Stacey & Brett
Things To Do
BAD ANIMAL
Bad Animal is a used and rare bookshop, natural wine bar, and seasonal restaurant located in downtown Santa Cruz. It's a special place and locally owned.
Barceloneta
Spanish tapas, paella, churros, cocktails in downtown Santa Cruz. Excellent.
Birichino Winery Tasting Room
While there are lots of options for wine tasting in Santa Cruz County, Birichino is a cut above. Well-appointed tasting room and the winemakers are top notch.
Café Sparrow
A charming little country French restaurant located in historic Aptos Village. Traditional French sauces with a California flair. Reservations advised.
Cat & Cloud Coffee
Our favorite coffee shop in Aptos (there's one in Santa Cruz, too). Conveniently located near the entrance of the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park.
Companion Bakeshop Aptos
Companion Bakeshop is a Santa Cruz-based organic bakery providing whole grain sourdough, rustic pastries, and great coffee (from Cat & Cloud, naturally). No matter what you choose here, you can't go wrong.
Hula's Island Grill
To honor Brett's love for all things tiki, we can recommend this great little place in downtown Santa Cruz. Be sure to get the crispy coconut shrimp rolls with your mai tai.
Mentone
A must for our epicure guests, we present to you Mentone, "a twist on the cuisine of the Riviera from Nice to a bit past Genoa, from the mind of David Kinch of Manresa". The food here is absolutely superb and recently earned Michelin Guide recognition. Many locals and non-locals agree, which is why you MUST book in advance to snag a table here (you can reserve at https://www.exploretock.com/mentone/).
Parish Publick House
Warm, intimate tavern offering classic comfort grub & a rotating lineup of craft beer on tap.
Phil's Fish Market & Eatery
Located in the heart of Moss Landing (about 20 minutes south of Aptos), Phil’s Fish Market has been serving seafood for more than 30 years. It was named #1 Best Beach Restaurant by BBC Travel and has been featured on Food Network and written up several times in Sunset Magazine. Very casual. Great for a michelada and clam chowder and known for its cioppino.
Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
As with wineries, there are quite a few breweries in the area, but this is one we really like.
Scopazzi's
The food is decent, the ambience is next level. Located in Boulder Creek just up the road from our venue, Scopazzi's is an historic Italian bar and eatery with a redwood dining room, an ample wine list & outdoor patio. They have been open for more than 100 years.
Bigfoot Discovery Museum
Exactly what it sounds like. Become a believer.
Boardwalk Bowl
Next to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Boardwalk Bowl is a state-of-the-art bowling facility, arcade, restaurant, live music venue, and lounge. Yes, they have karaoke, too.
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
First inhabited by the Ohlone people, this park’s name honors Nisene Marks, the nature-loving mother of the Salinas farm family that bought the land in the 1950s. Her children donated almost 9,700 acres to the state in 1963 with the provision that the land never be developed. With more than 30 miles of trails for hiking, running, and cycling, this park is a true retreat and one of Stacey's favorite places. Its dense second- and third-growth redwood forest rises from near sea level to steep coastal mountains. Today, the park showcases a forest in recovery, with rugged canyons and remnants of its once-bustling railroad and logging industry. The entrance to the park is conveniently located near Aptos Village. You can park and walk in or enter the park in your car; the day fee is around $10. Highly recommend.
The Mystery Spot
The Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California. (https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/santa-cruz-mystery-spot-bay-area-tourist-16476566.php)
Roaring Camp Railroads
Explore the ancient coastal redwoods aboard Roaring Camp's authentically preserved trains, the Redwood Forest Steam Train and the Santa Cruz Beach Train. Highly recommend; be sure to book in advance.
Santa Cruz Whale Watching
If you feel like going out to sea for a bit, check out a whale watching cruise. (This company is just one option.) The humpback whale is the most common whale found in this area, usually seen from April through November. Sea lions, seals, otters and nearly one hundred different species of sea birds, both endemic and migratory, are common as well, and sea turtles, jellies, sunfish and sharks can sometimes be seen at the surface. Book in advance.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Perhaps best known as the backdrop for the film The Lost Boys, the Boardwalk is home to an amusement park that offers a variety of games & rides on a mile-long stretch of sandy beach. Be sure to check the calendar before you go—as of April, arcades and limited rides will be open Saturday, November 12. https://beachboardwalk.com/hours/
Seacliff State Beach
Just up the road from basically everything else in Aptos, Seacliff State Beach is great for a stroll any time of day. This beach is known for its fishing pier and mostly-submerged concrete freighter, the SS Palo Alto.
Wilder Ranch State Park
Wilder Ranch State Park covers approximately 7,000 acres, with 34 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails winding through coastal terraces and valleys. Adventure into the Santa Cruz Mountains or walk along the coastal bluffs. Several buildings once belonging to the Wilder family have been restored. Explore the history of early ranchers and farmers along the Central Coast through tours and living history demonstrations. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the front lawn, and visit the farm animals. The site was originally the main rancho supplying Santa Cruz Mission, and later became a successful and innovative dairy ranch. The grounds include Victorian homes, barns, shops, gardens and a historic adobe. Major wetlands restoration projects have attracted some of the original flora and fauna back to the area.
Big Sur
If you have an extra day or two, consider driving down to Big Sur. One of the most majestic and scenic stretches of coastline in the world, Big Sur is about an hour and a half south of Santa Cruz. If you plan to stay overnight, book lodging well in advance (we love Deetjen's!). We recommend grabbing a seat and a glass of wine at Nepenthe to watch the sunset.
Cannery Row
Cannery Row, one of John Steinbeck's best and most widely read fictional works, immortalized this part of Monterey as a one-of-a-kind neighborhood of fish packing plants, bordellos and flophouses. Today, it houses specialty shops, local artists' galleries, and more than 25 restaurants and attractions. Def touristy but will be less crowded in November and fun for an afternoon.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
World renowned and worth the trip. The jellyfish and sea otter exhibits are especially cool. Monterey Bay is just 45 minutes from the Santa Cruz area.