The Best of Santa Cruz! Enjoy the touchy-feely, new-agey Santa Cruz famous for its leftie-liberal politics and easygoing ideology. Although dogs are rarely allowed off-leash and parking meters run seven days a week.
Santa Cruz is a city of fun, with a vibrant but chaotic downtown. On the waterfront is the famous beach boardwalk, and in the hills redwood groves embrace the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) campus. Plan at least half a day here, but to appreciate the aesthetic of jangly skirts, crystal pendants and Rastafarian dreadlocks, stay longer and plunge headlong into the rich local brew of surfers, students, punks and eccentric characters. A visit to Santa Cruz is a vacation worth doing. Keep reading and find all the information here you need to start planning your Santa Cruz vacation.
For a list of all the area beaches << Click Here >>.
Santa Cruz Weather (When to Visit)
The best time to visit Santa Cruz is from September through November when the summer tourists have returned home, leaving a bit more room on the beaches, walking paths and other attractions. Decembr, January and February see a slight dip in temperatures, which nonetheless are warm enough for the monarch butterflies who overwinter at Natural Bridges State Beach. The months between April and May are characterized by mounting temperatures and special events that meet their nexus in June, July and August.
Best Santa Cruz Area Beaches
Natural Bridges State Beach
Named for the dramatic, natural, rock bridge protruding from the sea just offshore, this beach is a favorite of nature lovers. The beach is a great place to whale watch and get a glimpse of the Monarch butterflies which migrate here in the fall and winter. As the tide recedes, isolated pools appear, which make fascinating places to investigate for any marine life left behind, especially for children.
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Panther Beach
Panther Beach is picture-perfect and secluded, and a place you may have all to yourself. The stunning rock formations that wall off the beach give the area a private feel. With its difficult access and hard to find location, Panther Beach doesn’t get the crowds associated with many other Santa Cruz beaches.
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Mitchell’s Cove Beach
Known for the dramatic views from the high bluffs behind the beach, Mitchell’s Cove is a favorite of sunrise and sunset aficionados and local artists looking to capture its splendor. The trail and stairs leading down to the beach area are a bit long and steep in places, so take your time if you decide to head down.
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Capitola Beach
From the beach, the view inland facing the town will take your breath away. Set on terraces, the small, angular houses painted in colorful pastels will make you swear you’re in the Mediterranean – or perhaps on a remote Pacific island.
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Santa Cruz Main Beach
Santa Cruz Main Beach is also known as Boardwalk Beach since it stretches the length of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. In the summer, it’s one of the busiest beaches in Santa Cruz thanks to its lengthy list of amenities, including lifeguards, restrooms, nearby food options and amusement park rides and games. During other seasons, it’s a popular place to take scenic strolls.
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Best Santa Cruz Restaurants
Crow’s Nest Restaurant $11 – 30
Spectacular ocean and harbor views. Friendly and casual atmosphere. Fresh seafood, aged beef, shellfish, pasta and an abundant salad bar. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Live music and dancing. Adjacent to beach market. A favorite since 1969. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, outdoor dining, children’s menu, beer/wine, full bar, sports TV, ocean view, banquet facilities, free wifi. Open daily 7:30am – 11pm, including most holidays. Reservations welcome. Telephone: 831-476-4560 Web: Crow’s Nest Restaurant.
Laili Restaurant $11 – 30
Rich Mediterranean flavors with a unique Afghan twist in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz. Lunch, Dinner, outdoor dining, children’s menu, beer/wine. Lunch: 11:30am – 2:30pm, Dinner 5pm – close, closed Mondays, including most holidays. reservations welcome. Telephone: 831-423-4545 Web: Laili Restaurant.
Hula’s Island Grill & Tiki Room $11 – 30
1960’s Vegas meets 1950’s Waikiki. Fun & friendly service, and a tiki bar that will knock your flip flops off! Lunch, Dinner, outdoor dining, children’s menu, beer/wine, full bar, sports TV, banquet facilities, free wifi. Sun 11:30-10:00, Mon., 4:30-10:00, Tue-Thurs 11:30-10:00, Fri- 11:30-11:00, Sat. 11:30-11:00, including some holidays. Reservations welcome. Telephone: 831-426-4852 Web: Hula’s Island Grill & Tiki Room.
Zachary’s Restaurant $11 – 30
Home of the famous “Mike’s Mess” and our special homemade oatmeal- molasses bread, “from scratch” sourdough pancakes and much more!
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch, children’s menu, beer/wine. Open Tues.-Sun. 7 am – 2:30 pm, Closed Mondays , including most holidays. Telephone: 831-427-0646 Web: Zachary’s Restaurant.
Linwood’s Bar & Grill at Chaminade $31 – 60
Featuring contemporary California cuisine capturing the rich flavors of the Central Coast. Menu features local products. We also offer a “Pooch Patio Menu” available 7 days a week! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, outdoor dining, children’s menu, beer/wine, full bar, sports TV, ocean view, banquet facilities, free wifi. Open daily, 11am – 11pm, including some holidays. reservations recommended. Telephone: 831-475-5600 Web: Linwood’s Bar & Grill at Chaminade.
Best Santa Cruz Nightlife
99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall Restaurant & Pub
Family friendly pub voted Best Beer Selection & Best Sports Bar 2014. 1/2 lb. burgers, fresh pasta and salads, fish & chips, vegetarian, kids menu, pet friendly patio, full menu till midnight Friday & Saturday. Lunch, Dinner, outdoor dining, children’s menu, beer/wine, sports TV, free wifi. Mon-Thurs: 11:30 am – 1:30 am, Fri-Sat: 11:30 am – 2 am*, Sunday: 11:30 am – 12 am**, including holidays. Telephone: 831-459-9999 Web: 999 Bottles of Beer on the Wall Restaurant & Pub.
Seabright Brewery
Santa Cruz’s longest running brew pub- 27 years. Award-winning hand crafted beer, plus a full bar. Large, pet friendly, heated patio dining between yacht harbor and boardwalk. Lunch, dinner, outdoor dining, children’s menu, beer/wine, full bar, sports TV, free wifi. Open daily 11:30 am – 11:30 pm, including most holidays. reservations not accepted. Telephone: 831-426-2739 Web: Seabright Brewery.
Venus Spirits
Venus Spirits makes small batch whiskey, gin, aquavit and agave spirits using the highest quality organic ingredients. Visit them for a tasting or cocktail this weekend! Telephone: 831-427-9673 Web: Venus Spirits.
Lupulo Craft Beer House
Lupulo is a downtown gathering spot that provides a constant rotation of hard-to-get beers and a menu that focuses on Latin American and Mediterranean Tapas, pressed sandwiches, salads, and weekend brunch. Telephone: 831-454-8306 Web: Lupulo Craft Beer House.
Pour Taproom
Old-world beer hall meets new-world wonders. With their unique self-pour tap wall sip a rich array of drinks and savor delicious food, amidst a laid-back, conversational atmosphere. With seventy taps on hand, and new selections tapped daily, they raise their glasses to the marriage of craft tradition and innovation. Their open layout and community-style redwood tables make their beer hall is the perfect place to meet an old friend or make a new one. Lunch, Dinner, beer/wine. Telephone: 831-535-7007 Web: Pour Taproom.
Pingback: Jennie Sanders
That’s one of the best things about Santa Cruz—it really gives you both options depending on what kind of trip you want. Since the boardwalk area is close to the main beach and attractions, it’s great for convenience and a more lively atmosphere. On the other hand, the quieter beaches and nearby natural areas offer a more relaxed experience, especially if you want to slow things down and enjoy the scenery. Many visitors end up doing a bit of both to get the full feel of the area.
Santa Cruz has such a mix of everything going on, and you did a good job showing both the laid-back side and the more lively spots. The variety of beaches really stands out too—from quieter places like Panther Beach to the busier boardwalk area, it feels like you can pick your vibe depending on the day. I also like that you included the seasonal tips since that can really change the experience with crowds and weather. It seems like a place where you could either keep things low-key or pack in a lot of activities. If you had to choose, would you spend more time around the boardwalk or exploring the quieter beaches? And is there a spot that surprised you the most?
Thanks, I appreciate that! That mix is really what makes the area interesting. If I had to choose, I’d probably split the time—start around the boardwalk for the energy and then head out to the quieter beaches to slow things down a bit. Panther Beach is one that tends to surprise people since it feels a lot more secluded than you’d expect for the area.
Pingback: Winfred Burgess
It really is a unique blend of beach town energy and laid-back coastal charm. Many visitors enjoy starting near the boardwalk since it combines beach views with plenty to see and do nearby. From there, it’s easy to branch out to quieter beaches or explore the surrounding nature areas. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
Pingback: Leanna
Santa Cruz works beautifully for both, which is part of its charm. A weekend gives you a great taste of the beaches, Boardwalk, and downtown vibe, but staying longer lets you slow down and really appreciate the redwoods, coastal trails, and local food scene. Spots like Natural Bridges and the quieter beaches are especially enjoyable when you’re not rushing. The city has a way of pulling you into its rhythm once you settle in.
Pingback: Be
Absolutely—Santa Cruz is a perfect place to turn college visits into mini getaways! Natural Bridges State Beach is a great first stop, especially if you like tide pools, butterflies, and easy coastal walks. If you want something quieter and more scenic, Mitchell’s Cove and Panther Beach both offer beautiful views without the boardwalk crowds. For a classic Santa Cruz outing, the Main Beach and Boardwalk are fun to stroll, even if you’re not riding rides. You can also make a full day of it by exploring Capitola’s colorful beachfront village for shops, cafés, and sunset views. If you tell me what you enjoy—nature, food, photography, or just relaxing—I can point you toward the best spots for your next visit!
Santa Cruz sounds like such a vibrant mix of laid-back beach life and creative, free-spirited energy! I love how it blends coastal beauty with culture—from the redwoods and boardwalk to the downtown filled with quirky shops and cafés. Natural Bridges State Beach sounds amazing, especially with the monarch butterflies and tide pools. And that mix of restaurants—Crow’s Nest for ocean views and Laili for Mediterranean-Afghan flavors—really shows how diverse the food scene is. If I only had one weekend to explore, would you recommend staying near the beach or closer to downtown for the best Santa Cruz experience?
That’s such a great question! It really depends on what kind of Santa Cruz experience you’re after. If you love the classic beach vibe, stay near Main Beach or the Boardwalk—you’ll be steps from the ocean, fun nightlife, and those iconic coastal sunsets. But if you prefer a more local, artsy feel, downtown Santa Cruz is perfect for exploring cafés, galleries, and live music. Personally, I love splitting time between both—morning beach walks, then evenings downtown for great food and local brews at places like Seabright Brewery or Lupulo Craft Beer House. Either way, you’ll get that unmistakable Santa Cruz spirit!