Santa Cruz Family Restaurants

The place to go whether you're craving a salad, a burger, or lobster tail, Aldo's Harbor Restaurant offers an extensive selection of choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner, all which you can enjoy in a bustling atmosphere that feels a little bit like a fisherman's village, overlooking the Santa Cruz Harbor. If you make it there for lunch, try the Fisherman's Platter, a generous serving of fried fish, calamari and coconut shrimp, which is one of Aldo's specialties.

Parents can dig into entrees like Lamb Shank, Baby Back Ribs or Shanghai Chicken, while their children enjoy basic burgers or pasta at the Center Street Grill. The food here is essentially American style, but prepared with Asian and Mediterranean influences that make it a bit more interesting, and served with generous servings of the side orders of your choice.

Let the food and the scenery fit your visit to the California coast at the Crow's Nest, where you can dine on fresh fish while enjoying a waterfront view of Monterey Bay. Actually, the menu is pretty extensive, featuring steak and pasta and other basic, satisfying foods, along with a kids' menu offering smaller portions of pizza, fish-n-chips, and grilled cheese. Crow's Nest is open both for casual lunches and more formal (but still relaxed, no dress code) dinners, and often has live music.

River Fish House offers a casual dining atmosphere in a great location on the wharf, if you need a bite to eat before or after enjoying the Santa Cruz boardwalk. The menu features tasty seafood and pasta dishes, with plenty of vegetarian options, that will appeal to both adults and kids. We found it very kid-friendly, with high chairs, booster seats, kids' menus (plus several kid-friendly options on the main menu), crayons and coloring books and a large selection of gelato for dessert. They'll even store your stroller for you. Ask for a water-view table to watch the surfers -- sure to entertain the kids!

Open for breakfast and lunch, Walnut Avenue Cafe is a local favorite that is practically revered for its classic American breakfasts of eggs benedict, French toast or fresh fruit. The ambiance is light and airy and the service is quick and friendly, so don't be too deterred by those large crowds on weekends. This is a restaurant that also knows how to make a good cup of coffee, or latte or cappuccino for that mater. Its espresso drinks are legend around town.

In the heart of downtown, Zachary's Restaurant has the crowds of a popular local eatery, and its dishes won't disappoint any travelers who are just in town for a few days. This places specializes in comfort food in an "only in California" sort of way. Along with hearty egg dishes and burgers, it features something called "tofu mess."