Santa Cruz, California
Your Insider’s Guide to Santa Cruz
Local knowledge, honest picks, and the places worth your time.
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Explore Santa Cruz
RESOURCES
Santa Cruz Insider Guides
Curated digital guides written by a local. Skip the guesswork — these are the insider picks that took years to learn.
THE COAST
Santa Cruz Beach Guide
Every beach rated, ranked, and mapped. Where to swim, surf, and watch the light go golden.
WEEKENDS
The Perfect Weekend Itinerary
A 48-hour plan built by someone who lives here. No tourist traps, just the good stuff.
FOOD & DRINK
Where the Locals Actually Eat
Honest restaurant picks from fish tacos to fine dining — skip Yelp, read this instead.
Editor’s Picks
Featured Stories
Beaches
The 10 Best Beaches in Santa Cruz, Ranked by a Local
From the hidden coves only locals know to the wide sweeps of sand worth the walk — here’s exactly where to spread your towel, and which crowds to skip.
Food & Drink
Where to Eat in Santa Cruz Right Now
Itineraries
A Perfect Weekend in Santa Cruz
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Latest from the Insider
Beaches
The Quiet Coves You’ll Have Almost to Yourself
A tide-pool-lover’s map to the shoreline most visitors drive right past.
June 12, 2025
Things to Do
Five Redwood Hikes That End at the Ocean
Family day trips through the trees, with a payoff of sea air at the finish.
June 5, 2025
Food & Drink
The Seafood Spots Worth the Wait
ABOUT
Written by Santa Cruz Moms Who Actually Lives Here
Santa Cruz Insider is an independent local guide to one of California’s most underrated coastal towns. Real experiences and honest picks from a local who has spent years exploring every beach, trail, taco stand, and tide pool this place has to offer.
Whether you’re planning your first visit or your fiftieth, we’ll help you find the real Santa Cruz.