Hey Folks,
We LOVE our city and we're so happy you get to enjoy it with us. There are so many things we love to experience here so we narrowed it down to our favorites and tried to stay focused on our fair city. ENJOY! C&H
Santa Cruz is located at the upper end of the Monterey Bay. It is 45 miles to the Monterey Aquarium. It is 30 miles to Santana Row in San Jose. It is just over 76 miles to Union Square in San Francisco.
PLACES TO GO
Walk West Cliff Drive - A must walk to take in all Santa Cruz has to offer. At any given moment you will see amazing surfing, dolphins and sea otters enjoying all the bay has to offer.
Santa Cruz Wharf - More than 100 years old and still going strong. At the far end of the wharf lounges a sea lion colony.
Vist UC Santa Cruz's Collective Museum - This museum experience is pretty unique. Throughout the UC Santa Cruz campus are blue signs that queue to a website of written, video and audio commentary. It's a uniquely Santa Cruz experience.
Pogonip - This is a favorite running spot for many locals including the bride and the groom.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - In operation since 1907 this is a yearly draw for many. It features all the best an amusement park has to offer from rides to funnel cakes.
Big Basin - California's Oldest State Park - Amazing hikes through the redwood forest.
GOOD EATS
Laili - While they often disagree on how to accurately pronounce it "LIE-LEE" the couple agree it is one of the top three restaurants in Santa Cruz. Recommendations: Garlic lime beef filet kabob & Pomegranate eggplant
Oswald - A little swankier than your average Santa Cruz fair. Consistently great food, fun cocktails, and an awesome bar menu.
Gabriella - A delightfully quaint gem in Downtown Santa Cruz.
Hula's - Santa Cruz Aloha. Great cocktails and fun and tasty island menu. Sit outside in the city's first "parklet."
BREAKFAST
Hoffman's - Even though it was featured on Restaurant Impossible, we love it for their free scones on the weekends and the best server in the world "Lecie." Just let her know you're here for our wedding and you'll get the special treatment.
Cafe Iveta - One of the first people Cynthia met when she moved to Santa Cruz, John and Yvette (now our backyard neighbors) run this great little Westside cafe. The Groom recommends: Eggs and Greens and a Cinnascone. The Bride recommends: Spicy Egg biscuit with bacon and a Donut Muffin.
Harbor Cafe - The Bride's favorite: Polenta Bene; The Groom's Favorite: Biscuits and Gravy
Zachary's - The Bride says "Yeah can't go wrong with Mike's Mess. It's a Santa Cruz staple."
SWEET TREATS
Pacific Cookie Company - Sooooo many good things. The Bride loves the chocolate chip with walnuts, the Snickerdoodle and the Almond Joe. The Groom loves the Dark Chocolate Cranberry. Get a box to take home too.
Mission Hill Creamery - Fun flavors, great shakes and sundaes. The Bride and her niece really love the animal mural. What's your favorite? The salamander in shorts? The pigeon in a sweater? Did you find the banana slug?
The Penny Ice Creamery - The steady lines around the block pretty much tell the story of this Santa Cruz delight.
COFFEE
Lulu's - Wide selection of coffee and tea and delicious baked goods and savory snacks. The Bride spends A LOT of time having meetings here while the groom enjoys working in the secret courtyard.
Verve - Founded in Santa Cruz but now exploding across the world. Check out any of their Santa Cruz locations and
SANDWICHES AND BITES
The Picnic Basket - The same creative flair that brought you the Penny Ice Creamery right across from the Boardwalk.
Zoccolis - Family owned and operated since 1948. It's the perfect mixture of classic Italian deli and creative Santa Cruz style. The Bride's family never misses a chance to stop by.
West End Tap - Great beers, snacks and eats. Fun location on the Westside of Santa Cruz. You can't go wrong with any menu option.
Kelly's French Bakery - Great breakfasts and lunches and delightful little pastries, cakes and oh my the macaroons!
COCKTAILS, BEER AND WINE
515 - "Le Pampelmousse" is a crowd favorite for cocktail.
The Red - "our Bees Knees" is good anytime a refreshing cocktail is required.
Soif - The wine list here is full of local favorites and tasty snacks.
Lupolo - A great bay area beer selection. Ask for Tom or Ryan and they will help you find the perfect beer for your day.