Category:Has custom banner 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.

Get around

Map of Aptos

See

Do

• 37.0446-121.8851 The Forest of Nisene MarksCategory:Has map markers, 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.  
• 36.9722-121.9142 Seacliff State BeachCategory:Has map markers, 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

• 36.977-121.90081 Green Papaya ThaiCategory:Has map markers, 8042 Soquel Drive in Aptos Village, ☏ +1 831-661-5102. A place for some pad see ew or tom kha soup if you like.  
• 36.97423-121.91152 Pizza 1Category:Has map markers (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)
• 36.9519-121.87863 Sanderlings Restaurant at SeascapeCategory:Has map markers, 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)
• 36.9796-121.91144 Sevy's Bar + KitchenCategory:Has map markers (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)
• 36.9759-121.8915 The HideoutCategory:Has map markers, 9051 Soquel Dr, ☏ +1 831-688-5566, acwelch74@gmail.com. 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)
• 36.9741-121.91176 Manuel's Mexican RestaurantCategory:Has map markers, 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)
• 36.975508-121.9126917 Ambrosia India BistroCategory:Has map markers, 207 Sea Ridge Rd, ☏ +1 831-685-0610, aptos@ambrosiaib.com. Lunch 11:30AM–2:45PM; dinner 4–9PM. Spicy Indian food. Dine-in or takeout. $25.  (updated Feb 2024)
• 36.97798-121.899688 MentoneCategory:Has map markers, 174 Aptos Village Way, info@mentonerestaurant.com. 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

• Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesSeacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by HiltonCategory:Has map markers, 7500 Old Dominion Ct, ☏ +1 831 688-7300, toll-free: +1-800-367-2003, fax: +1 831 685-3603.  
• Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesSeascape Beach ResortCategory:Has map markers, One Seascape Resort Dr, toll-free: +1-800-929-7727. Offers room service, maid service and a restaurant on-site. 
• 36.969404-121.9037281 Rio Sands HotelCategory:Has map markers, 116 Aptos Beach Dr, ☏ +1 831-688-3207, toll-free: +1 800-826-2077, information@riosands.com. 50 units, pool, kitchenettes, suites, free continental breakfast, meeting space, hot tub, cable/satellite TV, DVD/VCR, free Internet, free Wi-Fi. No pets. High season $179 - 359; low season $89-169.  

Go next

Neighboring destinations

• 36.976389-121.9547221 CapitolaCategory:Has map markers
• 36.97205-122.0262522 Santa CruzCategory:Has map markers
• 37.051389-122.0133333 Scotts ValleyCategory:Has map markers
• 36.92-121.7636114 WatsonvilleCategory:Has map markers
• 37.051389-122.0558335 FeltonCategory:Has map markers

Santa Cruz ← Capitola ←

N  S

→ Watsonville → Monterey