The Penny Ice Creamery is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

1. The Penny Ice Creamery

8.8
913 Cedar St (at Locust St.), Santa Cruz, CA
Ice Cream Parlor · Downtown Santa Cruz · 75 tips and reviews

AmberAmber: Good and yummy, but not kid friendly. No kid scoop and they won't let you spilt one scoop into two.

Taylor D.Taylor Danecoyote: Strawberry ice cream was delicious and their cones are very tasteful

mikeymikey: Tuesday and Thursdays between 4 and 6, get a second single scoop for one penny

Charlie Hong Kong is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

2. Charlie Hong Kong

8.5
1141 Soquel Ave (at Seabright Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Noodle Restaurant · Eastside · 30 tips and reviews

Sally B.Sally Bookman: Great gluten free and vegan options. Organic and green. Try the gado gado with zucchini topping.

Chris R.Chris Record: Great spot for vegan food!

Samantha B.Samantha Braga: The hoisin pork... Oh my. SO GOOD

Twin Lakes State Beach is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

3. Twin Lakes State Beach

9.2
East Cliff Dr (7th Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Beach · 20 tips and reviews

Damian T.Damian Tompkin: One of my favorite beaches. Family friendly and good food right in the beach front.

USA TODAYUSA TODAY: Credit for stand-up paddle boarding here goes to local supermodel Marisa Miller who has her own line of boards. Perfect place for getting out on the water and some surf is easy enough for beginners. Read more.

Morgan C.Morgan C.: Beautiful spot for sunrise!

Marianne's Ice Cream is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

4. Marianne's Ice Cream

9.1
1020 Ocean St (Ocean St), Santa Cruz, CA
Ice Cream Parlor · Eastside · 82 tips and reviews

Krishna S.Krishna Shrinivas: Kahlua crunch is awesome. Junior double is huge!!! butter brickle is smooth. The ice creams are thick, not too sweet. The ones with nuts are nutty. Tip the servers. They are great.

Rob H.Rob Hapner: 10-20, yum

Miss Courtney G.Miss Courtney G: Don't forget to get a number

Mission Street Barbecue is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

5. Mission Street Barbecue

8.6
1618 Mission St (btwn Olive & Bay St), Santa Cruz, CA
BBQ Joint · Westside · 28 tips and reviews

Sarah R.Sarah R: They have live music. I get the berry Bleu salad and top it with brisket.

Randy G.Randy G: They just opened and have a smaller menu with a variety of BBQ sandwiches, 1/4 chicken and St. Louis Ribs. The full menu is coming soon.

Nicholas J.Nicholas Javier: The ribs are hearty and meaty, and the sauce is more than just fire - it's well crafted and flavorful. Pricing is a bit much, but service is excellent and swift.

Harbor Cafe is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

6. Harbor Cafe

9.1
535 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Café · 41 tips and reviews

whitney b.whitney b: Worth the hype (and the wait). Gluten free options available. The polenta Benedict is amazing!

Nick P.Nick Piper: Bottomless mimosas Friday

Sondra B.Sondra Baca: Everything here is deeelish!! The Avocado Bene, Veggie scramble and Mimosa Fridays is the best. Plus the staff is great!

The Buttery is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

7. The Buttery

8.7
702 Soquel Ave (Branciforte Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Bakery · Eastside · 47 tips and reviews

Vihang M.Vihang Mehta: Great sandwiches and amazing bread and baked goods. Didn’t get to try any of the cakes but they looked extremely tempting.

Sarah W.Sarah Williams: Eggs Benedict. All you need to know.

Brenna G.Brenna G: Wow. Four staff standing behind the counter, no one waiting, and you won't help me until I walk across the store, take a number from your machine, and walk back to the counter?

Laili Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

8. Laili Restaurant

8.7
101 Cooper St #B (btw Front and Pacific), Santa Cruz, CA
Mediterranean Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 44 tips and reviews

Virgi R.Virgi R.: The pomegranate eggplant are a must try. Good selection of beers & wines. The staff is lovely and helpful.

NmNm: Didn't like the chicken kabob .. Eggplant and parmesan on flatbread is recommended .. Great service .. Little pricey .. Crowded ..

NahidNahid: Get patio seating if available (gorgeous). Great food, prices in the $20-30 range for entrees.

Cafe Brasil is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

9. Cafe Brasil

9.0
1410 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA
Brazilian Restaurant · Westside · 64 tips and reviews

Carolina R.Carolina Revilla: Had the beef a cavalier, was delicious. I recommend this dish. The bacon is also great. Awesome breakfast spot. Parking in the back.

ᴡ M.ᴡ Montero: This restaurant reminds me of the LEGO Movie, because everything is awesome.

maggieanticsmaggieantics: Avocado a cavalo with TOFU! You get some melted cheese AND zucchini that is marinated in the same deliciousness as the tofu. Add an acai smoothie and you're in nutrients heaven.

Zachary's Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

10. Zachary's Restaurant

8.3
819 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Breakfast Spot · Downtown Santa Cruz · 60 tips and reviews

SarahSarah: MIKE’S MESS THOUGH👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻😍 Pesto scramble is also amazing.

Rosi M.Rosi Miramontes: Potatoes excellent! Grilled cheese awesome! Sourdough pancakes delish! Great place good service :)

Jim G.Jim Graham: Try the Mike's Mess - Order it every time. Half order is plenty

Pizza My Heart is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

11. Pizza My Heart

8.1
1116 Pacific Ave (at Lincoln St), Santa Cruz, CA
Pizzeria · Downtown Santa Cruz · 44 tips and reviews

Tonii B.Tonii Brooks: Everything is great! I personally love the veggie. Go with the pizza, shirt combo too.

BrandonBrandon: Pizza and a shirt combo doesnt make you a local...

PaulPaul: Best pizza in Santa Cruz

Real Thai Kitchen is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

12. Real Thai Kitchen

7.9
1632 Seabright Ave (at Soquel Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Thai Restaurant · Eastside · 12 tips and reviews

Susan C.Susan Cannon: Great buffet! (Unusual for a Thai restaurant) Wonderful Veerkat art on the walls too.

Jeremy G.Jeremy Geiger: The name is accurate. This is one of the few Thai restaurants I the U.S. That my Thai wife will go to

Athonia C.Athonia Cappelli: Vegan options abound at the lunch buffet. Salad dressing has mayo but items like spicy tofu, green vegi curry & Tom Kha Tofu appear totally free of animal products. Spicy tofu is just that! Cha-chow!

Kianti's Pizza & Pasta Bar is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

13. Kianti's Pizza & Pasta Bar

7.6
1100 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Italian Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 43 tips and reviews

Paul P.Paul Patterson: Great that they give kids pizza dough to play with.

Andy M.Andy Miller: Kid friendly! Great bloody Marys and awesome wings.

Trisha L.Trisha Liu: Try the sundried tomato & artichoke ravioli, garlic cream sauce, and add bacon. It's basically the Kianti Gourmet pasta with ravioli instead of bowties. Mmmmm

The Abbey Coffee, Art & Music Lounge is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

14. The Abbey Coffee, Art & Music Lounge

9.1
350 Mission St (at Highland Ave), Santa Cruz, CA
Coffee Shop · Westside · 25 tips and reviews

Caleb W.Caleb Winters: Great place to study or work. Lots of space and outlets. Wifi password is elsalvador

Aleks K.Aleks Kozak: Sit down and enjoy the coziness. Read a book, even if it's your MacBook... or your neighbor's. :)

Vab MediaVab Media: Free wi-fi! Lots of room! Beautiful out and in! What's not to like?

Hula's Island Grill & Tiki Room is one of The 15 Best Family-Friendly Places in Santa Cruz.

15. Hula's Island Grill & Tiki Room

8.3
221 Cathcart St (btwn Pacific Ave & Cedar St), Santa Cruz, CA
Restaurant · Downtown Santa Cruz · 80 tips and reviews

Michael D.Michael Daniels: Fish tacos and sweet potato fries. Great drinks. Great specials and kids menu, too.

Misty M.Misty Mysty: Dinner was delicious! The ribs were moist, tender and flavorful. The pork sandwich was delectable. The bun was buttered and lightly toasted and so 'baker-fresh' soft!

TaylorTaylor: Get a scorpion bowl...it always seems like a good idea.