Nathan’s guidebook to Hollister and the Central Coast
Food scene
If you are a coffee connoisseur, Calavera Coffee is where you want to get your espresso. The staff is wonderful. They sell featured coffee beans from around the country. Try their seasonal drinks or the Villian.
Calavera Coffee
1715-2 Airline HighwayIf you are a coffee connoisseur, Calavera Coffee is where you want to get your espresso. The staff is wonderful. They sell featured coffee beans from around the country. Try their seasonal drinks or the Villian.
This is a great place to get modern American food. They also just renovated and added an extensive bar. It is the best place to get a cocktail or microbrew in town.
8 locals recommend
Running Rooster
800 San Benito StThis is a great place to get modern American food. They also just renovated and added an extensive bar. It is the best place to get a cocktail or microbrew in town.
Great and fun taproom in Downtown Hollister. They have music and great outdoor seating. Grab a flight with some friends.
Pour Decisions Taproom
650 San Benito StreetGreat and fun taproom in Downtown Hollister. They have music and great outdoor seating. Grab a flight with some friends.
Eden Rift is one of four wineries in Hollister wine country. The drive to them is scenic and the wines are delicious.
Eden Rift Vineyards
10034 Cienega RdEden Rift is one of four wineries in Hollister wine country. The drive to them is scenic and the wines are delicious.
One of the OG coffee roasters in the area. This great coffee joint is located in historic San Juan Bautista. They also have delicious oven roasted pizzas.
9 locals recommend
Vertigo Coffee Roasters
81 4th StOne of the OG coffee roasters in the area. This great coffee joint is located in historic San Juan Bautista. They also have delicious oven roasted pizzas.
This place has excellent traditional Mexican food. Don't dismiss this place because it is located by the Hollister canning factory.
La Villa de Jerez Restaurant
905 East StreetThis place has excellent traditional Mexican food. Don't dismiss this place because it is located by the Hollister canning factory.
Ah, Jardines. Great outdoor seating, wonderful historic vibe, and great traditional Mexican food.
14 locals recommend
Jardines de San Juan
115 Third StAh, Jardines. Great outdoor seating, wonderful historic vibe, and great traditional Mexican food.
Did you know that Santa Cruz has a distillery? Well you do now. Really, really great spirit offerings here. My favorite are their gins and single malt.
32 locals recommend
Venus Spirits
200 High RdDid you know that Santa Cruz has a distillery? Well you do now. Really, really great spirit offerings here. My favorite are their gins and single malt.
Verve is the OG coffee roaster in Santa Cruz that really put that area on the map for great micro roasters. They source and roast quality beans. They also have the best chai latte of any coffee roaster in the area.
220 locals recommend
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveVerve is the OG coffee roaster in Santa Cruz that really put that area on the map for great micro roasters. They source and roast quality beans. They also have the best chai latte of any coffee roaster in the area.
Cat and Cloud started as a podcast and online store. They opened their first location in 2016. Now they have 4 locations and are shipping beans across the nation. This location was the first and it has such a good vibe, both in design and from the people that work there.
71 locals recommend
Cat & Cloud Coffee
3600 Portola DrCat and Cloud started as a podcast and online store. They opened their first location in 2016. Now they have 4 locations and are shipping beans across the nation. This location was the first and it has such a good vibe, both in design and from the people that work there.
Disguised as an unassuming crepe shop, this place has THE BEST crepes in the Monterey. Owned by two gentlemen from Normandy and Brittany, France, Crepes of Brittany uses traditional recipes and ingredients and puts fresh, modern touches on them. You must get the Brie and Caramelized onion crepe.
7 locals recommend
Crepes of Brittany
211 Alvarado StDisguised as an unassuming crepe shop, this place has THE BEST crepes in the Monterey. Owned by two gentlemen from Normandy and Brittany, France, Crepes of Brittany uses traditional recipes and ingredients and puts fresh, modern touches on them. You must get the Brie and Caramelized onion crepe.
One doesn't think of fine wine when one thinks of Santa Cruz. How silly. MJA has some delectable wine offerings. They have a great week day tasting price as well. The super personable staff makes MJA an all around excellent wine tasting experience.
26 locals recommend
MJA Vineyards
328 Ingalls StOne doesn't think of fine wine when one thinks of Santa Cruz. How silly. MJA has some delectable wine offerings. They have a great week day tasting price as well. The super personable staff makes MJA an all around excellent wine tasting experience.
Amazing, locally-sourced, farm-to-table, I-need-more-hyphens-to-express-how-great-their-ice-cream-is. The Bees Knees is an amazing ice cream with honeycomb in it. They also have a great selection of seasonal flavors.
13 locals recommend
Revival Ice Cream
463 Alvarado StAmazing, locally-sourced, farm-to-table, I-need-more-hyphens-to-express-how-great-their-ice-cream-is. The Bees Knees is an amazing ice cream with honeycomb in it. They also have a great selection of seasonal flavors.
Solid ramen that is outside of the Silicon Valley area. Do yourself a favor and order some kaarage on the side.
Toribashi
487 Alvarado StreetSolid ramen that is outside of the Silicon Valley area. Do yourself a favor and order some kaarage on the side.
Great spot in downtown Monterey for American food and a good pint. Great for groups and families.
65 locals recommend
Alvarado Street Brewery
426 Alvarado StGreat spot in downtown Monterey for American food and a good pint. Great for groups and families.
Neighborhoods
During Halloween and Christmas, this street is decked out, head to toe, with lights and decorations. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in town and the style of home and the tall trees that line the street are a testament to that.
Severinsen Street
Severinsen StreetDuring Halloween and Christmas, this street is decked out, head to toe, with lights and decorations. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in town and the style of home and the tall trees that line the street are a testament to that.
Sightseeing
A gorgeous national monument, located 45 minutes from Hollister, CA. Make sure you get there early, between 7-10am, or you might get turned around by the lines during the high seasons. Plenty of hikes and bat caves that you can visit.
79 locals recommend
Pinnacles National Park
A gorgeous national monument, located 45 minutes from Hollister, CA. Make sure you get there early, between 7-10am, or you might get turned around by the lines during the high seasons. Plenty of hikes and bat caves that you can visit.
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
3050 Hecker Pass HwyFun for the whole family!
Doing a tour of the California missions? Even if you aren't, Mission San Juan Bautista is a worthy historic stop.
27 locals recommend
Mission San Juan Bautista
406 2nd StDoing a tour of the California missions? Even if you aren't, Mission San Juan Bautista is a worthy historic stop.
If you want to experience the Santa Cruz redwoods, spend a day hiking at Henry Cowell Park!
335 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdIf you want to experience the Santa Cruz redwoods, spend a day hiking at Henry Cowell Park!
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrGreat tidepool ocean experience!
Beach. Thrills. Sun. What else do you need. This is also where the movie Us was set.
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StBeach. Thrills. Sun. What else do you need. This is also where the movie Us was set.
Fun and bustling seaside attraction. You can get some excellent chowder here. The great views of the ocean at the end of the wharf is excellent too.
64 locals recommend
Old Fisherman's Wharf
1 Old Fisherman’s WharfFun and bustling seaside attraction. You can get some excellent chowder here. The great views of the ocean at the end of the wharf is excellent too.
This is the bridge and coastline that are in pretty much all photographs that capture the beautiful California coast. Socal has got nothing on us.
29 locals recommend
Bixby Creek Bridge
California 1This is the bridge and coastline that are in pretty much all photographs that capture the beautiful California coast. Socal has got nothing on us.
Great ocean sights. Amazing clam chowder joint at the end of the wharf. Excellent wharf fishing when in season. Oh, you can hear the goofy sea lions barking day in and day out.
143 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal WharfGreat ocean sights. Amazing clam chowder joint at the end of the wharf. Excellent wharf fishing when in season. Oh, you can hear the goofy sea lions barking day in and day out.
You want to get "wow'd" by the wonders of the sea? Schedule a visit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They have everything from penguins to jellyfish.
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowYou want to get "wow'd" by the wonders of the sea? Schedule a visit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They have everything from penguins to jellyfish.
This place is historic and the gem of Monterey. The street is lined with many great shops and eateries.
49 locals recommend
Cannery Row
Cannery RowThis place is historic and the gem of Monterey. The street is lined with many great shops and eateries.
I grew up frequenting this beach. It is popular, but has plenty of space to set up a picnic to spend the day here. If you want to great beach experience, look no further than Seacliff.
97 locals recommend
Seacliff State Beach
State Park DriveI grew up frequenting this beach. It is popular, but has plenty of space to set up a picnic to spend the day here. If you want to great beach experience, look no further than Seacliff.
This is why the West Coast is best coast. This scenic drive is an experience of a lifetime, combining the beautiful, rustic coastline with beautiful architecture and picturesque golf courses.
54 locals recommend
17 Mile Drive
17 Mile DriveThis is why the West Coast is best coast. This scenic drive is an experience of a lifetime, combining the beautiful, rustic coastline with beautiful architecture and picturesque golf courses.
City/town information
Monterey
Big Sur
Santa Cruz
Such a beautiful ocean town. Beautiful sights. Walkable area. Cute neighborhoods. Bring your family or special someone here for a great coastal experience.
53 locals recommend
Pacific Grove
Such a beautiful ocean town. Beautiful sights. Walkable area. Cute neighborhoods. Bring your family or special someone here for a great coastal experience.
Carmel is a beautiful coast town with stunning views, a great art scene, and excellent fine dining. Oh, and Clint Eastwood was a mayor of this town. That's cool too, I guess.
354 locals recommend
Carmel by the sea
San Antonio AvenueCarmel is a beautiful coast town with stunning views, a great art scene, and excellent fine dining. Oh, and Clint Eastwood was a mayor of this town. That's cool too, I guess.