Food Scene
Café Sparrow
8042 Soquel DrThis place is a favorite!
Walk here from the house. Great margarita's. This is a neighborhood treasure.
91 locals recommend
Manuel's Mexican Restaurant
261 Center AveWalk here from the house. Great margarita's. This is a neighborhood treasure.
burger. Aptos
7941 Soquel DrBurger's 30 different ways and micro brews. You can't go wrong.
Bittersweet Bistro
787 Rio Del Mar BlvdUpscale, always good.
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos StFabulous! They sell out. Order early and bring back to the deck.
The Hideout
9051 Soquel DrYummy comfort food done well.
Au Midi
7960 Soquel DriveVery good French food. Make a reservation and don't bring kids.
Great place for lunch. Bring a tart home for later. They are a delicious work of art.
31 locals recommend
Farm Bakery & Cafe
6790 Soquel DrGreat place for lunch. Bring a tart home for later. They are a delicious work of art.
Walk the beach to this place. Coffee, breakfast, and a store all in one.
40 locals recommend
Pixie Deli
111 Venetian RdWalk the beach to this place. Coffee, breakfast, and a store all in one.
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AvePerhaps the best coffee in the world?
Pacific Coffee Roasting Co
7554 Soquel DrGreat coffee house close by.
Carried Away
7564 Soquel DrIf you are a foody, you'll love this little spot.
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel AveGood food. It's tiny so plan ahead if you have a big group.
Persephone
7945 Soquel DrA relatively new restaurant that has become a local favorite.
Located next to the Verve Coffee. Breakfast burritos as big as your head. Interesting ingredients and very tasty!
24 locals recommend
Chill Out Cafe
860 41st AveLocated next to the Verve Coffee. Breakfast burritos as big as your head. Interesting ingredients and very tasty!
Entertainment & Activities
Marianne’s Ice Cream
218 State Park DrWalk to ice cream and also coffee. Yummy.
Always fun! If you have younger kids, go early -- right when they open and be done by noon. The crowds show up in the afternoons.
744 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StAlways fun! If you have younger kids, go early -- right when they open and be done by noon. The crowds show up in the afternoons.
Parks & Nature
The house is just above this beach. It's a great beach for walking, playing, boogie boarding or just reading a book. Dolphin, otter and seal sightings are normal as are shore birds.
97 locals recommend
Seacliff State Beach
State Park DriveThe house is just above this beach. It's a great beach for walking, playing, boogie boarding or just reading a book. Dolphin, otter and seal sightings are normal as are shore birds.
Look in the kitchen for directions to the neighborhood trail. This amazing forest is one of my favorite places on earth. The Redwoods are glorious. Go for a hike or Mountain Bike in certain areas. Dogs are allowed on leash.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadLook in the kitchen for directions to the neighborhood trail. This amazing forest is one of my favorite places on earth. The Redwoods are glorious. Go for a hike or Mountain Bike in certain areas. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Essentials
Great meat and fish counter along with a large organic produce selection. This independent store has it all.
78 locals recommend
Deluxe Foods of Aptos
783 Rio Del Mar BlvdGreat meat and fish counter along with a large organic produce selection. This independent store has it all.
Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel AveTrader Joe's
700 Front StSightseeing
One of the most wonderful aquariums in the world. We have 2 free passes located in the kitchen for guests to use.
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowOne of the most wonderful aquariums in the world. We have 2 free passes located in the kitchen for guests to use.
17 Mile Drive
17 Mile DriveIncredible drive along the ocean
Iconic street and walking trail along the ocean. Stop at the Surf Museum. Watch the surfers.
193 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveIconic street and walking trail along the ocean. Stop at the Surf Museum. Watch the surfers.
Quirky Santa Cruz location where gravity doesn't seem to follow the regular rules. Silly and fun.
208 locals recommend
The Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot RdQuirky Santa Cruz location where gravity doesn't seem to follow the regular rules. Silly and fun.
Shopping
One of the GREAT independent books stores. If you are a book lover, it's a must go.
57 locals recommend
Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific AveOne of the GREAT independent books stores. If you are a book lover, it's a must go.