Things To Do
Natural Bridges State Beach
One of Santa Cruz's scenic beaches. From here you can also walk or bike along West Cliff all the way to the wharf and boardwalk, or walk a short trail to see the monarch butterfly preserve.
Bookshop Santa Cruz
Bookshop Santa Cruz is highly recommended. Rob and Emily are a couple of nerds, so whenever they visit Santa Cruz they always take a few minutes to walk downtown and stop at the bookstore. There's also a café next door, and a great Mexican food place just a few blocks away.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Do you want to see the coastal redwood forests? Henry Cowell is the easiest to access, with a paved trail, a tower that offers majestic views, and a pleasant walk along the San Lorenzo River. Here you can see where Rob spent some of his bachelorhood and took Emily on some fun dates. Some good alternatives include the Forest of Nisene Marks in Aptos, Big Basin State Park in Boulder Creek, and the UC Santa Cruz campus, where Emily and Rob both received their undergraduate degrees.
Año Nuevo State Park
Did you know that Rob won't stop talking to Emily about elephant seals? If you want to see what's caught his attention you can visit the elephant seal rookery in Año Nuevo State Park. It's about 40 minutes north of Santa Cruz, with a scenic drive along the way.
San Francisco
If you want to spend the day in the big city, San Francisco is about a 90 minute drive from Santa Cruz. For a more scenic route, take highway 1 all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge! One of Emily and Rob's first weekend trips was to Sausalito, just five minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Hapa's Brewing Company
If you're friends with Rob and Emily, there's a decent chance Rob has insisted you try some craft beer. Here's Rob's recommendation: You should visit Hapa's Brewing Company in Los Gatos for some craft beer! Just drive safe, Highway 17 has lots of twists and turns. For some alternatives closer to Santa Cruz, you can also check out Humblesea Brewing Company and Discretion Brewing.
Restaurants in Santa Cruz
Crow's Nest in Santa Cruz for Great Views on the Water Home in Soquel for Amazing Farm-to-Table Food Los Pericos in Santa Cruz for most authentic Mexican Food Humble Sea Brewery in Westside Santa Cruz Swanton Berry Farm for Desserts Davenport Roadhouse for Food & Music at the Beach Whale City Bakery in Davenport for Breakfast, Lunch and Baked Goods with Beach View Cafe Brasil in Santa Cruz for Delicious Brazilian Food (keep in mind, the parking lot is small and this restaurant can be very busy!) Bad Animal in Santa Cruz for Natural Wines, Books & Great Thai Food Front & Cooper in Santa Cruz for Best Cocktails & Live Music on Weekends