Food Scene
Voted 5 years in a row for best Seafood and Service.
Fresh Oyster, Seared Ahi, Best Burger in Town!
Outside, heated, dog-friendly Patio.
Great Happy Hour Monday-Friday 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Patio and Bar Lounge open at 3:00 PM
Dinner starts at 5:00 PM
47 locals recommend
Café Rio Aptos
131 EsplanadeVoted 5 years in a row for best Seafood and Service.
Fresh Oyster, Seared Ahi, Best Burger in Town!
Outside, heated, dog-friendly Patio.
Great Happy Hour Monday-Friday 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Patio and Bar Lounge open at 3:00 PM
Dinner starts at 5:00 PM
Super cute Bistro with lots of Local Characters! Excellent Thin Crust Pizza by the slice or by the pie! (12" pizza is perfect for two)
Lots of great food choices here -
Espresso Bar, Wonderful Pastries,
Acai Bowls, Smoothies, Panini Sandwiches, and much more. Opens at 6:30 AM
10 locals recommend
Flats Bistro Aptos
113 EsplanadeSuper cute Bistro with lots of Local Characters! Excellent Thin Crust Pizza by the slice or by the pie! (12" pizza is perfect for two)
Lots of great food choices here -
Espresso Bar, Wonderful Pastries,
Acai Bowls, Smoothies, Panini Sandwiches, and much more. Opens at 6:30 AM
Mentone
174 Aptos Vlg WyGreat spot for pizza and drinks!
Parks & Nature
State park that offers miles and miles of great hiking.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadState park that offers miles and miles of great hiking.
If you want to feel peace and tranquillity, visit the Land of Medicine Buddha. It will leave you feeling very calm and centered.
68 locals recommend
Land of Medicine Buddha
5800 Prescott RdIf you want to feel peace and tranquillity, visit the Land of Medicine Buddha. It will leave you feeling very calm and centered.
Entertainment & Activities
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a perfect spot to visit and is great for all ages.
744 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StThe Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a perfect spot to visit and is great for all ages.
Only a half mile away from the shore, this course is lined with majestic Monterey pines and towering eucalyptus trees.
28 locals recommend
Seascape Golf Club
610 Clubhouse DrOnly a half mile away from the shore, this course is lined with majestic Monterey pines and towering eucalyptus trees.
If you want to experience the unnatural happen, definitely stop by the Mystery Spot. The laws of gravity don't work here and you will be left questioning how.
208 locals recommend
The Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot RdIf you want to experience the unnatural happen, definitely stop by the Mystery Spot. The laws of gravity don't work here and you will be left questioning how.
Enjoy beautiful scenery with sea kayaking or stand-up paddling rentals.
55 locals recommend
Kayak Connection
2370 CA-1Enjoy beautiful scenery with sea kayaking or stand-up paddling rentals.
Sightseeing
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowThere's so much to see!
Monterey Bay Whale Watch
84 Fishermans WharfView whales and dolphins inhabiting the Bay year-round!
For more than a hundred years, Santa Cruz has been a hot spot for hard-core surfers. This museum tells their stories through photographs, surfboards and other related items.
75 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
701 W Cliff DrFor more than a hundred years, Santa Cruz has been a hot spot for hard-core surfers. This museum tells their stories through photographs, surfboards and other related items.
Essentials
Safeway
2720 41st AveOpen 24 hours
Deluxe Foods of Aptos
783 Rio Del Mar BlvdStore Hours are from 8:00AM - 8:00PM
Rite Aid
80 Rancho Del MarStore Hours are from 8:00AM - 10:00PM
Drinks & Nightlife
There's always a great band playing. There is a cover charge but it's not too expensive.
83 locals recommend
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial WayThere's always a great band playing. There is a cover charge but it's not too expensive.
The Crow's Nest is located right on the beach. They serve dinner and have a full bar upstairs. There's usually a live band playing in the upstairs bar area.
Thursday Nights, from 5:00 PM - Sunset, they host their annual summer beach parties and always have a band playing! It super fun.
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrThe Crow's Nest is located right on the beach. They serve dinner and have a full bar upstairs. There's usually a live band playing in the upstairs bar area.
Thursday Nights, from 5:00 PM - Sunset, they host their annual summer beach parties and always have a band playing! It super fun.
A local BBQ & blues experience in a casual setting. Nightly live blues acts with a wide variety of drinks.
95 locals recommend
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos StA local BBQ & blues experience in a casual setting. Nightly live blues acts with a wide variety of drinks.