As the long days turn to twilight and the sun sets to the west the Santa Cruz nights light up with something for everyone. Whether you are looking for cool jazz, rock 'n' roll or some acoustic guitar you'll find it here. Locals and travelers join together to celebrate great food, cool drinks and night beats. See Santa Cruz Area NightLife A-Z
Also see our area featured > calendar>
Guide to shopping, antiques, boutiques, clothing, bookshops and more in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos
Good Times area AM & FM radio stations and programming guide.
The Santa Cruz area offers several locations to connect to the internet for free while enjoying a coffee, meal or conversation. See the Good Times list for Free WiFi hot spots.
Dog-friendly businesses in Santa Cruz County
Dining
Shopping
Lodging
Dog Parks
Dog Friendly Beaches
Miscellaneous
A list of beaches in the North and South County area.
Capitola Beach, Castle Beach, Its Beach, Moran Lake, Manresa State Beach,
Sunset State Beach, Natural Bridges State Park, New Brighton State Beach,
Pleasure Point Beach , Privates ., Rio Del Mar Beach, Santa Cruz Main Beach
Seacliff State Beach , Twin Lakes State Beach
North Coast Beaches
Davenport Beach, Panther Beach , Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel , Waddell State Beach
Santa Cruz is one of the world's finest surfing areas.
Here's the Good Times guide to surfing & surf training.
Capitola Jetty , The Hook , Manresa/La Selva
Privates , Pleasure Point
Cowell , Steamer Lane , Natural Bridges
Three Mile , Scott’s Creek , Waddell Creek , Four Mile
See reviews of all by area
Santa Cruz is a very ecologically minded place. Combine that with students strapped for cash and you get a community particularly interested in alternative forms of transportation. Fortunately, whatever your reason—whether it be the exercise from riding a bike, the lower carbon footprint associated with public transit, or simply saving money with a carpool partner or highly efficient car—there is likely to be a local a solution for you.
Find out about New releases, Movie Times, Reviews, and Previews in our Santa Cruz film section >
Movie Times click here.
Sure, both UCSC and Cabrillo sport a bundle of great fitness classes—you may really dig the gyms there, too. But take note of some yoga alternatives here in Santa Cruz:
Contact yoga instructors for times and rates.
Skating, Biking, Boating
Rock Climbing, Kayaking
Stand up Paddling
SCUBA, Rentals
Whether you live here or are visiting the hiking and running trail options are amazing and some of the most beautiful in the world. Explore the local hills, redwoods, beaches and more. Explore our list of great hiking spots, leave your comments and submit your favorite hikes.
Note: There are some pending park closures due to the CA state budget - contact the Dept. of Parks and Recreation to confirm park hours and availability.
City of Santa Cruz >
Santa Cruz Department of Parks & Recreation >
NEW AGE/OMNI-FAITHS/ EASTERN
CATHOLICISM
CHRISTIANITY
PAGAN/OCCULT
JUDAISM
Visitor Index You’ve come for rest and relaxation, perhaps. Or, maybe it’s a business trip. Whatever the reason, we have no doubt you will find this region robust and overspilling with creativity. Best of all? It’s also loaded with some of the best ocean views on the planet. And that ... makes for a great “Kodak” moment the kind that you can quickly upload onto Facebook or Twitter to keep your pals informed of where you are and what you’re up to.
Actually, here’s hoping that what you’ll be up to will be quite fun.
Let’s begin with all of the events taking place during the year. Our county boasts plenty of festivals—from Shakespeare Santa Cruz to the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. The Blues Fest continues to draw people in on Memorial Day Weekend, too, but don’t underestimate the allure of the area’s popular Strawberry Festival, either.
The biggest surprise around here may be the food —as in the meals you can experience. Our noteworthy chefs are apt to garner national attention. Learn more about these culinary finds beginning here. Eat up.
There’s all that, plus shops and nightlife and so much more. So, welcome to Santa Cruz County. Now ... get busy having a memorable time. —Greg Archer, Editor, Good Times
Enjoy your stay. ...See the Good Times Visitor Guide > See also: Best Of Santa Cruz 2011 >
Seascape Golf Course
Located so close to the ocean that you can hear the waves crash. You can have both 18- and 9-hole courses over 6,000 yards, situated between cypress tress. SGC also has an on-site Nike Golf learning center. Price range: $23-$72 depending on day and time.
610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos, 688-3213.
Resorts,
Hotels,
B&B’s &
Spas in Santa Cruz County
Aptos Farmers’ Market At Cabrillo College 
Santa Cruz Happy Hour Directory
In good times or bad, who can resist happy hour? Check out our Santa Cruz area happy hour directory, where you'll find a list of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs that offer specials on food and drink. Know of something we missed? Add a comment below or contact GT.
Let your star shine with karaoke in Santa Cruz
Boardwalk Bowl
Bocci’s Cellar
Britannia Arms
Fog Bank
Henfling’s Tavern & Grill
Hindquarter Bar and Grill
I Love Sushi
Malone’s Grille
Michael’s on Main
Sir Froggy’s Pub
Trout Farm Inn
There are so many local wineries in the area, but there are a unique cluster of impressive wine bars, too. Pop the cork and dive in. See also Good Times Josie Cowden's reviews of Santa Cruz area wines and wineries.
Restaurant dining and wine reviews >
Menu Guide for Santa Cruz area >
Restaurant A-Z in Santa Cruz area >
Click below for the menus, phone numbers and address of all these restaurants:
Laili, Kianti’s, Rosie McCann’s, El Palomar, Fire Fish, Ideal Bar & Grill, Miramar, Casablanca Restaurant, Zelda’s, Paradise Beach Grille, Zameen Cuisine, Sawasdee Thai Cuisine, Lillian’s, The Crepe Place, burger., The Parish, Samba Rock, Pearl of the Ocean, Vasili’s Greek Taverna, Zoccoli’s Deli, Taqueria Vallarta, Charlie Hong Kong, Aloha Island Grille, May’s Sushi, Engfer’s Pizza Works, Chill Out Cafe, Clubhouse Kitchen, Hollin’s House, Hindquarter, Ristorante Italiano, Zachary’s, Hula’s, Linwood’s Bar & Grill.
Dining, Restaurant list in Santa Cruz County
Restaurant dining and wine reviews >
>Spring 2012 Food and Wine Dining Guide PDF.
Menu Guide for Santa Cruz area (Fall 2011) >
Menu Guide for Santa Cruz area (Spring 2011) >
Restaurant A-Z in Santa Cruz area >
If there’s one thing we have learned this year—more than any other year that GT has published The Best Of Santa Cruz Readers’ Poll—is that you really want to have your voice heard. More of you showed up to log in your votes (see below). As a result, we find ourselves having produced our biggest Best of Santa Cruz edition ever. We’ve even added a new category for next year in our A&E section, thanks, in part, to the inspiration of the local guy who graces our cover this week (see page 100). So, dive in. And thanks for voting—and reading. —Greg Archer, Editor
Get out and enjoy some Santa Cruz Attractions, Art Galleries & Theater.
Cabrillo Stage at the Cabrillo Theatre
6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 831-479-6154;
831-479-6429, cabrillostage.com Summer always heats up with Cabrillo’s high-caliber offerings. This year’s line-up includes “The Full Monty,” “Hairspray” and “The Last 5 Years.” Professional actors, great stage direction and brilliant music arrangement. Watch exclusive behind-the-scenes footage on GTv. photo: rr jones
