Aptos

Aptos is a city in Santa Cruz County in California, in the Monterey Bay Area.

Get in

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.

Do
  • 🌍 The Forest of Nisene Marks, Aptos Creek Road and Soquel Dr (4 mi. N of Aptos on Aptos Creek Road.), ☏ +1 831 763-7062. 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 is the site of the 1989 Loma Prieta quake epicenter. $6 parking fee. 
  • 🌍 Seacliff State Beach, State Park Dr (Exit at State Park Drive from Hwy 1 in Aptos.), ☏ +1 831 685-6442. 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). Parking fee, unless you are creative and careful regarding street parking. 

Buy

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

Eat
  • 🌍 Café Sparrow, 8042 Soquel Drive in Aptos Village, ☏ +1 831 688-6238. A charming little French-inspired restaurant open for lunch and dinner daily, and brunch on weekends. $30 lunch/brunch, $60 dinner. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Pizza 1 (Pizza My Heart), 253 Center Ave (Downtown), ☏ +1 831 684-1110. Su–Th 11AM–8PM; F Sa 11AM–9PM. 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. $7 slice of pizza; $35 whole pizza. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Sanderlings Restaurant at Seascape, One Seascape Resort Dr, ☏ +1 831-662-7120. Breakfast: M–F 7–11AM; brunch: Sa Su 11AM–3PM; lunch: M–F 11AM–3PM; dinner: daily 5–9PM; bar: daily noon–9PM. Casual elegant dining with a spectacular ocean view from sunrise to sunset. Outdoor dining, children's menu, beer/wine, full bar, ocean view, banquet facilities, free wifi. Reservations recommended. $25 breakfast, $60 dinner. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Sevy's Bar + Kitchen (Severino's Bar & Grill at the Best Western Seacliff Inn), 7500 Old Dominion Ct, ☏ +1 831-685-3603. 7AM–10PM daily. Outdoor dining, children's menu, beer/wine, full bar, sports TV, banquet facilities. Reservations welcome. $25 breakfast or lunch; $40 dinner. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 The Hideout, 9051 Soquel Dr, ☏ +1 831-688-5566, . Daily 11:30AM–9PM. California-inflected casual food. The varied menu means this restaurant is a good option when your group can't decide whether to get dinner-sized salads or burgers with fries or chicken. $25–50. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Manuel's Mexican Restaurant, 261 Center Ave, ☏ +1 831-688-4848. M–Sat 11:30AM–midnight; Su 11:30AM–11PM. Family-owned restaurant since 1965. A different regional specialty every night of the week. $20–40. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Ambrosia India Bistro, 207 Sea Ridge Rd, ☏ +1 831-685-0610, . Lunch 11:30AM–2:45PM; dinner 4–9PM. Spicy Indian food. Dine-in or takeout. $25. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Mentone, 174 Aptos Village Way, . winter hours: W–M 5–9PM (closed Tuesdays). This open-kitchen restaurant won the "Bib Gourmand" from the Michelin Guide for its pizzas. For dinner, don't miss the eggplant. Reservations strongly recommended. Open for lunch and dinner during the summer, and for dinner only during the winter. $65 dinner; $40 pizza. (updated Feb 2024)

Sleep

Go next

Routes through Aptos
Santa Cruz ← Capitola ←  N  S  → Watsonville → Monterey


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