Linda's Seabreeze Café

Linda's Seabreeze Café has been a beloved breakfast staple in Santa Cruz’s Seabright neighborhood for over three decades. With its buttery-yellow wooden exterior and deep blue awnings featuring hand-painted lettering, this cozy bungalow is a true local landmark. Originally founded by Linda Hopper, the torch was passed to Tex and Claire Hintze in 1998, and most recently to Marcie and Mark Magdaleno in August 2024. Thankfully, the iconic name and menu have stayed exactly the same—the "Tex’s Turkey Deluxe" is even named after the previous owner. Just look for the "Please Seat Yourself" sign and grab a spot. One thing to keep in mind: it’s cash or check only (no credit cards!), but they do have an ATM on-site. Breakfast is served all day, lunch starts at 11:00 AM, and they take a break on Wednesdays. The portions here are serious American-sized specs. The Ham and Eggs platter comes with two massive ham steaks seared to crispy perfection, served with scrambled eggs and skin-on home fries. You can swap those home fries for a fresh fruit cup for an extra $2—expect a bowl overflowing with strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, and grapes. Their pancakes are absolute units, each one completely covering the plate in a uniform golden brown, topped with a scoop of butter and an orange wedge. For French toast, you can choose between thick-cut Texas toast or a three-grain bread, all dusted with powdered sugar and served with whipped cream and citrus. The rest of the menu is packed with omelets, "Seabreeze Spuds" (their signature sautéed potatoes), waffles, and oatmeal, while lunch brings sandwiches, burgers, and salads. Definitely save room for their legendary homemade cinnamon rolls and muffins from the dessert case. Perfect for family gatherings, families with kids, and solo breakfast or lunch dates.