Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
Very reasonably priced Indian food, including a vegetarian buffet, right downtown by the movie theaters.
7 locals recommend
Sitar Indian Cuisine
1133 Pacific AveVery reasonably priced Indian food, including a vegetarian buffet, right downtown by the movie theaters.
I love the fresh fish, the Asian cole slaw, and the yam fries. Rice bowls are great, too. A nice Tiki bar and Hawaiian atmosphere. Not expensive and right downtown, too.
102 locals recommend
Hula's Island Grill
221 Cathcart StI love the fresh fish, the Asian cole slaw, and the yam fries. Rice bowls are great, too. A nice Tiki bar and Hawaiian atmosphere. Not expensive and right downtown, too.
Drinks & Nightlife
Thursday evenings on the beach all summer: live music (free), BBQ, including a veggie burger option, beer, wine, and mixed drinks.
Inside, beautiful harbor and ocean views and moderately priced American food. Weekend evenings: music or comedy, witha cover charge. Tuesday nights, my friend Bruce places conga with a reggae band.
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrThursday evenings on the beach all summer: live music (free), BBQ, including a veggie burger option, beer, wine, and mixed drinks.
Inside, beautiful harbor and ocean views and moderately priced American food. Weekend evenings: music or comedy, witha cover charge. Tuesday nights, my friend Bruce places conga with a reggae band.
A variety of fresh local brews and sports on four screens (muted). Walk from my house. Food is okay, mostly burgers & fries. I like the Teriyaki salmon sandwich, around $11, or Teriyaki salmon on spinach & cranberries salad.
74 locals recommend
Seabright Social
519 Seabright AveA variety of fresh local brews and sports on four screens (muted). Walk from my house. Food is okay, mostly burgers & fries. I like the Teriyaki salmon sandwich, around $11, or Teriyaki salmon on spinach & cranberries salad.
Sightseeing
World-class surfing and a beautiful walk on an asphalt path astride West Cliff Drive past the surfer statue, Surfing Museum, Its Beach, and Lighthouse Field. Take the stairs down to Its Berach (dog-friendly) or Moore's Beach, or walk all 2 miles along the ocean cliff all the way to Natural Bridges State Beach!
81 locals recommend
Steamer Lane
700 W Cliff DrWorld-class surfing and a beautiful walk on an asphalt path astride West Cliff Drive past the surfer statue, Surfing Museum, Its Beach, and Lighthouse Field. Take the stairs down to Its Berach (dog-friendly) or Moore's Beach, or walk all 2 miles along the ocean cliff all the way to Natural Bridges State Beach!
Home of east side surfing, walk along East Cliff Drive from 32nd St. to 41st Ave. When the tide is low, you can explore tidepools and find starfish & anemonies. Watch for see otters, dolphins and even the occasional whale in the water along with surfers. Have a coffee and a breakfast burrito at the Point market & cafe. Breakfast served all day.
116 locals recommend
Pleasure Point
Home of east side surfing, walk along East Cliff Drive from 32nd St. to 41st Ave. When the tide is low, you can explore tidepools and find starfish & anemonies. Watch for see otters, dolphins and even the occasional whale in the water along with surfers. Have a coffee and a breakfast burrito at the Point market & cafe. Breakfast served all day.
Everything Else
Street music, colorful people, cafes, shopping, movie theaters, bookstores, bars, restaurants, smoke shops and medicinal dispensaries, this is 8 blocks of pure Santa Cruz!
25 locals recommend
Downtown Association
740 Front StStreet music, colorful people, cafes, shopping, movie theaters, bookstores, bars, restaurants, smoke shops and medicinal dispensaries, this is 8 blocks of pure Santa Cruz!
Parks & Nature
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdRedwoods! Trails! But don't bring your dog!
Behind the swim center you'll find the entrance to a 3/4 mile circular path at Schwan Lake Park. Dogs on leash allowed. A wide dirt path keeps you away from abundant poson oak off the path. You'll path Schwan lagoon with ducks and other wildfowl.
The swim Center is good, too, if you seek lap swimming in a chlorinated pool, but hours are limited. Kiddie pool for the tots. Lifeguards.
18 locals recommend
Simpkins Family Swim Center
979 17th AveBehind the swim center you'll find the entrance to a 3/4 mile circular path at Schwan Lake Park. Dogs on leash allowed. A wide dirt path keeps you away from abundant poson oak off the path. You'll path Schwan lagoon with ducks and other wildfowl.
The swim Center is good, too, if you seek lap swimming in a chlorinated pool, but hours are limited. Kiddie pool for the tots. Lifeguards.
Shopping
My friends own the store and everything they carry is screened for sustainable environmental and social manufacturing practices. But be forewarned: that costs money!
Eco Goods
1130 Pacific AveMy friends own the store and everything they carry is screened for sustainable environmental and social manufacturing practices. But be forewarned: that costs money!
Fresh organic produce and baked goods, a center aisle of sale items, deli and sushi counter, and take-out hot food that goes half-price at 8 pm daily until 9 pm closing!
69 locals recommend
Staff of Life
1266 Soquel AveFresh organic produce and baked goods, a center aisle of sale items, deli and sushi counter, and take-out hot food that goes half-price at 8 pm daily until 9 pm closing!
Essentials
Trader Joe's
700 Front StOpen til 10 pm nightly!