Our Favorites - Santa Cruz County
Food scene
Plenty of places to get a good burrito. This is our favorite. Grab one and walk East Cliff to enjoy the scenery and surfers. Cash only!
38 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Point Market
23040 E Cliff DrPlenty of places to get a good burrito. This is our favorite. Grab one and walk East Cliff to enjoy the scenery and surfers. Cash only!
Great coffee and atmosphere. Employees are so kind! You can walk to East Cliff from here as well.
71 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cat & Cloud Coffee
3600 Portola DrGreat coffee and atmosphere. Employees are so kind! You can walk to East Cliff from here as well.
Great local creamery with unique flavors. Verve Coffee Roasters is next door as well.
45 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Penny Ice Creamery Pleasure Point
820 41st AveGreat local creamery with unique flavors. Verve Coffee Roasters is next door as well.
This is just at the end of our road, so we probably eat here too much! Great sandwiches. Keep in mind they close at 6 PM.
Surf City Sandwich
4101 Soquel DrThis is just at the end of our road, so we probably eat here too much! Great sandwiches. Keep in mind they close at 6 PM.
Super unique spot not far from our home in downtown Soquel. Fresh and approachable food from a Michelin-Star chef out of SF. Keep in mind they close at 5 PM.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pretty Good Advice
3070 Porter StSuper unique spot not far from our home in downtown Soquel. Fresh and approachable food from a Michelin-Star chef out of SF. Keep in mind they close at 5 PM.
We hail from Alabama, so we love some good BBQ. This is as close as it gets in this area! Live music every night. Great tap list as well.
95 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos StWe hail from Alabama, so we love some good BBQ. This is as close as it gets in this area! Live music every night. Great tap list as well.
HOME
3101 N Main StMaybe the best food around. This place is special.
Our favorite bakery. Great breakfast and lunch as well.
155 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay AveOur favorite bakery. Great breakfast and lunch as well.
Popular coffee spot. Several of these around town.
220 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AvePopular coffee spot. Several of these around town.
Sante Adairius Santa Cruz Portal
1315 Water StBest beer around. Period.
Great bottle shop/taproom. Nice outdoor seating and good atmosphere.
82 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Beer 30
2504 S Main StGreat bottle shop/taproom. Nice outdoor seating and good atmosphere.
Neighborhoods
This is a great stretch along the coast to walk or run. The premiere spot for surfing on this side of town.
193 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveThis is a great stretch along the coast to walk or run. The premiere spot for surfing on this side of town.
Great little downtown area for walking, shopping and dining. A family friendly beach is here as well.
151 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Capitola
Great little downtown area for walking, shopping and dining. A family friendly beach is here as well.
The downtown of Santa Cruz. Good food, theaters, shops and a fun place to people watch.
88 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pacific Avenue
Pacific AvenueThe downtown of Santa Cruz. Good food, theaters, shops and a fun place to people watch.
The stretch on Hwy 1 from Santa Cruz to San Francisco is stunning. This is a great spot just 15 or 20 minutes north of Santa Cruz to check out on that route. Explore Shark Fin Cove or one of the many beautiful beaches around and then grab a bite to eat across from the ocean. Finish it off with a treat from Swanton Berry Farm and make the beautiful drive back. Or don’t!
32 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Davenport
The stretch on Hwy 1 from Santa Cruz to San Francisco is stunning. This is a great spot just 15 or 20 minutes north of Santa Cruz to check out on that route. Explore Shark Fin Cove or one of the many beautiful beaches around and then grab a bite to eat across from the ocean. Finish it off with a treat from Swanton Berry Farm and make the beautiful drive back. Or don’t!
Sightseeing
The main tourist draw and can be crowded at times, but still a lot of fun!
745 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StThe main tourist draw and can be crowded at times, but still a lot of fun!
Our favorite trail of plenty to choose from in the area. Less foot traffic than the Henry Cowell Loop nearby, and there's plenty of redwoods and greenery.
Pro Tip: A half mile in, stay left just before you cross the creek. That trail is a bit more green and scenic.
36 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fall Creek Unit Trailhead
Felton Empire RoadOur favorite trail of plenty to choose from in the area. Less foot traffic than the Henry Cowell Loop nearby, and there's plenty of redwoods and greenery.
Pro Tip: A half mile in, stay left just before you cross the creek. That trail is a bit more green and scenic.
You name it, it’s got it - hiking, trail running, mountain biking. Beautiful area. Just remember that it’s a state park and has a $10 entry fee.
272 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-State Park ye-Nisene Marks
Aptos Creek RoadYou name it, it’s got it - hiking, trail running, mountain biking. Beautiful area. Just remember that it’s a state park and has a $10 entry fee.
A beautiful and popular spot to get in the woods. The most popular area, The Henry Cowell Loop, is the “Santa Cruz Boardwalk” equivalent to hiking. Can be crowded but a nice easy hike and super informative.
335 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdA beautiful and popular spot to get in the woods. The most popular area, The Henry Cowell Loop, is the “Santa Cruz Boardwalk” equivalent to hiking. Can be crowded but a nice easy hike and super informative.
A beautiful place to hike, run or bike up the coast close to Davenport.
219 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdA beautiful place to hike, run or bike up the coast close to Davenport.