductor shares information about the forest and the history of Roaring Camp Railroad since it was created in the 1880s to haul lumber out of the mountains.Santa Cruz Beach Steam Train!
Boardwalk Bowl
115 Cliff StLots of fun on a rainy day!
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StFUN FUN FUN!!!
This surprising site needs to be seen to be believed. Just outside Santa Cruz, the Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly that makes visitors question the laws of physics. In a circular area of the redwood forest that is 46 meters in diameter, the normal effects of gravity do not apply. Objects and people appear to be tilted even when attempting to stand up straight. The effect is utterly puzzling, and no scientific theory has been able to explain the Mystery Spot since it was discovered in 1939. After pondering the scientific mysteries, visitors may go for a hike on the nearby trail that winds through the redwood trees.
465 Mystery Spot Road, Santa Cruz
Official site: https://www.mystery
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Mystery Spot Road
Mystery Spot RoadThis surprising site needs to be seen to be believed. Just outside Santa Cruz, the Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly that makes visitors question the laws of physics. In a circular area of the redwood forest that is 46 meters in diameter, the normal effects of gravity do not apply. Objects and people appear to be tilted even when attempting to stand up straight. The effect is utterly puzzling, and no scientific theory has been able to explain the Mystery Spot since it was discovered in 1939. After pondering the scientific mysteries, visitors may go for a hike on the nearby trail that winds through the redwood trees.
465 Mystery Spot Road, Santa Cruz
Official site: https://www.mystery
The Redwood Canopy Tours at Mount Hermon Adventures offers guests exciting eco-adventures into the redwood forest canopy.
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Redwood Canopy Tour
17 Conference DrThe Redwood Canopy Tours at Mount Hermon Adventures offers guests exciting eco-adventures into the redwood forest canopy.
Sightseeing
Santa Cruz Harbor
135 5th Avegreat eateries a stones throw from your towel and beach chair!
Ano Nuevo State Park
elephant seals and their pups, need to reserve in advance.
Point Reyes Station
hiking and see the wild coast!
mountain bike riding, hiking,….hike to the epicenter of the '89 earthquake.
visit the tall redwoods and relax!
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Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek Roadmountain bike riding, hiking,….hike to the epicenter of the '89 earthquake.
visit the tall redwoods and relax!
Big Sur Coastline
PARADISE!
Also visit the Surf Museum..
For a breathtaking scenic walk or bike ride, head to West Cliff Drive. A six-mile pathway hugs the coastline and travels a scenic route with sensational panoramas of the cliff-fringed Pacific Ocean. The completely flat, wheelchair-accessible path along the road is designed for walking and cycling. Benches positioned at scenic spots invite passersby to sit back and soak up the panoramas of undulating deep blue seas as seagulls soar above and flocks of pelicans hover near the water. This picturesque section of the Monterey Bay is popular with surfers. A bronze surfer statue is found along the path and a tiny Surfing Museum (the world's first surfing museum) is hous
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West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveAlso visit the Surf Museum..
For a breathtaking scenic walk or bike ride, head to West Cliff Drive. A six-mile pathway hugs the coastline and travels a scenic route with sensational panoramas of the cliff-fringed Pacific Ocean. The completely flat, wheelchair-accessible path along the road is designed for walking and cycling. Benches positioned at scenic spots invite passersby to sit back and soak up the panoramas of undulating deep blue seas as seagulls soar above and flocks of pelicans hover near the water. This picturesque section of the Monterey Bay is popular with surfers. A bronze surfer statue is found along the path and a tiny Surfing Museum (the world's first surfing museum) is hous
Arts & Culture
Rio Theatre
1205 Soquel Avelive music!
oldest movie house in Santa Cruz, large screens, locally owned and run.
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Del Mar Theater
1124 Pacific Aveoldest movie house in Santa Cruz, large screens, locally owned and run.
What could be better?…Redwoods, hiking, and an old fashioned steam train!!!
You can ride it to or from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!!!
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Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdWhat could be better?…Redwoods, hiking, and an old fashioned steam train!!!
You can ride it to or from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!!!
Climb on the whale out front, and explore our local natural history. Definitely worth a trip!!!
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Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
1305 E Cliff DrClimb on the whale out front, and explore our local natural history. Definitely worth a trip!!!
Near Natural Bridges State Park, the Seymour Marine Center features a fascinating aquarium, shark pool, and touch pool filled with starfish, sea urchins, hermit crabs, and sea anemones. The Exhibit Hall educates visitors about oceanic research as well as topics such as elephant seal behavior and the sea otters' ecosystem.
Address: 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz
Official site: http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu
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Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister WayNear Natural Bridges State Park, the Seymour Marine Center features a fascinating aquarium, shark pool, and touch pool filled with starfish, sea urchins, hermit crabs, and sea anemones. The Exhibit Hall educates visitors about oceanic research as well as topics such as elephant seal behavior and the sea otters' ecosystem.
Address: 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz
Official site: http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu