This article highlights the must see stops for visitors who have only one or two days in Santa Cruz, California.
Tourists passing through on their Pacific Coast Highway driving vacation or Californians looking for a quick getaway from neighboring cities can easily get a feel for Santa Cruz in one or two days.
Santa Cruz Day 1
- Breakfast at the Beach Street Café - Beach Street is a tiny café just across from the Boardwalk. Diners will find all the standard breakfast fare at reasonable prices, right next to Santa Cruz’s biggest attraction.
- The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk – There are very few old-time beachside boardwalks left in the U.S. and Santa Cruz has one of the best. The park’s wooden rollercoaster and 1911 carousel are historic landmarks. Visitors shouldn’t forget to stop by Marini’s candy shop and pick up some famous fudge.
- Lunch on the Santa Cruz Wharf – Stagnaro Brothers fish market makes wonderful clam chowder, served in a bread bowl. It is a perfectly portable lunch, ideal for eating while checking out the resident Sea Lions.
- West Cliff Walk – After filling up on the wharf, visitors can take a walk up West Cliff past the lighthouse. Along the way they will see surfers, kite flyers, and a beach full of frolicking dogs.
- Dinner at O’Mei – O’Mei is many locals’ favorite restaurant in town. They serve family-style Chinese food unlike any other. The flavors are creative. The sauces are gorgeous and delicious. The prices are right.
- Desert and Coffee at Lulu Carpenter’s – Santa Cruz is a coffee lover’s paradise. One of the best places for coffee is Lulu Carpenter’s. The patio is perfect for people watching.
Santa Cruz Day 2
- Breakfast at Café Brazil – This café makes incredible banana pancakes and scrambles with a Brazilian twist. The fresh juices and smoothies are nearly a meal by themselves. Unless breakfasters arrive very early, they should expect a wait.
- UC Santa Cruz – Santa Cruz is a true college town and the local UC campus is gorgeous. It is one of the best places to spot deer, has a wonderful view of the coast, and is located right in the middle of some of the best hiking in Santa Cruz.
- Lunch at Planet Fresh – At Planet Fresh travelers can eat as the students eat. This burrito place serves huge, healthy, tasty concoctions – cheap.
- Downtown Walk – Downtown’s Pacific Avenue is filled with unique shops where visitors can look for jewelry, art, and keepsakes. History buffs can walk through Victorian lined side streets or check out the Mission buildings.
- Soak at Well Within – Those tired after all the walking can head over to Well Within where hot tubs, indoor or outdoor, can be rented by the hour. Spa services are also available.
- Dinner at Shogun – This sushi favorite serves huge cuts of nigiri and a variety of tasty rolls. The chefs usually appear to be having as much fun as the diners.
- Movie at the Nick or Del Mar – Santa Cruz is lucky enough to have two different theatres showing independent films, the Nickelodeon and the historic Del Mar.
Details
Beach Street Café, 399 Beach Street, 831-426-7621
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street, 831-423-5590
Santa Cruz Wharf, 21 Municipal Wharf, 831-420-6025
O’Mei, 2316 Mission Street, 831-425-8458
Lulu Carpenter’s, 1545 Pacific Avenue, 831-429-9804
Café Brazil, 1410 Mission Street, 831-429-1855
UC Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, 831-459-2495
Planet Fresh, 1003 Cedar Street, 831-423-9799
Santa Cruz Mission SHP, 144 School Street, 831-425-5849
Well Within, 417 Cedar Street, 831-458-9355
Shogun, 1123 Pacific Avenue, 831-469-4477
The Nickelodeon, 210 Lincoln Street, 831-426-7500
The Del Mar, 1124 Pacific Avenue, 831-426-7500
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