With the temperatures soaring to over 120 degrees in the desert, Cooper and I hit the road to find cooler weather. We headed to Santa Cruz, known for its amazing beaches, surf culture and laid-back vibe. I initially booked a hotel in the downtown area. After further investigation, I chose an Airbnb in Pleasure Point instead. Read on to find out if I made the right decision.

Why Pleasure Point Over Downtown Santa Cruz?

To be honest, I am not sure why I chose Pleasure Point over downtown Santa Cruz. The hotel I booked was modern with lots of amenities, but downtown Santa Cruz appeared crowded and areas such as the boardwalk are not dog friendly. I really wanted a place to relax and to include Cooper as much as possible.

Luckily, I found an adorable Surf Cottage on Airbnb only a couple of blocks from the ocean in Pleasure Point. Just a 15-minute drive from downtown Santa Cruz and five minutes from Capitola, this sleepy surfer town has it all. The views of the ocean from the cliffs are magnificent. We spotted a sea otter or two and enjoyed watching surfers catch the waves on our morning walks. While there is not much a beach, there is a small sandy cove that can be accessed during low tide with your leashed dog.

Quite a few restaurants and shops line Portola Avenue and 41st Avenue. It’s an easy stroll from the cliffs. The main staples are pizza and burritos (which were awesome), but we uncovered a few gems. More on that below.

Pleasure Point ended up meeting all my needs. It was close to all the attractions I wanted to see, was very dog friendly, the neighborhood was safe, and everything was walkable.

My Favorite Eateries in Pleasure Point

As mentioned above, pizza and burritos are plentiful in Pleasure Point. The Original Pleasure Pizza is a local favorite and worth checking out. For an amazing burrito, you must try Point Market. The Barrel Burrito is a crowd pleaser. Point Market is also a small grocery store with a good selection of items including beer and wine. It is cash only.

Serving delicious pastries, tasty toasts and fresh coffee and tea, Cat & Cloud Coffee Co. was my go-to place in the mornings. I had a hard time choosing between their Everything Toast and Banana Nut Bread, so I got both. There are no calories on vacation. While you may not sit inside with your dog, there is a large outside patio, and your dog may accompany you as you place your order at the counter.

Wanting something a little more elevated, I made a reservation at Suda on my last night in Pleasure Point. Their large, comfortable patio is dog friendly. The menu consists of innovative dishes featuring local produce, line-caught fish and lean, hormone-free beef. I started with the crispy and spicy cauliflower wings followed by the special that night, halibut. Both were incredible. I ended with a decadent chocolate martini for dessert. I highly recommend.

Dog-Friendly Beaches In Santa Cruz County

Although there is only one off-leash dog beach in Santa Cruz county, I was pleased to find many others allow dogs on leash. We visited two on this trip, Lighthouse Field State Beach (otherwise known as It Beach) and Rio Del Mar.

Lighthouse State Beach (It Beach)

Lighthouse Field State Beach (It Beach) is located on West Cliff Drive next to the Santa Cruz Surf Museum. Look for the staircase to take you down to the beach. While technically, dogs are to be on leash as it is a state beach, no one seems to take the rule too seriously as dogs were running and frolicking unleashed. Find several free parking lots and free street parking nearby. Bathrooms are adjacent to the parking lots as well as a sweet cafe named Steamer Lane Supply. Besides yummy food and drinks, they sell surf supplies and apparel.

The beach itself isn’t very big, but it is secure. There is no need to worry about your pup running off. I wasn’t sure if I should bring my beach chair and towel, but I did find a spot to set up camp and happily read my book in the sun. Cooper enjoyed meeting new doggie friends and dug a bed in the sand.

Rio Del Mar Beach

Rio Del Mar is in Aptos, a short 15-minute drive from Pleasure Point. This beach is long and wide with plenty of room to spend the day. Known for a large concrete ship off the shore, you can walk for miles along the beach. Parking is available for a small fee at one of two parking lots on either side of the beach. Insider tip is to bring cash. You cannot pay by card. If you can find it, parking along the street is free. Bathrooms are located at one of the parking lots and dogs must be on leash. We went during the week and found it to be quiet except for a surfing school nearby.

Other beaches in Santa Cruz County to check out with your leashed pup are Seabright State Beach, New Brighton State Beach, and Twin Lakes State Beach.

Capitola Village is Captivating

Right next door to Pleasure Point, is Capitola, part of Santa Cruz County. Now while the beach is not dog friendly, the cute village including many of the restaurants are and are worth a visit. Cooper and I had lunch at Paradise Beach Grille. Their patio overlooked the colorful villas that Capitola is known for. They were the first restaurant I found offering a nice selection of seafood too. I started with a half-dozen oysters followed by an incredible “Cobbster” salad featuring fresh Maine lobster and a lot of it! I couldn’t pass up the mud pie for dessert. It was worth it!

Cooper and I wandered through the village, stopping at many of the shops. I purchased a mini original painting by a local, and Coop picked out a few treats at a charming doggie store. There is plenty of parking at low rates. We paid $1 per hour in a city lot.

The Redwoods in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz is not only famous for its fabulous beaches, it is also home to towering redwood trees. A fun and dog-friendly way to experience the forest is on an 1890’s steam train at Roaring Camp in Felton. Yes, you may bring your dog along. Our tour was a 75-minute ride through the trees up to Bear Mountain. Along the way, the conductor shared the history of Roaring Camp. He even played the fiddle for us. There are food options, a general store, mining for gold and a museum in the camp. I highly suggest you purchase your tickets (including the $10 parking fee) online before you go. Our train ride was sold out.

Henry Cowell Redwood State Park

Adjacent to Roaring Camp is Henry Cowell Redwood State Park recognized for its 40-acre grove of old-growth redwood trees. The majority of the park is not dog friendly, but Pipeline Road is. Cooper and I decided to give it a try. We found ourselves walking through a canopy of trees on a paved path with a river running beside us. It was gorgeous. The trail leads to an overlook with the last half-mile or so all uphill. Unfortunately, we did not make it that far, but we still got in our steps.

So, did I make the right decision by staying in Pleasure Point? For Cooper and I, the answer is yes.

Have you been to Santa Cruz? Where did you stay? Tell me in the comment section below.

For another dog-friendly vacation idea, check out my blog on our trip to Monterey.