Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
Gayle's has an amazing bakery! The sandwiches and other deli food here is great, as well. It's a perfect place to pick up food to take for a picnic at the beach or eat in their spacious dining area.
A quality, well respected bakery. They also have ready made food and salads for any meal. A longstanding mainstay for the Capitola/Santa Cruz area for quality, homemade food, cakes, pastries, and more!
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Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay AveGayle's has an amazing bakery! The sandwiches and other deli food here is great, as well. It's a perfect place to pick up food to take for a picnic at the beach or eat in their spacious dining area.
A quality, well respected bakery. They also have ready made food and salads for any meal. A longstanding mainstay for the Capitola/Santa Cruz area for quality, homemade food, cakes, pastries, and more!
Open for breakfast and lunch. Great food!
Open 6am – 2 pm, closes at 1pm on Sundays
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Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright AveOpen for breakfast and lunch. Great food!
Open 6am – 2 pm, closes at 1pm on Sundays
Pleasure Pizza
4000 Portola DrExcellent pizza by the slice or a whole pie!
Pizza, sandwiches, and American Fare. Great place to sit in the sun and drink a fresh beer on tap. The Chicken Pozole is wonderful and, if you’re in the mood for some comfort food, the Prawn and Bacon Mac & Cheese is pretty amazing. Their Clam Chowder and Chili are both award-winning. Outside dining as well.
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Pleasure Pizza East Side Eatery
800 41st AvePizza, sandwiches, and American Fare. Great place to sit in the sun and drink a fresh beer on tap. The Chicken Pozole is wonderful and, if you’re in the mood for some comfort food, the Prawn and Bacon Mac & Cheese is pretty amazing. Their Clam Chowder and Chili are both award-winning. Outside dining as well.
American fare. Outdoor patio.
Serves lunch and dinner, and beer of course!
Open – 11:30 am – 11:30 pm
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Seabright Social
519 Seabright AveAmerican fare. Outdoor patio.
Serves lunch and dinner, and beer of course!
Open – 11:30 am – 11:30 pm
Just consistently good pizza. Take out only. Be sure to add a t-shirt with your purchase for only $5 for a great souvenir. Located on the esplanade in Capitola right by the beach.
Open 11am – 9pm, 1am on Fri & Sat
Two other locations, 41st street and Pacific Ave.
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Pizza My Heart
209 EsplanadeJust consistently good pizza. Take out only. Be sure to add a t-shirt with your purchase for only $5 for a great souvenir. Located on the esplanade in Capitola right by the beach.
Open 11am – 9pm, 1am on Fri & Sat
Two other locations, 41st street and Pacific Ave.
Good, solid burgers – 2 locations, also one on 41st Avenue
Open 11 am – 9pm, 9:30pm Fri & Sat
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Betty Burgers
505 Seabright AveGood, solid burgers – 2 locations, also one on 41st Avenue
Open 11 am – 9pm, 9:30pm Fri & Sat
Fine dining. **Reservations are usually required.
Dinner only. Dressy casual to dressy attire. Seafood, prime rib, pastas. Located beside the lush Soquel creek. The Rock Room Lounge and Bar offers more casual dining.
If you want to treat yourself, this is the place to go!
1750 Wharf Rd., Capitola-by-the-Sea Open 4:30pm – 9:30/10pm (call for hours) (831) 475-1511
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Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdFine dining. **Reservations are usually required.
Dinner only. Dressy casual to dressy attire. Seafood, prime rib, pastas. Located beside the lush Soquel creek. The Rock Room Lounge and Bar offers more casual dining.
If you want to treat yourself, this is the place to go!
1750 Wharf Rd., Capitola-by-the-Sea Open 4:30pm – 9:30/10pm (call for hours) (831) 475-1511
American food, delicious crepes – dinner crepes and dessert. Their outdoor patio is lush and interesting.
1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
Open 9 am or 11 am – 12am or 1am
Live bands on many nights. (831) 429-6994
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The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel AveAmerican food, delicious crepes – dinner crepes and dessert. Their outdoor patio is lush and interesting.
1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
Open 9 am or 11 am – 12am or 1am
Live bands on many nights. (831) 429-6994
Excellent BBQ everything. Enjoy! Very close to the house.
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Cole's Bar-B-Q
2590 Portola DrExcellent BBQ everything. Enjoy! Very close to the house.
Authentic Hawaiian cuisine. Only a 5 min walk from the house.
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Aloha Island Grille
1700 Portola DrAuthentic Hawaiian cuisine. Only a 5 min walk from the house.
Quick, easy, & cheap. Only a 5 min walk from the house.
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Little Caesars Pizza
4767 Lafayette StQuick, easy, & cheap. Only a 5 min walk from the house.
The best coffee is only a 5 min walk from the house, or maybe 10 min if you haven't had your coffee yet ;-)
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Starbucks
21620 E Cliff DrThe best coffee is only a 5 min walk from the house, or maybe 10 min if you haven't had your coffee yet ;-)
American fare. Located in the Santa Cruz Dream Inn, near the Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Wharf.
Retro décor. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Food gets mixed reviews, but has a nice view of the beach and ocean.
175 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz Call for hours (831)460-5012
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Aquarius
175 W Cliff DrAmerican fare. Located in the Santa Cruz Dream Inn, near the Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Wharf.
Retro décor. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Food gets mixed reviews, but has a nice view of the beach and ocean.
175 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz Call for hours (831)460-5012
American fare. On the beach at the Santa Cruz Harbor. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Has takeout at their small gift shop for a great price.
2218 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz Open 7:30 am – 9 or 10
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Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrAmerican fare. On the beach at the Santa Cruz Harbor. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Has takeout at their small gift shop for a great price.
2218 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz Open 7:30 am – 9 or 10
Seafood Restaurant. Lunch and dinner.
Nice view of the harbor.
493 Lake Ave, Santa Cruz Open 11:30 – 8:30/9:30
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Johnny's Harborside
493 Lake AveSeafood Restaurant. Lunch and dinner.
Nice view of the harbor.
493 Lake Ave, Santa Cruz Open 11:30 – 8:30/9:30
Everyone has to eat here at least once!
American and Seafood. Right on the beach in Capitola. Seating inside and out. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
203 Esplanade, Capitola Open 7:30-10pm
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Zelda's on the Beach
203 EsplanadeEveryone has to eat here at least once!
American and Seafood. Right on the beach in Capitola. Seating inside and out. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
203 Esplanade, Capitola Open 7:30-10pm
Great food, atmosphere, and service! Not cheap, but worth it. Make reservations and make it a meal to remember!
Romantic yet casual cafe offers American food & wine, plus an outdoor patio with a fireplace.
Address: 2621 41st Ave, Soquel, CA 95073
Phone: (831) 476-3801
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Café Cruz
2621 41st AveGreat food, atmosphere, and service! Not cheap, but worth it. Make reservations and make it a meal to remember!
Romantic yet casual cafe offers American food & wine, plus an outdoor patio with a fireplace.
Address: 2621 41st Ave, Soquel, CA 95073
Phone: (831) 476-3801
The place to go for breakfast or lunch, esp if you want a spicy bloody Mary. The nautical theme & relaxing outdoor patio continue the laid-back vibe at this American diner. Great food, but very popular. It is worth the wait, though.
535 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Phone:(831) 475-4948
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Harbor Café
535 7th AveThe place to go for breakfast or lunch, esp if you want a spicy bloody Mary. The nautical theme & relaxing outdoor patio continue the laid-back vibe at this American diner. Great food, but very popular. It is worth the wait, though.
535 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Phone:(831) 475-4948
A great place to sit on the patio overlooking the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, the beach, the surfers, and volleyball games with a beer and some good food 🏖🍺🍸🏄🏼♀️🍤🍔
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Ideal Bar & Grill
106 Beach StA great place to sit on the patio overlooking the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, the beach, the surfers, and volleyball games with a beer and some good food 🏖🍺🍸🏄🏼♀️🍤🍔
Parks & Nature
Beautiful places you should see!
You can't miss seeing this area! Cliff side views of the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This is the most popular surfing site in Santa Cruz. The road is only 1 way traveling East (but if seems like South). This is where you want to ride your bike, jog, skate, or walk along the cliff on the wide pedestrian path.
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Pleasure Point
You can't miss seeing this area! Cliff side views of the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This is the most popular surfing site in Santa Cruz. The road is only 1 way traveling East (but if seems like South). This is where you want to ride your bike, jog, skate, or walk along the cliff on the wide pedestrian path.
You must drive the entire length of this road, or better yet bike or jog it! This is the perfect place for a sunset walk. Bring your best camera. There is a great walking and biking path running from Natural Bridges State Beach clear to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Do NOT miss this sight of God's beauty!
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West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveYou must drive the entire length of this road, or better yet bike or jog it! This is the perfect place for a sunset walk. Bring your best camera. There is a great walking and biking path running from Natural Bridges State Beach clear to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Do NOT miss this sight of God's beauty!
Want to wow your kids with a hecka cool park! You have to check this place out. It has a real train engine they can climb on, great bridges and slides, paddle boats in the lake, and lots to play on.
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Dennis The Menace Playground
777 Pearl StWant to wow your kids with a hecka cool park! You have to check this place out. It has a real train engine they can climb on, great bridges and slides, paddle boats in the lake, and lots to play on.
A must see for anyone who has not driven along the central California coastline. Stunning views, and only 40 mi south of Carmel.
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Big Sur
A must see for anyone who has not driven along the central California coastline. Stunning views, and only 40 mi south of Carmel.
Entertainment & Activities
A carnival on the beach with roller coasters, kiddy rides, and tuns of games and amusement park fun. I recommend you buy your daily passes at Costco to save a lot of money on ride tickets. The park is free to walk around in. The beach in front of it is huge, clean, and beautiful.
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Parco divertimenti di Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
400 Beach StA carnival on the beach with roller coasters, kiddy rides, and tuns of games and amusement park fun. I recommend you buy your daily passes at Costco to save a lot of money on ride tickets. The park is free to walk around in. The beach in front of it is huge, clean, and beautiful.
This is a fun street with all kinds of stores, restaurants, and plenty of entertaining things to see and do. Stroll through all the shops, eat the best clam chowder, and visit the Ghirardelli ice cream and chocolate shop for a salted caramel chocolate brownie sunday to eat on the patio overlooking the bay!
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Cannery Row
This is a fun street with all kinds of stores, restaurants, and plenty of entertaining things to see and do. Stroll through all the shops, eat the best clam chowder, and visit the Ghirardelli ice cream and chocolate shop for a salted caramel chocolate brownie sunday to eat on the patio overlooking the bay!
Sightseeing
This is classic Beach Town California style! It has a lot to see and experience: probably 100 quaint shops, a beautiful beach, many good restaurants, frequent street fairs and activities to do. It is just a great place to relax and enjoy your favorite or latte as you sit over looking the beach and people watch. A must see!
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Capitola Beach Company
131 Monterey AveThis is classic Beach Town California style! It has a lot to see and experience: probably 100 quaint shops, a beautiful beach, many good restaurants, frequent street fairs and activities to do. It is just a great place to relax and enjoy your favorite or latte as you sit over looking the beach and people watch. A must see!
This is the Main Street of Santa Cruz, the outdoor shopping street with some great shops, boutiques, restaurants, clubs, ice cream parlors, and cafes. You will enjoy visiting this area and experiencing this part of Old Santa Cruz!
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Pacific Avenue
Pacific AvenueThis is the Main Street of Santa Cruz, the outdoor shopping street with some great shops, boutiques, restaurants, clubs, ice cream parlors, and cafes. You will enjoy visiting this area and experiencing this part of Old Santa Cruz!
You will not regret visiting this beautiful Aquarium. I have been to many aquariums around the world, and this one is the best. Worth the price of admission.
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Acquario di Monterey Bay
886 Cannery RowYou will not regret visiting this beautiful Aquarium. I have been to many aquariums around the world, and this one is the best. Worth the price of admission.
For $5 or $10 you can drive from Monterey to Carmel via the beautiful coastline, world famous Pebble Beach Golf Course, and the mansions of the mega-rich. It is spectacular!
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17 17 Mile Dr
17 17 Mile DriveFor $5 or $10 you can drive from Monterey to Carmel via the beautiful coastline, world famous Pebble Beach Golf Course, and the mansions of the mega-rich. It is spectacular!
Shopping
This is where you want time to window shop, the hundreds of shops along all of the streets surrounding Ocean Ave. Bring your walking shoes, your appetite, and your pocketbook!
Don't miss this place if you have the time to visit here.
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Carmel-by-the-Sea
San Antonio AvenueThis is where you want time to window shop, the hundreds of shops along all of the streets surrounding Ocean Ave. Bring your walking shoes, your appetite, and your pocketbook!
Don't miss this place if you have the time to visit here.
Carmel Plaza
Mission Street