Central Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA Area Guide

Santa Cruz, like many other cities on California's coast, was originally founded as a Spanish mission in 1791. After California became a state in 1849, it became an area focused on agriculture, logging and commercial fishing. Due to the mild climate and scenic beauty, it wasn't long before people realized the value of living in this area. By the mid-20th century, the beach culture in Santa Cruz was well established, and once people started surfing the waves, fate was sealed, and this "Surf City, USA" shot to the top of the map as one of the most desirable places to visit in California.

The city's journey to fame has been cataloged in many museums throughout Santa Cruz County. Two of the most popular, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum as well as the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History await visitors near the waterfront on Cliff Drive.

Central Santa Cruz has options that cater to all parties. People who want to grab a quick bite in the neighborhood can try Taqueria Los Pericos. This old-fashioned Taqueria provides the community with affordable authentic Mexican options. Don't be fooled by the price either. Locals consider Los Pericos to be some of the best Mexican food in Santa Cruz. Try the al-pastor (pineapple pork) to understand why.

Those who want a more intimate dining experience should try Hollins House At Pasatiempo. Hollins House provides wine pairing along with five-course dining on the edge of a beautiful golf course. The award-winning chefs here prepare meals with all organic and locally sourced ingredients. Come during the happy hour between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. every day to enjoy a drink before dinner.

Folks looking to get a pint in the evening should visit Seabright Brewery. Besides having a long happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, Seabright houses a friendly atmosphere, nice service and delicious fried food. Try the Blur IPA for a sample of what Seabright Brewers can craft; the locals love it.

On a late weekend, locals can be found downtown either checking out live music at The Catalyst, or encapsulated in conversation and endless darts games at the Poet and the Patriot off of Cedar Street. Folks who enjoy the up-all-night dance lifestyle usually head over Highway 17 into the city of San Jose on weekends.

Parking in the summer can be heinous in this beach town. Many locals choose to either bike or walk to get around in the neighborhood. Biking takes you downtown or to the beach quickly, especially with the ample bike lanes and paths available throughout the city. The award-winning biking infrastructure of Santa Cruz proves incredibly safe.

Many public transportation options exist, as well, with city bus lines and a trolley that connects the waterfront to the downtown area. Hailing a cab here can be easy while on the waterfront or near downtown, but otherwise, it helps to take advantage of a service such as Uber.

Public parking near the beach boardwalk can be hard to find for free. In the summer, expect to pay up to $20 for a spot for the day. Residents can obtain permits, but they vary for each neighborhood and may not work near the beach.

Many commuters to San Jose live in Santa Cruz and drive the short distance over Highway 17 each day. Commuters to San Francisco can connect to Highway 280 from San Jose. The scenic nearby Highway 1 also takes you all the way to San Francisco, but expect a curvy ride, as the highway hugs cliffs for the entirety of the ride.

Without a doubt, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and it’s nearby beaches stand as the most popular places for people to hang out in the city. The amusement park provides many rides, games and family events year-round. The summer concert series brings bands to play on the beach. Many locals enjoy checking out what the boardwalk has in its shops after a game or two of beach volleyball. The boardwalk remains free to walk around and enjoy, but rides, games and events have costs.

Many free dog-friendly and exercise-centric parks near Central Santa Cruz provide locals with additional green space, such as Ocean View Park and Arana Gulch. You can often find many locals at these parks on a sunny Saturday. Ocean View has play areas for children, while Arana Gulch has long trails for running or hiking.

Compared to the Bay Area to the north, Santa Cruz remains more affordable. A one-bedroom apartment here costs about $1,280 on average. Expect a beer at a local pub in Santa Cruz to cost anywhere from $5 to $9 and gas to be about 10 percent more than the national average. Bus fare costs about $2 in Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz provides plenty of large-name and chain shopping, such as Costco and Target for day-to-day needs. The city houses more specialty stores scattered mostly downtown but also at the waterfront and throughout the city.

Head on over to Bookshop Santa Cruz on Pacific Avenue for the newest bestsellers or an out-of-print favorite. This local haven has been in business since 1966 and delights in helping customers find exactly what they want. Along with selling books, the business hosts a variety of book discussions, storytime for preschoolers and a summer reading program for older kids.

Folks looking to do more clothes shopping should check out the downtown area for chain stores such as Urban Outfitters and Forever 21. This area also has specialty boutiques, including the Stripe Design Group. This locally grown clothing store lives on the cusp of fresh styles. The locals love the nice service and the unique swath of fashions available here.

Residents of Central Santa Cruz usually take advantage of the local Safeway, Trader Joes or Whole Foods for their day-to-day grocery shopping. For local produce, the Westside farmers market takes place on Western Drive and Mission Street year-round. Come here Saturdays between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to pick up freshly grown fruits and veggies sourced from the nearby Salinas Valley or Watsonville. Other farmers markets pop up year-round throughout the city.