Rajiv's Santa Cruz Guidebook
Essentials
Walking and biking! Leave your car and enjoy nature. Walk along the Harbor, to Seabright and Twin Lakes Beach, or cross the bridge to Betty’s Burgers or La Posta!
Picturesque, postcard perfect oasis of rest and relaxation and endless ever changing beauty and solace.
40 abantu bendawo batusa
Isakhiwo seSanta Cruz
135 5th AvePicturesque, postcard perfect oasis of rest and relaxation and endless ever changing beauty and solace.
Neighborhood market for the essentials. Just five minute walk from the house.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Deke's Market - In Mah' Belly Deli
334 7th AveNeighborhood market for the essentials. Just five minute walk from the house.
Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel AveAwesome. 10 minute bike ride away.
This is where they roast all their coffee. 5 minutes by bike. cross the bridge and make two right hand turns.
220 abantu bendawo batusa
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveThis is where they roast all their coffee. 5 minutes by bike. cross the bridge and make two right hand turns.
Wholesome food and Wheat Grass Shots that will elevate your mood.
248 abantu bendawo batusa
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveWholesome food and Wheat Grass Shots that will elevate your mood.
Food Scene
Friendly bar and restaurant with gorgeous views and dancing and music. Summer concerts are the best. Free and whimsical people everywhere. Best outside patio for eating up on top. 7 minute walk.
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Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrFriendly bar and restaurant with gorgeous views and dancing and music. Summer concerts are the best. Free and whimsical people everywhere. Best outside patio for eating up on top. 7 minute walk.
Awesome bar, friendly waitresses, ocean views and best mango margaritas. Decent Mexican food. 5 minute walk. Best bar with a view of the ocean. Wow.
35 abantu bendawo batusa
Cafe El Palomar
2222 E Cliff DrAwesome bar, friendly waitresses, ocean views and best mango margaritas. Decent Mexican food. 5 minute walk. Best bar with a view of the ocean. Wow.
Great food. Small portions. Healthy. Funky waiters. Decent wine list. Great service. Nice ambience. Classy and calm. 2 minute walk. Across from the Kayak Connection.
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Johnny's Harborside
493 Lake AveGreat food. Small portions. Healthy. Funky waiters. Decent wine list. Great service. Nice ambience. Classy and calm. 2 minute walk. Across from the Kayak Connection.
Sushi Market Sprouts
300 7th AveGreat food. 5 minute walk.
Harbor Café
535 7th AveBloody maria! Cali Bennie. brunch. 5 minute walk.
Great ambience, outside deck. 7 minute walk. Free ferry in the summer to cross the harbor.
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Aldo's Harbor Restaurant
790 Mariner Park WayGreat ambience, outside deck. 7 minute walk. Free ferry in the summer to cross the harbor.
Betty Burgers
505 Seabright AveGrab the burger without a bun! 7 minute walk.
Kind Grind
2222 East Cliff DriveOK Coffee! 5 minute walk.
La Posta
538 Seabright AveOrganic eatery. menu changes regularly. 7 minute walk.
Authentic modern italian food. calzone! pasta and pesto custom order! 7 minute walk.
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Tramonti
528 Seabright AveAuthentic modern italian food. calzone! pasta and pesto custom order! 7 minute walk.
Unique brunch place. simple and sweet family owned and run. 7 minute walk.
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Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright AveUnique brunch place. simple and sweet family owned and run. 7 minute walk.
Unique space to visit and learn about coffee. 7 minute walk.
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Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveUnique space to visit and learn about coffee. 7 minute walk.
Award winning clam chowder. Friendly waiters. nice outside patio on 41st Ave. Good food. 15 minutes by bike.
51 abantu bendawo batusa
Pleasure Pizza East Side Eatery
800 41st AveAward winning clam chowder. Friendly waiters. nice outside patio on 41st Ave. Good food. 15 minutes by bike.
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveGreat coffee shop. Bike it there in 15 minutes.
Best Indian Food in the area. It's a little far but worth it. Try the mixed seafood curry and naans. Drive.
24 abantu bendawo batusa
Ambrosia India Bistro - Aptos
207 Sea Ridge RdBest Indian Food in the area. It's a little far but worth it. Try the mixed seafood curry and naans. Drive.
burger. Aptos
7941 Soquel DrMy second favorite beer bar. Have to drive.
FireFish Grill
25 Municipal WharfGood place for seafood. Simple. 15 minutes by bike.
Riva Fish House
31 Municipal WharfGood seafood. 15 minutes by bike.
Canton Restaurant
900 41st AveDecent Chinese. Beef Schezuan. Canton Fried Rice.
Taqueria Vallarta
893 41st AveBest Mexican Food in town.
Pizza My Heart
209 EsplanadeOrder you own pizza online.
Best italian home cooking family owned. make reservations. 10 minutes by bike.
125 abantu bendawo batusa
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveBest italian home cooking family owned. make reservations. 10 minutes by bike.
Very nice and classy food. best outside patio eating experience. cheap for what you get. Afghan. Mediterranean.
104 abantu bendawo batusa
Laili
101 Cooper StVery nice and classy food. best outside patio eating experience. cheap for what you get. Afghan. Mediterranean.
Malabar Restaurant
514 Front StIndian Fusion. 12 minutes by bike.
Cafe Brasil
1410 Mission StLocal hangout forever. Best Brazilian food.
Amazing hidden gem. She changes the menu regularly. Just try it.
31 abantu bendawo batusa
Gabriella Café
910 Cedar StAmazing hidden gem. She changes the menu regularly. Just try it.
Sabieng
1218 Mission StBest rated Thai. I have not tried it.
Assembly
1108 Pacific AvenuePeople like this place. It's an OK restaurant that is over-rated.
Avante garde restaurant. Very interesting food and ambience. West side gem so you have to drive.
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Bantam
1010 Fair AveAvante garde restaurant. Very interesting food and ambience. West side gem so you have to drive.
Fusion place worth trying once. low cost. fast food. fusion. they mix some cheap ingredients well.
80 abantu bendawo batusa
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel AveFusion place worth trying once. low cost. fast food. fusion. they mix some cheap ingredients well.
Star Bene
East Cliff DriveItalian. Decent. 5 minutes by bike.
Wow. Finger licking ribs. Call and order before you go. they run out early. local beer and local live laid back music.
95 abantu bendawo batusa
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos StWow. Finger licking ribs. Call and order before you go. they run out early. local beer and local live laid back music.
Sitar Indian Cuisine
1133 Pacific AveVery decent fresh food. get the Naan.
Süda
3910 Portola DrAmazing array of cocktails at the bar. Have not eaten here.
Sports and Leisure
Outdoor fun!
Friendly rentals of kayaks, SUPs and boats. 2 minute walk. Across from the house.
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Kayak Connection
413 Lake AveFriendly rentals of kayaks, SUPs and boats. 2 minute walk. Across from the house.
Marianne's Ice Cream
1020 Ocean StThe best.
Walk across the street past Kayak Connection to the Harbor, cross the bridge and Seabright Beach is 10 minutes away. Gaze n awe at the rocks used to build the foundation of the Lighthouse and this walk will take you to the Boardwalk in less than 15 minutes during low tide.
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Seabright Beach
Walk across the street past Kayak Connection to the Harbor, cross the bridge and Seabright Beach is 10 minutes away. Gaze n awe at the rocks used to build the foundation of the Lighthouse and this walk will take you to the Boardwalk in less than 15 minutes during low tide.
Everything Else
Best Car Repair Shop EVER! Ask for Brian. Honest. Friendly. Trust worthy auto repair shop.
Hayes European Inc.
1010 17th AveBest Car Repair Shop EVER! Ask for Brian. Honest. Friendly. Trust worthy auto repair shop.
Twin Lakes Beach
995 Live Oak AvenueLong walks! 5 minutes away.
Organic dough. Across the street from La Posta. 7 minute walk.
29 abantu bendawo batusa
Engfer Pizza Works
537 Seabright AveOrganic dough. Across the street from La Posta. 7 minute walk.
Crazy good Sushi. Better to order take out. Restaurant service has been known to be spotty. Good fresh fish.
54 abantu bendawo batusa
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel AveCrazy good Sushi. Better to order take out. Restaurant service has been known to be spotty. Good fresh fish.
The Buttery
702 Soquel AveBest sandwiches and bakery. 12 minutes by bike.
Local legendary place for cakes and other goodies. In Capitola. Drive there.
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Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay AveLocal legendary place for cakes and other goodies. In Capitola. Drive there.
Entertainment & Activities
Rides and entertainment. Free concerts in the summer. 20 minute walk.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StRides and entertainment. Free concerts in the summer. 20 minute walk.
Sightseeing
Seabright Beach
Amazing sunsets! 10 minute walk.
Sunset cruises with fine and pizza. Great staff. Lovely way to see the coast. Gorgeous sail boat. 5 minute walk over the bridge and down the stairs. The sail is not as smooth as the O'Neil Catamaran yet highly recommended since the boat is gorgeous.
45 abantu bendawo batusa
Chardonnay Sailing Charters
790 Mariner Park WaySunset cruises with fine and pizza. Great staff. Lovely way to see the coast. Gorgeous sail boat. 5 minute walk over the bridge and down the stairs. The sail is not as smooth as the O'Neil Catamaran yet highly recommended since the boat is gorgeous.
They launch on the side of the harbor where our house is located and offer a much better and longer distance sailing experience than The Chardonnay since the Catamaran is huge. The Chardonnay is more cozy and equally thrilling but you rock much less on the Catamaran.
20 abantu bendawo batusa
O'Neill Yacht Charters
275 Lake AveThey launch on the side of the harbor where our house is located and offer a much better and longer distance sailing experience than The Chardonnay since the Catamaran is huge. The Chardonnay is more cozy and equally thrilling but you rock much less on the Catamaran.
Drinks & Nightlife
Seabright Social
519 Seabright AveHappy hour is fun. Good beer.
Beer 30
2504 S Main StAmazing beer place. Have to drive.
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdUnique restaurant with its own Funicular.
Wine bar. Friday belly dancing. Free. Great staff. Bike 15 minutes away.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Vino Prima Wine Bar
55 Municipal WharfWine bar. Friday belly dancing. Free. Great staff. Bike 15 minutes away.
Amazing local bar with live music. Check calendar to see who's playing.
83 abantu bendawo batusa
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial WayAmazing local bar with live music. Check calendar to see who's playing.
The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel AveCrepery by day and bar by night.
Soif
105 Walnut AveGood local place.
Discretion Brewing
2703 41st AveGreat local brews! large selection.
The Reef Bar & Restaurant
200 Locust StAmbience! Lighting. Drinks. People.
Waterfront bar. Recommended for Sunday afternoon drinks then salsa by the sea!
20 abantu bendawo batusa
Ideal Bar & Grill
106 Beach StWaterfront bar. Recommended for Sunday afternoon drinks then salsa by the sea!