Food

Aptos is a treasure trove of cuisine options, with each pocket of the community vying to be your favorite. Good news: this means you can’t go wrong with your choice.

Quaint Aptos Village features favorites like Aptos Street BBQ, Parish Publick House, and Akira Sushi – locals flock to these spots every night of the week, and each is pretty easy on the wallet as well. Also in the Village, Cantine Winepub offers a local selection of wines and beers. We suggest snagging a spot on the outdoor deck, which unexpectedly opens up to the treetops of a verdant gorge. For a more elevated culinary experience, you’ll have to make a reservation at Mentone (thank us later). And don’t take our word for it: The Michelin Guide agrees, and awarded this young Italian restaurant a Bib Gourmand recognition in 2021.

In the Seacliff neighborhood, you’ll see a line forming outside of Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant around dinner time. Since 1965, this family owned operation has served up killer cuisine and created generations of devoted eaters in the process. Afterwards, stop by Marianne’s Ice Cream for a house-made scoop (or three).

We have another Mexican restaurant you don’t want to miss over in Seascape: Palapas. A local favorite, you’ll want to stay for the delicious food, great bar, and incredible coastal views.

If you’re looking for more of a sip than a savor experience, the Corralitos Wine Trail reaches the sunny Aptos Hills, where you can enjoy locally grown varietals. Strock Office favorites include Alfaro Family Vineyards, Lester Estate Wines, and Nicholson Vineyards. Each has a gorgeous tasting room and manicured grounds that allow you to fully enjoy the stunning valley.

Fun

We’ll say it again: you’ll never be bored in Aptos. Let’s ease into the activities with an easy one: beachin’, which is the art of enjoying the Monterey Bay Coastline. Us? We like posting up on Seacliff State Beach (which is only steps from Strock HQ!) with a beach chair and a good book. We’re also fans of boogie boarding, surfing, or just strolling the sand. Rio del Mar Beach, Hidden Beach, and Seascape Beach are all great options for getting your toes in the sand. 

For something a little more invigorating, you have to check out our beloved Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. It will only take you about 10 minutes max to get the park from the beach, but you’ll feel like you were transported through several timezones into a totally new part of the country. Here, you can hike or mountain bike to your heart’s content – and keep an eye out for Banana Slugs! We’re big fans of them around here. 

You can also shred at Seacliff Skatepark or Monte Family Skatepark. The latter has an additional dirt pumptrack, if you want to prep for barreling down hills in Nisene. 

Seascape offers a couple of additional fitness options for the fam – Seascape Golf Course features beautifully maintained greens that weave through the groves of eucalyptus. It’s set back from the coastline, and you’ll feel those soft ocean breezes on every fairway. The Seascape Sports Club gives you even more to choose from: tennis courts, a fitness center, pickleball courts, and even a junior Olympic swimming pool that’s heated year round!