Santa Cruz Favorites
Food Scene
Coffeetopia
3701 Portola DrGreat coffee and quick breakfast options.
Good Mexican food (try the Enchiladas a la Parilla) with happy hour everyday from 4-6pm (and all night Tuesday). Happy hour includes half-off appetizers and drink discounts (great Sangria).
9 abantu bendawo batusa
El Jardin Restaurant
655 Capitola RdGood Mexican food (try the Enchiladas a la Parilla) with happy hour everyday from 4-6pm (and all night Tuesday). Happy hour includes half-off appetizers and drink discounts (great Sangria).
A quintessential Santa Cruz restaurant overlooking the harbor and beach--try the all night happy hour on Wednesdays (in the upstairs lounge).
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Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrA quintessential Santa Cruz restaurant overlooking the harbor and beach--try the all night happy hour on Wednesdays (in the upstairs lounge).
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveGreat homestyle Italian food!
Good breakfast burritos and all-day Mexican meals in an incredible beach side setting.
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Cafe El Palomar
2222 E Cliff DrGood breakfast burritos and all-day Mexican meals in an incredible beach side setting.
Yummy coffee and amazing pastries, cakes, and breakfast/lunch items. A must go for any SC visitor!
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The Buttery
702 Soquel AveYummy coffee and amazing pastries, cakes, and breakfast/lunch items. A must go for any SC visitor!
Amazing middle Eastern/Mediterranean (silk road) food. If you eat beef, the filet kabobs are a MUST have. Also, the outdoor patio is a fantastic place for an afternoon lunch date.
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Laili
101 Cooper StAmazing middle Eastern/Mediterranean (silk road) food. If you eat beef, the filet kabobs are a MUST have. Also, the outdoor patio is a fantastic place for an afternoon lunch date.
When you need some really hipster coffee drinks, this is the place to go!
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Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveWhen you need some really hipster coffee drinks, this is the place to go!
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel AveYou can't beat the fresh Asian flavors here!
Fantastic vegetarian food in a casual, family friendly environment. Try the Dan Dan noodles or Szechuan Tofu--also, the mashed potatoes and gravy side is fantastic!
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Dharma's Restaurant
4250 Capitola RdFantastic vegetarian food in a casual, family friendly environment. Try the Dan Dan noodles or Szechuan Tofu--also, the mashed potatoes and gravy side is fantastic!
Hands down, best and most authentic taqueria in town--try the ceviche tostadas for a light, lime-infused meal!
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Taqueria Los Pericos
139 Water StHands down, best and most authentic taqueria in town--try the ceviche tostadas for a light, lime-infused meal!
Great beer and great kitchen--don't miss the chicken and waffles...
55 abantu bendawo batusa
Discretion Brewing
2703 41st AveGreat beer and great kitchen--don't miss the chicken and waffles...
HOME
3101 N Main StSimply delicious food.
This fantastic breakfast spot is within walking distance and has some great food (and beverages). Get there early (by 8:30) if you don’t want a long wait. If you are waiting you can help yourself to coffee or order a Bloody Mary or Greyhound (if you’re starting the day off on an interesting foot). There’s also a nice park/playground across the street if you want to keep the kids entertained while you wait. Try the Frittata Supreme with a biscuit and side of gravy (enough food to split between two).
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Harbor Café
535 7th AveThis fantastic breakfast spot is within walking distance and has some great food (and beverages). Get there early (by 8:30) if you don’t want a long wait. If you are waiting you can help yourself to coffee or order a Bloody Mary or Greyhound (if you’re starting the day off on an interesting foot). There’s also a nice park/playground across the street if you want to keep the kids entertained while you wait. Try the Frittata Supreme with a biscuit and side of gravy (enough food to split between two).
Copal Restaurant
1203 Mission StreetDelicious Oaxacan cuisine and Mescal bar.
Cat & Cloud Coffee
3600 Portola DrReally good coffee and avocado toast.
Essentials
Beer, Wine, Liquor and other convenience store items--less than a five minute walk from door to door.
Harbor Liquor
650 Capitola RdBeer, Wine, Liquor and other convenience store items--less than a five minute walk from door to door.
Trader Joe's
700 Front StFor all your food and beverage needs!
Walgreens
1718 Soquel AveFor all your drugstore needs--within minutes of our house!
Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel AveParks & Nature
Stroll through the big trees on a mellow .8 mile (flat) loop--or find a more challenging trail for a quieter experience (less people!).
335 abantu bendawo batusa
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdStroll through the big trees on a mellow .8 mile (flat) loop--or find a more challenging trail for a quieter experience (less people!).
This is the closest beach to our house--it's about a 20 minute walk (or 5 minute bike ride). It's a nice beach with all of the amenities (restaurants, coffee shop, bathrooms).
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Twin Lakes Beach
995 Live Oak AvenueThis is the closest beach to our house--it's about a 20 minute walk (or 5 minute bike ride). It's a nice beach with all of the amenities (restaurants, coffee shop, bathrooms).
Don't miss the Monarch butterflies when they're around...
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Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrDon't miss the Monarch butterflies when they're around...
A fantastic place for a hike in the redwoods or for splashing in the creek with the kids.
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I-State Park ye-Nisene Marks
Aptos Creek RoadA fantastic place for a hike in the redwoods or for splashing in the creek with the kids.
Great hiking trails, historic farm compound for the kids to explore, and fantastic mountain biking on the hill side of the property.
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Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdGreat hiking trails, historic farm compound for the kids to explore, and fantastic mountain biking on the hill side of the property.
Getting Around
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
919B Ocean StFor daily (every third day is free) or weekly rentals. Check out their website: http://www.bicycletrip.com/en-US/page01/
You can call them at: 831-427-2580
11 abantu bendawo batusa
Bicycle Trip
1001 Soquel AveFor daily (every third day is free) or weekly rentals. Check out their website: http://www.bicycletrip.com/en-US/page01/
You can call them at: 831-427-2580
Drinks & Nightlife
Aside from the delicious crepes, this place has a great local music scene and a classic bar setup.
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The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel AveAside from the delicious crepes, this place has a great local music scene and a classic bar setup.
30 beers on tap and a huge selection of bottles--great family friendly atmosphere. Need I say more...
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Beer 30
2504 S Main St30 beers on tap and a huge selection of bottles--great family friendly atmosphere. Need I say more...
Johnny's Harborside
493 Lake AveArts & Culture
Small, but a great place for local culture and art!
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Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StSmall, but a great place for local culture and art!
Entertainment & Activities
Fantastic local music venue--check them out online to see what's coming up...
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Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial WayFantastic local music venue--check them out online to see what's coming up...
Recently expanded and remodeled--they even serve beer now!
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CineLux Capitola Cafe and Lounge
1475 41st AveRecently expanded and remodeled--they even serve beer now!