At a casual dinner in Noe Valley in late April, an older man let everyone know “Santa Cruz is god’s gift to surfers.” It was more or less out of the blue, but it was one hundred percent accurate. It is the first place mainlanders began to surf, after all. The city is a testament to the sport of surfing — the intensity, the competition, and the impeccable waves at places like Steamer Lane and Maverick’s — as much as it is a haven to the philosophy of surfing, from the community and the vibes, to the playful waves at places like Cowell’s and Pleasure Point. The food and drink in such a marvelous city and area are, unsurprisingly, gifts to its denizens, too.
Whether it be upscale dining in the hills or college bars downtown, there seems to be merriment for any and all. These 18 restaurants, bars, and coffee shops are fit for any would-be surfer, old pro, young gun, and for all the beach lovers who have never shredded gnar (and have no desire to anytime soon).
Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.
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