Guidebook for Aptos
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES
With Covid 19 and most recently our winter storms, these last couple of years have been challenging for many of our local businesses. However, our community continues to pull together and work hard to provide many options for great food, coffee, beer, wine and shopping. We hope you will enjoy everything that Aptos has to offer.
Barn-like structure fosters a communal sense in this Aptos favorite from the famous chef from Manresa. Fried sardines with Meyer lemon aïoli or white bean soup with chickpeas in a prosciutto broth, yum. Taking the cake however are pizzas, like the "Pesto" shimmering with fromage blanc, Crescenza, and caciocavallo, or Sardenaira with tomato sauce, anchovies, and olives. Complete with house-made pistachio ice cream.
32 locals recommend
Mentone
174 Aptos Vlg WyBarn-like structure fosters a communal sense in this Aptos favorite from the famous chef from Manresa. Fried sardines with Meyer lemon aïoli or white bean soup with chickpeas in a prosciutto broth, yum. Taking the cake however are pizzas, like the "Pesto" shimmering with fromage blanc, Crescenza, and caciocavallo, or Sardenaira with tomato sauce, anchovies, and olives. Complete with house-made pistachio ice cream.
Restaurants
$$$
Small restaurant right by the house that serves amazing farm to table food. Menu changes regularly. We have been impressed with everything we have had so far. Recommend the prix fixe menu with wine pairing for your first visit so you can sample a little bit of everything. Make sure to make a reservation.
25 locals recommend
Persephone
7945 Soquel Dr$$$
Small restaurant right by the house that serves amazing farm to table food. Menu changes regularly. We have been impressed with everything we have had so far. Recommend the prix fixe menu with wine pairing for your first visit so you can sample a little bit of everything. Make sure to make a reservation.
$$
Great BBQ and excellent selection of beer. Live Blues every night. Get there early, as it can get crowded and they sometimes run out of the favorites.
95 locals recommend
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos St$$
Great BBQ and excellent selection of beer. Live Blues every night. Get there early, as it can get crowded and they sometimes run out of the favorites.
$$
Great burgers and beer selection. Nice restaurant with outdoor seating. Well stocked bar with sports on the TV.
29 locals recommend
Parish Publick House Aptos
8017 Soquel Dr$$
Great burgers and beer selection. Nice restaurant with outdoor seating. Well stocked bar with sports on the TV.
Akira Aptos
105 Post Office DrHidden sushi restaurant in Aptos Village.
$$$
Hidden jewel of Aptos. This restaurant serves wonderful French food. Reservation recommended.
79 locals recommend
Café Sparrow
8042 Soquel Dr$$$
Hidden jewel of Aptos. This restaurant serves wonderful French food. Reservation recommended.
Soul Salad
7957 Soquel DriveYummy fresh salads. Period.
Surf City Sandwich
4101 Soquel DrGreat sandwiches. Something for everyone in the family.
Wonderful organic wood fired pizzas. This is a very popular restaurant and can be very busy.
94 locals recommend
Bantam
1010 Fair AveWonderful organic wood fired pizzas. This is a very popular restaurant and can be very busy.
Great little local taqueria, not too far from the house. Good food, wonderful people. If you’ve never had a nopalitos (cactus) burrito, it’s definitely worth trying.
El Chipotle Restaurant
4724 Soquel DrGreat little local taqueria, not too far from the house. Good food, wonderful people. If you’ve never had a nopalitos (cactus) burrito, it’s definitely worth trying.
Home is a wonderful hidden gem. All the food we had was wonderful. Highly recommend checking it out.
32 locals recommend
HOME
3101 N Main StHome is a wonderful hidden gem. All the food we had was wonderful. Highly recommend checking it out.
If you like fish and chips on the beach, you need to seek out Scrumptious Fish and Chips. They are often on the Beach at Rio Del Mar but you can confirm there location on any of their social media posts. It is well worth the wait!!!
scrumptiousfc.c
CA-1, Aptos, CA, USA
If you like fish and chips on the beach, you need to seek out Scrumptious Fish and Chips. They are often on the Beach at Rio Del Mar but you can confirm there location on any of their social media posts. It is well worth the wait!!!
scrumptiousfc.c
Wineries & Breweries
Wonderful local winery with fabulous tasting room in downtown Santa Cruz.
Birichino Winery Tasting Room
204 Church StWonderful local winery with fabulous tasting room in downtown Santa Cruz.
Great local brewery, with memorable farm to table comfort food designed to pair with beers. Kid & dog friendly with indoor and outdoor seating.
55 locals recommend
Discretion Brewing
2703 41st AveGreat local brewery, with memorable farm to table comfort food designed to pair with beers. Kid & dog friendly with indoor and outdoor seating.
Great beer in a casual atmosphere among the agricultural fields.
28 locals recommend
Corralitos Brewing Company
2536 Freedom BlvdGreat beer in a casual atmosphere among the agricultural fields.
Humble Sea Brewing Co.
820 Swift StGreat local brewery in Santa Cruz's fun West Side.
Shanty Shack Brewing
138 Fern StCool Santa Cruz vibe, great beer, food trucks on occasion.
A must visit local brewery. Great Pilsners, IPA's, Sours, Stouts and Porters; along with other rotating taps.
There is food offered in the pop-up kitchen. Kid friendly.
28 locals recommend
Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
103 Kennedy DrA must visit local brewery. Great Pilsners, IPA's, Sours, Stouts and Porters; along with other rotating taps.
There is food offered in the pop-up kitchen. Kid friendly.
New Bohemia Brewing Co.
1030 41st AveGreat local hangout. Good for families and dogs. Ample outdoor seating. Food can be ordered from Carpo's Restaurant at the walk up counter or from The Fish Lady next door.
82 locals recommend
Beer 30
2504 S Main StGreat local hangout. Good for families and dogs. Ample outdoor seating. Food can be ordered from Carpo's Restaurant at the walk up counter or from The Fish Lady next door.
Located downtown Santa Cruz, incredibly expansive beer selection and great food. Casual, low key space.
34 locals recommend
Lupulo Craft Beer House
233 Cathcart StLocated downtown Santa Cruz, incredibly expansive beer selection and great food. Casual, low key space.
Groceries & Essentials
Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel AveNewly opened (May 2018) in Aptos Village 161 Aptos Village Way, Aptos.
Organic local market chain.
248 locals recommend
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveNewly opened (May 2018) in Aptos Village 161 Aptos Village Way, Aptos.
Organic local market chain.
Market customers appreciate the bountiful selection of top quality produce and specialty foods as well as the opportunity to connect with the farmers and vendors who produce it. Ninety vendors, of which most are certified organic or use sustainable farming methods, offer pastured grass fed meats and poultry, sustainable fish, oysters, handcrafted cheeses, locally produced olive oil, fresh pasta and gourmet sauces, organic juices, handmade sauerkraut, Corralitos smoked sausages and bacon, artisan breads and baked goods, organic honey, mushrooms, sprouts and microgreens, farm fresh eggs, flowers, potted plants, seedlings, herbs, and an unsurpassed selection of certified California grown fruits, vegetables and nuts.
44 locals recommend
Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College
6500 Soquel DrMarket customers appreciate the bountiful selection of top quality produce and specialty foods as well as the opportunity to connect with the farmers and vendors who produce it. Ninety vendors, of which most are certified organic or use sustainable farming methods, offer pastured grass fed meats and poultry, sustainable fish, oysters, handcrafted cheeses, locally produced olive oil, fresh pasta and gourmet sauces, organic juices, handmade sauerkraut, Corralitos smoked sausages and bacon, artisan breads and baked goods, organic honey, mushrooms, sprouts and microgreens, farm fresh eggs, flowers, potted plants, seedlings, herbs, and an unsurpassed selection of certified California grown fruits, vegetables and nuts.
Amazing meat market with an incredible array of sausages. Pick some up to bring home and grill or grab a sausage sandwich to eat on the picnic benches outside or better yet down the street at Corralitos Brewing with a great beer!
26 locals recommend
Corralitos Market & Sausage Co
569 Corralitos RdAmazing meat market with an incredible array of sausages. Pick some up to bring home and grill or grab a sausage sandwich to eat on the picnic benches outside or better yet down the street at Corralitos Brewing with a great beer!
Safeway
2720 41st AveCafe's & Bakeries
Incredible baked goods and local Cat & Cloud coffee. All yummy.
13 locals recommend
Companion Bakeshop Aptos
7486 Soquel DrIncredible baked goods and local Cat & Cloud coffee. All yummy.
Wonderful local cafe with great coffee and super friendly staff.
71 locals recommend
Cat & Cloud Coffee
3600 Portola DrWonderful local cafe with great coffee and super friendly staff.
Sweet Treats
I don't know what to say about this local chocolate except you have to try it! Their drinking chocolate is close to an out of body experience. You won't be disappointed.
Mutari Chocolate House & Factory
504 Front StI don't know what to say about this local chocolate except you have to try it! Their drinking chocolate is close to an out of body experience. You won't be disappointed.
Old school ice cream shop with a wall of flavors. A great stop while walking along the beach cliff or watching the sunset.
45 locals recommend
Marianne’s Ice Cream
218 State Park DrOld school ice cream shop with a wall of flavors. A great stop while walking along the beach cliff or watching the sunset.
Few flavors but exceptionally well made ice cream. Creative flavors.
The Penny Ice Creamery Aptos Village
141 Aptos Vlg WyFew flavors but exceptionally well made ice cream. Creative flavors.
The Penny Ice Creamery Pleasure Point
820 41st AveWonderful exotic ice cream flavors.
Parks & Nature
Incredibly beautiful, well maintained trails through the Redwoods. Great hiking and biking.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadIncredibly beautiful, well maintained trails through the Redwoods. Great hiking and biking.
Only a 45 minute drive south of Aptos and located at the ocean's edge, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a window to marine life. It's home to sea otters, penguins, sharks, giant octopus, jellies and thousands of other marine animals and plants. Its mission is to inspire conservation of the ocean.
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowOnly a 45 minute drive south of Aptos and located at the ocean's edge, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a window to marine life. It's home to sea otters, penguins, sharks, giant octopus, jellies and thousands of other marine animals and plants. Its mission is to inspire conservation of the ocean.
Rio Del Mar State Beach
Our beach.
Wonderful place to calm your mind, spin the prayer wheel, and walk amongst the trees.
68 locals recommend
Land of Medicine Buddha
5800 Prescott RdWonderful place to calm your mind, spin the prayer wheel, and walk amongst the trees.