Food Scene
Great outdoor patio for drinks and appetizers (and live music on Wednesday "Neighborhood Night). Nicer dining inside.
47 locals recommend
Café Rio Aptos
131 EsplanadeGreat outdoor patio for drinks and appetizers (and live music on Wednesday "Neighborhood Night). Nicer dining inside.
Great, casual spot for coffee, breakfast, big deli sandwiches, and more. Nice outdoor patio.
40 locals recommend
Pixie Deli
111 Venetian RdGreat, casual spot for coffee, breakfast, big deli sandwiches, and more. Nice outdoor patio.
Fun environment with good, old-school Mexican dishes & tasty margaritas. Always a good idea to call ahead for a reservation. A nice 15-20 min walk from our place along the Esplanade and up big stair.
91 locals recommend
Manuel's Mexican Restaurant
261 Center AveFun environment with good, old-school Mexican dishes & tasty margaritas. Always a good idea to call ahead for a reservation. A nice 15-20 min walk from our place along the Esplanade and up big stair.
Casual place serving up delicious breakfast! Also open for lunch and dinner. A nice 15-20 minute walk from our place along the Esplanade and up the large staircase near Cement Ship.
8 locals recommend
The Hole In the Wall Restaurant
257 Center AveCasual place serving up delicious breakfast! Also open for lunch and dinner. A nice 15-20 minute walk from our place along the Esplanade and up the large staircase near Cement Ship.
A Santa Cruz County tradition! A nice 15-20 minute walk from our place along the Esplanade and up the large staircase near Cement Ship.
45 locals recommend
Marianne’s Ice Cream
218 State Park DrA Santa Cruz County tradition! A nice 15-20 minute walk from our place along the Esplanade and up the large staircase near Cement Ship.
Serving up delicious, up-scale comfort food. Nice outdoor seating, and one of the best restaurants in Aptos.
59 locals recommend
The Hideout
9051 Soquel DrServing up delicious, up-scale comfort food. Nice outdoor seating, and one of the best restaurants in Aptos.
Peet's Coffee & Tea
783 Rio Del Mar BlvdLocated inside Deluxe Foods.
Excellent Texas-style BBQ with live blues almost every night. Casual setting with a huge selection of beers of tap. Get there early to get the full selection of meats - when it's gone, it's gone!
95 locals recommend
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos StExcellent Texas-style BBQ with live blues almost every night. Casual setting with a huge selection of beers of tap. Get there early to get the full selection of meats - when it's gone, it's gone!
Good local coffee plus bagels and baked goods. Located in Rancho del Mar near Safeway.
7 locals recommend
Aptos Coffee Roasting Co
Good local coffee plus bagels and baked goods. Located in Rancho del Mar near Safeway.
Excellent brunch in a cute setting in Aptos Village. Also open for dinner.
76 locals recommend
Café Sparrow
8042 Soquel DrExcellent brunch in a cute setting in Aptos Village. Also open for dinner.
Village Host Pizza & Grill
4 Seascape VillageThey deliver!
This is the only Indian restaurant in Aptos, and fortunately it is a good one! Dine in or order ahead for pick-up.
24 locals recommend
Ambrosia India Bistro - Aptos
207 Sea Ridge RdThis is the only Indian restaurant in Aptos, and fortunately it is a good one! Dine in or order ahead for pick-up.
A Santa Cruz County classic! Take the funicular down and enjoy drinks and appetizers at the Rock Bar, or make a reservation for fine dining in the main restaurant. Great for special occasions.
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdA Santa Cruz County classic! Take the funicular down and enjoy drinks and appetizers at the Rock Bar, or make a reservation for fine dining in the main restaurant. Great for special occasions.
Wonderful, family-owned vegetarian restaurant. Friendly setting, large portions!
61 locals recommend
Dharma's Restaurant
4250 Capitola RdWonderful, family-owned vegetarian restaurant. Friendly setting, large portions!
Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine
7528 Soquel DrCasual and tasty Mediterranean restaurant.
Great for breakfast! Very large portions! Outdoor seating available. Located in the Deer Park Center near Deluxe Foods.
42 locals recommend
Red Apple Café
783 Rio Del Mar BlvdGreat for breakfast! Very large portions! Outdoor seating available. Located in the Deer Park Center near Deluxe Foods.
The best Thai food in the area. About 20 minutes south on Hwy 1 in Moss Landing.
30 locals recommend
Lemongrass Seafood Bar & Grill Thai Cuisine
413 Moss Landing RdThe best Thai food in the area. About 20 minutes south on Hwy 1 in Moss Landing.
Good Mexican food in a fun environment. About 20 minutes south on Hwy 1 in Moss Landing.
50 locals recommend
The Whole Enchilada Market Place
7902 CA-1Good Mexican food in a fun environment. About 20 minutes south on Hwy 1 in Moss Landing.
Charming restaurant with consistently wonderful food - probably our favorite in Aptos! Great for a special event meal like a birthday or anniversary. Cozy place; reservations recommended.
25 locals recommend
Persephone
7945 Soquel DrCharming restaurant with consistently wonderful food - probably our favorite in Aptos! Great for a special event meal like a birthday or anniversary. Cozy place; reservations recommended.
Essentials
Nice gourmet market, and the closest grocery store to our place. Located in the Deer Park Shopping Center.
78 locals recommend
Deluxe Foods of Aptos
783 Rio Del Mar BlvdNice gourmet market, and the closest grocery store to our place. Located in the Deer Park Shopping Center.
Safeway
2720 41st AveLarge, newer Safeway store.
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveGreat market! Our local version of Whole Foods.
Everything Else
Miles and miles of trails through the redwoods. Excellent hiking and mountain biking. About 2 miles away.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadMiles and miles of trails through the redwoods. Excellent hiking and mountain biking. About 2 miles away.
Entertainment & Activities
Soquel Vineyards
8063 Glen Haven RdGreat wines and lovelyindoor/outdoor tasting area.
Bargetto Winery
3535 N Main StNice wine tasting, lovely outdoor patio.
Sightseeing
Kayak Connection
2370 CA-1Kayak rentals in Moss Landing.
Give yourself the whole day to explore this fantastic aquarium.
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowGive yourself the whole day to explore this fantastic aquarium.
Great aquarium/research center on thew northern edge of Santa Cruz. Great for kids.
80 locals recommend
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister WayGreat aquarium/research center on thew northern edge of Santa Cruz. Great for kids.
Shopping
Outside-In
7568 Soquel DrWonderful store for the bath and home.
Outside-In
7568 Soquel DrThe best toy store around!
Warmth Company at Aptos Village
140 Post Office DrWonderful home/bath/decor.