Santa Cruz and Los Gatos Area guidebook
Neighborhoods
North Santa Cruz Avenue
North Santa Cruz AvenueLots of restaurants and shops. Many outdoor dining opportunities.
Many, many great food options here. Most have outdoor dining. Right next to the beach.
7 locals recommend
Seabright
Many, many great food options here. Most have outdoor dining. Right next to the beach.
Monterey Avenue
Monterey AvenueLots of nice food options and shops right next to the beach.
Food scene
Our favorite place for breakfast. Outdoor seating available and on weekends they have legendary sticky buns.
32 locals recommend
Los Gatos Cafe
340 North Santa Cruz AvenueOur favorite place for breakfast. Outdoor seating available and on weekends they have legendary sticky buns.
Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza
20 S Santa Cruz AveGreat pizza and burgers.
Recreation
Huge park with a lake for boat and SUP rentals, trails, picnic areas, and an awesome miniature train you can ride around the park. Parking in the lots is $6 for all day but you can usually find free street parking in the adjacent neighborhoods.
86 locals recommend
Vasona Lake County Park
333 Blossom Hill RdHuge park with a lake for boat and SUP rentals, trails, picnic areas, and an awesome miniature train you can ride around the park. Parking in the lots is $6 for all day but you can usually find free street parking in the adjacent neighborhoods.
Sightseeing
Santa Cruz classic attraction. Lots of fun and a quick (1-2 hour) activity.
208 locals recommend
The Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot RdSanta Cruz classic attraction. Lots of fun and a quick (1-2 hour) activity.
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
701 W Cliff DrSmall museum worth the stop when you are at the beach.
Great place to watch the sunset! Also lot's of short hiking trails in the park behind the beach.
261 locals recommend
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrGreat place to watch the sunset! Also lot's of short hiking trails in the park behind the beach.