Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
Our neighborhood restaurant is also our favorite restaurant. Just a short block away, it feels like home. Plus, it's fabulous. Child friendly.
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Bantam
1010 Fair AveOur neighborhood restaurant is also our favorite restaurant. Just a short block away, it feels like home. Plus, it's fabulous. Child friendly.
Beware the wharf: You'll find the worst tourist food in SC. But the view is so incredible, that here's your pro tip: Have a drink upstairs at Stagnaro's. Million dollar view, four dollar Bombay Tonic.
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Stagnaro Bros.
59 Municipal WharfBeware the wharf: You'll find the worst tourist food in SC. But the view is so incredible, that here's your pro tip: Have a drink upstairs at Stagnaro's. Million dollar view, four dollar Bombay Tonic.
Ok this is a tourist place, but locals go here too, in droves. It sits on Twin Lakes Beach, right at the harbor mouth. Terrific view, always jumping - especially Wednesdays when the yachts are racing.
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Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrOk this is a tourist place, but locals go here too, in droves. It sits on Twin Lakes Beach, right at the harbor mouth. Terrific view, always jumping - especially Wednesdays when the yachts are racing.
This is where I go for my birthday dinner. Northern Italian. So good.
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La Posta
538 Seabright AveThis is where I go for my birthday dinner. Northern Italian. So good.
In the mood for mexican? This is the best. Plus it's located in a classic landmark building. Good margaritas.
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El Palomar Restaurant
1336 Pacific AveIn the mood for mexican? This is the best. Plus it's located in a classic landmark building. Good margaritas.
This is a fun, casual restaurant within walking distance. Plus it’s in the middle of the action down the street, brew pubs, taco bars, wine tasting. Check it out.
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West End Tap and Kitchen
334 Ingalls StThis is a fun, casual restaurant within walking distance. Plus it’s in the middle of the action down the street, brew pubs, taco bars, wine tasting. Check it out.
Steamer Lane Supply
644-670 W Cliff DrVenus Spirits
200 High RdEverything Else
The first, and many say, the best of several great brew pubs in the neighborhood.
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Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard
334 Ingalls StThe first, and many say, the best of several great brew pubs in the neighborhood.
Fantastic natural foods market and cafe. Just a stones throw away!
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New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveFantastic natural foods market and cafe. Just a stones throw away!
Not only a beautiful beach-with tidepools, but if you time it right, you can view the migrating monarch butterflies hanging like bunches of grapes from the eucalyptus trees.
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Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrNot only a beautiful beach-with tidepools, but if you time it right, you can view the migrating monarch butterflies hanging like bunches of grapes from the eucalyptus trees.
Big Tree Grove
Never seen a redwood? Don't miss the walk through the Big Tree Grove. Seriously.
Terrific coffee, baked provisions and breakfast treats.
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Companion Bakeshop Westside Santa Cruz
2341 Mission StTerrific coffee, baked provisions and breakfast treats.
Grab the bikes and hope the surfs up! World famous surf spot that offers excellent viewing.
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Steamer Lane
700 W Cliff DrGrab the bikes and hope the surfs up! World famous surf spot that offers excellent viewing.
My husband loathes the boardwalk. I love it. People watching doesn't get any better, plus you can ride the bikes down there, and skip the hassle of parking amid the throngs.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StMy husband loathes the boardwalk. I love it. People watching doesn't get any better, plus you can ride the bikes down there, and skip the hassle of parking amid the throngs.
This offers a beautifully maintained bike and pedestrian path that runs from Natural Bridges Beach (The natural bridges collapsed in the 80's) to the wharf. Make sure to catch at least one sunset!
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West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveThis offers a beautifully maintained bike and pedestrian path that runs from Natural Bridges Beach (The natural bridges collapsed in the 80's) to the wharf. Make sure to catch at least one sunset!
Step back a hundred years and visit one of the original farms in the area. Victoria buildings, with miles of biking and hiking trails. Beautiful.
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Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdStep back a hundred years and visit one of the original farms in the area. Victoria buildings, with miles of biking and hiking trails. Beautiful.
Santa Cruz Yoga
402 Ingalls StThe favorite of many.
Del Mar Theater
1124 Pacific AveDrinks & Nightlife
Another popular brew pub and restaurant, within a couple blocks radius.
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West End Tap and Kitchen
334 Ingalls StAnother popular brew pub and restaurant, within a couple blocks radius.
Yet another super jumping brew pub, right up the street.
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The Parish Publick House
841 Almar AveYet another super jumping brew pub, right up the street.
Ok, this tip is farther afield. But if you are from outside of California, and staying for a few days, I highly recommend taking a drive and having lunch at this unforgettable spot.
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Nepenthe
48510 CA-1Ok, this tip is farther afield. But if you are from outside of California, and staying for a few days, I highly recommend taking a drive and having lunch at this unforgettable spot.
Well....I have a weak spot for a good Tiki bar. This is one. Fantastic Mai Tai's. Added bonus: continuous surf videos playing behind the bar.
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Hula's Island Grill
221 Cathcart StWell....I have a weak spot for a good Tiki bar. This is one. Fantastic Mai Tai's. Added bonus: continuous surf videos playing behind the bar.
Shopping
Do you love a good roller coaster? You can't miss this one. The last sea-side wooden roller coaster on the west coast.
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Giant Dipper
400 Beach StDo you love a good roller coaster? You can't miss this one. The last sea-side wooden roller coaster on the west coast.
Find yourself in need of a gift or some retail therapy? This will fit the bill. Also walking distance.
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Cameron Marks
402 Ingalls StFind yourself in need of a gift or some retail therapy? This will fit the bill. Also walking distance.