Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
(downtown, 15-min walk) - Probably best described as "Afghan-fusion" food; warm, straightforward meat and vegetable dishes with amazing flavors. The most upscale-feeling restaurant downtown, yet reasonably priced. Our personal favorite. Get the bouranee squash appetizer.
104 locals raden deze aan
Laili
101 Cooper St(downtown, 15-min walk) - Probably best described as "Afghan-fusion" food; warm, straightforward meat and vegetable dishes with amazing flavors. The most upscale-feeling restaurant downtown, yet reasonably priced. Our personal favorite. Get the bouranee squash appetizer.
(downtown, 15-min walk) - Unique wines from all over the world with savory food parings. Go either for wine and appetizers, or for a gourmet three-course dinner. Entrees are delicious if a little pricey.
55 locals raden deze aan
Soif
105 Walnut Ave(downtown, 15-min walk) - Unique wines from all over the world with savory food parings. Go either for wine and appetizers, or for a gourmet three-course dinner. Entrees are delicious if a little pricey.
(Swift St) - Rustic brick oven-fired gourmet pizzas with fresh, unique toppings.
94 locals raden deze aan
Bantam
1010 Fair Ave(Swift St) - Rustic brick oven-fired gourmet pizzas with fresh, unique toppings.
(Mission St, 10-min walk) - Amazing acai bowls and eggs dishes with a Brazilian twist. If you get there after 9, be prepared to wait in line.
79 locals raden deze aan
Cafe Brasil
1410 Mission St(Mission St, 10-min walk) - Amazing acai bowls and eggs dishes with a Brazilian twist. If you get there after 9, be prepared to wait in line.
(Swift St) - French bakery with espresso bar, a case full of delicious pastries, and several yummy a la carte entrees.
98 locals raden deze aan
Kelly's French Bakery
402 Ingalls St(Swift St) - French bakery with espresso bar, a case full of delicious pastries, and several yummy a la carte entrees.
(Mission St, 5-min walk) - Easy coffee and a muffin, right around the corner.
19 locals raden deze aan
Emily's Good Things To Eat
1129 Mission St(Mission St, 5-min walk) - Easy coffee and a muffin, right around the corner.
Drinks & Nightlife
(wharf, 20-min walk) - Amazing cocktails and view. Sit at the rotating bar and watch sailboats on the bay or sea lions through glass windows in the floor. If you're hungry, they also serve mediocre overpriced food. Two good spots downtown with similarly-awesome cocktail menus are 515 and the Red (same owners as Splash).
Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery
49A Municipal Wharf(wharf, 20-min walk) - Amazing cocktails and view. Sit at the rotating bar and watch sailboats on the bay or sea lions through glass windows in the floor. If you're hungry, they also serve mediocre overpriced food. Two good spots downtown with similarly-awesome cocktail menus are 515 and the Red (same owners as Splash).
(Swift St) - Flights or by-the-glass on a casual, comfortable patio. BYO snacks to pair with your wine. We're "members" here and visit often.
26 locals raden deze aan
MJA Vineyards
328 Ingalls St(Swift St) - Flights or by-the-glass on a casual, comfortable patio. BYO snacks to pair with your wine. We're "members" here and visit often.
(downtown, 10-min walk) - Casual, friendly local hangout. Wide beer selection and small plates. Sit at an outdoor table for afternoon sun and great people-watching.
34 locals raden deze aan
Lupulo Craft Beer House
233 Cathcart St(downtown, 10-min walk) - Casual, friendly local hangout. Wide beer selection and small plates. Sit at an outdoor table for afternoon sun and great people-watching.
Parks & Nature
(5-min walk) - Natural gem in the heart of our downtown/beach neighborhood. Take a walk and watch the shorebirds from the floating boardwalk path. Three entrances to the park are well-hidden; the closest one is at the south end of Blackburn St.
13 locals raden deze aan
Neary Lagoon Park
110 California St(5-min walk) - Natural gem in the heart of our downtown/beach neighborhood. Take a walk and watch the shorebirds from the floating boardwalk path. Three entrances to the park are well-hidden; the closest one is at the south end of Blackburn St.
Yes, it's possible to see enormous old-growth redwoods in a peaceful, easy-to-get-to location (i.e. not Muir Woods). If you're visiting from out-of-state and have never seen these trees before, do not miss.
335 locals raden deze aan
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdYes, it's possible to see enormous old-growth redwoods in a peaceful, easy-to-get-to location (i.e. not Muir Woods). If you're visiting from out-of-state and have never seen these trees before, do not miss.
Arts & Culture
(downtown, 15-min walk) - If you're waiting for the fog to burn off, visit the MAH for an hour or two, and you'll be pleasantly surprised. Exhibits on local history are well-done, and the new food court plaza out back is a burgeoning downtown hangout spot.
133 locals raden deze aan
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front St(downtown, 15-min walk) - If you're waiting for the fog to burn off, visit the MAH for an hour or two, and you'll be pleasantly surprised. Exhibits on local history are well-done, and the new food court plaza out back is a burgeoning downtown hangout spot.
Sightseeing
The University of California Santa Cruz campus is probably not on most visitor's radar, but take a ride up to the east athletic fields just to admire the bird's-eye view of town and the coast. Look out for deer, hawks, bobcats and coyotes. Also check out the Arboretum (off Empire Grade).
East Field House
The University of California Santa Cruz campus is probably not on most visitor's radar, but take a ride up to the east athletic fields just to admire the bird's-eye view of town and the coast. Look out for deer, hawks, bobcats and coyotes. Also check out the Arboretum (off Empire Grade).
Admire views of the bay, the surfers, the real estate, and the locals out-and-about along 2.5 miles of road from the Boardwalk to Natural Bridges. Take a quick drive and park at various pullouts. Or a good walking loop from our house is California-Woodrow-WestCliff-Center (~3.5 mi / 1 hour)
193 locals raden deze aan
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveAdmire views of the bay, the surfers, the real estate, and the locals out-and-about along 2.5 miles of road from the Boardwalk to Natural Bridges. Take a quick drive and park at various pullouts. Or a good walking loop from our house is California-Woodrow-WestCliff-Center (~3.5 mi / 1 hour)
Entertainment & Activities
(boardwalk, 15-min walk) This sounds dorky, but if you ride one ride at the Boardwalk, make it the carousel (Giant Dipper coaster would be second I guess)... It's hard to describe the feeling of satisfaction you'll get after successfully tossing a bronze ring into the clown's mouth and watching it light up.
Looff Carousel
400 Beach St(boardwalk, 15-min walk) This sounds dorky, but if you ride one ride at the Boardwalk, make it the carousel (Giant Dipper coaster would be second I guess)... It's hard to describe the feeling of satisfaction you'll get after successfully tossing a bronze ring into the clown's mouth and watching it light up.