Accommodation
- Hotel Paradox: Contemporary boutique Hotel close to downtown
- Best Western Plus All Suites Inn: Larger suite style rooms, 5 min away
- Comfort Inn: No frills hotel with nice rooms and close to everything
- Airbnb.com: Lots of local rooms + houses in the area to choose from
- Kayak.com: Best place to search and compare latest hotel prices
Camping:
- New Brighton State Beach: Excellent coastal location + facilities ($35+)
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Sleep amongst the giants ($35+)
- Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort: Near redwoods + river ($45+)
Dining:
- 99 Bottles: Iconic downtown pub with no shortage of beer + pub faire ($)
- Crow’s Nest: Popular beachside eatery near the harbor ($$)
- Assembly: In the heart of downtown Santa Cruz ($$)
- Cafe Limelight: Panini, soups & salads...a local favorite with character ($)
- Hula’s Island Grill: Hawaiian surf theme with delicious eats ($$)
- The Crépe Place: Iconic locals spot with outstanding diner Crépes ($$)
- El Palomar: Great taco bar and pitchers of margaritas ($)
- Pono Hawaiian Grill: Traditional Hawaiian eatery with top notch Poke ($$)
- Tacos Moreno: A DeLa local favorite, and damn good ($)
Beer + Wine
- 99 Bottles: The most comprehensive choice of beers in town
- El Palomar: Large open roof bar + restaurant downtown
- Lüpulo: Small plates and a great beer selection downtown
- Santa Cruz Mtn Brewing: Award winning, certified organic brewery
- West End Tap & Kitchen: Excellent eats + a large selection of beers
- Vino Prima Wine Bar: Epic setting on the Santa Cruz Wharf
- Discretion Brewing: family-owned, handcrafted organic beer
- Soif: Small plates and great wine selection
Santa Cruz Highlights:
This quintessential California beach town offers a wealth of outdoor activities from surfing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, golfing or just lazing on the beach. An abundance of year-around activities, combined with the natural beauty of the Monterey Bay, make Santa Cruz an epic hub for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s also home to the legendary Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the historic Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, UC Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, and nearby Big Basin Redwood forests.
Visit SantaCruz.org to explore all the area has to offer.
May Events Calendar:
May 4 - First Friday SC: Dozens of venues showcase local artists downtown
May 5 - Cinco de Mayo: Join the festivities at El Palomar downtown
May 5 - Dessa: Singer, rapper & songwriter - The Catalyst (8pm)
May 6 - Live Comedy: 3 live comics at the Crow’s Nest (9pm)
May 20 - Live Comedy: 3 live comics at the Crow’s Nest (9pm)
May 20 - Wailing Souls: Reggae roots originators at Moe's Alley (9pm)
Monterey Excursions:
The Monterey Peninsula has been called the greatest meeting of land, sea and sky. While it’s a given that the natural beauty of the area draws the visitor, it’s the endless activities including world-class golf, biking, sailing, wine tasting and fine dining that keep one coming back. Monterey’s rich history, the historic Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row, Carmel-by-the-Sea, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and a spectacular assortment of parks and natural areas combine to provide a truly unrivaled place for your next getaway.
Visit SeeMonterey.com to explore all the area has to offer