Molly’s guidebook
Food scene
Delicious wood-fired pizza on the Westside. Note: They do not take reservations.
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Bantam
1010 Fair AveDelicious wood-fired pizza on the Westside. Note: They do not take reservations.
Love this spot! Great place to have a glass of wine & read. Extensive wine list (including natural wines) & delicious farm-to-table menu.
BAD ANIMAL
1011 Cedar StLove this spot! Great place to have a glass of wine & read. Extensive wine list (including natural wines) & delicious farm-to-table menu.
Fabulous local restaurant & walking distance from house. Reservations highly recommended! You can sometimes get in without one if you arrive early.
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HOME
3101 N Main StFabulous local restaurant & walking distance from house. Reservations highly recommended! You can sometimes get in without one if you arrive early.
One of the best Santa Cruz restaurants. Never disappoints. Cozy & romantic. Also has outdoor option.
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La Posta
538 Seabright AveOne of the best Santa Cruz restaurants. Never disappoints. Cozy & romantic. Also has outdoor option.
Mentone
174 Aptos Vlg WyPopular Aptos restaurant. A family favorite.
Beer 30
2504 S Main StAwesome beer garden close to house. You can bring in your own food!
Closest market. Great if you need to pick up a quick item. And they have wine now!
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Sunnyside Produce
2520 S Main StClosest market. Great if you need to pick up a quick item. And they have wine now!
Great vegetarian take-out spot for breakfast or lunch. Especially their breakfast sandwiches. (And super reasonably priced!) (Soquel)
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Pretty Good Advice
3070 Porter StGreat vegetarian take-out spot for breakfast or lunch. Especially their breakfast sandwiches. (And super reasonably priced!) (Soquel)
The Bagelry Soquel
4763 Soquel DrNearby bagel shop!
Ugly Mug CoffeeHouse
4640 Soquel DrClosest coffee shop
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AvePopular coffee shop. Not too far of a drive.
West End Tap and Kitchen
334 Ingalls StLinda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright AveClassic Santa Cruz breakfast spot
If you are near the boardwalk, this is my favorite lunch spot!
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The Picnic Basket
125 Beach StIf you are near the boardwalk, this is my favorite lunch spot!
Ice cream made completely from scratch. Lots of unusual flavors that change frequently. They also have a downtown location.
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The Penny Ice Creamery Pleasure Point
820 41st AveIce cream made completely from scratch. Lots of unusual flavors that change frequently. They also have a downtown location.
Another family favorite on the Westside of Santa Cruz
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West End Tap and Kitchen
334 Ingalls StAnother family favorite on the Westside of Santa Cruz
Humble Sea Brewing Co.
820 Swift StThis place is always busy. Lots of outdoor seating.
Delicious baked goods. Also have a location on West Side.
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Companion Bakeshop Aptos
7486 Soquel DrDelicious baked goods. Also have a location on West Side.
I have not yet eaten here yet but am hearing good things about it. (Capitola) Very close to house!
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Trestles Restaurant
316 Capitola AvenueI have not yet eaten here yet but am hearing good things about it. (Capitola) Very close to house!
Favorite Westside coffee shop. Their breakfast burritos are phenomenal!
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Cat & Cloud Coffee
3600 Portola DrFavorite Westside coffee shop. Their breakfast burritos are phenomenal!
Hiking
Pogonip Main entrance - Brayshaw Trail and Clubhouse
Brayshaw TrailBeautiful hike
Very special spot, super close to house. Hike through the redwoods.
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Land of Medicine Buddha
5800 Prescott RdVery special spot, super close to house. Hike through the redwoods.
I-State Park ye-Nisene Marks
Aptos Creek RoadSightseeing
Love Wilder! This is a great spot for hiking & biking (34 miles of trails). Also a wonderful spot for kids - chickens, goats, horses & historical buildings. Great spot for picnics, too.
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Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdLove Wilder! This is a great spot for hiking & biking (34 miles of trails). Also a wonderful spot for kids - chickens, goats, horses & historical buildings. Great spot for picnics, too.
Attilia's Antiques
2630 Soquel DriveFavorite Vintage/Antique shop. Endless layers of gems!
Trader's Emporium Antiques
4940 Soquel DrAnother favorite antique shop in soquel
This is one of my favorite spots to view the bay. It feels touristy looking at it from afar, but once I'm actually on it, I'm always delighted. If you go to the end you can watch the seals below basking in the sun. (right across from ice cream shop). Such a unique vantage point.
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Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal WharfThis is one of my favorite spots to view the bay. It feels touristy looking at it from afar, but once I'm actually on it, I'm always delighted. If you go to the end you can watch the seals below basking in the sun. (right across from ice cream shop). Such a unique vantage point.
A Santa Cruz classic that never gets old. Makes you feel like a kid again! Double check hours before you go, as we are in off-season, rides are only open certain hours.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StA Santa Cruz classic that never gets old. Makes you feel like a kid again! Double check hours before you go, as we are in off-season, rides are only open certain hours.
Favorite beaches
This is my favorite walking beach. You can park up top at Seascape Resort & walk down a paved path to beach. Walk south towards Manresa State Beach and you'll quickly be away from the crowds (especially if you go on a weekday).
Seascape Park
This is my favorite walking beach. You can park up top at Seascape Resort & walk down a paved path to beach. Walk south towards Manresa State Beach and you'll quickly be away from the crowds (especially if you go on a weekday).
Izeluleko zedolobha
Okufanele ukupakishe
Bring layers
It can get chilly at night!