Santa Cruz Food Scene
Crows Nest -- mostly the location that is so fantastic basic food-1/2 price appetizers M-F 3-6 - and all night Wed nights' sail night-fun- eat out on deck and watch the boats.Get there by 4:30 or else wait on long line
2218 E Cliff Dr
2218 East Cliff DriveCrows Nest -- mostly the location that is so fantastic basic food-1/2 price appetizers M-F 3-6 - and all night Wed nights' sail night-fun- eat out on deck and watch the boats.Get there by 4:30 or else wait on long line
Soif Restaurant
One of our all time go-to favorite special places to eat in town. LIttle plates where you pay a bit more for local, tasty, organic food
105 Walnut Ave
105 Walnut AvenueSoif Restaurant
One of our all time go-to favorite special places to eat in town. LIttle plates where you pay a bit more for local, tasty, organic food
Gayles Bakery in Capitola --Another one of our best bakeries and food stop. Great place for any meal - quite a scene; pick a number and you will be helped shortly
504 Bay Ave
504 Bay AvenueGayles Bakery in Capitola --Another one of our best bakeries and food stop. Great place for any meal - quite a scene; pick a number and you will be helped shortly
Small intimate place for dinner or brunch on Sunday. More on expensive side but high quality ingredients.
910 Cedar St
910 Cedar StreetSmall intimate place for dinner or brunch on Sunday. More on expensive side but high quality ingredients.
1917 Mission St
1917 Mission StreetA favorite Italian eatery. Great local food again, high quality and little pricier
121 Soquel Ave
121 Soquel AvenueThey have a great burger! Expensive locally sourced ingredients.
The Crows Nest: Location location, their outside deck is right on the harbor; popular breakfast spot&lunch. They have fresh fish always but more like diner food - in summer open for breakfast, lunch & dinner
616 Atlantic Ave
616 Atlantic AvenueThe Crows Nest: Location location, their outside deck is right on the harbor; popular breakfast spot&lunch. They have fresh fish always but more like diner food - in summer open for breakfast, lunch & dinner
quaint little town north of santa cruz, grab a bite at one of the little cafes or the davenport road house for a nicer meal and music at night - nice beach
32 locals recommend
Davenport
quaint little town north of santa cruz, grab a bite at one of the little cafes or the davenport road house for a nicer meal and music at night - nice beach
fun quick take out spot for veggies and noodles asian infused flavors; add your own toppings, chicken, fish, meat, etc. we like the spicy dan ask for less spicy if you like
80 locals recommend
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Avefun quick take out spot for veggies and noodles asian infused flavors; add your own toppings, chicken, fish, meat, etc. we like the spicy dan ask for less spicy if you like
great little breakfast place - love the acai bowl, which is yogurt, granola & acai
79 locals recommend
Cafe Brasil
1410 Mission Stgreat little breakfast place - love the acai bowl, which is yogurt, granola & acai
Not been here yet but famous for the ucsc students - and real, clean meat served
57 locals recommend
burger. Aptos
7941 Soquel DrNot been here yet but famous for the ucsc students - and real, clean meat served
Bantam
1010 Fair Aveexcellent little bites and food in general
Community gathering spot with multiple dining & drinking outlets plus outdoor seating & events....fun outdoor place behind the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH)
32 locals recommend
Abbott Square
118 Cooper StCommunity gathering spot with multiple dining & drinking outlets plus outdoor seating & events....fun outdoor place behind the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH)
Wonderful food and watch the toy planes come and go while you eat!
16 locals recommend
Ella's At The Airport
100 Aviation WayWonderful food and watch the toy planes come and go while you eat!
Sightseeing
Great hiking and moutain biking area - great views of the whole monterey bay, meadows,redwood trees, next to university land.
333 Golf Club Dr
333 Golf Club DriveGreat hiking and moutain biking area - great views of the whole monterey bay, meadows,redwood trees, next to university land.
Great paved walking path to walk or bike on all along the coast of north santa cruz. check out the people, surfing, etc.
193 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveGreat paved walking path to walk or bike on all along the coast of north santa cruz. check out the people, surfing, etc.
Park by the beach and witness the amazing kite surfers. Trailhead on opposite side in the canyon is Easy hiking. Also great easy dirt road for biking and all the way in go to Berry Water Falls
Waddell Creek
Park by the beach and witness the amazing kite surfers. Trailhead on opposite side in the canyon is Easy hiking. Also great easy dirt road for biking and all the way in go to Berry Water Falls
Kind of a drive to get to- 30/40 minute drive. A beautiful park in the redwoods and go on nice little hikes. Skyline to the Sea trail is a great day hike for ambitious walkers.About 12 miles downhil
230 locals recommend
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WayKind of a drive to get to- 30/40 minute drive. A beautiful park in the redwoods and go on nice little hikes. Skyline to the Sea trail is a great day hike for ambitious walkers.About 12 miles downhil
Nice hikes that follow the creeks; cozy feeling because in the redwoods. No big panoramic views but in an amongst redwoods and ferns.
Fall Creek Drive
Fall Creek DriveNice hikes that follow the creeks; cozy feeling because in the redwoods. No big panoramic views but in an amongst redwoods and ferns.
A little south of town. Drive in and park and a little walk on a paved road before you get into some trails.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadA little south of town. Drive in and park and a little walk on a paved road before you get into some trails.
The is our beach just a few blocks from us. Quaint beach away from hustle and bustle of the boardwalk beach. Meets up with the jetty to the harbor. See lots of sea life.
59 locals recommend
Seabright State Beach
The is our beach just a few blocks from us. Quaint beach away from hustle and bustle of the boardwalk beach. Meets up with the jetty to the harbor. See lots of sea life.
Gazos Creek State Beach
Nice little gentle walk right on the beach. About 30 minutes North on the 1.
Great small town Americana; agricultural living. Get a taste for small town america in pescadero where you'll find Duartes Tavern and eat the artichoke soup and best homemade berry pies!
42 locals recommend
Pescadero
Great small town Americana; agricultural living. Get a taste for small town america in pescadero where you'll find Duartes Tavern and eat the artichoke soup and best homemade berry pies!
Adorable farm just in from the town; visit the nice shop where you can purchase their delicious soft goat cheeses and other goat products made there.
46 locals recommend
Harley Farms Goat Dairy
205 North StAdorable farm just in from the town; visit the nice shop where you can purchase their delicious soft goat cheeses and other goat products made there.
Home of the Mavericks Surfing spot. It's a great 1 hour drive north of SC - easy one day getaway to see cute downtown shops and nice restaurants, beaches, etc.
279 locals recommend
Half Moon Bay
Home of the Mavericks Surfing spot. It's a great 1 hour drive north of SC - easy one day getaway to see cute downtown shops and nice restaurants, beaches, etc.
Take this road all the way in to the very end and find a jewel of a hike in forest with creeks, redwoods & ferns. Many hikes to go on.
Higgins Purisima Rd
Take this road all the way in to the very end and find a jewel of a hike in forest with creeks, redwoods & ferns. Many hikes to go on.
Great biking along the coast - 4-5 mile trail up and down the coast. Easy riding trail. Great way to see the coast without getting in the car. You can park on the road without paying.
19 locals recommend
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Great biking along the coast - 4-5 mile trail up and down the coast. Easy riding trail. Great way to see the coast without getting in the car. You can park on the road without paying.
Great tidepools at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Adorable beach neighborhood cottages & larger homes.
12 locals recommend
Moss Beach
Great tidepools at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Adorable beach neighborhood cottages & larger homes.
Strenuous biking & hiking up montara mountain where you can view the whole panoramic view of San Francisco/Golden Gate Bridge or if u go to the very top you can the whole bay south of SF on clear day
Montara Mountain Trail
Montara Mountain TrailStrenuous biking & hiking up montara mountain where you can view the whole panoramic view of San Francisco/Golden Gate Bridge or if u go to the very top you can the whole bay south of SF on clear day
If you are into long beach walks this is the beach. Park up top if you don't want to pay the fee to get into park
97 locals recommend
Seacliff State Beach
State Park DriveIf you are into long beach walks this is the beach. Park up top if you don't want to pay the fee to get into park
Manresa State Beach
1445 San Andreas RdFamous surf spot and great long walks on the beach.
If you are into Kayaking check out this spot to see up close and personal some of the monterey bay sea life.
16 locals recommend
Elkhorn Slough Safari
7981 Moss Landing RdIf you are into Kayaking check out this spot to see up close and personal some of the monterey bay sea life.
Best Aquarium that you'll find on the west coast. Tourist spot; historical Monterey with it's beaches and restaurants and shops.
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowBest Aquarium that you'll find on the west coast. Tourist spot; historical Monterey with it's beaches and restaurants and shops.
Not to miss if visiting this area for striking landscape. Nice walks and trails along the way.
64 locals recommend
Carmel Valley
Not to miss if visiting this area for striking landscape. Nice walks and trails along the way.
Check tides ahead-- great for tide pooling and just a beautiful spot for getting down to beach quickly-not necessarily a beach to hang out on but nice walking around there and can get to mavericks too
76 locals recommend
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
200 Nevada AveCheck tides ahead-- great for tide pooling and just a beautiful spot for getting down to beach quickly-not necessarily a beach to hang out on but nice walking around there and can get to mavericks too
Sweet little harbor with restaurants for fresh seafood. Great biking along backside of harbor which runs paralell to hwy 1 on oceanside going 4-5 miles up and down
Half Moon Bay Harbor Info
1 Johnson PierSweet little harbor with restaurants for fresh seafood. Great biking along backside of harbor which runs paralell to hwy 1 on oceanside going 4-5 miles up and down
Neat little neighborhood near the beach with a burger place right on the water
12 locals recommend
Miramar Beach
Neat little neighborhood near the beach with a burger place right on the water
Aside from having a drink inside at the bar you can start on a nice trail from there up and down the coast to see great views, stop at beach or benches; also can bike from there up and down coast
44 locals recommend
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Half Moon Bay
1 Miramontes Point RdAside from having a drink inside at the bar you can start on a nice trail from there up and down the coast to see great views, stop at beach or benches; also can bike from there up and down coast
One of THE BEST farmers market on West Coast. Visit and taste some of the best food fresh and local style; pick up your veggies and local meats.
678 locals recommend
Ferry Building Marketplace
One of THE BEST farmers market on West Coast. Visit and taste some of the best food fresh and local style; pick up your veggies and local meats.
See the huge elephant seals as big as a car. Call to see if their are tours going out to see them and to see whether they are nesting, mating, having babies, etc.
Ano Nuevo State Park Rd
See the huge elephant seals as big as a car. Call to see if their are tours going out to see them and to see whether they are nesting, mating, having babies, etc.
Great stop to get a delicious home made desserts made with their organic berries - cobblers, buckles, pies, and berry chocolate truffles. A great place to stop for some of their soup they make daily(vegan)and delicious for non vegans. Also, can U-pick strawberries and pick up vegetables and some of their Jams from the many berries they grow.
35 locals recommend
Swanton Berry Farm
25 Swanton RdGreat stop to get a delicious home made desserts made with their organic berries - cobblers, buckles, pies, and berry chocolate truffles. A great place to stop for some of their soup they make daily(vegan)and delicious for non vegans. Also, can U-pick strawberries and pick up vegetables and some of their Jams from the many berries they grow.
Great place to stop off for some fresh baked pies, sweets that are made their from their locally grown freshly ground grain. Also, fresh eggs, jams, and fresh vegetables.
9 locals recommend
Pie Ranch
2080 CA-1Great place to stop off for some fresh baked pies, sweets that are made their from their locally grown freshly ground grain. Also, fresh eggs, jams, and fresh vegetables.
Great area to visit and walk out to the edge of the pacific - great for biking around.
10 locals recommend
Joseph M. Long Marine Laboratory
115 McAllister WayGreat area to visit and walk out to the edge of the pacific - great for biking around.
Everything Else
Penny Ice Creamery - Small batch locally sourced ice cream made from scratch. Fun combinations of flavors where they use fruits and veggies/herbs from local farms here
913 Cedar St
913 Cedar StreetPenny Ice Creamery - Small batch locally sourced ice cream made from scratch. Fun combinations of flavors where they use fruits and veggies/herbs from local farms here
3011 N Main St
3011 North Main StreetLoot - Love this little shop - nice old furniture pieces retouched with chalk paint
Crawfords Antiques - Favorite shop for beautiful old furniture - our bathroom hutches came from here
4401 Soquel Dr
4401 Soquel DriveCrawfords Antiques - Favorite shop for beautiful old furniture - our bathroom hutches came from here
Sunday farmer's Market -- Live oak area in Santa Cruz Lovely, small, neighborhood farmer's market - music and lots of yummy vendors, also breakfast foods from "The Truck" and Crepes (regular and gluten free), mexican food, coffee, bakeries, fresh produce
21511 E Cliff Dr
21511 East Cliff DriveSunday farmer's Market -- Live oak area in Santa Cruz Lovely, small, neighborhood farmer's market - music and lots of yummy vendors, also breakfast foods from "The Truck" and Crepes (regular and gluten free), mexican food, coffee, bakeries, fresh produce
Great local and organic produce, meats, fish, bread and some prepared foods- nice market with many vendors at Cabrillo College south of town
44 locals recommend
Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College
6500 Soquel DrGreat local and organic produce, meats, fish, bread and some prepared foods- nice market with many vendors at Cabrillo College south of town
Nice Beach, next to dunes beach and near sweet wood which is a sweet little spot for picnicing and/or camping-- a little more protected
Venice State Beach
Nice Beach, next to dunes beach and near sweet wood which is a sweet little spot for picnicing and/or camping-- a little more protected
Pomponio Beach
Qauint little beach spot along the coast
A nice beach across from lagoon - great walking areas - long beach to walk on just steps from the parking lot
12 locals recommend
Pescadero State Beach
Cabrillo HwyA nice beach across from lagoon - great walking areas - long beach to walk on just steps from the parking lot
Essentials
Everett Family Farm Stand ; They have a large organic farm & stand out san jose road which is stocked often with eggs, fresh cider, all kinds of veggies and fruits; in summer, strawberries and raspberries!
2111 Soquel Ave
2111 Soquel AvenueEverett Family Farm Stand ; They have a large organic farm & stand out san jose road which is stocked often with eggs, fresh cider, all kinds of veggies and fruits; in summer, strawberries and raspberries!
Neat old barn where they sell their farm's veggies, eggs, fresh ground grains from their harvested soft wheat grain and corn. Nice baked goods like homemade berry pies ....made from their own flours
9 locals recommend
Pie Ranch
2080 CA-1Neat old barn where they sell their farm's veggies, eggs, fresh ground grains from their harvested soft wheat grain and corn. Nice baked goods like homemade berry pies ....made from their own flours
U-Pick strawberries if you are up for that or get some of the best tasting berries you'll ever eat.
35 locals recommend
Swanton Berry Farm
25 Swanton RdU-Pick strawberries if you are up for that or get some of the best tasting berries you'll ever eat.
One of the last remaining small natural food shops - next to it is the Herb Room which I love to be able to pick up small amounts of dried herbs and spices for cooking and making special teas
22 locals recommend
The Food Bin and The Herb Room
1130 Mission StOne of the last remaining small natural food shops - next to it is the Herb Room which I love to be able to pick up small amounts of dried herbs and spices for cooking and making special teas
Beautiful natural food market - they have a hot bar for easy lunch or dinner pickup
248 locals recommend
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveBeautiful natural food market - they have a hot bar for easy lunch or dinner pickup
Just about a mike down the road from us - nice hot bar for easy take out as well as a salad bar
157 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel AveJust about a mike down the road from us - nice hot bar for easy take out as well as a salad bar
one of santa cruz's original natural food stores- quite large with meat and fish, hot bar and salad bar
69 locals recommend
Staff of Life
1266 Soquel Aveone of santa cruz's original natural food stores- quite large with meat and fish, hot bar and salad bar
Arts & Culture
Henry Miller Library in Big Sur -Lots of cool stuff happens here, workshops, films on large outside screen; if a favorite band is playing here, don't miss it - intimate scene and in an idyllic big sir setting.
48603 California 1
48603 California 1Henry Miller Library in Big Sur -Lots of cool stuff happens here, workshops, films on large outside screen; if a favorite band is playing here, don't miss it - intimate scene and in an idyllic big sir setting.
Landmark's Nickelodeon Theatre
210 Lincoln StOur small theater houses
Shopping
Quaint little town by the sea;don't forget your wallet, pricey.;) When you are on the main drag of shops,head towards beach and follow road paralell to beach to see architectural digest homes
354 locals recommend
Carmel by the sea
San Antonio AvenueQuaint little town by the sea;don't forget your wallet, pricey.;) When you are on the main drag of shops,head towards beach and follow road paralell to beach to see architectural digest homes
our famous local organic clothing line; fun designs with appliqué of birds, flowers, etc on cotton clothing
Synergy Organic Clothing Outlet Store
1126 Soquel Aveour famous local organic clothing line; fun designs with appliqué of birds, flowers, etc on cotton clothing
If you want to rent a bike here is a shop you can walk to to pick them up
11 locals recommend
Bicycle Trip
1001 Soquel AveIf you want to rent a bike here is a shop you can walk to to pick them up
In Half Moon Bay -hand crafted beautiful shaker furniture that is my to die for designs, simple and expensive!!
Cottage Industries Handcrafted Furniture
621 Main StIn Half Moon Bay -hand crafted beautiful shaker furniture that is my to die for designs, simple and expensive!!
Drinks & Nightlife
our next door (almost) 4 blocks away....sport bar; live loud music; good for a burger and they happen to have a good fresh muscles dish
74 locals recommend
Seabright Social
519 Seabright Aveour next door (almost) 4 blocks away....sport bar; live loud music; good for a burger and they happen to have a good fresh muscles dish
hear some of the best up and coming music here. And you can get a crepe.
109 locals recommend
The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel Avehear some of the best up and coming music here. And you can get a crepe.
Fun area of town in and amongst wineries tasting rooms. Not been here yet but heard it is good!
124 locals recommend
West End Tap and Kitchen
334 Ingalls StFun area of town in and amongst wineries tasting rooms. Not been here yet but heard it is good!
Coast ride up the hwy 1 - San Gregorio -- Step back in time to the turn of the century. An old store, been there forever and one of the old stagecoast stops back in the day. And there is live music there on the weekends.
32 locals recommend
San Gregorio General Store
7615 Stage RdCoast ride up the hwy 1 - San Gregorio -- Step back in time to the turn of the century. An old store, been there forever and one of the old stagecoast stops back in the day. And there is live music there on the weekends.