01
Best on-course dining
Hollins House
Pasatiempo Golf Club Hilltop • Upscale California Cuisine With Golf-Course Views • Best For Sunset Dinners
A classic Santa Cruz fine-dining room with sweeping views over Pasatiempo’s fairways and the Monterey Bay beyond.
Perched above the course, Hollins House feels like a special-occasion destination without ever leaving the neighborhood. The menu leans into refined California dishes—think seasonal produce, local seafood, and well-executed steaks—backed by a thoughtful wine list. Time a reservation for golden hour and the terrace views do as much talking as the food.
02
Casual clubhouse choice
MacKenzie Bar & Grill
Pasatiempo Clubhouse • Casual Grill And 19Th-Hole Bar • Post-Round Favorite
A relaxed spot inside the clubhouse where burgers, sandwiches, and a cold drink hit the spot after a few hours on the course.
MacKenzie Bar & Grill is the kind of place where golf shoes and stories from the back nine are part of the décor. The menu is comfort-forward—juicy burgers, solid salads, fish tacos, and hearty breakfast plates when you catch the early tee times. Grab a table on the patio if you can; the view over the first fairway makes even a rough round feel pretty good.
03
Most convenient stop
Back Nine Grill & Bar
Inn At Pasatiempo Off Highway 17 • Relaxed Grill With Local Wines • Best For Easy Access
Laid-back American fare just off Highway 17, ideal when you want a solid meal without heading all the way into town.
Tucked beside the Inn at Pasatiempo, the Back Nine is an easy go-to for guests, golfers, and locals avoiding downtown parking. The menu covers the bases with shareable appetizers, steaks, pastas, and a good burger, plus a compact list of local wines and cocktails. It’s an especially handy choice if you’re rolling in from San Jose or the valley and just want to drop bags and eat nearby.
04
Downtown standout
Laili
Downtown Santa Cruz • Mediterranean–Afghan Fusion Restaurant • Downtown Date-Night Pick
A polished downtown spot known for its Afghan-inspired dishes, lush courtyard seating, and consistently warm service.
A 10-minute drive from Pasatiempo drops you into Laili’s leafy courtyard, one of downtown Santa Cruz’s most charming dining rooms. The kitchen blends Afghan flavors with Mediterranean touches—think lamb kabobs, silky eggplant, and bright herbaceous sauces—so the menu feels both comforting and a little adventurous. It’s a strong choice for date night or when you want a more urban feel after a day in the hills.
05
Iconic date-night spot
Shadowbrook Restaurant
Capitola Village Hillside • Classic Romantic Restaurant With River Views • Destination Splurge
A storybook Capitola institution set on a wooded hillside, famous for its cable car entrance, river views, and old-school charm.
Shadowbrook is a bit of a drive from Pasatiempo, but locals treat it as the go-to splurge when they want to make an evening feel memorable. Inside, terraced dining rooms, cozy fireplaces, and views over Soquel Creek set a decidedly romantic tone. The menu leans classic—prime rib, seafood, and polished appetizers—backed by a deep wine list and service that still feels unapologetically old-school in the best way.