★ Spotlight 2027
Downtown Santa Cruz
Pacific Ave & beyond
Downtown Santa Cruz packs a lot into a few walkable blocks, from the long stretch of Pacific Avenue to the quieter side streets of Cedar, Front and Cooper. Independent shops, family-run kitchens and a deep arts scene sit close together, so it is easy to wander without a plan.
A Pacific Avenue afternoon into a jazz evening
- Browse the shelves at Bookshop Santa Cruz on Pacific Avenue, where the skylight room and the children's section reward a slow wander.
- Grab a sandwich or salad at Pretty Good Advice on Pacific Avenue.
- Walk over to Front Street for the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History and its exhibitions on local art and history.
- Finish on Cedar Street with a show at Kuumbwa Jazz Center, checking the calendar ahead for what is playing.
Eat & Drink
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Luna's Boriken Bites
Puerto Rican comfort food from a chef-run counter in Abbott Square, built around crisp empanadillas, jibarito sliders and slow-roasted pork with rice and pigeon peas. A good stop for a hearty, flavorful lunch or dinner.
118 Cooper St, Unit B, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (Abbott Square)
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Locally owned · Checked
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Mission Hill Creamery
Small-batch organic ice cream scooped on Pacific Avenue, with salted caramel a perennial favorite and inventive rotating flavors like blueberry goat cheese. Locally roasted coffee and house-baked cookies, brownies and pies round out an easy sweet stop.
1101-B Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Locally owned · Checked
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Oswald
Long-running dining room at Front and Soquel serving California comfort food and craft cocktails from an open kitchen. A relaxed, polished spot for a dinner out, with reservations encouraged on busier nights.
121 Soquel Ave (at Front St), Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Locally owned · Checked
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Pretty Good Advice
Farm-minded vegetarian counter on Pacific Avenue serving breakfast sandwiches on potato buns, black bean burgers, seasonal soups and salads, and vegan soft serve. Quick, affordable and easy to eat in or take along, with a kids menu.
Local tip: Big Matt's Pita & Hummus is listed as a staff favorite at all locations.
- Family-friendly
1319 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Locally owned · Checked
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Samba Rock Acai Cafe
A Brazil-inspired acai cafe near the river, known for cold, fruit-topped acai bowls and smoothies. A bright, refreshing stop for breakfast or a light lunch, open since 2009.
291 Water St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Locally owned · Checked
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Verve Coffee Roasters (Pacific Avenue)
A Santa Cruz-born specialty roaster with a bright cafe on Pacific Avenue, well suited to a morning coffee before exploring the shops. It sits in the middle of the downtown stroll.
1540 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Locally owned · Checked
Shops & Local Makers
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Bookshop Santa Cruz
A sprawling independent bookstore of more than 20,000 square feet, stocked with new and used books, magazines, gifts and toys. A skylight room hosts an author event series, and the children's section is a highlight.
- Rainy-day pick
- Family-friendly
1520 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Locally owned · Checked
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Santa Cruz Antique Faire
A monthly street fair on the Lincoln Street block between Pacific and Cedar, with vendors selling antiques, vintage clothing and collectibles. It is a good fit for slow browsing in the open air.
Local tip: Held the second Sunday of each month, weather permitting.
- Seasonal
Lincoln Street between Pacific Avenue and Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Checked
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
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Kuumbwa Jazz Center
An intimate listening room on Cedar Street that has hosted jazz and world music since 1975. A cafe serves dinner before select shows, and the center also runs music education programs for the community.
- Live music
- Rainy-day pick
320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Checked
Parks, Beaches & Outdoors
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Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers Market
A weekly Wednesday gathering of local growers and food producers at Church and Cedar, easy to pair with a downtown stroll. The city lists it as running rain or shine, with dates continuing through the end of the year.
- Seasonal
Church Street and Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Checked
Landmarks & Local Highlights
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Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH)
The county's cultural hub on Front Street, with rotating exhibitions and programs that celebrate the art and history of Santa Cruz County. A dependable rainy-day stop in the middle of downtown.
- Rainy-day pick
- Family-friendly
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) (opens in a new tab) ↗
Checked
Spotlight 2027 edition. Places are checked against their own websites, most recently in November 2026. Hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Every business listed is locally owned.
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