Live like a local during your stay! Enjoy a walk or bike ride along the spectacular beach and cliff path, West Cliff Drive.  Stop at the Lighthouse to check out the famed surf spot, Steamer's Lane and the historic Surfing Museum, ride roller coasters at the Beach Boardwalk, go fishing on the Wharf, where sea lions will bark as you eat chowder, discover the downtown and its unique shopping, dining, and entertainment venues.  Visit the arboretum  at the University of California, Santa Cruz, or spend an afternoon at its family friendly aquarium at Long Marine Lab, play a round of golf at Pasatiempo Golf Course or disc golf at De La Viega, refresh with a Yoga class at nearby studio, take a scenic hour drive up the coast to San Francisco or down the coast to Monterey, charter a sailboat at the harbor, mountain bike at Wilder State Ranch, hike up the waterfall or kitesurf at Wadell Creek, try surfing at Cowell's beach, go wine tasting at nearby Pelican Ranch Winery or Bonny Doon Vineyard - or relax at one of the many neighborhood beaches!

Event Guide
Natural Bridges State Beach
Santa Cruz Surf Forecast

Favorites from the Locals!
Breakfast
Café Brazil
Hoffman's Bakery
Walnut Ave Café
831-429-1855
831-420-0135
831-475-2307
Lunch
Crow's Nest
Paradise Beach
Gayle's Bakery
Pink Godzilla (Sushi)
831-476-4560
831-476-4900
831-462-1200
831-464-2586
Dinner
Shadowbrook
Oswald
Gabriella Café
Café Cruz
Café Sparrow
Bella Roma
Mobo's Sushi
Bittersweet Bistro
El Palomar
Walnut Ave Café
Michael's on Main
Seabright Brewery
831-475-1511
831-423-7427
831-457-1677
831-476-3801
831-688-6238
831-464-2608
831-425-1700
831-662-9799
831-662-9799
831-457-2307
831-479-9777
831-426-2739
Drinks
Crow's Nest
Cloud's Downtown
Seabright Brewery
Severino's
831-476-4560
831-429-2000
831-426-2739
831-688-8987
Beach
Santa Cruz Beach & Boardwalk
831-423-5590
Activity
Chardonnay Sailing Charters
831-423-1213
Check It Out!
Santa Cruz Mission
831-426-5686
Nightlife
Jazz Society Of Santa Cruz County
831-427-2792
 
Recreation
Capitola Boat & Bait
831-462-2208
Capitola Parks & Recreation
831-475-5935
Chartle Charters
831-336-2244
Derby Park
831-420-5270
Electric Sierra Cycles
831-425-1593
New Brighton State Beach
800-464-6330
Ocean Air Flight Services
831-763-0290
Seascape Golf Club
831-688-3214
Willow Pond Horse Ranch
831-464-2276
 
Points of Interest
Antonelli Brother Begonia Gardens
831-724-6367
Arboretum at UCSC
831-427-2998
Bamboo Giant
831-687-0100
Capitola Museum
831-464-0322
Natural Bridge State Beach
831-423-4609
Santa Cruz Harbor Beach
831-475-6161
The Bigfoot Museum
831-335-4478
 
Things to Do
Bargetto Winery
831-475-2258
Bonny Doon Vineyard
831-425-4518
Gilbert Redwood Excursion
831-685-8389
Hunter Hill Vineyard & Winery
831-465-9294
Pelican Ranch Winery
831-426-6911
Redwood Adventures
831-338-1191
Roaring Camp Railroad
831-335-4484
Soquel Vineyards
831-462-9045
Storrs Winery
831-458-5030
Tea House Spa
831-426-9700
 

Event/Location

Dates

More Info

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum

This little gem of a museum has photographs, surfboards, and other interesting items tracing over 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz. The gift shop specializes in great surfing related items.

The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is housed in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse at Lighthouse Point on West Cliff Drive.

Wed - Mon
Noon - 4 pm

831-420-6289
Website

Chardonnay Sailing Charters

Enjoy a day on the Monterey Bay with a whale watching, winemakers or ecology guided cruise.

Located at 790 Mariner Park Way, Dock FF,

Santa Cruz, California 95062

See Website for specific tours, times and pricing.

831-423-1213
Website

Pacific Avenue

Pacific Avenue is Santa Cruz's downtown area and is located less than two miles away from the Retreat.  Downtown Santa Cruz is home to many local theaters, shops, restaurants and bars. Be sure to visit Downtown Santa Cruz's webste for a complete list of merchants and events.

See website for more information Website

Santa Cruz Farmers Market

Fresh vegetables, produce and specialty foods every Wednesday afternoon.

Held betweeen Lincoln and Cedar Street

Every Wednesday Afternoon

Website

Santa Cruz Symphony

Enjoy a performance while visiting the Santa Cruz area.

Located at 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz

See website for show times.

831-462-0553
Website

Natural Bridges State Beach

This beach, with its famous natural bridge, is an excellent vantage point for viewing shore birds, migrating whales, and seals and otters playing offshore. Further along the beach, tidepools offer a glimpse of life beneath the sea. Low tides reveal sea stars, crabs, sea anemones, and other colorful ocean life. During the winter months, Monarch Butterflies flutter to the beach.

Follow Swanton Blvd to the ocean at Natural Bridges.

 

Open to the public

Website

Wine Tasting in the Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County has a tradition of fine winemaking that dates back to the late 1800's. Today, the County is home to over 40 family-owned and operated wineries that specialize in small yield, handcrafted wines. See website for wineries, directions and contact info.

Open to the public

Website

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

For a little fun and action, walk down to the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Opens daily at 11 a.m.

400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA

See website for more information and discounts.

831-423-5590
Website


Downtown Santa Cruz Dining Guide


American/ California Cuisine

515 Kitchen and Cocktails ~ 515 Cedar St ~ 425-5051
99 Bottles of Beer ~ 110 Walnut Ave ~ 459-9999 ~ www.99bottles.com
Aqua Bleu ~ 1108 Pacific Ave ~ 423-6999
Cafe Limelight ~ 1016 Cedar St ~ 425-7873 ~ www.cafelimelight.com
Center Street Grill ~ 1001 Center St ~ 423-4745 ~ TheCenterStreetGrill.com
Clouds Downtown ~ 110 Church St ~ 429-2000 ~ cloudsdowntown.com
Cypress ~ 120 Union St ~ 459-9876
Erik's Deli ~ 155 Walnut Ave ~ 425-5353 ~ www.eriksdelicafe.com
Fresh Prep Kitchens ~ 504 Front St A ~ 429-1390 ~ www.freshprepkitchens.com
Gabriella Cafe ~ 910 Cedar St ~ 457-1677 ~ www.gabriellacafe.com
Hoffman's Bistro and Patisserie ~ 1102 Pacific Avenue ~ 831-420-0135 ~ www.hoffmansbakery.net
Hula's Island Grill and Tiki Room ~ 221 Cathcart Street ~ 831-426-4852 ~ hulastiki.com
Jack's Hamburgers ~ 202 Lincoln St ~ 423-4421
Lil Coney Island ~ 1520 Pacific Ave K1 ~ 429-5181
Motiv ~ 110 Pearl Alley ~ 429-8070
Rosie McCann's Irish Pub ~ 1220 Pacific Avenue ~ 426-9930 ~ www.rosiemccanns.com
Saturn Cafe Inc ~ 145 Laurel St ~ 429-8505 ~ www.SaturnCafe.com
Soif Wine Bar & Merchant ~ 105 Walnut Ave ~ 423-2020 ~ www.SoifWine.com
Surf Rider Cafe ~ 429 Front St ~ 429-6746

Bakeries / Desserts

Cafe Lena ~ 920 Pacific Ave #11 ~ 425-5362
Cold Stone Creamery ~ 1129 Pacific Ave ~ 423-7015 ~ coldstonecreamery.com
Froyo ~ 1010 Pacific Ave ~ 713-5000
Hoffman's Bistro and Patisserie ~ 1102 Pacific Avenue ~ 831-420-0135 ~ www.hoffmansbakery.net
Marini's Inc ~ 1308 Pacific Ave ~ 423-3299
Pacific Cookie Company ~ 1203 Pacific Ave ~ 429-6905
Swirl ~ 1315 Pacific Avenue ~ 425-1997

Breakfast

Hoffman's Bistro and Patisserie ~ 1102 Pacific Avenue ~ 831-420-0135 ~ www.hoffmansbakery.net
Noah's Bagels ~ 1411 Pacific Avenue ~ 831-454-9555 ~ www.noahs.com
Swirl ~ 1315 Pacific Avenue ~ 425-1997
The Bagelry Inc. ~ 320 Cedar St A ~ 429-8049
Walnut Avenue Cafe ~ 106 Walnut ~ 831-457-2307 ~ www.walnutavenuecafe.com
Zachary's ~ 819 Pacific Avenue ~ 427-0646

Chinese

Little Shanghai Resturant/Express ~ 1010 Cedar St ~ 458-2460 ~ www.littleshanghai.com
Ocean City Buffet ~ 431 Front St ~ 426-8168
Yan Flower ~ 617 Pacific Ave ~ 423-2574 ~ www.yanflower.com

Coffee/Tea Houses

Asana ~ 103 Lincoln St ~ 425-8327
Bad Ass Coffee ~ 1207 Pacific Ave ~ 460-1007
Caffe Bene ~ 1101 Cedar St B ~ 425-0441
Caffe Pergolesi ~ 418 Cedar St ~ 426-1775 ~ ThePerg.com
Chaikhana ~ 317-A Cedar ~ 423-4200
Chocolate ~ 1522 Pacific Ave ~ 427-9900 ~ chocolatesantacruz.com
Lulu Carpenters Cafe ~ 1545 Pacific Ave ~ 439-9200
Lulu's at the Octagon ~ 118 Cooper St ~ 429-5858
Peets Coffee & Tea ~ 1409 Pacific Ave ~ 457-8170
Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Co. ~ 1330 Pacific Ave ~ 459-0100
SC Coffee Roasting Annex ~ 1330 Pacific Ave ~ 457-0100
Starbucks Coffee ~ 1335 Pacific Ave 206 ~ 459-7681

Food on the Go

Alfresco ~ 1130 Pacific Ave K2 ~ 429-1765 ~ www.alfrescosantacruz.com
Cafe Campesino ~ 1130 Pacific Ave K1 ~ 425-5979
China Express ~ 920 Pacific Ave 12 ~ 425-2688
El Pollo Loco ~ 712 Front St ~ 420-1600 ~ www.elpolloloco.com
Erik's Deli ~ 155 Walnut Ave ~ 425-5353 ~ www.eriksdelicafe.com
Falafel House ~ 113 Walnut Ave ~ 459-9770 ~ www.falafelhousesantacruz.com
Fosters Freeze ~ 229 Laurel St ~ 426-2311
Fresh Prep Kitchens ~ 504 Front St A ~ 429-1390 ~ www.freshprepkitchens.com
Jack's Hamburgers ~ 202 Lincoln St ~ 423-4421
Jalapenos taqueria ~ 206 Laurel St ~ 457-0159
Jamba Juice ~ 1550 Pacific Ave ~ 426-5262 ~ www.jambajuice.com
Lil Coney Island ~ 1520 Pacific Ave K1 ~ 429-5181
Noah's Bagels ~ 1411 Pacific Avenue ~ 831-454-9555 ~ www.noahs.com
Pacific Ave Pizza & Grille ~ 1415 Pacific Ave ~ 425-7492
Pizza My Heart ~ 1116 Pacific Ave ~ 426-2511 ~ www.pizzamyheart.com
Planet Fresh Burritos ~ 1003 Cedar St ~ 423-9799
Quiznos Subs ~ 1010 Pacific Ave ~ 469-9999 ~ www.quiznos.com
Rockers Pizza ~ 1011 Pacific AVe ~ 426-7499
Subway Sandwiches ~ 825 Pacific Ave ~ 459-8737 ~ www.subway.com
Taco Bell ~ 802 Pacific Ave ~ 425-9113 ~ www.tacobell.com
Taqueria El Dandy ~ 920 Pacific Ave 4 ~ 427-2582
Taqueria Vallarta ~ 1101 Pacific Ave A ~ 471-2655
The Bagelry Inc. ~ 320 Cedar St A ~ 429-8049
Woodstock Pizza ~ 710 Front Street ~ 427-4444 ~ Woodstocksca.com
Zoccoli's Delicatessen ~ 1534 Pacific Ave ~ 423-1711 ~ www.zoccolis.com

Indian

Jumping Monkey Cafe ~ 418 Front St ~ 466-0168 ~ www.jumpingmonkeycafe.com
Khyber Pass ~ 810 Pacific Ave ~ 423-3400
Sitar Indian Cuisine ~ 1133 Pacific Ave ~ 427-3000

Italian

Cafe Mare ~ 740 Front St 100 ~ 458-1212 ~ www.CafeMare.com
Kianti's Pizza and Pasta Bar ~ 1100 Pacific Ave ~ 469-4400 ~ www.kiantis.com

Japanese

Benten Resturant ~ 1541 Pacific Ave B ~ 425-7079
I Love Sushi ~ 516 Front St ~ 421-0706
Mobo Sushi ~ 105 River St South ~ 425-1700 ~ mobosushirestaurant.com
Shogun Sushi ~ 1123 Pacific Ave ~ 469-4477

Mexican

Acapulco Mexican Resturant ~ 1116 Pacific Ave A ~ 426-7588 ~ www.acapulcorestaurants.com
Cafe Puerto Escondido ~ 139 Water St ~ 469-7685
El Palomar Resturant Inc ~ 1336 Pacific Ave ~ 425-7575 ~ elpalomarcilantros.com
El Pollo Loco ~ 712 Front St ~ 420-1600 ~ www.elpolloloco.com
Jalapenos taqueria ~ 206 Laurel St ~ 457-0159
Los Pelicos ~ 139 Water St ~ 469-7685
Planet Fresh Burritos ~ 1003 Cedar St ~ 423-9799
Resturante Los Pinos ~ 2019 N Pacific Ave ~ 425-2554
Tampico Kitchen & Lounge ~ 822 Pacific Ave ~ 458-2821 ~ www.tampicokitchen.net
Taqueria El Dandy ~ 920 Pacific Ave 4 ~ 427-2582
Taqueria Vallarta ~ 1101 Pacific Ave A ~ 471-2655

Thai

Pacific Thai ~ 1319 Pacific Ave ~ 420-1700 ~ pacificthaisantacruz.net


Blue Lagoon
~ 923 Pacific Ave ~ 423-7117 ~ thebluelagoon.com
Bonesio Liquors ~ 801 Pacific Avenue ~ 425-1966
Catalyst Night Club/Usually Hip ~ 1011 Pacific Avenue ~ 423-1338 ~ catalystclub.com
Kuumbwa Jazz Center ~ 320 Cedar Street ~ 831-427-2227 ~ www.kuumbwajazz.org
Poet & Patriot Irish Pub ~ 320 Cedar St E ~ 426-8620
Red Resturant and Bar ~ 200 Locust St ~ 425-0591 ~ www.redsantacruz.com
Rush Inn ~ 113 Knight St ~ 425-9673
Soif Wine Bar & Merchant ~ 105 Walnut Ave ~ 423-2020 ~ www.SoifWine.com
The Asti Est.1937 ~ 715 Pacific Ave ~ 423-7337
The Avenue Bar ~ 711 Pacific Ave ~ 426-3434
Vida ~ 1222 Pacific Ave ~ 425-7871


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