The Santa Cruz lifestyle includes leisurely brunch dates with friends, forest hikes with the pup, and surf sessions at sunset. There are plenty of lazy afternoons spent at your neighborhood brewery, evenings at local music venues enjoying a live show, and First Fridays on the town exploring the local art scene. It takes years to peel back all the layers of this dynamic city, but there are a few key landmarks and activities that embody the laid-back Santa Cruz culture. It’s a culture that beckons you to slow down and unwind, live in the moment, and take the time to appreciate life’s small pleasures. Here’s your guide to experiencing the Santa Cruz lifestyle:
The Santa Cruz restaurant scene is known for its commitment to locally-sourced, organic meals and this commitment rolls over into the kitchens of local residents. This isn’t surprising considering you can find almost all your groceries at the local farmers markets. On Saturday mornings, the Westside Farmers Market is buzzing with families, young professionals, and health-conscious college students filling oversize straw baskets with carrots, kale, and oranges. Food vendors offer cook-to-order cuisine like breakfast tacos and crepes and there’s no shortage of fresh pastries and hot coffee to get your morning off to a good start.
A traditional American breakfast at Aldo’s along the Harbor is the perfect way to start a Sunday morning. Sit outside and soak up the California sunshine while watching harbor seals and otters play between the docks. After consuming one too many bloody mary’s and buttermilk pancakes, work off breakfast with a walk down to Seabright State Beach and Walton Lighthouse. Lines of sailboats glide in and out of the harbor mouth punctuated by the occasional kayaker or stand up paddle boarder. At the end of the jetty, keep an eye out for breaching whales, pods of dolphins, and pelicans gliding over the waves.
The Giant Dipper, the famous wooden roller coaster at The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, has elicited screams of glee from parents and kids alike since it first opened in 1924. For the little ones not yet 50” tall, there are plenty of other amusement rides and a full arcade and pirate-themed mini golf course in Neptune’s Kingdom. If you’re looking to burn off breakfast, you can’t go wrong with an afternoon spent hiking Pogonip’s trails, just below the UC Santa Cruz campus, or mountain biking in Wilder Ranch State Park. Unless, of course, it’s raining and then your best bet to keep the kiddos entertained is a trip to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Learn about marine science through interactive exhibits, a shark touch pool, indoor tidepool, and docent-led tours that include one of the world’s largest blue whale skeletons.
For those 21 and older, head over to the Westside to sample the region’s wine, beer, and spirits. The Swift Street Courtyard is home to no less than five tasting rooms, plus a couple more within walking distance. This wine hub also features tasty local eateries, a sustainable charcuterie and butcher shop, clothing boutique, and yoga studio. Not a wine fan? Don’t worry. There are two breweries and a tap room within a two block radius. For those who prefer the hard stuff, Venus Spirits is just down the street.
The walking and biking path along picturesque Westcliff Drive offers prime viewing of the surfers at Steamer Lane, a famous surfing destination. Men and women drop into head-high sets, zig-zagging their boards along the wave’s shimmering face towards the Santa Cruz Wharf and arguably the best beginner surf break. The break at Cowell’s stays small in the summer and offers long, gentle waves perfect for longboarding.
It’s easy to spend an entire afternoon exploring the shops along Pacific Avenue in Downtown Santa Cruz. Peruse the bookshelves of Bookshop Santa Cruz, find locally-made clothing and accessories at Wallflower Boutique, and satisfy your sweet tooth at Buttercup Cakes or Penny Ice Creamery. For lunch, check out the Abbott Square Market with six food vendors and two bars. The bustling downtown square (with live music on the weekends and a variety of public events) is connected to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History which features both permanent and rotating exhibits.