★ Spotlight 2027
Seabright & Harbor
East Cliff · Yacht Harbor
Seabright and the Harbor pack a working fishing harbor, a quiet sandy beach, and a walkable village main street into a few easy blocks east of the San Lorenzo River. Boats, paddlers, and pelicans share the water, while Seabright Avenue and Lake Avenue offer places to eat before or after a stroll along East Cliff Drive.
A morning at the harbor mouth
- Start at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History on East Cliff Drive for a look at the county's plants and animals.
- Walk over to the harbor and pick up the day's catch at H&H Fresh Fish.
- Finish with a harbor-view meal at Johnny's Harborside.
Eat & Drink
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Crow's Nest Restaurant
A beachfront harbor-mouth restaurant with panoramic views of the harbor, lighthouse, and wharf. Seafood and steaks downstairs, plus an upstairs bar and grill with live entertainment and dancing at night.
- Ocean view
- Live music
2218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Website for Crow's Nest Restaurant (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Crow's Nest Restaurant (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
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Johnny's Harborside
A seafood restaurant overlooking the harbor, known for oysters, the daily catch and clam chowder, with a craft cocktail list and an afternoon happy hour.
Local tip: Happy hour runs 3 to 5 pm, Tuesday through Sunday, except holidays.
493 Lake Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Website for Johnny's Harborside (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Johnny's Harborside (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
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Linda's Seabreeze Cafe
A longtime Seabright breakfast and lunch cafe known for cinnamon rolls, scrambles, and corned beef hash. Open since 1989, it remains a neighborhood gathering spot a short walk from the sand.
542 Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Website for Linda's Seabreeze Cafe (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Linda's Seabreeze Cafe (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
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Tramonti
A Seabright Avenue Italian restaurant serving handmade pasta, pizza, gnocchi, and lasagna since 2012, with vegan and gluten-free choices. Neighborhood dining a short walk from the beach.
- Reservations recommended
528 Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Website for Tramonti (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Tramonti (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
Shops & Local Makers
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H&H Fresh Fish
A fishermen-owned seafood counter in the heart of the harbor, offering rockfish, halibut, salmon, and shellfish landed by local boats. Also runs a community supported fishery with pickup or delivery.
Local tip: The harbor shop is open 10 am to 5 pm daily.
493 Lake Avenue, Suite A, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Website for H&H Fresh Fish (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to H&H Fresh Fish (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
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Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
A compact nonprofit museum across from Seabright Beach, devoted to the plants, animals, and landscapes of Santa Cruz County. Easy to pair with a beach walk, and a good rainy-day stop for curious kids.
Local tip: Admission is free for everyone on the first Friday of every month.
- Family-friendly
- Rainy-day pick
1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Website for Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History (opens in a new tab) ↗
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Parks, Beaches & Outdoors
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Frederick Street Park
A neighborhood park near the harbor with a playground, skate bowl, sand volleyball court, picnic tables, and BBQ pits, plus open grass and ocean views. Separate fenced off-leash areas serve big and small dogs.
Local tip: Dog park hours are weekdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. or sunset, weekends 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; it may close when wet.
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
- Ocean view
- Free
168 Frederick St, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Website for Frederick Street Park (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Frederick Street Park (opens in a new tab) ↗
Checked
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Kayak Connection
A harbor-side paddling outfitter renting kayaks and paddleboards, with guided naturalist tours of Monterey Bay led by certified instructors. A friendly launch point for exploring marine life near the jetty.
- Wildlife
413 Lake Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Website for Kayak Connection (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Kayak Connection (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
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Seabright State Beach
A sandy neighborhood beach between the harbor jetty and the east end of the Boardwalk area, with room for long walks, picnics, and views toward the lighthouse at the harbor mouth.
- Family-friendly
- Coastal walk
East Cliff Drive at Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Website for Seabright State Beach (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Seabright State Beach (opens in a new tab) ↗
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Landmarks & Local Highlights
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Walton Lighthouse
A small lighthouse capping the harbor's west jetty, marking the entrance beside Seabright Beach. The grounds and paved walkway out to it are open to the public, though the tower interior is closed.
Local tip: Boaters can trigger the foghorn by keying VHF channel 83A six times.
- Coastal walk
- Ocean view
West Jetty at the Santa Cruz Harbor entrance, beside Seabright State Beach, Santa Cruz, CA
Website for Walton Lighthouse (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Walton Lighthouse (opens in a new tab) ↗
Checked
Spotlight 2027 edition. Places are checked against their own websites, most recently in November 2026. Hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Every business listed is locally owned.
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