Aptos

Seven miles south of Santa Cruz and seven miles north of Watsonville on Highway 1 (US-1). Exit State Park Drive, Rio del Mar Blvd. or Freedom Blvd.
Santa Cruz Metro buses offer service from Santa Cruz.

• The Forest of Nisene Marks

  phone: +1 831 763-7062
  address: Aptos Creek Road and Soquel Dr
  This state park is a beautiful, mossy area that used to be a logging site. It's great for hiking and mountain biking. Although most people don't know this, it's actually the site of the 1989 Loma Prieta quake epicenter.

• Seacliff State Beach

  phone: +1 831 685-6442
  address: State Park Dr
  This beach can get crowded in the summer, but has some nice walks, a little visitors' center, and a striking centerpiece: the Palo Alto, a concrete ship with a strange history. It rots away in the water but is fascinating in a melancholy way. Read about it in the center if it's open when you're there (call ahead due to state budget cuts).

Watercolor postcards of the Palo Alto at the Seacliff visitors' center.

• Café Sparrow

  phone: +1 831 688-6238
  address: 8042 Soquel Drive in Aptos Village
  A charming little French-inspired restaurant open for lunch and dinner daily, and brunch on weekends

• Au Midi

  phone: +1 831 685-2600
  address: 7960 Soquel Dr
  Outstanding French cafe emphasizing the flavors of Provence.

• Pizza 1

  phone: +1 831 684-1110
  address: 253 Center Ave
  Excellent, inventive, California-style pizzas with local ingredients. Although not inexpensive, the quality makes up for the cost. Check their website for an email coupon. Casual atmosphere.

• Kauboi Japanese Grill and Sushi Bar

  phone: +1 831-661-0449
  address: 8017 Soquel Dr

• Burger Aptos

  phone: +1 831-662-2811
  address: 7941 Soquel Drive, Aptos CA
  Features blues bands from California and national acts.

• Sanderlings Restaurant at Seascape

  phone: +1 831-662-7120
  address: One Seascape Resort Dr
  Anderlings Restaurant at Seascape Resort offers casual dining with a spectacular ocean view from sunrise to sunset. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch, outdoor dining, children's menu, beer/wine, full bar, ocean view, banquet facilities, free wifi. Reservations recommended.

• Severino's Bar & Grill at the Best Western Seacliff Inn

  phone: +1 831-685-3603
  address: 7500 Old Dominion Ct
  Breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch, outdoor dining, children's menu, beer/wine, full bar, sports TV, banquet facilities. Reservations welcome.

• Cafe Rio on the Beach

  phone: +1 831-688-8917
  address: 131 Esplanade
  Popular local restaurant on the Beach in Rio Del Mar, featuring sustainable seafood, nightly specials and innovative cocktails with a heated dog-friendly patio overlooking the beach. Dinner, outdoor dining, children's menu, beer/wine, full bar, sports TV, ocean view, free wifi. Reservations recommended.

• The Hideout

  phone: +1 831-688-5566
  address: 9051 Soquel Dr

• Manuel's Mexican Restaurant

  phone: +1 831-688-4848
  address: 261 Center Ave

• Ambrosia India Bistro

  phone: +1 831-685-0610
  address: 207 Sea Ridge Rd

• The Windjammer

  phone: +1 831-685-1587
  address: 1 Rancho Del Mar

• Best Western Seacliff Inn

  phone: +1 831 688-7300
  address: 7500 Old Dominion Ct

• Seascape Beach Resort

  address: One Seascape Resort Dr
  Offers room service, maid service and an award-winning restaurant on-site.

• Rio Sands Hotel

  phone: +1 831-688-3207
  address: 116 Aptos Beach Dr
  50 units, pool, kitchenettes, suites, free continental breakfast, meeting space, hot tub, cable/satellite TV, DVD/VCR, free Internet, free Wi-Fi. No Pets.