Things To Do
Beaches
Westside - Natural Bridges: scenic views and tide pools, excellent sunsets - Lighthouse Field State Beach (Its Beach): off-leash dog beach. Right around the corner from world-famous Steamer Lane surf spot. Downtown - Santa Cruz beach: A classic. A boardwalk, amusement park, arcade, loud children, trash and trashy tourists. We avoid but its very popular. Eastside - Seabright Beach: Our favorite big beach in Santa Cruz - Twin Lakes State Beach: right next to Seabright, also very nice. They have firepits if you can snag one for sunset - Sunny Cove: tiny beach, good on windy days Far Eastside - Capitola Beach: very cute area for walking around, questionable water quality - New Brighton State Beach: gorgeous beach next to a cliff, very sharky for some reason Up Hwy 1 - Panther Beach: less crowded, one of our favorites (but has bad parking, can be windy, with a short but steep climb down, no bathrooms)
Favorite Hikes
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Redwood Grove Loop (<1 mile, flat, wheelchair/stroller friendly) has some of the biggest, oldest trees in the area (300+ ft tall, 20 ft wide, ~2,000 years old). Longer loops also start from the main lot to the river and beyond. The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park A favorite from our Capitola days. Popular with mountain bikers, but great hiking on the main fire road or quieter side trails. Visit the Twisted Grove near the 1989 Loma Prieta epicenter, where redwoods now grow in corkscrews due to the way the ground shifted. Wilder Ranch Trails on both sides of Hwy 1. Chose your adventure: ocean cliffs or hilltop views. Big Basin Redwoods State Park Where we first hit it off. ~1 hour NW of SC. Burned in a big wildfire in 2020, now regenerating. Beautiful and evolving. Garden of Eden Great swimming holes. Can you find our favorite secret spot?
Surfing & Mountian Biking
Santa Cruz is known for great surfing and mountain biking, with lots of board and bike rentals in town. Do a little research and pick spots that feel right for your skill level. If you're going to try surfing for the first time, head to Cowell beach to the West of the wharf. There's a few surf shops with rentals within walking distance to the beach. You will need a wetsuit even in the summer.
Strolling
- Capitola By The Sea: cute seaside village for strolling, shopping, and coffee by the water - West Cliff Drive: flat, scenic ocean walk (great for sunsets) -Downtown Santa Cruz: Pacific Ave & surrounding blocks has a lot of shops, though we personally prefer the Westside or Capitola
Santa Cruz Classics
-Sail on the O'Neil Boat or Chardonnay -Santa Cruz Boardwalk fun (arcade and rides!) -Roaring Camp Railroad (train ride through the redwoods)
Eat
FOOD - Taqueria Los Pericos: Our first date spot! Still our favorite spot for loaded tacos and greasy burritos - Home (Soquel): Great food and atmosphere - Bad Animal: natural wines, rare book shop, and Thai food-perfect combination. - Abbott Square Market: If you're downtown and want to try different things! Tons of food and drink options - Ice Cream: Mission Hill Creamery and The Penny Ice Creamery (both downtown) - Companion Bake Shop (coffee/pastries/fresh bread/breakfast items-Westside) - Iveta Westside (cafe with good breakfast sandwiches) - Emozioni Pasticceria (Soquel)
Drink
- Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery (food truck usually parked nearby)-Westside - The Apéro Club (natural wine bar, food truck usually parked nearby)- Westside - The Parish (strong drinks and good bar food)- Westside - Humble Sea (known for their hazy IPA's, food-truck outside)- Westside - Lúpulo (our favorite bar downtown-they have shuffle board) - Beer Thirty (great outdoor beer garden, great selection, food truck outside)