Things To Do
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
A great place to see some of the biggest redwoods!
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
I love this park and go hiking/running here often, another great spot for redwoods.
Wilder Ranch State Park
A beautiful park that starts on the coast and extends into the woods. SO many stunning trails at varying lengths. I highly recommend the (very flat and chill) Wilder Bluffs loop for some great views alongside the cliffs.
Zameen At The Point
Some yummy Greek food in Capitola. A more casual vibe, good for lunch!
Tramonti
One of my favorite restaurants in Santa Cruz. A great place to go for dinner. Italian cuisine with a lovely ambiance.
Otoro Sushi
Our favorite sushi place! Nate surprised me with many of our friends here right after the proposal. Chaotic ambiance but excellent fish.
11th Hour Coffee
Really awesome coffee shop with style and great coffee (looking at you Madison).
Cat & Cloud Coffee
One of many Cat and Clouds, another great coffee shop! This particular location is next to a really sweet gathering of restaurants, shops, and wineries.
Verve Coffee Roasters
My personal favorite Verve location (there are many), it’s right next to the climbing gym and I am way TOO familiar with all the baristas there. Excellent matcha.
Bantam
This was the first restaurant Nate took me to when I came to visit in 2022. Ask us about our experience with the olives… Really great pizza and reallyyy good olives. They don’t take reservations, but I really like this place. Also next to some cool spots on the West Side of Santa Cruz.
Lighthouse Field State Beach
This is one of my favorite places to take people who are visiting Santa Cruz. Get a hot beverage at Shrine, a taco at Steamer’s and walk along the beach. Really lovely.
Shrine Coffee
Another lovely coffee shop, this one is located inside a church! The Our Frother is my favorite, go for a walk along the coast!
Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Westside
This is a gin distillery and kitchen, they have some pretty good food and great cocktails.
Hook & Line
A cool seafood restaurant that opened up somewhat recently downtown. They have a really reasonable happy hour and a varied oyster selection
H&H Fresh Fish
It might seem random to put a fish shop on here, but these guys sell shucked oysters right out of the harbor. It’s pretty delightful to get some and enjoy while looking out at the coast.
Humble Sea Brewing Co.
A really cool brewery with a large outdoor seating area (and often a food truck) on the West Side. Easy walking distance to a lot of other cool spots.
Madson Wines
One of my favorite places to get wine in Santa Cruz! Close walking distance to many other wineries.
Sante Adairius • Santa Cruz Portal
Another cool brewery with pizza, wings and salad.
Companion Bakeshop | Westside Santa Cruz
One of two companion locations, really excellent bakery and they serve coffee!
Cat & Cloud Coffee
Another Cat and Cloud location! Great coffee and near Nisene!
Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House
Outdoor beer garden with a lot of fun options and yard games in Soquel!
Discretion Brewing
Another fun Soquel Brewery!
Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
Another brewery on the West Side!
Lúpulo
A beer house and Latin American restaurant downtown!
Engfer Pizza Works
Really cool pizza place in Seabright. Reasonably priced.
Café Cruz
A little bit fancier (for the ever casual Santa Cruz) of a restaurant experience in Soquel.
New Leaf Community Markets - Capitola
May seem random to put a grocery store on here, but they have the best Poke bar in town. Either here or the one downtown.
Swanton Berry Farm
Super cute organic berry farm up the coast. I have loved taking drives to Greyhound rock (low crowd beach, but with a HIKE) and stopping here for berries, pie, shortcake, or cider.
Greyhound Rock
A bit outside of Santa Cruz, but a really lovely spot to get away from the beach crowds and potentially go tide pooling.
Natural Bridges State Beach
A great place to go tide pooling!
