Guidebook for Aptos
Parks & Nature
Redwoods, creek, lots of trails to walk, jog, mountain bike.
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The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadRedwoods, creek, lots of trails to walk, jog, mountain bike.
Playground with beach access. This beach is known to locals and usually not very busy. Parking is limited.
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Hidden Beach Park
660 Cliff DrPlayground with beach access. This beach is known to locals and usually not very busy. Parking is limited.
Beach with a 2-mile paved path (1 mile in each direction). Great for morning or sunset strolls. This beach gets fairly busy in the summer. Free parking.
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Rio Del Mar State Beach
Beach with a 2-mile paved path (1 mile in each direction). Great for morning or sunset strolls. This beach gets fairly busy in the summer. Free parking.
World famous for its waves in the surfing community. Great to stroll along the beach at low tide.
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Pleasure Point
World famous for its waves in the surfing community. Great to stroll along the beach at low tide.
The Monarch butterflies spend the winter here in a eucalyptus cove. Beautiful park with trails to hike and close to the beach.
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Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrThe Monarch butterflies spend the winter here in a eucalyptus cove. Beautiful park with trails to hike and close to the beach.
Arts & Culture
Family- and kid-friendly. Artisan food court and patio with live music and dance.
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Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StFamily- and kid-friendly. Artisan food court and patio with live music and dance.
Shopping
Perfect for a stroll along multiple streets with cute, touristy shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Great little beach, but it does get busy in the summer.
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Capitola Beach Company
131 Monterey AvePerfect for a stroll along multiple streets with cute, touristy shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Great little beach, but it does get busy in the summer.
This is a small mall with limited selection, but has a Macy's, Target, and Sears. There's also a cute little kids museum/activity place in the mall.
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Capitola Mall station
This is a small mall with limited selection, but has a Macy's, Target, and Sears. There's also a cute little kids museum/activity place in the mall.
Essentials
Local natural food store with a great supplement section.
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Aptos Natural Foods
7506 Soquel DrLocal natural food store with a great supplement section.
Safeway
2720 41st AveHigher-end grocery store with a Peet's Coffee inside. They also have a hot food bar and sushi they make in-store. Great butcher counter in the back of the store.
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Deluxe Foods of Aptos
783 Rio Del Mar BlvdHigher-end grocery store with a Peet's Coffee inside. They also have a hot food bar and sushi they make in-store. Great butcher counter in the back of the store.
Another great local natural food store. Great service and produce and natural supplement selection.
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New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveAnother great local natural food store. Great service and produce and natural supplement selection.
Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel AveOne of two Whole Foods in the area.
Trader Joe's
700 Front StCostco Wholesale
220 Sylvania AveEntertainment & Activities
World-famous for its rollercoaster. Busy in the summer and parking is usually a challenge. There is a trolly you can catch in downtown Santa Cruz that will take you here; the better option transportation-wise. :-) Fun for the family, right by the beach. The offer free music on the beach in the summer.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StWorld-famous for its rollercoaster. Busy in the summer and parking is usually a challenge. There is a trolly you can catch in downtown Santa Cruz that will take you here; the better option transportation-wise. :-) Fun for the family, right by the beach. The offer free music on the beach in the summer.
Food Scene
The Hideout
9051 Soquel DrGreat little place with a patio to hang out.
If you eat meat, you'll be lured in by their smokers that "perfume" the entire town with their aroma... great tritip and they have live music some days.
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Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos StIf you eat meat, you'll be lured in by their smokers that "perfume" the entire town with their aroma... great tritip and they have live music some days.
Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine
7528 Soquel DrPacific Coffee Roasting Co
7554 Soquel DrAward-winning coffee and baristas. Best hot cocoa in my opinion. :-)
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Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveAward-winning coffee and baristas. Best hot cocoa in my opinion. :-)
Ice cream made from seasonal, local ingredients. Our second-favorite ice cream store.
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The Penny Ice Creamery Pleasure Point
820 41st AveIce cream made from seasonal, local ingredients. Our second-favorite ice cream store.
Our favorite ice cream, hands-down. Add a freshly baked waffle, and you're one step closer to heaven!
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Mission Hill Coffee & Creamery
1101 B Pacific AveOur favorite ice cream, hands-down. Add a freshly baked waffle, and you're one step closer to heaven!
Great for date night. They have a little historic cable car "elevator" that is a hit with the kids (and adults). If you go, we prefer finding a seat in the bar area. Go early, they do get busy. If you'll visit the restaurant area, call for reservations.
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Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdGreat for date night. They have a little historic cable car "elevator" that is a hit with the kids (and adults). If you go, we prefer finding a seat in the bar area. Go early, they do get busy. If you'll visit the restaurant area, call for reservations.
Drinks & Nightlife
Not technically a winery, but wine is what they do. Great to hang out in a group of adults. Try their mac n' cheese dish.
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Cantine Winepub
8050 Soquel DrNot technically a winery, but wine is what they do. Great to hang out in a group of adults. Try their mac n' cheese dish.