Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Essentials
A locals' favorite. Known for their outstanding meat counter and varied wine selection.
(Although a bit pricey for the staple items).
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Shopper's Corner
622 Soquel AveA locals' favorite. Known for their outstanding meat counter and varied wine selection.
(Although a bit pricey for the staple items).
Local natural food store - great produce, bulk items like tea, grains, and nuts, deli counter, awesome vitamin and personal care section.
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Staff of Life
1266 Soquel AveLocal natural food store - great produce, bulk items like tea, grains, and nuts, deli counter, awesome vitamin and personal care section.
Food Scene
Bagelry
1636 Seabright AveMy favorite bagels in town!
Cute ambiance - on weekends they often have a little folk trio that plays on the patio. Stroll over for a yummy pastry and espresso. The French toast is the BEST I've ever had!
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The Buttery
702 Soquel AveCute ambiance - on weekends they often have a little folk trio that plays on the patio. Stroll over for a yummy pastry and espresso. The French toast is the BEST I've ever had!
Sweet little Italian restaurant with excellent food and ambiance. You'll need a reservation for dinner. They have recently moved a block away, so be sure to check new address.
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Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveSweet little Italian restaurant with excellent food and ambiance. You'll need a reservation for dinner. They have recently moved a block away, so be sure to check new address.
Really good and really cheap hole in the wall Mexican food. This place has a line out the door at lunch (don't worry, they're fast). My favorite tacos in town.
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Tacos Moreno
1053 Water StReally good and really cheap hole in the wall Mexican food. This place has a line out the door at lunch (don't worry, they're fast). My favorite tacos in town.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel AveSkip the food and go for the live music and bar!
My favorite place to hear live music and dance. Lots of reggae and blues artists, crowd is always chill, and the drinks aren't watered down.
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Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial WayMy favorite place to hear live music and dance. Lots of reggae and blues artists, crowd is always chill, and the drinks aren't watered down.
Everything Else
Address is 556 OCEAN VIEW AVE, next to Shopper's Corner. Beautiful massage center with highly skilled therapists. Airbnb guests receive $10 off any service! Full disclosure - I am the owner.
Vital Body Therapy
556 Ocean View AveAddress is 556 OCEAN VIEW AVE, next to Shopper's Corner. Beautiful massage center with highly skilled therapists. Airbnb guests receive $10 off any service! Full disclosure - I am the owner.
Arts & Culture
Always something good playing or showing here - live music, film screenings, lectures.
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Rio Theatre
1205 Soquel AveAlways something good playing or showing here - live music, film screenings, lectures.
Entertainment & Activities
Beautiful little park with a fun playground (great slides!), and an off-leash dog area. Perfect view of the Boardwalk. Just the walk down Ocean View Ave is enjoyable - prettiest street in Santa Cruz.
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Ocean View Park
102 Ocean View AveBeautiful little park with a fun playground (great slides!), and an off-leash dog area. Perfect view of the Boardwalk. Just the walk down Ocean View Ave is enjoyable - prettiest street in Santa Cruz.
Classic amusement park with rides for all ages. Don't miss the Giant Dipper! Parking tip: take Pine toward beach, right on Buena Vista, and park toward the end. Walk across E. Cliff to trestle bridge.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StClassic amusement park with rides for all ages. Don't miss the Giant Dipper! Parking tip: take Pine toward beach, right on Buena Vista, and park toward the end. Walk across E. Cliff to trestle bridge.
Old school roller rink complete with carpeted walls and disco ball. :)
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Santa Cruz Roller Palladium
1606 Seabright AveOld school roller rink complete with carpeted walls and disco ball. :)
Unofficial off-leash dog beach. The signs say they have to be leashed, but none of the locals do. We take our pup there all the time without any problem. It's beautiful!
21st Avenue
21st AvenueUnofficial off-leash dog beach. The signs say they have to be leashed, but none of the locals do. We take our pup there all the time without any problem. It's beautiful!
Shopping
Pacific Ave is a lovely place to stroll on a sunny day. Diverse array of shops, restaurants, coffee houses, theatres, and the Museum of Art and History.
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Downtown Association
740 Front StPacific Ave is a lovely place to stroll on a sunny day. Diverse array of shops, restaurants, coffee houses, theatres, and the Museum of Art and History.