Santa Cruz student recommendations

Welcome Banana Slugs! Here you can read Santa Cruz specific recommendations written by Lookout’s student interns. We hope this helps you enjoy, explore and learn about your new home. Click here to visit our whole UCSC Student Welcome Guide and be sure to sign up here with your .edu email address to redeem your FREE Lookout membership.

JUMP TO: Five top study spots / Top spots for book shopping / Five ice cream spots to try / Five unique Santa Cruz spots / Top thrift and vintage shops / Fun karaoke and trivia spots / Live music venues to check out

Five top study spots

Looking for places to study this week? Here are some great coffee shops to fit your needs:

Verve Coffee Roasters: (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) You’ve probably heard of Verve, known for its thoughtfully sourced coffee drinks around Northern California. With locations downtown, on the Westside and on 41st Avenue, most of these locations get pretty busy, so I’d recommend going for a morning to noon study sesh. Its food and drinks are a bit pricey, but very delicious. Treat yourself with some chia pudding or a prosciutto sandwich and find a table where you can focus. 

Garfield Park branch library: (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) As a college student, often it’s unrealistic to buy a $7 coffee. If you’re on a budget and looking for a quiet space where you don’t need to spend any money to hang out for hours on end, check out the Garfield Park branch library. It’s located near West Cliff Drive, and you would take the 20 Metro bus from campus to reach this tiny library with green windows and a nice bench outside. If desktops and tables are not your thing, they have couches in front of the fireplace and reading nooks by the windows where you can sit and study. The front desk is very helpful and kind if you have any questions. 

The Abbey: (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Located on Mission Street, this small coffee shop is attached to Vintage Faith Church. Signature drinks range from $5 to $7 and they’ve got an assortment of food and pastries as well. I’d recommend trying the iced strawberry matcha and chicken pesto panini. If you’ve stopped drinking coffee (good for you), then I’d recommend trying Bowl of Soul. Although almost every coffee shop in Santa Cruz is pretty crowded these days, this spot is a peaceful, consistently quiet space to knock out some assignments. Bonus, they have a restroom, Wi-Fi and outlets.

11th Hour Coffee: (7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.) This local coffee shop is well known among students, and for a good reason. This cafe has some of the most creative flavor combinations in its drinks and serves amazing snacks to keep you going throughout your study session. Its downtown Santa Cruz location has been popular with students as it is open later than many other coffee shops and has many outlets. The Westside location (closes at 5 p.m.) offers an outdoor place for students to get their studying done, but the lack of outlets makes the studying a little harder.

Coffeetopia: (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) If you have a car or are a student commuting from Capitola, this is a great coffee shop to go to. Wait until you finish an assignment, then try one of its Mexican mochas (it’s like a reward). Coffeetopia’s menu has lots of unique drinks, ranging from acai smoothies to chai lattes. Free Wi-Fi, of course, and fewer people than the other coffee shops in Santa Cruz. 

Busy Bees Cafe: (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Established in Capitola, Busy Bees Cafe is known for its mouth-watering cinnamon rolls and breakfast burritos. Busy Bees also has breakfast and cold sandwiches. Stop by sometime between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for locally grown ingredients and friendly service. 

Top spots for book shopping

Calling all book lovers! Check out our top recommendations for the best bookworm spots across Santa Cruz County, sure to meet every literary need on any budget.

Bookshop Santa Cruz: A staple of Santa Cruz since 1966, Bookshop Santa Cruz has served as a top choice for readers across the county. Known for its expansive variety and up-to-date collections, this independent bookstore offers everything from novels to magazines to UCSC merch to a wide selection of gifts (it even boasts a free gift-wrapping station!). The convenient downtown location has cemented Bookshop as both a local favorite and tourist destination — all for good reason. My favorite aspect about this bookstore is its staff recommendations hidden in gift wrapping – buy a book based off of the staff’s favorites and don’t judge a book by its cover. 

Atlantis Fantasyworld: Calling all comic lovers, make sure to check out Atlantis Fantasyworld downtown. Home of the 1987 vampire film “The Lost Boys,” although the original store was destroyed in the Loma Prieta earthquake, its legacy continues on today. The staff is extremely kind and knowledgeable if you’re looking for a specific comic. The comic books are packed like sardines in a tin in this store. Sometimes you’ll get free comics if you’re lucky. Even if you’re not a comic book fan, there is definitely such a warm atmosphere in this store that you should stop by at least once and try a new genre. 

Friends of the Capitola Library Bookstore: I cannot express my gratitude enough for this bookstore. Run by 26 volunteers, this is THE most affordable bookstore in all of Santa Cruz County. Paperbacks are as cheap as 50 cents (you heard that right) and other great hardcover books range from $1 to $2. From romance novels, self-help books to comic books, there are books in every genre at this bookstore. Located in the Capitola Mall, I’d recommend coming here to get some cheap reads or recycled collage materials. It’s such a fun experience because you never know what kind of book you might take home. For “vintage” media lovers, there’s a wide range of CDs and DVDs, too. 

Bad Animal: In the mood for something a little unconventional? This used book shop also doubles as an eclectic wine bar, featuring natural and biodynamic wines from California and France. As far as books, Bad Animal specializes in rare, fine-press and historically significant copies with a focus on literature, philosophy and theology. Explore your wild side at this unique readers spot.

Goodwill Central Coast: You might deem Goodwill an unlikely spot to find books, but don’t discount it too quickly (pardon the pun). These thrift stores offer a surprisingly broad variety of used books and magazines for low prices, not to mention a collection of cheap accessories from bookends to cases. Head to the vast Capitola location and pick up some new reads for just a few bucks, or go downtown for a smaller but still good selection.

Two Birds Books: This independent bookstore has become a focal point on the Eastside, attracting readers with its assortment of new and used books, in addition to a fun lineup of literary-themed gifts and trinkets — not to mention the adorable store dogs, Tito and Marshmallow.

Comicopolis: For all you comic lovers out there, Santa Cruz’s finest comic-book store, Comicopolis, is sure to satisfy all your cravings. Head to its downtown location to peruse a carefully curated selection of games, comics, graphic novels and more. Whatever you’re a fan of, you can count on Comicopolis’ varied collections to guarantee to impress.

BONUS: Moe’s Books (Berkeley): If you happen to find yourself in the heart of downtown Berkeley, be sure to stop by the famous Moe’s Books. A Berkeley landmark since 1959, this massive shop boasts four whole floors of books. With a range of new and used books on every conceivable topic, Moe’s is one spot that should be on every book lover’s bucket list.

Five Santa Cruz ice cream spots to try

Santa Cruz hosts some of the best quality and most unique ice cream from local creameries. Here are our picks to try. Maybe this weekend?

New and fresh: Nico’s Ice Cream Dearest ice cream lovers, if you’re tired of the same iced cream joints around Santa Cruz, have no fear. Nico’s Ice Cream is here! Recently opened and decorated with pink-striped decor inside, Nico’s boasts real fruit ice cream that is New Zealand soft serve-style. Toppings are only 50 cents, so I would suggest trying the raspberry ice cream with chamoy and Tajin. Location & hours: 111 Locust St. in Santa Cruz, noon-8 p.m., Friday & Saturdays noon-10 p.m.

$5 frozen yogurt: Top A Lot If you prefer frozen yogurt over ice cream (I wish I knew the difference between them) go to this place for $5 treats every Tuesday and Friday. Top A Lot sure tops a lot, with over 50 different toppings such as mochi and marshmallow sauce. My favorite ice cream here is definitely brownie a la mode. The owner, Amit Singh Klair, is a first-generation immigrant who came to the States for a better life for his family and is dedicated to creating sweet treat memories for Santa Cruzans. Locations & hours: 738 Water St. in Santa Cruz, noon-10 p.m.

Italian ice: Izzy’s Ices If you’re from the East Coast and miss a taste of home or you’re lactose-intolerant, try Izzy’s Ices. There is no heavy cream or dairy in its products. The owner is very friendly and there are good vibes. Local vegans say this is a great option for a vegan treat around here. Be sure to try the pineapple or mango if you find yourself strolling downtown. Location & hours: 106 Lincoln St., noon-7 p.m. 

Family-run with homemade ice cream: Michoacán A Pedir De Boca This is a wonderful family-run Mexican ice cream shop in downtown Watsonville. With a large menu, it’s hard to decide what to order. Try out its homemade rocky road ice cream that has fluffy marshmallows, almonds and brownie pieces, or the chocolate de abuelita milkshake if you are on the go. Location & hours: 1862 Main St. in Watsonville, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Farm-to-table style and very Instagrammable: The Penny Ice Creamery The Penny Ice Creamery is known for its artisanal, made-from-scratch ice cream. Penny works with local farmers and food artisans to create unique flavors for its ever-changing menu. Locations & hours: 913 Cedar St. in Santa Cruz, noon-11 p.m.; 820 41st Ave. in Pleasure Point, noon-10 p.m.; 141 Aptos Village Way in Aptos, noon-9 p.m.; 262 Mount Hermon Rd. in Scotts Valley, noon-10 p.m.

BONUS: Chocolate fanatics: Donnelly Chocolates*

*Not ice cream, but still delicious

If you’re looking for a delicious treat not too far from campus, go to Donnelly Chocolates on Mission Street. Although this store isn’t an ice cream shop, it certainly sells ice cream. National Geographic named Donnelly one of the 10 best chocolatiers in the world. If that’s not enough to convince you, read the huge amount of raving reviews on Google about its chocolate bars. Lavender dark chocolate ice cream bar with caramel on top, anyone?

Five unique Santa Cruz spots

Arguably one of the best parts of Santa Cruz is how unique it is. While there are things that are traditional and could be found in many other cities, here are some off-the-beaten-path things to do in Santa Cruz.

“Top of the World”: Just a few steps away from the UCSC campus, there’s a hidden …  not-so-hidden gem that Santa Cruz locals have loved for years. Now, it’s a popular spot for UCSC students to escape the fast pace that school can sometimes bring. Nestled into the redwoods, this peaceful lookout spot offers a breathtaking view of the entirety of Santa Cruz. 

Subrosa Space: Subrosa is a collectively run anarchist community space of volunteers, local youth organizers and musicians that hosts a variety of events daily. For the latest events, make sure to keep in touch with its Instagram (@subrosa_space). Despite everything else costing an absurd amount of money in Santa Cruz, this anarchist space has a NOTAFLOF rule – no one turned away for lack of funds. It hosts hardcore shows, indie shoegaze (a UCSC favorite it seems) and California bands of all genres. It also hosts Free Skool Santa Cruz, where any local Santa Cruzan can host a teach-in or workshop on any topic. This is truly one of the most beautiful spaces to be in community with others in Santa Cruz County. Inside, it also has The Fabrica and The Bike Church, where you can sew your clothes for free or get free bike parts. 

Pogonip rock garden and koi pond: The Pogonip is a 640-acre forest partly on the UCSC campus that has over 10 trails and 11 miles of hiking. Nearby, the on-campus lookout on Coolidge Drive is an entrance to Pogonip. It doesn’t take a very long hike to come across the rock garden, which is one of the most serene places on campus. Hikers and students write letters to loved ones and place them under a pile of rocks. There are tons of rock stacks, and you can make one, too. Along the same trail as the rock garden, there is a tranquil koi pond, fed by a natural mountain spring. How did the koi fish get there? They just magically appeared there, in fact. Come to this fairy-like forest and dwell in a fishy dreamscape to take a break from midterms or a 12-page paper. 

Cement Ship: The SS Palo Alto, nicknamed the Cement Ship, has a lot of unique history. The ship was originally a tanker built near the end of World War I. The war ended before the tanker could be used, and it was intentionally grounded. The Palo Alto was then used as an entertainment ship, including a dance floor and swimming pool, at the end of the pier off what is now Seacliff State Beach in Aptos until the company that owned her went bankrupt during the Great Depression. The ship was briefly used as a fishing pier but has since deteriorated and is no longer considered safe for public use. The Cement Ship is still a fun sight to see, both from the beach and from the pier.

Monarch butterfly preserve at Natural Bridges State Beach: Monarch butterflies travel hundreds of miles every year to this Santa Cruz preserve to escape winter’s temperatures. At the monarch butterfly preserve, thousands can be seen huddling together to stay warm starting in early October. If you see extravagant-looking orange leaves hanging from the trees in bunches, it’s probably the monarchs. They migrate to Mexico in late January or mid-February, so make sure to pay them a visit during fall quarter!

Top thrift and vintage shops

Each thrift store is a little different, but they all encompass and integrate the Santa Cruz uniqueness into their shops, giving you amazing finds for amazing prices.

Grey Bears Thrift Store: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. every day: Although it’s a little overwhelming when you first arrive, this Live Oak thrift store offers a treasure trove of items, including clothing, accessories, home goods, plants, appliances and books. When there, make sure you check out the on-site bookstore with really great prices. The thrift store spans multiple buildings, so make sure you’re checking everything out. 

Artifact Santa Cruz: 11 a.m.-7 p.m: At 805 Pacific Ave., there’s a little corner thrift store alongside the rest of the vintage stores. Although this is the smallest second-hand store for clothing in comparison to the others, it’s my favorite. Opened in 2023, this shop has a unique selection of racing jackets and even vintage punk jackets. If you’re a fashion connoisseur (or trying to up your game) this store definitely has a lot of cool pieces to check.

Crossroads Trading Co.: 11 a.m.-7 p.m: Looking to refresh your wardrobe on a college budget and stay sustainable? Check out Crossroads Trading Co., a recycled-fashion retailer that’s been keeping style-conscious shoppers happy since 1991. At Crossroads, you can expect to see name-brand and designer clothing at a reasonable price. You can also sell your own clothes for cash or store credit! 

Virgo Santa Cruz: 11 a.m.-7 p.m: If you’re into one-of-a-kind fashion finds, Virgo is a must-visit. This cozy little store sits right in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz and offers a thoroughly curated rack of vintage clothing. Whether you’re into vintage or retro looks, Virgo has it all! Virgo is a hidden gem and is definitely worth a visit.  

Fun karaoke and trivia spots

Karaoke

Coasters Bar and Grill: If you are new to Santa Cruz and looking to explore the Santa Cruz food and nightlife scene, Coasters Bar and Grill is a local favorite worth checking out. Located just steps away from the beach, Coasters offers a relaxed, ocean-view dining experience with tasty eats, an extensive tap collection and a lively crowd! It’s a perfect place to unwind after a long week of classes. Just a heads-up: Coasters is 21 and over after 9 every night, so plan accordingly! 

Trivia

Woodstock’s, Front Street downtown, Thursdays; signups at 8 p.m.: Woodstock’s Pizza holds trivia nights every Thursday. Enjoy pizza, salads and snacks as you try to win prizes by answering questions during its lively events. Fortunately for those 21 and over, $9 pitchers of beer start at the same time as the game!

Upper Crust Pizza & Pasta, Mission Street, Wednesdays starting at 7:30 p.m.: Another popular pizza joint in Santa Cruz, Upper Crust hosts trivia night every Wednesday. There are two games back-to-back, and the winners receive a $25 gift certificate to put toward future delicious Upper Crust meals.

Lookout Trivia Nights in Abbott Square, Cooper St downtown, summer only. We host our own trivia nights once a month each summer in Abbott Square. Come solo or with a group! Join us for some fun trivia outdoors and a great local gift basket as the prize for the winners.

Live music venues you must check out

Moe’s Alley: One of Santa Cruz’s most iconic live music spots, Moe’s Alley is a must-visit once you’re 21. Known for hosting a wide variety of artists, Moe’s keeps the local music scene alive with six shows a week year-round. The venue has a spacious dance floor, great sound system and a laid-back outdoor patio. Check out its website for more info on the live events. 

Felton Music Hall: Another live music venue a little bit farther outside of Santa Cruz, nestled into the mountains, is the Felton Music Hall. Known for hosting its diverse range of artists, you’ll be sure to find someone who fits your vibe! In addition to the live music, it offers craft cocktails and food. With a rustic vibe and an intimate setting, this is a great place to spend your weekends. 

The Catalyst: Located in downtown Santa Cruz, right in the middle of the night life, is The Catalyst. The Catalyst is known as one of Santa Cruz’s most iconic music venues, having hosted big names like The Beach Boys, Tom Petty and Nirvana – there are music genres for everyone!