Santa Cruz Stuff To Do
Education
Love Apple Farm
5311 Scotts Valley DrivePlant nursery and gardening class location.
Our museum is rated top notch! Cool food mall next to it with about a dozen unique mini cafes.
133 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StOur museum is rated top notch! Cool food mall next to it with about a dozen unique mini cafes.
Sightseeing
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdHiking, camping, picnicking
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrBeautiful beach and tidepools
Educational marine lab hosting tours in Santa Cruz
10 locals recommend
Joseph M. Long Marine Laboratory
115 McAllister WayEducational marine lab hosting tours in Santa Cruz
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WayHiking, biking, camping, picnicking
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek Roadhiking, biking
Pogonip Main entrance - Brayshaw Trail and Clubhouse
Brayshaw TrailHiking, biking
Watch the surfers, walk along the cliff, see the beautiful scenery
49 locals recommend
Lighthouse Field State Beach
Watch the surfers, walk along the cliff, see the beautiful scenery
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast Rdhiking, biking, horse-back riding
Iconic walk along the cliffs near Lighthouse point and Surfer's Museum. Bring the dog, bike, walk, roller-skate, Segue, it's all happening along West Cliff Drive.
193 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveIconic walk along the cliffs near Lighthouse point and Surfer's Museum. Bring the dog, bike, walk, roller-skate, Segue, it's all happening along West Cliff Drive.
See elephant seals up close (don’t get too close!) on the beach. Go to Harley Goat Farm and Duarte’s Cafe when you’re up there
88 locals recommend
Ano Nuevo State Park
See elephant seals up close (don’t get too close!) on the beach. Go to Harley Goat Farm and Duarte’s Cafe when you’re up there
Local attraction
The Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot RdFun and funky "mysterious" goings-on
Amusement rides right on the beach. Can't miss the Big Dipper roller coaster.
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StAmusement rides right on the beach. Can't miss the Big Dipper roller coaster.
Capitola Beach Company
131 Monterey AveBeautiful beach with shops and restaurants
Mount Hermon Adventures
17 Conference DrTreetop climbing adventure. Absolutely fabulous!
Loch Lomond Recreation Area
100 Loch Lomond WayFishing, kayaking, picnicking.
Authentic train rides from redwoods to beach boardwalk and back.
58 locals recommend
Roaring Camp, Big Trees and Pacific Railroad Station
North Big Trees Park RoadAuthentic train rides from redwoods to beach boardwalk and back.
Goat farm where you can buy many types of goat cheese (samples!) and even take a tour. Make sure to eat at the legendary Duart’s Cafe around the corner.
46 locals recommend
Harley Farms Goat Dairy
205 North StGoat farm where you can buy many types of goat cheese (samples!) and even take a tour. Make sure to eat at the legendary Duart’s Cafe around the corner.
Takes 45 minutes to drive to the fantastic Monterey Bay Aquarium.
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowTakes 45 minutes to drive to the fantastic Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Food scene
Upscale (very!) pizza/pasta/salads by Michelin-starred chef David Kinch (so you know it's gonna be good). Fancy-pants cocktails. Super cool interior vibe.
32 locals recommend
Mentone
174 Aptos Vlg WyUpscale (very!) pizza/pasta/salads by Michelin-starred chef David Kinch (so you know it's gonna be good). Fancy-pants cocktails. Super cool interior vibe.
Love Apple Farm (the place you're staying) was the exclusive farm for this three-Michelin-starred restaurant for 11 years. Note the highest number of stars a restaurant can get is three (unlike all the movies you may see talking about four and five stars).
22 locals recommend
Manresa
320 Village LnLove Apple Farm (the place you're staying) was the exclusive farm for this three-Michelin-starred restaurant for 11 years. Note the highest number of stars a restaurant can get is three (unlike all the movies you may see talking about four and five stars).
Best ice cream shop anywhere. Open late too! Weird and wonderful flavors. Our farm has supplied ingredients for them over the years.
64 locals recommend
The Penny Ice Creamery
913 Cedar StBest ice cream shop anywhere. Open late too! Weird and wonderful flavors. Our farm has supplied ingredients for them over the years.
Gabriella Café
910 Cedar StSmall, lovely restaurant with excellent food
A five minute drive from the farm, this microbrewery has a sweet outdoor space and often has live music.
14 locals recommend
Steel Bonnet Brewing Company
20 Victor SquareA five minute drive from the farm, this microbrewery has a sweet outdoor space and often has live music.
Go to this awesome micro brewery if you're going to visit Natural Bridges or Wilder Ranch.
50 locals recommend
Humble Sea Brewing Co.
820 Swift StGo to this awesome micro brewery if you're going to visit Natural Bridges or Wilder Ranch.
Ambrosia India Bistro - Scotts Valley
6006 La Madrona DrGood local Indian food
Otoro Sushi
235 Mt Hermon RdGood local Sushi restaurant
Rumble Fish
4727 Scotts Valley DrGood local Sushi restaurant
Scotts Valley Market
14 Victor SquareClosest excellent supermarket
Award winning local micro-brewer. The best we have to offer.
28 locals recommend
Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
103 Kennedy DrAward winning local micro-brewer. The best we have to offer.
Los Gallos Taqueria
3726 Florence StFive minutes away, great taqueria (not fancy).
About an hour drive up highway 1 sits the iconic cafe, Duarte’s. Follow signs of the 1 inland to Pescadero. After the artichoke soup (legendary), we’ll around them block to visit Harley Goat Farm.
59 locals recommend
Duarte's Tavern
202 Stage RdAbout an hour drive up highway 1 sits the iconic cafe, Duarte’s. Follow signs of the 1 inland to Pescadero. After the artichoke soup (legendary), we’ll around them block to visit Harley Goat Farm.
Named one of the top ten chocolatiers in the world! May not look like much, but hey, someone put it on the list.
7 locals recommend
Richard Donnelly's Chocolate
1509 Mission StNamed one of the top ten chocolatiers in the world! May not look like much, but hey, someone put it on the list.
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveWonderful (very busy and noisy) Italian restaurant.
You-pick strawberries, fresh pies and pumpkins in the fall. Stop by on your way to see the elephant seals at Ano Nuevo
35 locals recommend
Swanton Berry Farm
25 Swanton RdYou-pick strawberries, fresh pies and pumpkins in the fall. Stop by on your way to see the elephant seals at Ano Nuevo
El Salchichero
402 Ingalls StArtisanal butcher shop. Thus place gets national press.
Marini's Munchies
55 Municipal WharfFantastic candy shop on the Boardwalk.
Miscellaneous
PostalAnnex+
3964 Rivermark PlazaUPS drop off store, copies, Amazon drop off.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
170 Technology CircleWineries
Take a drive through the redwoods to get to this upscale winery.
David Bruce Winery
21439 Bear Creek RdLoma Prieta Winery
26985 Loma Prieta WayA view from the top of the world.
Testarossa Winery
300 College AveOne of my fav wineries for ambience, music and cafe.
One of many wineries along Summit Road, which splits Santa Cruz County and Santa Clara County.
15 locals recommend
Burrell School Vineyard and Winery
24060 Summit RdOne of many wineries along Summit Road, which splits Santa Cruz County and Santa Clara County.
Best view over Silicon Valley. A “must” for our winery-loving guests.
6 locals recommend
House Family Vineyards
13336 Old Oak WayBest view over Silicon Valley. A “must” for our winery-loving guests.
Shopping
Stroll down Pacific Street in downtown Santa Cruz for dozens of funky shops and fun cafes.
Pacific Wave
1502 Pacific Ave