Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Drinks & Nightlife
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrThe calamari is my wife's favorite.
Very easy to get to. Capitola is very fun to hang out. Summer concerts.
40 locals recommend
Margaritaville
231 EsplanadeVery easy to get to. Capitola is very fun to hang out. Summer concerts.
Food Scene
Easy two block walk and the beach / volleyball / ukelele atmosphere is the best.
8 locals recommend
Kind Grind
2222 East Cliff DriveEasy two block walk and the beach / volleyball / ukelele atmosphere is the best.
Good Mexican food with a view and bar. Side counter for to go food.
35 locals recommend
Cafe El Palomar
2222 E Cliff DrGood Mexican food with a view and bar. Side counter for to go food.
Johnny's Harborside
493 Lake AveVery popular with a great happy hour.
My personal favorite. First thing I do when I walk in is order the zucchini with ranch dressing. Then I relax and order. Great bread. Did I say they have THE best ranch dressing? Cash only.
18 locals recommend
Riva Fish House
31 Municipal WharfMy personal favorite. First thing I do when I walk in is order the zucchini with ranch dressing. Then I relax and order. Great bread. Did I say they have THE best ranch dressing? Cash only.
Dog friendly. Very popular to sit on their deck right on top of the harbor water. In the summer their is a free water taxi that will take you from the boat launch to Aldo's. Great fun.
56 locals recommend
Aldo's Harbor Restaurant
790 Mariner Park WayDog friendly. Very popular to sit on their deck right on top of the harbor water. In the summer their is a free water taxi that will take you from the boat launch to Aldo's. Great fun.
My first choice to go. Open late with a smile. The daily specials haven't changed for decades. For a reason. Excellent. Same with the margaritas. I prefer the top shelf. Careful :)
91 locals recommend
Manuel's Mexican Restaurant
261 Center AveMy first choice to go. Open late with a smile. The daily specials haven't changed for decades. For a reason. Excellent. Same with the margaritas. I prefer the top shelf. Careful :)
Excellent for for the vegan/vegetarian. My daughter is a big fan. Always fresh and I can always find a meal to enjoy.
62 locals recommend
Dharma's Restaurant
4250 Capitola RdExcellent for for the vegan/vegetarian. My daughter is a big fan. Always fresh and I can always find a meal to enjoy.
Everything Else
Free admission. People watch all day. Great fun. Great business that always supports the community.
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StFree admission. People watch all day. Great fun. Great business that always supports the community.
What a way to see the real Santa Cruz. A lot of unique shopping. I am always amazed at the people that frequent downtown. Big time night life. Great variety in movie theaters.
88 locals recommend
Pacific Avenue
Pacific AvenueWhat a way to see the real Santa Cruz. A lot of unique shopping. I am always amazed at the people that frequent downtown. Big time night life. Great variety in movie theaters.
Brand New in 2012. Haven't been there yet but will soon. The displays are supposed to be top notch and interactive.
25 locals recommend
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
35 Pacific AveBrand New in 2012. Haven't been there yet but will soon. The displays are supposed to be top notch and interactive.
Great local aquarium. Top notch. Not a huge time commitment or admission fee.
80 locals recommend
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister WayGreat local aquarium. Top notch. Not a huge time commitment or admission fee.
Historical museum. Great for mountain biking or hiking. Either along the ocean bluffs. Going inland will get steep.
219 locals recommend
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdHistorical museum. Great for mountain biking or hiking. Either along the ocean bluffs. Going inland will get steep.
It seems many guests make their way to Big Sur. Always check for road conditions. Totally beautiful.
332 locals recommend
Big Sur
It seems many guests make their way to Big Sur. Always check for road conditions. Totally beautiful.
17 Mile Dr
17 Mile DriveVery amazing place to tour.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowWorld renown. Cannery row is always a fun trip.
My favorite place to hike or bike ride. The fire road is mellow for 4 1/2 miles. Then gets steep. Many trails. Very popular for runners. Beautiful stream runs through it.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadMy favorite place to hike or bike ride. The fire road is mellow for 4 1/2 miles. Then gets steep. Many trails. Very popular for runners. Beautiful stream runs through it.
Challenging historic golf course. $$$$
Just a few miles away. Great bar and restaurant.
27 locals recommend
Pasatiempo Golf Course
20 Clubhouse RdChallenging historic golf course. $$$$
Just a few miles away. Great bar and restaurant.
Shopping
Rent a kayak. The harbor is a mile long so if you are not comfortable going out in the ocean this is a mellow way to kayak
31 locals recommend
Kayak Connection
413 Lake AveRent a kayak. The harbor is a mile long so if you are not comfortable going out in the ocean this is a mellow way to kayak
Great place to see why Santa Cruz is weird. Lots of tattoos, street vendors, musicians, and great unique shops. A few different theaters, from mainstream to international films.
27 locals recommend
Pacific Wave
1502 Pacific AveGreat place to see why Santa Cruz is weird. Lots of tattoos, street vendors, musicians, and great unique shops. A few different theaters, from mainstream to international films.
Sightseeing
When the anchovies come to the bay, whales will be there. Amazing sight. Many times you can see them from shore.
21 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Whale Watching
1718 Brommer StWhen the anchovies come to the bay, whales will be there. Amazing sight. Many times you can see them from shore.
Parks & Nature
Great trails through the redwoods. All types of trails depending upon what level you are.
335 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdGreat trails through the redwoods. All types of trails depending upon what level you are.
DeLaveaga Disc Golf Course
1468 Upper Park RdBeautiful woodsy disc course.
Arts & Culture
All kinds of creative things to do. Many times catering to children.
133 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StAll kinds of creative things to do. Many times catering to children.