Guidebook for Santa Cruz

Ashley
Guidebook for Santa Cruz

Food Scene

Great sushi and an easy walk :)
54 místní doporučují
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel Ave
54 místní doporučují
Great sushi and an easy walk :)
Nutella Toast. Enough said.
10 místní doporučují
Midtown Cafe
1121 Soquel Avenue
10 místní doporučují
Nutella Toast. Enough said.
Best coffee in town, and this location is on your way to the beach.
220 místní doporučují
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st Ave
220 místní doporučují
Best coffee in town, and this location is on your way to the beach.
Awesome breakfast. Get there early, or grab a coffee at Verve on the way and wait in line with the locals!
67 místní doporučují
Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright Ave
67 místní doporučují
Awesome breakfast. Get there early, or grab a coffee at Verve on the way and wait in line with the locals!
A snazzy date night you can walk to. This place is great if you are looking for something a little nicer than your standard beach town fare.
62 místní doporučují
La Posta
538 Seabright Ave
62 místní doporučují
A snazzy date night you can walk to. This place is great if you are looking for something a little nicer than your standard beach town fare.
Be sure to check out http://heypopup.com/ before your visit to see what the hipsters will be eating ;) I make fun of the trendiness, but it's always delicious!
POPUP
1108 Pacific Avenue
Be sure to check out http://heypopup.com/ before your visit to see what the hipsters will be eating ;) I make fun of the trendiness, but it's always delicious!
Famously hard to get in to (make a reservation!) but an absolute favorite of locals.
125 místní doporučují
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel Ave
125 místní doporučují
Famously hard to get in to (make a reservation!) but an absolute favorite of locals.
Good food and, frequently, awesome live music! Check out their schedule at http://thecrepeplace.com/
109 místní doporučují
The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel Ave
109 místní doporučují
Good food and, frequently, awesome live music! Check out their schedule at http://thecrepeplace.com/
Really fun place for the whole family, with ping pong and ice cream bars along with your pizza.
29 místní doporučují
Engfer Pizza Works
537 Seabright Ave
29 místní doporučují
Really fun place for the whole family, with ping pong and ice cream bars along with your pizza.
Secretly my favorite breakfast spot in town. Don't tell anyone else about it because I don't want to lose my regular seat in the camper outside!
30 místní doporučují
Paula's
3500 Portola Dr
30 místní doporučují
Secretly my favorite breakfast spot in town. Don't tell anyone else about it because I don't want to lose my regular seat in the camper outside!
Half bakery/half cafe, this place has something for everyone. If you'll be celebrating a special occasion during your stay, a chocolate ganache cake from the Buttery is a must. Also great for lunch or breakfast.
133 místní doporučují
The Buttery
702 Soquel Ave
133 místní doporučují
Half bakery/half cafe, this place has something for everyone. If you'll be celebrating a special occasion during your stay, a chocolate ganache cake from the Buttery is a must. Also great for lunch or breakfast.
Awesome pasta and pizza, salads, etc. It's also easy to walk to and tends not to be super crowded at lunch time.
38 místní doporučují
Tramonti
528 Seabright Ave
38 místní doporučují
Awesome pasta and pizza, salads, etc. It's also easy to walk to and tends not to be super crowded at lunch time.

Drinks & Nightlife

43 místní doporučují
515 Kitchen & Cocktails
515 Cedar St
43 místní doporučují
Formerly "The Blue Lounge". I'm not a bar person so I can't vouch for it, but it's walkable and I like to know my guests can party responsibly and get home safely!
The Blue Lounge
529 Seabright Ave
Formerly "The Blue Lounge". I'm not a bar person so I can't vouch for it, but it's walkable and I like to know my guests can party responsibly and get home safely!

Parks & Nature

Dolphins! Bright blue water! Less crowded! Worth the drive :)
55 místní doporučují
Manresa State Beach
1445 San Andreas Rd
55 místní doporučují
Dolphins! Bright blue water! Less crowded! Worth the drive :)
One mile walk from the house. Eat at The Crow's Nest or El Palomar, both right on the beach, and take in the sunset here.
59 místní doporučují
Seabright State Beach
59 místní doporučují
One mile walk from the house. Eat at The Crow's Nest or El Palomar, both right on the beach, and take in the sunset here.
68 místní doporučují
Land of Medicine Buddha
5800 Prescott Rd
68 místní doporučují
Great place to explore the tide pools!
261 místní doporučují
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff Dr
261 místní doporučují
Great place to explore the tide pools!
My favorite playground for kids in the area. Bring some wax paper to ride down the tall metal slides if you want to look like a local ;)
18 místní doporučují
Ocean View Park
102 Ocean View Ave
18 místní doporučují
My favorite playground for kids in the area. Bring some wax paper to ride down the tall metal slides if you want to look like a local ;)

Arts & Culture

Must see exhibit there now is "30 Screaming Years". Check out some genuinely cool skateboard art by local hero Jim Phillips along with homages from all over the world.
133 místní doporučují
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front St
133 místní doporučují
Must see exhibit there now is "30 Screaming Years". Check out some genuinely cool skateboard art by local hero Jim Phillips along with homages from all over the world.
Locals call this the "whale museum" because it has an awesome, life size whale statue outside. Don't miss the iconic photo with your kids :)
50 místní doporučují
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
1305 E Cliff Dr
50 místní doporučují
Locals call this the "whale museum" because it has an awesome, life size whale statue outside. Don't miss the iconic photo with your kids :)
Pet a shark and squeal over the decorator crab dressed in pom poms. There is also an epic blue whale skeleton!
80 místní doporučují
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister Way
80 místní doporučují
Pet a shark and squeal over the decorator crab dressed in pom poms. There is also an epic blue whale skeleton!
This art deco theater is gorgeous inside and out. They play a mix of mainstream and small release films, but the real fun is the midnight movie on Fridays and Saturdays.
51 místní doporučují
Del Mar Theater
1124 Pacific Ave
51 místní doporučují
This art deco theater is gorgeous inside and out. They play a mix of mainstream and small release films, but the real fun is the midnight movie on Fridays and Saturdays.
This is a really fun place for young children to explore hands on exhibits in a playful setting. There is even an area for babies and toddlers!
9 místní doporučují
Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery
1855 41st Ave
9 místní doporučují
This is a really fun place for young children to explore hands on exhibits in a playful setting. There is even an area for babies and toddlers!

Shopping

I find all malls kind of a bummer, but this place is easy to get to and has a Target. What else do you need?
32 místní doporučují
Capitola Mall
1855 41st Ave
32 místní doporučují
I find all malls kind of a bummer, but this place is easy to get to and has a Target. What else do you need?
Support your local bookstore! Ok, support OUR local bookstore.
57 místní doporučují
Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific Ave
57 místní doporučují
Support your local bookstore! Ok, support OUR local bookstore.
So much to browse... huge used selection and great children's section.
10 místní doporučují
LOGOS BOOKS & RECORDS
1117 Pacific Ave
10 místní doporučují
So much to browse... huge used selection and great children's section.

Essentials

Sweet neighborhood market with pretty much everything you need! Within walking distance from the house, and the best wine selection in town.
76 místní doporučují
Shopper's Corner
622 Soquel Ave
76 místní doporučují
Sweet neighborhood market with pretty much everything you need! Within walking distance from the house, and the best wine selection in town.
Health-centered grocery store, an easy walk from the house. Lots of great prepared foods and a popular spot for working on laptops.
69 místní doporučují
Staff of Life
1266 Soquel Ave
69 místní doporučují
Health-centered grocery store, an easy walk from the house. Lots of great prepared foods and a popular spot for working on laptops.

Entertainment & Activities

Great selection of indie films and great matinee prices. Right downtown.
63 místní doporučují
Landmark's Nickelodeon Theatre
210 Lincoln St
63 místní doporučují
Great selection of indie films and great matinee prices. Right downtown.
Come on, you've gotta experience it once :) Get some taffy, ride the Giant Dipper, and instagram some adorable photos. They also have an arcade with new and classic games, pirate themed minigolf, and free summer concerts.
745 místní doporučují
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach St
745 místní doporučují
Come on, you've gotta experience it once :) Get some taffy, ride the Giant Dipper, and instagram some adorable photos. They also have an arcade with new and classic games, pirate themed minigolf, and free summer concerts.