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Santa Cruz Local Guide

(aka my favorite haunts)
  • Food
  • Coffee
  • Bars
  • Breweries
  • Live Music
  • Groceries
  • Outdoor
Food

Full Steam Dumpling

Downtown: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sy2eMRgGZXg8VM8i9?g_st=i 
Only open wed-sat inside 11th Hour coffee (see "coffee" below). Dumplings and ramen are great with After Hours Cocktail Bar in same vicinity. Be prepared to wait in line if you dont show up early. Prices slightly higher than average. Ramen and gyoza are A+

Pretty Good Advice

Soquel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/u3Y7RVXq5rmJZyNk7?g_st=ic 
Causal farm to counter vegitarian breakfast sandwiches, burgers, salads and vegan soft serve. Nice outdoor patio out front

Home

Soquel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jsKifLE1Z1UNxWQR6?g_st=ic 
Upscale new american food. Pricier but fantastic food and wine. Need to make reservations in advance (same day is sometimes possible). Ask if seating on the back patio is possible so you can explore the garden.

Bookies Pizza (Sante Adairus)

Seabright: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BfZtbxeHYhf7KQ4PA 
Inside Sante Adairus Seabright location. Unique deep dish pizza with creative salad and appetizer options. Plus you got tons of beers on tap.

Pono Hawaiian Grill

Capitola: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yU4R3pL4EReUWejGA?g_st=ic Downtown: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1hym7Rfncet4xobRA?g_st=i 
Two locations. Best hawaiian bbq in Santa Cruz + good poke bowls

Pizza My Heart

Capitola: https://maps.app.goo.gl/C8ZzrG6bcgebcNHi6?g_st=i Downtown: https://maps.app.goo.gl/z8ZkjgudCVJmabKr7?g_st=i 
Late night, inexpensive slices with some interesting options for full pies. Classic santa cruz. Great after bar hopping :)

Point Market

Pleasure Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CyhmJTPLQgg6XzRg7?g_st=i 
Cash only corner market right on pleasure point known for their plentiful burritos. Take in the food and surf.

Chubb’s Chicken

Downtown: https://goo.gl/maps/cbaAbktTPUxRNgEN6?coh=178571&entry=tt 
Another 11th Hour evening food joint (sensing a pattern?) Spicy chicken sandwich is heaven on a bun

Yakitori Toriman

Moving pop-up: https://www.instagram.com/yakitori_toriman/?hl=en 
Authentic yakitori as small popup restaurant. Grilled Japanese street food on a stick. Check instagram for current hours and locations

Special Noodle

Seabright: https://goo.gl/maps/y7zxtWKQVHFbokLm9?coh=178571&entry=tt 
Newish restaurant serving soup dumplings. Haven’t tried other things on menu but looks like a good Chinese joint!

Seabright Deli

Seabright: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ofCNMLUL5uuiGQ1b8?g_st=ic 
Bomb sandwiches. That’s all. Eat one. Favorite is the “Surfer”

Penny Ice Creamery

Pleasure Point: https://goo.gl/maps/X8JLNT1jj9STP2h48 Downtown: https://goo.gl/maps/yuBRo5GdUEyHsDSy9 
High-end unique flavored icecream. Get the waffle cone with the toasted marshmallow fluff on top. You won’t regret it.

Achilles by the Sea

Seabright: https://goo.gl/maps/XFAmNZGwUYbL5rb59?coh=178571&entry=tt 
Mediterranean food in a casual setting. Great gyros and sauces.

Gabriella Cafe

Downtown: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5iNDS8torSzFVuVZ6?g_st=i 
Favorite italian restaurant out of the MANY italian restaurants in Santa Cruz. Intimate/romantic spot that offers italian classics w/ a twist

Hanloh

Downtown: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5to5R3EPgkXL9HH97?g_st=i 
Upscale (aka pricey) thai food inside Bad Animal (see below). Very authentic and better than classic American Thai.

Pizza Bones

Moving pop up: https://www.instagram.com/nopizzabones/ 
Dope wood fired pizza at various places around Santa Cruz. Check instagram for locations and hours

Barceloneta

Downtown: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CPHryMTPVKj9T2QW7?g_st=ic 
Spanish tapas and paella in a bustling restaurant that would be good for a small group

Los Viejones

Seabright-ish: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kh4jYtAnZUHySDRV6?g_st=ic 
MANY taco trucks in SC but this is our favorite (so far). Super tacos are huge, I get full off two

Bread Boy

Felton: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gRseQdrjXdbKRQhf9?g_st=ic 
Pop-up inside Humble Sea Tavern every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with smash burgers and elevated appetizer. Sells out early!
Food I havent tried but heard is good

VIM

West Side: https://maps.app.goo.gl/m9iQSkwjcXnu4uVA6?g_st=ic 
Dope cocktails and eclectic american menu

Fonda Felix

West Side: https://goo.gl/maps/VphgABmrFxLfDYe7A?coh=178571&entry=tt 
Reasonably priced empanadas to go
Coffee

11th Hour

Downtown (Main location): https://goo.gl/maps/MXS8nnYnywMGqA1b6?coh=178571&entry=tt Westside: https://goo.gl/maps/mSUGa1JCQYpaf81d7?coh=178571&entry=tt 
Best coffee shop in Santa Cruz. Delicious coffee. Plentiful seating including a sunny back patio. Often has events, live music and pop up restaurants in the evening. Can get busy on the weekend, but worth the wait. There is another Westside location, but less seating and fewer events.

Verve

Capitola: https://goo.gl/maps/xUjPhiXgMnjaYc1D6?coh=178571&entry=tt Seabright (by the climbing gym): https://goo.gl/maps/8UkE5mZbSJ66qvEz6?coh=178571&entry=tt Downtown: https://goo.gl/maps/1bq23jzwXryKDWBWA?coh=178571&entry=tt Westside: https://goo.gl/maps/ULacSWNo32V2Qgwn7?coh=178571&entry=tt 
Popular, "upscale" local coffee shop with multiple locations. Less of a "sit and chill" place but very high-quality coffee. Seaside location within walking distance to our house.

Cat & Cloud

Capitola: https://goo.gl/maps/6gnyr5ULK5RSPaxD6?coh=178571&entry=tt Downtown: https://goo.gl/maps/RjN6upbuQCr2FxcB8?coh=178571&entry=tt Westside: https://goo.gl/maps/yhuSUse2fVcUU2cj8?coh=178571&entry=tt 
Funkier local coffee that prides itself on its bean varietal and roasting. Bit more laidback, local vibe.

Flower Bar

Downtown: https://goo.gl/maps/GW1mCgNtis4p5i9bA?coh=178571&entry=tt 
Hidden gem coffee shop with baked goods, truffle chocolate, and breakfast/lunch food. All inside a working flower shop!

Mariposa

Downtown: https://goo.gl/maps/kf96iK4TQxqjQav28?coh=178571&entry=tt 
Something different than your usual americano. Cuban coffee worth a try.

Hidden Peak Tea House

Downtown: https://goo.gl/maps/M8xs2kAKwcrecES57 
Unique authentic tea house located in a back alley. Does not allow electronic devices. Knowledgable staff.

Coffee Conspiracy

Downtown: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xSxippz7cwnJxufF7?g_st=ic 
Coffee cart turned brick and mortar. Owner operated in a small shop with some unique drinks. Not a conspiracy!
Bars

Bad Animal

Downtown: https://goo.gl/maps/R1Y5hHB6PAY9h8KS7?coh=178571&entry=tt 
Awesome used book store (great curation!) with equally great wine selection that you can sip on while perousing the selection. Includes small thai restaurant Hanloh (see above).

The Apéro Club

Seabright: https://goo.gl/maps/hJ18vKX1ARnBg4d49?coh=178571&entry=tt 
Relaxed wine bar with selection of natural/organic wines.

Brady’s yacht club

Seabright: https://goo.gl/maps/88rEhJWwSfQoE1FV6?coh=178571&entry=tt 
Classic, offbeat dive bar where you’ll find old retirees sitting next to a college student sitting next to a dog who appears to be there by himself. $5 drafts! One pool table (usually taken). Can get busy on the weekends. Walking distance to our house.

Fast Eddy’s Billiards

Capitola: https://goo.gl/maps/GUNopCQLKaBJEo1X7?coh=178571&entry=tt 
Lots of pool tables to choose from (pay by the half hour) and sells beer by the pitcher. What more could you want?
Breweries 
Tons of breweries in Santa Cruz. They’re all great and offer  unique vibes. Check their instagrams for weekly events (trivia, drag bingo, comedy, live music).

Shanty Shack Brewing

Downtown: https://goo.gl/maps/h5Y37vMQQyfTyPxm7?coh=178571&entry=tt

Discretion Brewing

Soquel: https://goo.gl/maps/pfYxTEBBYWuuJLxU9?coh=178571&entry=tt

Sante Adairus

Seaside: https://goo.gl/maps/6b6kRj2nKNAgtGBj7?coh=178571&entry=tt

Woodhouse Blending and Brewing

Downtown: https://goo.gl/maps/VuHrNmKoBdTuXg9o8?coh=178571&entry=tt

Humble Sea

Westside: https://goo.gl/maps/X5t9zt2SPVCWCiNc9?coh=178571&entry=tt

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing

Westside: https://goo.gl/maps/t6RbHAwgSuc5XJwv5?coh=178571&entry=tt

Beer Thirty Pour House

Soquel: https://goo.gl/maps/FLLt1kBnSoKGTVKV6?coh=178571&entry=tt Live Music 
Dedicated music venues below, but there are also restaurants/bars that offer live music: Crepe Place, Melo Melo, Crows Nest

Moe’s Alley

Soquel: https://goo.gl/maps/y9mcvsPY7GnF7iP38 
Eclectic mix of bands in fun, intimate setting. Nice outdoor patio.

Felton Music Hall

Felton: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hg2csnbuUk1tpf9x7?g_st=ic 
In nearby Felton, indie acts across multiple genres. Intimate setting.

The Catalyst

Downtown: https://goo.gl/maps/bDn9RJqJZSdh6Hvp9 
Classic rock/club venue. Leans more into the punk/hardcore scene, but has some good elctronic acts as well as other larger acts. Often sells out.

Kuumbwa Jazz Center

Downtown: https://goo.gl/maps/ygKKuucyaRJ184aEA 
Various jazz offerings in an intimate setting. Some anazing international artists come through here.

Abbott Square Market

Downtown: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kqzcoraRWwniNbrs5?g_st=ic 
Outdoor spot next to food hall with a ton of options for eating and drinking. Live music almost every friday, saturday and sunday
Groceries

Farmers Markets

Downtown (Wednesdays): https://maps.app.goo.gl/VfRVFriepTYG7ztv9?g_st=ic West Side (Saturdays): https://maps.app.goo.gl/gcUGMGeGY1uRxR6V9?g_st=ic Live Oak (Sundays): https://maps.app.goo.gl/yPdJjbXqwdfrzir4A?g_st=ic 
Multiple farmers market through out the week year round. Local produce and food stands. Our favorite is the french bakery with the savory spins

Staff of Life

Seabright: https://maps.app.goo.gl/84YEX6BmEccVgWtr8?g_st=ic 
Natural groceries. Amazing bulk section and baked goods made in-house

Shopper’s Corner

Seabright: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gv18zXWJ8iL9pFX8A?g_st=ic 
Local small grocer. Great deli/butcher and good selection of wine.

H&H Fresh Fish

Marina neighborhood: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JgKywUMBzTcNCE8Z9?g_st=ic 
Fishmonger. Fresh fish, oysters and other sea bounties

El Salchichero

West Side: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7GpJBegh6oCP5AS28?g_st=ic 
High end butcher with great stuff for grilling plus cured meats
Outdoor

Seabright Beach

Seabright: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9tzCuTWSRA1HQQsAA?g_st=ic 
Large beach between harbor and boardwalk, good for lounging. One of only two beaches in Santa Cruz with fire pits (they get all taken pretty early on the weekends). Fun fact: the first surf ever to happen in California was at this spot when 3 Hawaiian princes visited in the 1800s

Pleasure Point - Surfing

Capitola: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PV4bxNkaLT3u9Y4j8?g_st=ic 
Popular surf breaks. Second point is most well-known and can get crowded. Further down are good spots for beginners (where Surf School Santa Cruz does their classes)

Privates Beach - Surfing

Capitola: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6nSVpj8spcWagibZ9?g_st=ic 
Small local beach. Surf can be spotty but when it’s hitting, it is a great longboard spot

Medicine Buddha Loop

Soquel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7SSGGit2tZJoYPcUA?g_st=ic 
Hiking on privately owned buddhist retreat, but open to public. Parking limited outside of gate. 6ish mile loop.

Wilder Ranch State Park

West Side: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MiiWUWVySXcEu4Q1A?g_st=ic 
Coastal hiking on cliff edges. Can also bike on trail. Like most outdoor spots in SC, can get crowded on weekends.

Henry Cowell State Park

Felton: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ezwEk8zpv6sSNwJv7?g_st=ic 
Popular park for hiking among redwoods. Google location is the trail head outside of the park to avoid parking fee and traffic. Worth hiking to the river and railroad bridge