Things to do in Santa Cruz
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University of California at Santa Cruz
In the hills above town, the University of California at Santa Cruz has 13,000 liberal-leaning students, a redwood-studded campus, architecturally interesting buildings – many of recycled materials – two top-notch galleries and a beautiful arboretum (831-427-2998).
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Bagelry
The bagels here are real (boiled, then baked), and come with fantastic spreads, especially the hummus and egg salad. Check out the bulletin board for local goings-on.
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Zachary’s
The breakfast spot covetous locals don’t want you to know about (hide your guidebook). ‘Mike’s Mess’ is the kitchen-sink standout.
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Farmers Market
For organic fruits and vegetables and a taste of the local vibe, hit this oh-so-colorful farmers market.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk dates from 1907 and is the oldest beachfront amusement park on the West Coast. The boardwalk has a glorious old-school Americana vibe, with the smell of cotton candy permeating the salt air, punctuated by the distant squeals of kids hanging upside down on carnival rides. Its most famous rides include the half-mile-long Giant Dipper, a vintage-1924 wooden roller coaster, and the 1911 Looff carousel – both National Historic Landmarks. For kids, the Cave Train is unexpectedly fun for its portrayal of cavemen in modern times. But the thing that’s so great is its proximity to the beach, where parents can wait while teens explore. On Friday nights…
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Mystery Spot
A kitschy, old-fashioned tourist trap, the Mystery Spot has scarcely changed since 1940. On a steeply sloping hillside, compasses seem to point crazily, mysterious forces push you around and buildings lean at silly angles. Make reservations, or risk getting stuck waiting. It's 3 miles north of town. Parking costs $5. Don't forget your bumper sticker!
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Roaring Camp Railroad
If it's too cold for the beach or you don't feel like riding a rollercoaster, take the Roaring Camp Railroad, which operates standard-gauge trains from the boardwalk that connect in Felton, 6 miles north of town, with narrow-gauge trains into the redwoods. Opening hours vary according to the seasons. The trains only operate May through September.
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Attic
For big, crunchy organic salads, homemade soups, vegan dishes, and a huge menu of teas, head to this order-at-the-counter cafe-cum-gallery and performance space. There are meat dishes too, but the emphasis is on veggies. Save room for the vegan shortbread cookies, which defy the law that says vegan equals tasteless.
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Surfing Museum
- Santa Cruz, USA
- Sights › Other
About 1.5 miles west along the coast road, the tiny Surfing Museum, which is inside the old lighthouse, is packed with memorabilia, including vintage redwood boards. The museum overlooks experts-only Steamers Lane andbeginners' Cowells, both popular surf breaks.
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Stagnaro's
Whale-watching trips, harbor cruises and fishing expeditions depart year-round from the municipal wharf. Stagnaro's is a longstanding operator. Whale-watching trips run from December to April, though there's plenty of marine life to see on a summer bay cruise. There's also a range of fishing trips available.
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Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon used to be a gay dance club till girls started coming to escape the agro stares of straight dudes, but the dudes soon followed, and now there's hardly a gay boy in sight. The crowd varies with the night's theme, ranging from hip hop to goth industrial. It's a fun spot for billiards too.
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Electric Sierra Cycles
Cycling along West Cliff Dr provides million-dollar views, especially at sunset, and it’s a great way to get around town on crowded summer days. Electric Sierra Cycles rents electric and pedal-powered bikes by the hour and day, starting at $8 per hour.
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Lillian’s Italian Kitchen
Nothing-fancy Lillian’s serves terrific homemade American-Italian dishes, including a knockout ‘Sunday gravy’ – a slow-cooked, tomato-based meat sauce – using an old family recipe. Great paninis at lunch. No reservations.
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Ristorante Avanti
Mom-and-pop Avanti’s Cal-Italian menu features earthy pasta dishes; chicken cacciatore is the specialty, but look for seasonal knockout specials that use local produce. Casual vibe, good wines. Families welcome. Make reservations.
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O'Mei
It's pricey for Chinese, but everything is fresh and preparations are spot-on. The crisp-fried sweet potatoes and red-oil dumplings both merit a special trip - some drive all the way from San Francisco for them. Make reservations.
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Natural Bridges State Beach
Natural Bridges State Beach bookends the scenic drive, about 3.5 miles from the wharf. There are tide pools for exploring and leafy trees in which monarch butterflies hibernate from mid-October to late February.
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Lulu Carpenter's
If you wear your collar up and like to spread out with the Sunday Times, you'll dig this clean-hands café with brick walls and casement windows. There's outdoor seating on Pacific Ave or in the garden. Free wi-fi.
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Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Santa Cruz, USA
- Sights › Other
A 45-minute drive north of Santa Cruz into the mountains via Hwys 9 and 236, Big Basin Redwoods State Park protects 20,000 acres of redwood forest and 80 miles of trails, one of which drops to the Pacific.
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Blue Ball Park
Local moms and dads call Blue Ball Park, north of Soquel Dr, the area's best playground, so named not for the husbands of breast-feeding mothers, but for several giant blue balls that appear to be rolling uphill.
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Soif
Part wine shop, part wine bar and restaurant, Soif draws food-savvy bon vivants for a heady selection of 50 unusual wines by the glass, designed to pair with a sophisticated, seasonally driven, Euro-Cal small-plates menu.
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Engfer Pizza Works
Detour to find this old factory, where wood-fired oven pizzas are made from scratch with love - the no-name specialty is almost like a giant salad on roasted bread. Play ping-pong and sip draft microbrews while you wait.
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Red Room
Scenesters swill cocktails at Red. Upstairs is style-y, with moody lighting, big sofas and a fireplace; downstairs is grungier and looks like a vintage-50s mafia hangout. Signs say you can’t smoke, but many do.
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Catalyst
With an 800-seat capacity, Catalyst is a major Santa Cruz music venue; over the years it's hosted national acts from Gillian Welch to Black Uhuru to Nirvana. When there's no music, the upstairs pool room remains open.
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Boardwalk
There's free admission to the vintage 1907 boardwalk, which boasts the West Coast's oldest beachfront amusement park, with the 1924 Giant Dipper coaster and a 1911 Looff carousel.
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Gabriella Cafe
Intimate and romantic, with tiny tables and twinkling lights, Gabriella is the perfect date spot, with a charming outdoor garden for a long, lingering lunch. Dinner could be better for the price.
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