Guidebook for Santa Cruz

Jennifer
Guidebook for Santa Cruz

Food Scene

They have never disappointed. Super good food and service. They are known for their rotisserie chicken, fresh fish, good burgers.
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Café Cruz
2621 41st Ave
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They have never disappointed. Super good food and service. They are known for their rotisserie chicken, fresh fish, good burgers.
They have a dog-friendly patio. They have live music on occasion - please check in with them prior to expecting it. Great local brewery - there is a growler above the stove in the cupboard that can be used during your visit. My fave is the Pelican Pale.
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Seabright Social
519 Seabright Ave
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They have a dog-friendly patio. They have live music on occasion - please check in with them prior to expecting it. Great local brewery - there is a growler above the stove in the cupboard that can be used during your visit. My fave is the Pelican Pale.
The highest end restaurant in the Neighborhood. I've had some amazing meals there and it's super peaceful! Sort of a hidden gem.
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La Posta
538 Seabright Ave
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The highest end restaurant in the Neighborhood. I've had some amazing meals there and it's super peaceful! Sort of a hidden gem.
Best sushi restaurant in town. They get packed up very easily so get there early or late but not during rush hours as you will find yourself waiting in long lines!
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Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel Ave
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Best sushi restaurant in town. They get packed up very easily so get there early or late but not during rush hours as you will find yourself waiting in long lines!
Best Prime Rib in town! They have specials every night so check in with them when you arrive to see if you may be interested. One of the most iconic restaurants in Santa Cruz County - they have been in business since 1947. They have an amazing garden you see as you walk down to the restaurant via the stairs or you can use the TRAM. This place is amazing!
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Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Rd
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Best Prime Rib in town! They have specials every night so check in with them when you arrive to see if you may be interested. One of the most iconic restaurants in Santa Cruz County - they have been in business since 1947. They have an amazing garden you see as you walk down to the restaurant via the stairs or you can use the TRAM. This place is amazing!
This place is always busy. It is in walking distance - sort of pricey though.
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Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright Ave
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This place is always busy. It is in walking distance - sort of pricey though.
This is by far my favorite breakfast location. Priced right and large portions. I always get the seafood omelette and they always prepare my hash browns to order. They also have a dog-friendly patio. This is in walking distance but across the harbor.
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Harbor Café
535 7th Ave
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This is by far my favorite breakfast location. Priced right and large portions. I always get the seafood omelette and they always prepare my hash browns to order. They also have a dog-friendly patio. This is in walking distance but across the harbor.
Great pizza and gnocchi! Fairly quiet place. They have indoor and outdoor seating.
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Tramonti
528 Seabright Ave
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Great pizza and gnocchi! Fairly quiet place. They have indoor and outdoor seating.
I used to live a block from here and it was my go-to spot. They always have the freshest oysters! They have a dog-friendly patio and have live music on occasion.
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Café Rio Aptos
131 Esplanade
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I used to live a block from here and it was my go-to spot. They always have the freshest oysters! They have a dog-friendly patio and have live music on occasion.
This is my favorite coffee. I don't drink coffee often but when I do, it's VERVE. They also have some amazing pastries. It's a short walk from here. Not much in the way of inside seating but they do have a few tables outside.
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Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st Ave
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This is my favorite coffee. I don't drink coffee often but when I do, it's VERVE. They also have some amazing pastries. It's a short walk from here. Not much in the way of inside seating but they do have a few tables outside.
This place is closer than VERVE but not as good in my opinion. They do have inside and outside seating though and less expensive than VERVE...
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Java Junction
519 Seabright Ave
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This place is closer than VERVE but not as good in my opinion. They do have inside and outside seating though and less expensive than VERVE...
Most delicious corned beef and cabbage. Also have yummy shepherds pie and bangers & mash. Oh and their fish and chips aren't too shabby either...
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Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant
355 Santana Row
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Most delicious corned beef and cabbage. Also have yummy shepherds pie and bangers & mash. Oh and their fish and chips aren't too shabby either...
So this place has some amazing beers as well as some yummy food!
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Lupulo Craft Beer House
233 Cathcart St
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So this place has some amazing beers as well as some yummy food!
Another local brewery that delivers strong in food and brews. They have indoor and outdoor seating and are dog friendly on the patio.
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Discretion Brewing
2703 41st Ave
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Another local brewery that delivers strong in food and brews. They have indoor and outdoor seating and are dog friendly on the patio.
They are just a short drive away or about a 20 minute walk. My favorite is the Pho but they have plenty of bowls that are delicious.
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Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Ave
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They are just a short drive away or about a 20 minute walk. My favorite is the Pho but they have plenty of bowls that are delicious.
Great Mexican food!
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Manuel's Mexican Restaurant
261 Center Ave
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Great Mexican food!
Best Thai around and super close!
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Real Thai Kitchen
1632 Seabright Ave
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Best Thai around and super close!
One of the highest rated Italian places in town - I literally refused to go there my first couple years here because they always had ridiculous lines and I hate waiting in lines. Now they have expanded almost four times the size and are still always busy. I recommend reservations. Their risotto balls are so good. So is there Gnocchi. And their Lasagna. I could go on and on... Beer and wine only...
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Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel Ave
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One of the highest rated Italian places in town - I literally refused to go there my first couple years here because they always had ridiculous lines and I hate waiting in lines. Now they have expanded almost four times the size and are still always busy. I recommend reservations. Their risotto balls are so good. So is there Gnocchi. And their Lasagna. I could go on and on... Beer and wine only...
They have great cheese plates, wine, food and are in a wonderful location downtown.
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Assembly
1108 Pacific Avenue
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They have great cheese plates, wine, food and are in a wonderful location downtown.

Getting Around

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Enterprise Rent-A-Car
919B Ocean St
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Family Cycling Center
914 41st Ave
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Bike Rentals - never used them but have heard good things!
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Pacific Ave Cycles
153 Pacific Ave
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Bike Rentals - never used them but have heard good things!

Parks & Nature

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Seabright Beach
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If you like to Mountain Bike - this is your spot. Also great for hiking. You can park outside the park and walk or ride in to pay for parking or you can drive in and pay to park.
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Taman Negeri Hutan Nisene Marks
Aptos Creek Road
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If you like to Mountain Bike - this is your spot. Also great for hiking. You can park outside the park and walk or ride in to pay for parking or you can drive in and pay to park.
It's absolutely beautiful - you can witness the Monarch migration October through early February.
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Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff Dr
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It's absolutely beautiful - you can witness the Monarch migration October through early February.
So this is probably my favorite beach in Santa Cruz County. The views will not disappoint. It is directly off highway one about 15 minutes north of Santa Cruz.
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Waddell Beach
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So this is probably my favorite beach in Santa Cruz County. The views will not disappoint. It is directly off highway one about 15 minutes north of Santa Cruz.
Great hiking trail - flat land with an amazing ocean view. No beach access unless you want to risk your life. There is also a great hiking/biking trail opposite side of highway one.
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Taman Negeri Wilder Ranch
1401 Coast Rd
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Great hiking trail - flat land with an amazing ocean view. No beach access unless you want to risk your life. There is also a great hiking/biking trail opposite side of highway one.

Shopping

This is the iconic Santa Cruz Boardroom that has plenty of Santa Cruz gear as well as skateboards.
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Santa Cruz Boardroom
825 41st Ave
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This is the iconic Santa Cruz Boardroom that has plenty of Santa Cruz gear as well as skateboards.
Great book and even funky socks available!
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Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific Ave
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Great book and even funky socks available!
Great surf gear!
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O'Neill Surf Shop
110 Cooper St
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Great surf gear!
Sock and shoe store...
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Sockshop & Shoe Company
1515 Pacific Ave
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Sock and shoe store...
They have plenty of CD's and Vinyls for every genre - must visit for all you music lovers out there!
Streetlight Records
939 Pacific Ave
They have plenty of CD's and Vinyls for every genre - must visit for all you music lovers out there!

Arts & Culture

This museum is located on East Cliff Drive just a short walk from the apartment and is on the opposite side of the stree of the coastline of Seabright beach.
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Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
1305 E Cliff Dr
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This museum is located on East Cliff Drive just a short walk from the apartment and is on the opposite side of the stree of the coastline of Seabright beach.
Local stories that make up the history of Santa Cruz. Enjoy!
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Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front St
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Local stories that make up the history of Santa Cruz. Enjoy!
Overlooking internationally renowned surfing hotspot Steamer Lane, this little gem of a museum has photographs, surfboards, and other interesting artifacts tracing over 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz. The museum shop specializes in great surfing books and surfing related items.
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Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
701 W Cliff Dr
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Overlooking internationally renowned surfing hotspot Steamer Lane, this little gem of a museum has photographs, surfboards, and other interesting artifacts tracing over 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz. The museum shop specializes in great surfing books and surfing related items.
Have not been there personally but have read some great reviews.
Felix Kulpa Gallery
107 Elm St
Have not been there personally but have read some great reviews.

Everything Else

There are quite a few restaurants and shops on the wharf. You can fish from eat, check out all the Sea Lions, rent boats etc. A huge tourist attraction.
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Tambatan Santa Cruz
21 Municipal Wharf
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There are quite a few restaurants and shops on the wharf. You can fish from eat, check out all the Sea Lions, rent boats etc. A huge tourist attraction.

Drinks & Nightlife

So this place has a great eclectic nightlife. They have a downstairs and upstairs portion on different entrances. I prefer the upstairs lounge. They also serve food and is reasonably priced.
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The Redroom
1003 Cedar St
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So this place has a great eclectic nightlife. They have a downstairs and upstairs portion on different entrances. I prefer the upstairs lounge. They also serve food and is reasonably priced.
They always bring good music to town.
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The Catalyst
1011 Pacific Ave
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They always bring good music to town.
Dancing and live music.
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Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial Way
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Dancing and live music.
Irish pub that only serves beer...
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Poet & Patriot Irish Pub
320 Cedar St
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Irish pub that only serves beer...
They are dog-friendly. Have a ton of seating! Have corn hole, ping-pong and darts for your amusement. Super great staff. There is a limited food menu.
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Beer 30
2504 S Main St
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They are dog-friendly. Have a ton of seating! Have corn hole, ping-pong and darts for your amusement. Super great staff. There is a limited food menu.
Great food and wine bar!
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Soif
105 Walnut Ave
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Great food and wine bar!