Summer In Santa Cruz?
June 29, 2010 12:04 PM   Subscribe

Last-minute decision: I have some extended time coming up (basically the month of July) and am considering a 3-4 week stay in Santa Cruz. What is a summer in Santa Cruz like? Is there a lot to do? I'll be spending part of the time working on a book, so it's not like I need to be occupied the entire time. I've looked on Craigslist for room shares and there seem to be plenty for short-term stays. Any other ideas? Are there areas that I would want to steer clear of for safety reasons, etc? As always, thanks in advance.
posted by Gerard Sorme to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: Santa Cruz is quite nice in the summer. I highly recommend living on the westside. As for things to do, you could get a season pass to the boardwalk. There are a handful of nice bars downtown, a few good restaurants, a couple of breweries (I highly recommend the mtn brewery on the westside) and some wineries. I'll let you know if I come up with more stuff.
posted by special-k at 12:18 PM on June 29, 2010


Response by poster: Thanks, special-k, Is there decent public transportation? Would I need a car if I just wanted to stay in Santa Cruz proper?
posted by Gerard Sorme at 12:21 PM on June 29, 2010


Yeah, you can definitely live in SC without a car. Most of SC proper is easy to get around on bike (if that's something you like to do) but there is also good public transport.
posted by special-k at 12:28 PM on June 29, 2010


Best answer: There are lots of buses, and Santa Cruz proper is pretty small so you can walk most places. So I don't think you'd really need a car.

The only place that might be sketchy is the "Beach Flats" aka right around the Boardwalk, that said my info on the Beach Flats is a little out of date, but it's always been the sketchy part of town. I agree that the westside is a nice place to live, or more downtown if it's not too expensive.

And the weather is awesome. It's rarely too hot, and generally cools off at night. Not sure what kinds of 'things to do' you'd be looking for but there's lots of nice places to go hike/walk, the beach, plus good local bookstores, clothing store, cafes, etc. downtown. The Catalyst has live music (mostly local or smaller national bands) and there's the Kuumbwa Jazz Club, if you're into that.

I grew up there, so if you have more questions let me know.
posted by grapesaresour at 12:32 PM on June 29, 2010


I'd say bring a bike and you are set.
posted by mikepop at 12:45 PM on June 29, 2010


I took a tour of the Santa Cruz Guitar Company's facility fifteen years or so ago and it was really neat.
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 1:03 PM on June 29, 2010


Best answer: You should also go up to the university and wander amongst the redwoods. Oh, and you should go to the Bonny Dune vineyard.
posted by clockzero at 1:28 PM on June 29, 2010 [1 favorite]


I've spent a few extended periods of time in Santa Cruz in the summertime and I loved it; I would do it again in a heartbeat. Just a data point.
posted by Lutoslawski at 3:11 PM on June 29, 2010


Response by poster: Thanks to everyone! Much appreciated.
posted by Gerard Sorme at 11:04 PM on June 29, 2010


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