Dayna and Miguel’s Guidebook

Dayna
Dayna and Miguel’s Guidebook

Food scene

These restaurants are local favorites that we love.
Great Acai bowls and a good spot for a quick bite to eat.
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Samba Rock Acai Cafe
291 Water St
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Great Acai bowls and a good spot for a quick bite to eat.
Some of our favorite Italian food in town! Definitely make a reservation.
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Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel Ave
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Some of our favorite Italian food in town! Definitely make a reservation.
Best Sushi in town!
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Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel Ave
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Best Sushi in town!
One of our favorite spots for authentic Mexican food. They have different Mole options and each one is amazing. Ask for a taster of each before ordering. They also have great Mezcal and Tequila drinks.
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Copal Restaurant
1203 Mission Street
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One of our favorite spots for authentic Mexican food. They have different Mole options and each one is amazing. Ask for a taster of each before ordering. They also have great Mezcal and Tequila drinks.
Great breakfast/lunch spot. Local favorite for weekend brunch. Get there early to snag a table. No reservations, but the food, drinks and ambiance makes it worth the wait.
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Harbor Café
535 7th Ave
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Great breakfast/lunch spot. Local favorite for weekend brunch. Get there early to snag a table. No reservations, but the food, drinks and ambiance makes it worth the wait.
Eatery with rustic-industrial looks offers a gastropub menu with Californian leanings & craft beer.
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West End Tap and Kitchen
334 Ingalls St
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Eatery with rustic-industrial looks offers a gastropub menu with Californian leanings & craft beer.
Amazing wood-fired pizzas and Mediterranean food. make a reservation in advance, this restaurant is very popular with the local crowd.
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Bantam
1010 Fair Ave
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Amazing wood-fired pizzas and Mediterranean food. make a reservation in advance, this restaurant is very popular with the local crowd.
Our go-to Thai takeout spot. The fresh spring rolls are amazing!
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Real Thai Kitchen
1632 Seabright Ave
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Our go-to Thai takeout spot. The fresh spring rolls are amazing!
One block away. Our go-to spot for quick tacos and burritos. The salsa is amazing! Cash Only.
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Tacos Moreno
1053 Water St
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One block away. Our go-to spot for quick tacos and burritos. The salsa is amazing! Cash Only.
A local favorite for breakfast and lunch. Come hungry and order Mike's Mess.
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Zachary's Restaurant
819 Pacific Ave
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A local favorite for breakfast and lunch. Come hungry and order Mike's Mess.
Excellent Mediterranean and Afghan Cuisine. Dine-in for a fancy night out or do take out/delivery to enjoy in comfort.
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Laili
101 Cooper St
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Excellent Mediterranean and Afghan Cuisine. Dine-in for a fancy night out or do take out/delivery to enjoy in comfort.
Great for breakfast and lunch. Go early, or you'll be waiting for 30-45 minutes. Still worth it
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Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright Ave
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Great for breakfast and lunch. Go early, or you'll be waiting for 30-45 minutes. Still worth it
Extremely popular, and for a good reason. Excellent food, outdoor drinks and dining in good weather, and great view of the harbor and ocean.
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Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff Dr
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Extremely popular, and for a good reason. Excellent food, outdoor drinks and dining in good weather, and great view of the harbor and ocean.
Fish restaurant with a commanding view of the yacht harbor. Sandwiches and fresh fish, cooked several ways. Full bar.
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Johnny's Harborside
493 Lake Ave
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Fish restaurant with a commanding view of the yacht harbor. Sandwiches and fresh fish, cooked several ways. Full bar.
Organic Asian food that is delicious and very reasonably priced. A favorite of students and those who love healthy food.
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Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Ave
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Organic Asian food that is delicious and very reasonably priced. A favorite of students and those who love healthy food.
A very nice, mature place to have a cocktail or a tasty select of unique dishes. We like the bar menu, but a complete menu is available. Quiet, convenient, with nearby parking. Limited but delicious menu.
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Oswald Restaurant
121 Soquel Ave
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A very nice, mature place to have a cocktail or a tasty select of unique dishes. We like the bar menu, but a complete menu is available. Quiet, convenient, with nearby parking. Limited but delicious menu.
Nice, family-owned restaurant with excellent food and some reasonably priced wine. A family favorite, and also a UCSC hangout.
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Sabieng
1218 Mission St
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Nice, family-owned restaurant with excellent food and some reasonably priced wine. A family favorite, and also a UCSC hangout.
Our own local coffee roasting company. Very strong, locally roasted coffee and pastries. You can smell the coffee roasting in the morning.
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Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st Ave
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Our own local coffee roasting company. Very strong, locally roasted coffee and pastries. You can smell the coffee roasting in the morning.
Reasonably good food and it's right on the Twin Lakes Beach. Watch the surf and volleyball, and enjoy a broad menu of breakfast and lunch/dinner entrees.
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Cafe El Palomar
2222 E Cliff Dr
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Reasonably good food and it's right on the Twin Lakes Beach. Watch the surf and volleyball, and enjoy a broad menu of breakfast and lunch/dinner entrees.
Excellent food and drinks, comfortable, and not at all a "chain" restaurant. Call for reservations most nights. Snapper Special on Friday is muy bueno! 831-688-4848
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Manuel's Mexican Restaurant
261 Center Ave
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Excellent food and drinks, comfortable, and not at all a "chain" restaurant. Call for reservations most nights. Snapper Special on Friday is muy bueno! 831-688-4848
Abbott Square Market is a culinary and entertainment venue in the heart of Santa Cruz. Enjoy a cocktail from Front & Cooper and a slice from Pizzeria La Bufala.
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Abbott Square
118 Cooper St
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Abbott Square Market is a culinary and entertainment venue in the heart of Santa Cruz. Enjoy a cocktail from Front & Cooper and a slice from Pizzeria La Bufala.
The best place for pastries and pies and cakes. They also have delicious breakfast and lunch plates to enjoy in the cafe or patio or to go.
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The Buttery
702 Soquel Ave
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The best place for pastries and pies and cakes. They also have delicious breakfast and lunch plates to enjoy in the cafe or patio or to go.
Special occasion? This iconic restaurant has been a fixture in Santa Cruz for over 60 years. Built on a hillside you can take the gondola down from the street or descend the meandering stairs through gardens and waterfalls to get to the restaurant. Pricey but worth a visit, try happy hour at the bar where they serve wood-fired pizza and other food.
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Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Rd
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Special occasion? This iconic restaurant has been a fixture in Santa Cruz for over 60 years. Built on a hillside you can take the gondola down from the street or descend the meandering stairs through gardens and waterfalls to get to the restaurant. Pricey but worth a visit, try happy hour at the bar where they serve wood-fired pizza and other food.
One of the best bars in town. The iconic Crepe place has been in business since the 1970s. They specialize in savory and sweet crepes, have a lovely garden seating area in the back, and feature local bands with a cover charge some evenings.
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The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel Ave
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One of the best bars in town. The iconic Crepe place has been in business since the 1970s. They specialize in savory and sweet crepes, have a lovely garden seating area in the back, and feature local bands with a cover charge some evenings.
Great taco night special on Tuesday/Thursday. Get a taco and it comes with a beer or house margarita. Awesome views of West Cliff and Cowell's Beach.
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Olitas Cantina & Grille
49 Municipal Wharf
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Great taco night special on Tuesday/Thursday. Get a taco and it comes with a beer or house margarita. Awesome views of West Cliff and Cowell's Beach.
The local distillery opened an excellent restaurant. Make a reservation beforehand to secure a table.
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Venus Spirits
200 High Rd
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The local distillery opened an excellent restaurant. Make a reservation beforehand to secure a table.
This is our neighborhood coffee shop. Its a quick walk away, in the same shopping center as Wholefoods. Try the veggie breakfast sandwich, the romenesco sauce is amazing.
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Lulus Midtown
925 Soquel Ave
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This is our neighborhood coffee shop. Its a quick walk away, in the same shopping center as Wholefoods. Try the veggie breakfast sandwich, the romenesco sauce is amazing.

Sightseeing

Visit Santa Cruz's historic beach boardwalk.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach St
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Visit Santa Cruz's historic beach boardwalk.
You can take in beautiful views while taking a walk down the historic Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. There are lots of shops, restaurants, and the original Marini's Candies, a local favorite known for their Salt Water Taffy. Don't forget to go to the very end of the wharf and check out the sea lions and seals!
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圣克鲁斯码头
21 Municipal Wharf
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You can take in beautiful views while taking a walk down the historic Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. There are lots of shops, restaurants, and the original Marini's Candies, a local favorite known for their Salt Water Taffy. Don't forget to go to the very end of the wharf and check out the sea lions and seals!
This is a great place to go for a walk along the cliffs and take in beautiful views of the Monterey Bay, and watch surfers enjoy the waves that Pleasure Point has to offer.
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Pleasure Point County Park
East Cliff Drive
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This is a great place to go for a walk along the cliffs and take in beautiful views of the Monterey Bay, and watch surfers enjoy the waves that Pleasure Point has to offer.
We like to walk around the harbor in the evenings. There are restaurants and a few shops near the beach.
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圣克鲁兹海港
135 5th Ave
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We like to walk around the harbor in the evenings. There are restaurants and a few shops near the beach.
West Cliff Drive is a scenic, 3-mile walking and biking path along the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz with epic views of the Monterey Bay. Beginning at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, It is here you will find locals mixing effortlessly with visitors strolling, biking, running, walking their dogs, and pushing babies in strollers as surfers head toward Steamer Lane for the surf break.
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West Cliff Drive
West Cliff Drive
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West Cliff Drive is a scenic, 3-mile walking and biking path along the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz with epic views of the Monterey Bay. Beginning at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, It is here you will find locals mixing effortlessly with visitors strolling, biking, running, walking their dogs, and pushing babies in strollers as surfers head toward Steamer Lane for the surf break.
World-famous for a good reason: it totally rocks for kids, adults, anyone! A gorgeous facility on the bay with the most amazing exhibits. Allow three hours
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蒙特雷湾水族馆
886 Cannery Row
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World-famous for a good reason: it totally rocks for kids, adults, anyone! A gorgeous facility on the bay with the most amazing exhibits. Allow three hours
One of the premier surf spots in California. Bring your camera and telephoto lens. You are perched 25' on a cliff with a panoramic view of the waves and surfers. Surfing Museum is adjacent. Excellent
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Steamer Lane
700 W Cliff Dr
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One of the premier surf spots in California. Bring your camera and telephoto lens. You are perched 25' on a cliff with a panoramic view of the waves and surfers. Surfing Museum is adjacent. Excellent
Take a stunning Instagram picture on the Davenport Pier swing.
Davenport Pier
9812 Cabrillo Hwy
Take a stunning Instagram picture on the Davenport Pier swing.
Ride the passenger train through the redwoods from the small town of Felton to the Beach Boardwalk and back. The camp in Felton also has cool shops and learning activities for kids and adults.
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罗林营地
5401 Graham Hill Rd
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Ride the passenger train through the redwoods from the small town of Felton to the Beach Boardwalk and back. The camp in Felton also has cool shops and learning activities for kids and adults.

Beaches

Some of our favorite local beaches
Beautiful cove beach protected from the wind. Excellent place for boogie and body boarding during the right conditions.
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Sunny Cove
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Beautiful cove beach protected from the wind. Excellent place for boogie and body boarding during the right conditions.
Excellent beach for sun bathing and having fun in the water. Parking can be difficult, so park at the East Cliff Village Shopping Center and walk down 14th Avenue.
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Blacks Beach
180 14th Ave
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Excellent beach for sun bathing and having fun in the water. Parking can be difficult, so park at the East Cliff Village Shopping Center and walk down 14th Avenue.
Our neighborhood beach is a quick bike ride away. Great beach for sunbathing and getting your feet wet. There is a set of stairs at the end of 3rd Ave or use the main entrance at the end of Mott Ave.
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Seabright Beach
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Our neighborhood beach is a quick bike ride away. Great beach for sunbathing and getting your feet wet. There is a set of stairs at the end of 3rd Ave or use the main entrance at the end of Mott Ave.
Great beach to stroll around in. Natural arch rock formations make for great views.
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天然桥梁州立海滩
2531 W Cliff Dr
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Great beach to stroll around in. Natural arch rock formations make for great views.
Nice little beach with shops & restaurants. Good beginning surfing spot with easy access in & out
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Capitola Beach Company
131 Monterey Ave
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Nice little beach with shops & restaurants. Good beginning surfing spot with easy access in & out
Good kiteboarding spot for the very experienced. Great to watch from the shore too!
Scott Creek
Good kiteboarding spot for the very experienced. Great to watch from the shore too!

Breweries & Tap Rooms

So many great breweries in Santa Cruz. These are a few of our favorites.
This is our neighborhood taproom. It's two blocks away! Snug brewery featuring old-world-style ales with a twist & a comfy tasting room with a relaxed vibe.
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Sante Adairius Santa Cruz Portal
1315 Water St
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This is our neighborhood taproom. It's two blocks away! Snug brewery featuring old-world-style ales with a twist & a comfy tasting room with a relaxed vibe.
Our personal favorite. Humble Sea is world-renowned for their coastal "Foggy IPAs," decadent pastry and barrel-aged stouts, traditionally brewed pilsners and lagers, and barrel-aged saisons.
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Humble Sea Brewing Co.
820 Swift St
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Our personal favorite. Humble Sea is world-renowned for their coastal "Foggy IPAs," decadent pastry and barrel-aged stouts, traditionally brewed pilsners and lagers, and barrel-aged saisons.
Low-key, dog-friendly beer garden & eatery serving an array of pub grub, bottles & local brews.
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Beer 30
2504 S Main St
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Low-key, dog-friendly beer garden & eatery serving an array of pub grub, bottles & local brews.
This microbrewery makes organic beers & serves them in a dog-friendly taproom with eats & a garden.
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圣克鲁兹山葡萄园
334 Ingalls St
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This microbrewery makes organic beers & serves them in a dog-friendly taproom with eats & a garden.
Good local brew pub with a pub menu. Outdoor dining in the summer.
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Seabright Social
519 Seabright Ave
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Good local brew pub with a pub menu. Outdoor dining in the summer.
Cute locally-owned brewery with some interesting menu items. Out of the way, but worth the trip.
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Discretion Brewing
2703 41st Ave
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Cute locally-owned brewery with some interesting menu items. Out of the way, but worth the trip.
Local microbrewery with excellent beer choices.
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New Bohemia Brewing Co.
1030 41st Ave
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Local microbrewery with excellent beer choices.

Hiking

We love to hike and the Santa Cruz Mountains and coastline are perfect for it.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains and is most famous for the 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees. Hike the Cowells Highlights Loop, this hike has everything: redwoods, views, and water.
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亨利考威尔红杉州立公园
101 N Big Trees Park Rd
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Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains and is most famous for the 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees. Hike the Cowells Highlights Loop, this hike has everything: redwoods, views, and water.
With more than 35 miles of trail, you can adventure into the Santa Cruz Mountains or walk along the coastal bluffs. Head half a mile down Old Cove Landing Trail to the scenic overlook above Wilder Beach, a snowy plover preserve. Just beyond, you’ll find Old Cove Landing, where schooners anchored in the 1800s. Continue along the coast on the Ohlone Bluff Trail to post 8, where there’s a spur trail leading to Fern Grotto Beach.
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怀尔德牧场州立公园
1401 Coast Rd
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With more than 35 miles of trail, you can adventure into the Santa Cruz Mountains or walk along the coastal bluffs. Head half a mile down Old Cove Landing Trail to the scenic overlook above Wilder Beach, a snowy plover preserve. Just beyond, you’ll find Old Cove Landing, where schooners anchored in the 1800s. Continue along the coast on the Ohlone Bluff Trail to post 8, where there’s a spur trail leading to Fern Grotto Beach.
Off the beaten path, The Forest of Nisene Marks is a refreshing retreat from the busy towns and beaches along Highway 1 near Santa Cruz. Its dense second- and third-growth redwood forest rise from near sea level to steep coastal mountains. You can hike to the epicenter of the '89 Loma Prieta Earthquake.
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尼斯内马克斯森林州立公园
Aptos Creek Road
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Off the beaten path, The Forest of Nisene Marks is a refreshing retreat from the busy towns and beaches along Highway 1 near Santa Cruz. Its dense second- and third-growth redwood forest rise from near sea level to steep coastal mountains. You can hike to the epicenter of the '89 Loma Prieta Earthquake.
The Land of Medicine Buddha (LMB) has an air of serenity that begins in the parking lot and only gets stronger as you amble deeper into the surrounding woods. The presence of the Buddhist retreat, made visible through colorful prayer flags and gentle reminders to keep voices low, gives a feeling of safety and community to this trail.
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Land of Medicine Buddha
5800 Prescott Rd
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The Land of Medicine Buddha (LMB) has an air of serenity that begins in the parking lot and only gets stronger as you amble deeper into the surrounding woods. The presence of the Buddhist retreat, made visible through colorful prayer flags and gentle reminders to keep voices low, gives a feeling of safety and community to this trail.
Established in 1902, Big Basin Redwoods is California’s oldest state park. In the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, its biggest attractions—literally—are its ancient coast redwoods. If you have a full day, head to Berry Creek Falls, a 10.5-mile roundtrip hike. Along the way, you’ll see huge coast redwoods and four spectacular waterfalls. Be prepared for a workout, too, with an elevation change of 2,150 feet.
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大盆地红杉州立公园
21600 Big Basin Way
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Established in 1902, Big Basin Redwoods is California’s oldest state park. In the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, its biggest attractions—literally—are its ancient coast redwoods. If you have a full day, head to Berry Creek Falls, a 10.5-mile roundtrip hike. Along the way, you’ll see huge coast redwoods and four spectacular waterfalls. Be prepared for a workout, too, with an elevation change of 2,150 feet.
Nice hiking area north of the harbor. Enter by Santa Cruz Bible Church bridge, at the end of Broadway. Great 3-mile loop from our home.
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Arana Gulch Park
101 Mentel Ave
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Nice hiking area north of the harbor. Enter by Santa Cruz Bible Church bridge, at the end of Broadway. Great 3-mile loop from our home.
Large city park with golf, hiking, little league, biking, disc golf, archery range, and picnics.
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德拉维加公园
855 Branciforte Drive
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Large city park with golf, hiking, little league, biking, disc golf, archery range, and picnics.

Essentials

Hey, just another Costco, but we love Costco and this is our local location. They also have a gas station a block away
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Costco Wholesale
220 Sylvania Ave
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Hey, just another Costco, but we love Costco and this is our local location. They also have a gas station a block away
Yes, we have a Whole Foods. Great produce and other organic products. Bring your checkbook...
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Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel Ave
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Yes, we have a Whole Foods. Great produce and other organic products. Bring your checkbook...
One of Santa Cruz's oldest health food markets with a wonderful selection of fresh foods, including a hot selection to take home. Loved by the community
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Staff of Life
1266 Soquel Ave
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One of Santa Cruz's oldest health food markets with a wonderful selection of fresh foods, including a hot selection to take home. Loved by the community
A well-respected boutique grocery store that's been there for 80 years. Extensive wine and cheese selection, with full butcher shop, excellent produce. Friendly service and good parking.
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Shopper's Corner
622 Soquel Ave
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A well-respected boutique grocery store that's been there for 80 years. Extensive wine and cheese selection, with full butcher shop, excellent produce. Friendly service and good parking.
Groceries are cheap, healthy & convenient location.
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Trader Joe's
700 Front St
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Groceries are cheap, healthy & convenient location.
Closest grocery store, four blocks away.
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Safeway
117 Morrissey Blvd
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Closest grocery store, four blocks away.

Work out studios

Yoga studio one block away.
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DiviniTree Yoga and Art Studio
1043 Water St
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Yoga studio one block away.