Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
Award-winning scones, hidden location, rotating collections from local artists.
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Café Iveta
2125 Delaware AveAward-winning scones, hidden location, rotating collections from local artists.
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveHip and yummy. Pastries come from Manresa.
Delicious, creative takes on traditional Italian cuisine. Gets our vote for the best food in town (unless we happen to be cooking ;-) ). For two hungry people, order a pizza, a main course, and an appetizer.
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Bantam
1010 Fair AveDelicious, creative takes on traditional Italian cuisine. Gets our vote for the best food in town (unless we happen to be cooking ;-) ). For two hungry people, order a pizza, a main course, and an appetizer.
Authentic Thai food, right down to the spice level. Generous portions. Exercise caution -- "medium" spiciness will make most people sweat. If you order "spicy", have milk ready.
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@ Thai Recipe
2106A Mission StAuthentic Thai food, right down to the spice level. Generous portions. Exercise caution -- "medium" spiciness will make most people sweat. If you order "spicy", have milk ready.
Arguably the best spot in Santa Cruz for brunch. Expect a long wait at peak brunch hours on weekends.
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Cafe Brasil
1410 Mission StArguably the best spot in Santa Cruz for brunch. Expect a long wait at peak brunch hours on weekends.
Taqueria Santa Cruz
2215 Mission StOur go-to for burritos al pastor.
Step inside, and feel like you're south of the border.
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Taqueria La Cabaña
2332 Mission StStep inside, and feel like you're south of the border.
Drink your coffee while the kids play in Lighthouse Field.
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Steamer Lane Supply
644-670 W Cliff DrDrink your coffee while the kids play in Lighthouse Field.
Cat & Cloud Coffee
3600 Portola DrThe place to be.
11th Hour Coffee Westside
402 Ingalls StCoffee and a café
Yummy food, mixed drinks, and you will feel very “cool” going here.
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Venus Spirits
200 High RdYummy food, mixed drinks, and you will feel very “cool” going here.
Drinks & Nightlife
One of a bunch of wineries that are walking distance from the house. Fridays feature live music, with a different food truck each week.
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Stockwell Cellars
1100 Fair AveOne of a bunch of wineries that are walking distance from the house. Fridays feature live music, with a different food truck each week.
What's better than beer? Tasty, local, organic beer.
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Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard
334 Ingalls StWhat's better than beer? Tasty, local, organic beer.
Good beer and great bar food (or great beer and good bar food, depending on which of us you ask). Hipster-ier than its nearby competitor (Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing), come here if you want to mingle with the UCSC crowd and drink hazy brews.
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Humble Sea Brewing Co.
820 Swift StGood beer and great bar food (or great beer and good bar food, depending on which of us you ask). Hipster-ier than its nearby competitor (Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing), come here if you want to mingle with the UCSC crowd and drink hazy brews.
MJA Vineyards
328 Ingalls St Wine tasting, occasional live music.
Odonata Wines
2343 Mission StWine.
Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard
334 Ingalls StWine tasting.
Bottle Jack Winery - Tasting Room
328 D Ingalls StTasting room for Bottle Jack Winery.
Rexford Winery
429 Ingalls StWine tasting (weekends and by appointment).
Sightseeing
Run or walk this 2.5 mile (5 miles round-trip) stretch of stunning California coast. Or just amble down to John and West Cliff, grab a bench, and enjoy the view. The beach faces south, so sunsets are stunning in the winter and early spring.
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West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveRun or walk this 2.5 mile (5 miles round-trip) stretch of stunning California coast. Or just amble down to John and West Cliff, grab a bench, and enjoy the view. The beach faces south, so sunsets are stunning in the winter and early spring.
Flippin' scenic. On Friday afternoons/evenings people make big bubbles for the kids to pop on the grassy area.
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Lighthouse Point Park
700 W Cliff DrFlippin' scenic. On Friday afternoons/evenings people make big bubbles for the kids to pop on the grassy area.
Bethany Curve
Bethany CurveCute greenway that meanders alongside a creek on its way to the beach.
Parks & Nature
Monarch butterflies, a deep beach, and one of the area's last remaining "natural bridges."
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Spiaggia Statale Natural Bridges
2531 W Cliff DrMonarch butterflies, a deep beach, and one of the area's last remaining "natural bridges."
A miniature, affordable version of the more ostentatious (and expensive) Monterey Bay Aquarium. Great for the kiddos -- pet a swell shark, feel a sea otter pelt, explore the touch pool, see giant whale skeletons, take a walk along a gorgeous, peaceful slice of coast.
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Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister WayA miniature, affordable version of the more ostentatious (and expensive) Monterey Bay Aquarium. Great for the kiddos -- pet a swell shark, feel a sea otter pelt, explore the touch pool, see giant whale skeletons, take a walk along a gorgeous, peaceful slice of coast.
Sergeant Derby Park
508 Woodland WayPlayground for the kids, tennis courts, open space, and skate park.
Garfield Park
634 Almar AvePlayground, basket ball court, ping pong tables.
Arts & Culture
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StTiny museum overlooking iconic surf spots. Will make you want to wax down your short board and jump in.
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Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
701 W Cliff DrTiny museum overlooking iconic surf spots. Will make you want to wax down your short board and jump in.
Everything Else
Court of the Mysteries
515 Fair AveGoogle it, then walk by and wonder.
KindPeoples
140 Dubois StBecause it's legal.
Essentials
The original location, still chock-full of local, organic friendliness.
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New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveThe original location, still chock-full of local, organic friendliness.
Safeway
2203 Mission StCVS
1700 Mission StDrug store.