The perfect day at the beach doesn’t just include dazzling, waterfront scenery. Just as important as the surf and sand, is a nearby spot with cheap, delicious eats. We’re talking laid-back eateries where flips flops are the dress code, and surf stickers are the decor. From casual beach shacks to waterfront patios, Santa Cruz is home to primo beachside eats. Below, we’ve paired local beaches with some of our favorite nearby places to chow down.
MAIN BEACH + COWELL BEACH
Rick Mendez and family have been dishing up delicious Mexican grub to beachgoers since the 70s. Colorful platters full of crispy tacos and gooey quesadillas fill tables at the indoor-outdoor taco stand. Spice up your meal with the house hot sauce—a vivid chile de arbol salsa passed down from Mendez’s grandfather—and wash it all down with a cold Mexican beer, or craft soda from Alameda Point Soda.
When you’ve had your fill of saltwater taffy, head to the Picnic Basket for wholesome, locally-sourced beachside eats. With interiors that resemble the inside of a picnic basket, the cozy, all-day cafe dishes up breakfast and lunch items including fresh pastries, salads, and sandwiches. There’s even a cold case stocked with homemade ice cream from The Penny Ice Creamery. Nab a seat on the sunny front patio, and watch volleyball players leap and dive on the sands of Main Beach.
Ideally located with views of the beach and Municipal Wharf, Ideal Bar & Grill offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Opt for the patio and have a front row seat to the Monterey Bay as you enjoy their generously portioned California cuisine, delicious seafood, specialty cocktails, and more.
LIGHTHOUSE FIELD STATE BEACH
Steamer Lane Supply
Perched on coastal bluffs above renowned surf break Steamer Lane, this modern snack shack provides waterfront nourishment to surfers, cyclists, and tourists. Choose from a menu of creative quesadillas—try the Kalesadilla with sauteed kale or Breakadilla with scrambled eggs—crisped up in a panini press. We also love the vibrant poke bowl with brown rice, greens, thick slices of avocado, and tender cubes of salmon, while pups go crazy for a doggie frittata made from bacon, ham, brown rice, and eggs. On weekends, their food truck rolls up to grill smash burgers and fish tacos.
CAPITOLA BEACH
Left Coast Sausage Worx
Local food by local dudes. Buddies Josh and Scott turned a forgotten Capitola Village beachfront stand into a beacon of deliciousness. Lunchtime lines form for juicy Corralitos Market sausages wrapped in the perfect bun from Aldo’s Bakery. Customize your link with an assortment of goodies that includes local Farmhouse kraut, bacon bits, spicy jalapenos, and even crumbled Doritos. Take your creation to the Esplanade benches, and enjoy the bustling beach scene.
Zelda’s On The Beach
Plunked directly on the sands of Capitola Beach, Zelda’s is the quintessential beach restaurant and bar. Find a seat on the huge outdoor deck and enjoy front-row views of the waves, Capitola Wharf, and Soquel Creek. Dig into crowd-pleasing dishes like calamari and clam chowder or leisurely nurse a Bloody Mary and enjoy the lively people-watching.
RIO DEL MAR STATE BEACH
Sharing a parking lot with Rio del Mar beach in Aptos, Cafe Rio is just steps from the sand. Every afternoon starting at 3 p.m., beachgoers make a beeline for the tropical front patio ringed by a jungle of palm trees and succulents. They come for happy hour drinks, seafood staples like grilled sand dabs, and a refreshing ocean breeze. With a setting this idyllic, even locals feel like they’re on vacation.
HARBOR BEACH + TWIN LAKES STATE BEACH
Perched above the waters of the Santa Cruz Harbor, this casual offshoot of the popular Crow’s Nest restaurant is a must for visitors to Harbor and Twin Lakes beaches. The all-day market features affordable bites such as breakfast burritos, wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, and soft-serve ice cream. Enjoy it on the adjoining wooden deck with picnic tables and killer views of the harbor, or get it packed up for an impromptu picnic on the sand. Yet, before you step outside, you’ll also be tempted by an alluring collection of fun beach supplies and coastal-inspired home goods.
PLEASURE POINT
Point Market & Cafe
Locals know the perfect Santa Cruz morning starts with a belly-busting breakfast burrito from Point Market & Cafe while watching the surfers at Pleasure Point. Situated next to a mini-park that overlooks a popular surf break, this celebrity corner store hides a kitchen that cranks out bundles of breakfast love. Get the Basic with eggs, cheese, and potatoes or choose from a variety of popular combos: The Greek adds feta, The Thai comes with rice, and the Mexi packs in black beans. Order the large and you won’t feel hungry for a week.
Updated June 2020