Highclere Guidebook
Food Scene
Many available lunch or dinner
This is our favorite sushi restaurant! Their fish is fresh, the choices many and generous portions. We've enjoyed take-out sushi many times - they beautifully arrange our selection on large round platters when asked. Additionally, we go frequently for their Bento box lunch.
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Akira Aptos
105 Post Office DrThis is our favorite sushi restaurant! Their fish is fresh, the choices many and generous portions. We've enjoyed take-out sushi many times - they beautifully arrange our selection on large round platters when asked. Additionally, we go frequently for their Bento box lunch.
Charming, good food. Known for their Sweet Potato Fries.
71 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bittersweet Bistro
787 Rio Del Mar BlvdCharming, good food. Known for their Sweet Potato Fries.
Patio and indoor seating with gorgeous views. We enjoy the clam chowder and burgers. Also a great bar to watch sports. EV chargers available.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sanderlings Restaurant at Seascape Resort
1 Seascape Resort DrPatio and indoor seating with gorgeous views. We enjoy the clam chowder and burgers. Also a great bar to watch sports. EV chargers available.
We've enjoyed many lunches on the outdoor patio. Great food and service. Live music - call for day/time.
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Paradise Beach Grille
215 EsplanadeWe've enjoyed many lunches on the outdoor patio. Great food and service. Live music - call for day/time.
Old school restaurant with beautiful grounds located on the banks of Soquel Creek. Excellent food in a very unusual setting that can be accessed via a funicular or stairs.
205 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdOld school restaurant with beautiful grounds located on the banks of Soquel Creek. Excellent food in a very unusual setting that can be accessed via a funicular or stairs.
Montrio Bistro
414 Calle PrincipalExcellent food, intimate bar.
The portions here are huge! Some of our favorites include grilled swordfish, cioppino, clam chowder & fish n chips. Bobby Flay did a "throwdown" here and Phil won. Phil's left their longtime location in Moss Landing late 2022. You will now find them at 10700 Merritt St, Castroville.
123 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Phil's Fish Market & Eatery
10700 Merritt StreetThe portions here are huge! Some of our favorites include grilled swordfish, cioppino, clam chowder & fish n chips. Bobby Flay did a "throwdown" here and Phil won. Phil's left their longtime location in Moss Landing late 2022. You will now find them at 10700 Merritt St, Castroville.
Vast menu - fun atmosphere and good margaritas!
51 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Whole Enchilada Market Place
7902 CA-1Vast menu - fun atmosphere and good margaritas!
Great views of Santa Cruz harbor with good food. The fried calamari is one of our go-to's.
276 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrGreat views of Santa Cruz harbor with good food. The fried calamari is one of our go-to's.
A great chef that sources local ingredients. The menu is petite and selective, many things are house-made. House-made items include: bread - delish (sold to the public Friday and Saturdays), pastas and charcuterie (they make their own salami/sausage).
62 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Posta
538 Seabright AveA great chef that sources local ingredients. The menu is petite and selective, many things are house-made. House-made items include: bread - delish (sold to the public Friday and Saturdays), pastas and charcuterie (they make their own salami/sausage).
Comfortable, casual atmosphere with great guacamole, margaritas, and large outdoor patio.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jalisco Restaurant
618 Main StComfortable, casual atmosphere with great guacamole, margaritas, and large outdoor patio.
Fantastic baked goods and lunch items with a charming patio for dine-in. My favorite dessert - the Napolean!
155 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay AveFantastic baked goods and lunch items with a charming patio for dine-in. My favorite dessert - the Napolean!
An easy 4-mile drive up Beach Road, The Beach Street Cafe doesn't disappoint. The portions are huge, and the strawberry jam and salsa are house-made.
The Beach Street Cafe
435 W Beach StAn easy 4-mile drive up Beach Road, The Beach Street Cafe doesn't disappoint. The portions are huge, and the strawberry jam and salsa are house-made.
Our favorite casual but AWESOME food restaurant in the Monterey Bay corridor. Chef Nick creates the most flavorful dishes. Voted Best New Restaurant & Best Overall in Capitola in 2021. Favorites are the Pork Belly, Tuna TarTar Taco's, any of his pasta dishes, and the daily fish selection and steak. No bar, wine, and beer only. They give great advice for wine pairing with their dishes. Many wines are local.
Trestles Restaurant
Our favorite casual but AWESOME food restaurant in the Monterey Bay corridor. Chef Nick creates the most flavorful dishes. Voted Best New Restaurant & Best Overall in Capitola in 2021. Favorites are the Pork Belly, Tuna TarTar Taco's, any of his pasta dishes, and the daily fish selection and steak. No bar, wine, and beer only. They give great advice for wine pairing with their dishes. Many wines are local.
FANTASTIC New York style pizza! Brother's Brandon and Chris "knocked it out of the park" according to local friends from NYC! They keep it simple with "cupping" pepperoni, cheese, and supreme selections. Try some with "Mike's Hot Honey" - I love it! A Detroit-style gluten-free pizza is available with 24-hour notice. The Slice Project is a simple restaurant with great food in the heart of downtown Watsonville.
Slice Project
FANTASTIC New York style pizza! Brother's Brandon and Chris "knocked it out of the park" according to local friends from NYC! They keep it simple with "cupping" pepperoni, cheese, and supreme selections. Try some with "Mike's Hot Honey" - I love it! A Detroit-style gluten-free pizza is available with 24-hour notice. The Slice Project is a simple restaurant with great food in the heart of downtown Watsonville.
Sightseeing
This is all about the beautiful scenery and magnificent homes. The highlight is the famous Lone Cypress tree. Stop in at Pebble Beach Resorts (Golf Course) for lunch or cocktails.
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
17-Mile Drive
17 Mile DriveThis is all about the beautiful scenery and magnificent homes. The highlight is the famous Lone Cypress tree. Stop in at Pebble Beach Resorts (Golf Course) for lunch or cocktails.
Things to Do!
Great place for families with all of the typical amusement park fare - gentle kid rides, racy roller coasters, corn dogs, and bumper cars just to name a few.
745 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StGreat place for families with all of the typical amusement park fare - gentle kid rides, racy roller coasters, corn dogs, and bumper cars just to name a few.
Love this aquarium - I get stuck at the sea otter tank watching them play, the jellyfish tanks are so beautiful, I always take too many pic's, great area to touch starfish, urchins, sea cucumbers etc.
668 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowLove this aquarium - I get stuck at the sea otter tank watching them play, the jellyfish tanks are so beautiful, I always take too many pic's, great area to touch starfish, urchins, sea cucumbers etc.
Approximately 40 miles from Pajaro Dunes, this beautiful river valley in the Santa Lucia range is one of the finest wine-growing regions in California. Bernardus Winery, one of our favorite chardonnays, is located here and has a couple of great restaurants. Peppered with wineries and restaurants we enjoy a warm, valley drive now and then.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Carmel Valley
Approximately 40 miles from Pajaro Dunes, this beautiful river valley in the Santa Lucia range is one of the finest wine-growing regions in California. Bernardus Winery, one of our favorite chardonnays, is located here and has a couple of great restaurants. Peppered with wineries and restaurants we enjoy a warm, valley drive now and then.
This is a fun place to visit - the flat walk is great for the young and those with mobility issues (not paved). The trees are so majestic!
335 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Estatal de los Bosques de Secuoyas de Henry Cowell
101 N Big Trees Park RdThis is a fun place to visit - the flat walk is great for the young and those with mobility issues (not paved). The trees are so majestic!
A fun way to spend an afternoon traveling between Santa Cruz and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
150 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill RdA fun way to spend an afternoon traveling between Santa Cruz and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
City/town information
26 miles south of Pajaro Dunes, there is much to do in Monterey. Home of Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium and fantastic scenery.
118 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monterey
26 miles south of Pajaro Dunes, there is much to do in Monterey. Home of Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium and fantastic scenery.
Charming U.S. beach town like no other. More for adults, Carmel is riddled with art galleries, wine tasting shops restaurants, and interesting fairy-tale homes. Take time to walk the beach at the end of Ocean Ave.
354 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Carmel junto al mar
San Antonio AvenueCharming U.S. beach town like no other. More for adults, Carmel is riddled with art galleries, wine tasting shops restaurants, and interesting fairy-tale homes. Take time to walk the beach at the end of Ocean Ave.
The biggest attraction is the boardwalk/amusement park created in 1911. Drive along the coast for some beautiful vistas, a walk through Natural Bridges State Beach, downtown for vintage clothing stores and cafes.
242 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Santa Cruz
The biggest attraction is the boardwalk/amusement park created in 1911. Drive along the coast for some beautiful vistas, a walk through Natural Bridges State Beach, downtown for vintage clothing stores and cafes.
Seven miles north of Pajaro Dunes. This is a quintessential California beach town. Full of quaint shops and seaside restaurants in a charming bay setting.
151 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Capitola
Seven miles north of Pajaro Dunes. This is a quintessential California beach town. Full of quaint shops and seaside restaurants in a charming bay setting.
Necessities
Need a swimsuit, cards, wrapping paper, games....they can fill-in most things you've forgotten.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Target
1415 Main StNeed a swimsuit, cards, wrapping paper, games....they can fill-in most things you've forgotten.
Nob Hill Foods
Just 10 minutes from Pajaro Dunes.
Tesla Supercharger
The nearest Tesla Superchargers are in the Target parking lot in Watsonville.
Pajaro Dunes Resort
105 Shell RdThere is an EV ChargePoint located near the gatehouse in Pajaro Dunes.
Consejos para la ciudad
Antes de que te vayas
Monterey Bay Aquarium
It's a good idea to check availability at the aquarium. Things have relaxed as COVID restrictions have receded. Summer and early fall can be a busier time as well.
Qué debes empacar
Flip flops and layers...
It may feel warm when you walk out the door to head to the beach, however, there is often a breeze down by the water. We layer for optimum comfort. Be sure to bring flip-flops if you like to feel the sand beneath your feet. We usually leave them on the side of the access stairways, they're typically safe, you be the judge : )
Costumbres y cultura
Smoking at Pajaro Dune in designated areas ONLY.
NO SMOKING POLICY Adopted April 18, 2020
Pajaro Dunes Association adopts the following policy to protect the residents and visitors to Pajaro Dunes from the health risks of exposure to second-hand smoke, fumes, and odors and to minimize the risks of injury and damage from fires associated with smoking: Smoking is prohibited in all common areas of Pajaro Dunes, whether indoors or outdoors. This prohibition includes but is not limited to, all common area buildings, sports fields, walking paths, parking areas, and landscaped common areas. Designated areas are in the Welcome book at Highclere.