Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Drinks & Nightlife
The Parish Publick House
841 Almar AveIf you're in the mood for pints and pub food!
Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard
334 Ingalls StGreat local beer! Happy Hour till 6:00 p.m.
Odonata Wines
2343 Mission StOne of the Surf City wineries
Equinox Sparkling Wine
334 Ingalls StOne of the Surf City wineries.
Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard
334 Ingalls StOne of the Surf City wineries.
Our favorite winery on the Westside! Great atmosphere, music most Fridays, excellent wines, and you can bring food in.
17 locals recommend
Stockwell Cellars
1100 Fair AveOur favorite winery on the Westside! Great atmosphere, music most Fridays, excellent wines, and you can bring food in.
Newest brewery on the Westside - great beer, friendly staff, and tasty edibles.
50 locals recommend
Humble Sea Brewing Co.
820 Swift StNewest brewery on the Westside - great beer, friendly staff, and tasty edibles.
Popular wine tasting room with comfy outdoor patio furniture (if you can get a seat!)
26 locals recommend
MJA Vineyards
328 Ingalls StPopular wine tasting room with comfy outdoor patio furniture (if you can get a seat!)
Food Scene
Kelly's French Bakery
402 Ingalls StPopular stop for breakfast, lunch, and pastries.
Fun surfer theme (not just a theme, but highlights the local surf culture), good quick lattes and breakfast sandwiches.
7 locals recommend
Westside Coffee Co
849 Almar AveFun surfer theme (not just a theme, but highlights the local surf culture), good quick lattes and breakfast sandwiches.
Amazing breads, scones, cookies and sweet or savory tarts. Excellent coffee.
64 locals recommend
Companion Bakeshop Westside Santa Cruz
2341 Mission StAmazing breads, scones, cookies and sweet or savory tarts. Excellent coffee.
Starbucks
21620 E Cliff DrConvenient - inside Safeway, which is just 3 blocks from the studio.
Conveniently located on the way in, or on the way out, on Mission Street.
15 locals recommend
Coffeetopia
Conveniently located on the way in, or on the way out, on Mission Street.
West End Tap and Kitchen
334 Ingalls StGreat atmosphere and flatbread pizza and microbrews.
Bantam
1010 Fair AveExcellent farm to table pizza, appetizers and wine selections.
Thai Noodle House
2106 Mission StNice, friendly service and delicious, plentiful menu selection.
O'mei
2316 Mission StThe only place we'll eat Chinese food!
Excellent Brazilian food for breakfast or lunch. Very popular. Parking is tight but well worth it.
79 locals recommend
Cafe Brasil
1410 Mission StExcellent Brazilian food for breakfast or lunch. Very popular. Parking is tight but well worth it.
Malabar Restaurant
514 Front StThe best vegetarian option in Santa Cruz!
Hip, well-lit, lots of coffee choices and pastries. One of the best coffee roasters in town. Good place to hang out.
220 locals recommend
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveHip, well-lit, lots of coffee choices and pastries. One of the best coffee roasters in town. Good place to hang out.
Everything Else
Sweet little neighborhood park. At anytime you might see people playing basketball, ping pong, soccer, guitar, or dozing with a good book.
9 locals recommend
Garfield Park
634 Almar AveSweet little neighborhood park. At anytime you might see people playing basketball, ping pong, soccer, guitar, or dozing with a good book.
Quintessential lighthouse overlooking the surfers at Steamers Lane, sea lions, and Its Beach (dog friendly).
49 locals recommend
Lighthouse Field State Beach
Quintessential lighthouse overlooking the surfers at Steamers Lane, sea lions, and Its Beach (dog friendly).
Hike along the bluffs to see the beautiful rugged coastline, or go the other direction and hike or mountain bike up to the redwoods. Also visit the historical buildings.
219 locals recommend
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdHike along the bluffs to see the beautiful rugged coastline, or go the other direction and hike or mountain bike up to the redwoods. Also visit the historical buildings.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful beach, tide pools, and a stopover for Monarch butterflies.
261 locals recommend
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrBeautiful beach, tide pools, and a stopover for Monarch butterflies.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
2591 Graham Hill RdEasy walk to see the giant Redwoods.
Essentials
Safeway
2203 Mission StClean, carries a variety of organic food, friendly staff.
The flagship store with a deli, too many cheeses to choose from, beautiful organic produce.
248 locals recommend
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveThe flagship store with a deli, too many cheeses to choose from, beautiful organic produce.
Just a corner market, so we don't usually shop here, but it's just two blocks away, so it's convenient for picking up milk or ice.
Circle Market
508 Errett CirJust a corner market, so we don't usually shop here, but it's just two blocks away, so it's convenient for picking up milk or ice.
Sightseeing
Mystery Spot deserves no explanation. There's only one way to find out what this spot is all about.
34 locals recommend
Mystery Spot Road
Mystery Spot RoadMystery Spot deserves no explanation. There's only one way to find out what this spot is all about.
For fun arcades, roller-coasters, beach, miniature golf... the one and only venerable Boardwalk.
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StFor fun arcades, roller-coasters, beach, miniature golf... the one and only venerable Boardwalk.
Over 2 mile bike and pedestrian path from the Lighthouse to Natural Bridges State Park.
193 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveOver 2 mile bike and pedestrian path from the Lighthouse to Natural Bridges State Park.
Arts & Culture
Fun, educational permanent exhibit on the history of Santa Cruz; thought provoking art exhibits. Really happening on first and third Fridays nights!
133 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StFun, educational permanent exhibit on the history of Santa Cruz; thought provoking art exhibits. Really happening on first and third Fridays nights!