Food Scene
Manresa Bread
40 N Santa Cruz AveOak & Rye
303 N Santa Cruz AveLow key, no reservations. Handcrafted pizza, good beer and wine!
Fun concept where the servers are dressed up as pilots and stewards/stewardesses. Everything comes in a flight of 3, the food, drinks, and desserts so you can try a bit of everything. Owner is a former SJ sharks player from Sweden!
8 locals recommend
Flights Restaurant By Alex Hult - Los Gatos
165 Saratoga-Los Gatos RdFun concept where the servers are dressed up as pilots and stewards/stewardesses. Everything comes in a flight of 3, the food, drinks, and desserts so you can try a bit of everything. Owner is a former SJ sharks player from Sweden!
A super casual place where the locals hang out! Amazing wood-fired pizza, great beer selection, and outside bocci-ball courts. Pets and kids very welcomed. Bring warm clothes, because most of the seating is outdoors!
10 locals recommend
Nonno's
21433 Broadway RdA super casual place where the locals hang out! Amazing wood-fired pizza, great beer selection, and outside bocci-ball courts. Pets and kids very welcomed. Bring warm clothes, because most of the seating is outdoors!
Enoteca La Storia
416 N Santa Cruz AveOur favorite restaurant! It has to be experienced because it's impossible to describe. Located in the hippie town of Ben Lomond, white table cloth dining where you can dress up or go in your sweats. AMAZING food and drink as well as a beer garden and live entertainment. Lots of cool local art on the walls and on a nice night you can dine outside in a redwood grove!
48 locals recommend
Ristorante Casa Nostra
9217 CA-9Our favorite restaurant! It has to be experienced because it's impossible to describe. Located in the hippie town of Ben Lomond, white table cloth dining where you can dress up or go in your sweats. AMAZING food and drink as well as a beer garden and live entertainment. Lots of cool local art on the walls and on a nice night you can dine outside in a redwood grove!
Drinks and nightlife
The Cats
17533 Santa Cruz HwyBBQ, bar, live music on most days. Authentic mountain tavern!
Unfortunately closes at 10.. so get there early. Has lots of different beers (as in 30;) Also pingpong, darts and corn hole. All outside so bring a sweater. You can also bring a picnic or buy something from the food cart next door!
82 locals recommend
Beer 30
2504 S Main StUnfortunately closes at 10.. so get there early. Has lots of different beers (as in 30;) Also pingpong, darts and corn hole. All outside so bring a sweater. You can also bring a picnic or buy something from the food cart next door!
Super hip downtown with lots of great restaurants, bars, and cute boutiques. Definitely more "happening" than Los Gatos if you want some nightlife!
23 locals recommend
Downtown Campbell station
378 E Campbell AveSuper hip downtown with lots of great restaurants, bars, and cute boutiques. Definitely more "happening" than Los Gatos if you want some nightlife!
Fun brewery with great beer selection only 10 minutes away.
11 locals recommend
Hapa's Brewing Company
460 Lincoln AveFun brewery with great beer selection only 10 minutes away.
Nature and Outdoors Activities
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WayThe giant redwoods with fantastic hiking!
Castle Rock State Park
15451 CA-35Popular with rock climbers and hikers!
Soquel Demonstration State Forest
29400 Highland WayBest mountain bike trails around!!
Bikes and hikers get along great on this fun wide single track trail. Great for a picnic and some cool views of the valley at the top!
John Nicholas Trailhead in Sanborn County Park
20409 Black RdBikes and hikers get along great on this fun wide single track trail. Great for a picnic and some cool views of the valley at the top!
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdWilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdBear Creek Redwoods Preserve
Great hiking not too far away from us!
Essentials
Has ALL the essentials including fabulous deli. Good selection of beer and wine too!
24 locals recommend
Summit Store Inc.
24197 N Summit RdHas ALL the essentials including fabulous deli. Good selection of beer and wine too!
United States Postal Service
21432 Broadway RdCute tiny mountain post office a couple of miles away. NO LINES, EVER!
Sightseeing
Great walk along the ocean in Santa Cruz! Great for people watching, checking out surfers, and if you get lucky you might see a whale. Gorgeous views!
193 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveGreat walk along the ocean in Santa Cruz! Great for people watching, checking out surfers, and if you get lucky you might see a whale. Gorgeous views!
Winchester Mystery House
525 S Winchester BlvdSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StThe Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot RdDon't miss it!
Nearby vineyards
Wrights Station Vineyard & Winery
24250 Loma Prieta AveGreat wines and athmosphere
David Bruce Winery
21439 Bear Creek RdByington Vineyard & Winery
21850 Bear Creek RdMJA Vineyards--Summit Tasting Room
24900 Highland WayRegale Winery & Vineyards
24040 Summit RdBurrell School Vineyard and Winery
24060 Summit Rd