Food Scene
It's got the best coffee in the county - roasting their beans on site. The weekend brunch is amazing! http://www.lulucarpenters.com/coffee-cat/
11 locals recommend
Coffee Cat
255 Mt Hermon RdIt's got the best coffee in the county - roasting their beans on site. The weekend brunch is amazing! http://www.lulucarpenters.com/coffee-cat/
The Cremer House
6256 CA-9Great for beer and pub food. http://www.cremerhouse.com/
Rumble Fish
4727 Scotts Valley DrBest sushi in Scotts Valley. http://www.rumblefish-sv.com/
Good food - amazing outdoor seating. http://ristorantecasanostra.com/
48 locals recommend
Ristorante Casa Nostra
9217 CA-9Good food - amazing outdoor seating. http://ristorantecasanostra.com/
Yummy Middle Eastern food - super romantic patio. Best to call for reservations. http://lailirestaurant.com/
104 locals recommend
Laili
101 Cooper StYummy Middle Eastern food - super romantic patio. Best to call for reservations. http://lailirestaurant.com/
Irish name with a California menu. Burgers, salads, and an extensive bar. Live music some Thursdays and Fridays.
https://www.malonesgrille.com/
15 locals recommend
Malone's Grille
4402 Scotts Valley DrIrish name with a California menu. Burgers, salads, and an extensive bar. Live music some Thursdays and Fridays.
https://www.malonesgrille.com/
Classic subs. These sandwiches travel well if you want to pick them up as you leave town and eat them later.
TOGO'S SANDWICHES
266 Mt Hermon RdClassic subs. These sandwiches travel well if you want to pick them up as you leave town and eat them later.
Best Mexican food in town. They make their own tortillas and tortilla chips. Yummy margaritas.
http://elpalomarsantacruz.com/
There's taco bar off the bar if that's more what you're looking for.
37 locals recommend
El Palomar Restaurant
1336 Pacific AveBest Mexican food in town. They make their own tortillas and tortilla chips. Yummy margaritas.
http://elpalomarsantacruz.com/
There's taco bar off the bar if that's more what you're looking for.
The most touristy place for a casual meal. The food is good, the drinks are OK but let's face it - you go there for the priceless view.
http://www.crowsnest-santacruz.com/
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrThe most touristy place for a casual meal. The food is good, the drinks are OK but let's face it - you go there for the priceless view.
http://www.crowsnest-santacruz.com/
Super romantic but a tad dated.
https://www.shadowbrook-capitola.com/
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdSuper romantic but a tad dated.
https://www.shadowbrook-capitola.com/
From one of the oldest fishing families in the Santa Cruz area comes the freshest local fish and some of the best views in the area.
25 locals recommend
Stagnaro Bros.
59 Municipal WharfFrom one of the oldest fishing families in the Santa Cruz area comes the freshest local fish and some of the best views in the area.
Great place for bread, pastries, etc. It's where I go for cakes when I don't make them myself.
http://www.butterybakery.com/
133 locals recommend
The Buttery
702 Soquel AveGreat place for bread, pastries, etc. It's where I go for cakes when I don't make them myself.
http://www.butterybakery.com/
Good bar in the front but the crepes are what you come for. It's a quintessential Santa Cruz restaurant - you never know what's going to entertain you. I've seen live music, a magician, belly dancers...
109 locals recommend
The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel AveGood bar in the front but the crepes are what you come for. It's a quintessential Santa Cruz restaurant - you never know what's going to entertain you. I've seen live music, a magician, belly dancers...
Sightseeing
Their narrow gauge railroad takes you through some of the oldest redwood trees in the world! The Sun Tan Express is a fun way to travel to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Sometimes Thomas the Tank Engine drops by!
150 locals recommend
Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill RdTheir narrow gauge railroad takes you through some of the oldest redwood trees in the world! The Sun Tan Express is a fun way to travel to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Sometimes Thomas the Tank Engine drops by!
You have to drive this stretch of road if you want to claim you've been to Santa Cruz. In August and September it's not uncommon for Blue Whales to feed so close to shore you can see the anchovies fly out of their massive mouths! It's an absolutely gorgeous drive year round. Better yet! Get our of your car and walk!
193 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveYou have to drive this stretch of road if you want to claim you've been to Santa Cruz. In August and September it's not uncommon for Blue Whales to feed so close to shore you can see the anchovies fly out of their massive mouths! It's an absolutely gorgeous drive year round. Better yet! Get our of your car and walk!
It's a bit of a drive but the lighthouse and the views from the bluffs are unparalleled. Maybe combine it with a visit to Ano Nuevo or Half Moon Bay?
23 locals recommend
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Pigeon Point RoadIt's a bit of a drive but the lighthouse and the views from the bluffs are unparalleled. Maybe combine it with a visit to Ano Nuevo or Half Moon Bay?
Parks & Nature
Lots of great trails for hikers of every level. There's a level, paved loop suitable for wheelchairs and strollers as well as trails that will challenge the most fit hiker. All trails showcase the coastal redwoods.
335 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdLots of great trails for hikers of every level. There's a level, paved loop suitable for wheelchairs and strollers as well as trails that will challenge the most fit hiker. All trails showcase the coastal redwoods.
Great hiking and a living history farm. Head toward the ocean for a stunning, generally level, loop that includes snowy plovers, a fern grotto, tons of little critters and the occasional bobcat! Head inland for steeper terrains and 180-degree views of the Monterey Bay and Pacific Ocean.
219 locals recommend
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdGreat hiking and a living history farm. Head toward the ocean for a stunning, generally level, loop that includes snowy plovers, a fern grotto, tons of little critters and the occasional bobcat! Head inland for steeper terrains and 180-degree views of the Monterey Bay and Pacific Ocean.
Not sure if this is a state park but it's a great place to go birding. Lots of trails and there are a couple of kayak rental places in Moss Landing.
46 locals recommend
Elkhorn Slough
Not sure if this is a state park but it's a great place to go birding. Lots of trails and there are a couple of kayak rental places in Moss Landing.
This is one of the few mainland breeding areas of the massive elephant seal. The adult males show up around the new year and you MUST have a tour ticket to see them. It's well worth planning ahead to see these behemoths!
88 locals recommend
Ano Nuevo State Park
1 New Years Creek RoadThis is one of the few mainland breeding areas of the massive elephant seal. The adult males show up around the new year and you MUST have a tour ticket to see them. It's well worth planning ahead to see these behemoths!
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WayAmazing redwoods! Great hiking!
Essentials
Nob Hill Foods
222 Mt Hermon RdClean and friendly. Good place to pick up groceries.
Walgreens
210 Mt Hermon RdDrug store that has a great selection of greeting cards
Entertainment & Activities
Most up-to-date movie theater in the county. Features first-run mainstream movies.
18 locals recommend
CineLux Scotts Valley Cafe & Lounge
226 Mt Hermon RdMost up-to-date movie theater in the county. Features first-run mainstream movies.
Kitschy theatre that features the latest Indy movies.
63 locals recommend
Landmark's Nickelodeon Theatre
210 Lincoln StKitschy theatre that features the latest Indy movies.
Del Mar Theater
1124 Pacific AveClassic old movie theater. Features the latest Indy movies.
The BEST aquarium in the United States. It's a bit of a drive to get there but SO worth it! Arrive early for smallest crowds and happiest animals. I have guest passes - let me know if you'd like to use them.
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowThe BEST aquarium in the United States. It's a bit of a drive to get there but SO worth it! Arrive early for smallest crowds and happiest animals. I have guest passes - let me know if you'd like to use them.
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister WayPart of University of California Santa Cruz
Getting Around
The closest car rental agency. They can pick you up and have fair prices.
19 locals recommend
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
919B Ocean StThe closest car rental agency. They can pick you up and have fair prices.
Arts & Culture
Fun, little museum. Kids love climbing on the grey whale sculpture on the grounds. It's right across the street from a nice beach.
50 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
1305 E Cliff DrFun, little museum. Kids love climbing on the grey whale sculpture on the grounds. It's right across the street from a nice beach.
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StCool museum in downtown Santa Cruz.