Shopping in Santa Cruz

THE 10 BEST Santa Cruz Shopping Centers

Shopping in Santa Cruz

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    Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
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What travelers are saying

  • CandieTravels
    Tallahassee, FL324 contributions
    We stocked up on goodies for an epic Sunday brunch including stone fruit, pastries, pasture-raised bacon, eggs, and more. The market also offers some made-to-order items if you don’t want to do the cooking yourself.
    Written May 23, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • mini
    Fremont, CA176,137 contributions
    We had a fun day seeing movies at the Del Mar, and then going to explore the various stores. We also purchased some cookies at Pacific Cookie Company.
    Written December 27, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Dominika
    10 contributions
    Peaceful, terrific, charming! We renamed it for Om(g) gallery. Really liked it, mostly the jewelry section :)
    Written February 5, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • mini
    Fremont, CA176,137 contributions
    We went to Tannery Art Center. This is also an area where people live. There is a cafe called Bistro One Twelve. There were a variety of studios - most were open when we were there.

    We enjoyed seeing the art. There are interesting large art work outside such as Spirit Nest - artist Jayson Fann. Its interesting to watch the artists at work.

    There is a performance hall which has shows. its a pleasant place to go if one enjoys the arts.

    The name Tannery is as it used to be a leather making facility. There are some historic pieces to see on site such as the dry mill.

    We also watched people enjoying the exercise facility on site. They offer a variety of exercise and dance classes.
    Written February 28, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mike S
    Oro Valley, AZ117 contributions
    David Salazar has been blowing glass for decades and is a talented artist. Watch him work with glass in his small shop and pick up a really cool work of art you aren't likely to find anywhere else. It's a just a fun, unique thing to do + David is a really nice, fun guy.
    Written January 20, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Timothy H
    Rio Rancho, NM326 contributions
    Traveler from New Mexico, I visit this Antiques Mall, whenever in Santa Cruz. Always find unusual and interesting offerings and make multiple purchases. Usually with a challenge of how to get them home!! Staff is very helpful! They also have a garden you can visit and they support the local feral cats. There are usually vendors with sales of up to 50% off. If you are an antiques buff or need to shop for one, this is a Great place to start!
    Written April 11, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tuberose1
    7 contributions
    Really like to visit Santa Cruz and now one more excuse to go. Really enjoyed this atelier with all the nice artist! Will go again in visit!
    Written September 20, 2016
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • jaseaton
    Silver Spring, MD2,544 contributions
    About 25 stalls on a Saturday morning before Xmas. Mostly organic farmers, but a few crafts and miscellaneous booths, too. They had vegetables I'd never heard of like romanesco (a sort of Italian cauliflower) and mizuna (a mustard green). Two fiddlers standing toward the end of the row were sawing away at old-times tunes and an occasional Xmas carol. Lots of people were there having a Fine and friendly time.
    Written December 28, 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Scott
    San Francisco, CA5,173 contributions
    Best book shop on the planet. One of the few remaining big, brick-and-mortar bookshops. One-hundred-percent covid-19 safety compliant, and determined to stay that way. They actually have a person watching the door to make sure everyone that enters sanitize their hands and does not consume food or beverages inside the store.
    Written May 9, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Laura Jean E
    1 contribution
    We visited the shop a couple of weeks ago & from the outside, even the inside it doesn't look like much. The treats though are delicious. My daughter & grandchildren had the Salted carmel ice cream bar. They were all in agreement that it was superb! Everyone wanted more! We were all given a free sample of chocolate when we first got there, the man behind the counter was extremely nice & helpful. I ended up getting a bar of dark chocolate salted carmal almond. I didn't eat it until I got back home in Indiana . It was so good, I'm kicking myself for not trying it there because I would have gotten more. Its right down the street from Mission BBQ, on the opposite side of the road. Worth a stop!
    Written August 7, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TravelorTwo221
    Jackson, CA118 contributions
    Susan knows a lot about fresh olive oils and was very informative about the olive oil quality and what not to do with olive oil. Large selection of oils, vinegars and other items. Loved it and will return when our oils are gone!
    Written February 4, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • mini
    Fremont, CA176,137 contributions
    We went to the downtown area of Santa Cruz. This is where there are restaurats, cafes, some stores, and movie theaters.
    Written October 9, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • niteowljune
    Huntersville, NC3,503 contributions
    All the Patagonia merchandise you would dare to see in one place other than at their Flagship Store in Ventura which is another wonderful destination. If you like Patagonia clothing, you would love this store.
    Written July 5, 2015
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • aaannna🍽
    Vacaville, CA234 contributions
    I loved this place ! The staff is super nice and the place is clean. I ordered a 2 scoop hot fudge sundae. Pistachio and Rocky Road. The pistachios in the ice cream were big and quite tasty 😋. The rocky road was delicious. I loved the hot fudge. It was a bit chewy and thick. My grandson had a doubled dipped Oreo and finished it. Next time I’m in Santa Cruz I will definitely return for some 🍨.
    Written June 25, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Cruz


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So I havent seen this post recently. Debating the merits of staying in Santa Cruz vs Capitola.

We are are a sports team of 15- 16 yr old boys traveling from Orange County ,ca to the area in end of July. Games can range from being in Sc, Aptos, cabrillo and San Lorenzo. We will be in the area for four days with some down time in the evenings.

Hotels are expensive in both areas. Looking into the Fairfield inn in Capitola (rates ave ~$300 but with breakfast & bocci ball court) with some of chain restaurants like chipotle & mall nearby.

The other option to to get a hotel in SC possibly Hotel Paradox in the higher end (~$330 but no breakfast) or Holiday Inn or Hyatt place same price as FI.

Pls lmk your thoughts of what would be a better city SC or C?

Would like a hotel where parents & kids have a nice common area to congregate during down time.

Also would like to have the boys have access to fun things to do during down time & have access to good food options since 16 yrs old boys playing sports are always hungry.

Will the team with 30+ people be frustrated trying to get into a non chain restaurant in Sc?

Hotel P is off the beaten path & expensive but has nicer facilities like pool area with nice lounge area. Is the hotel worth the extra $?

Any appreciate suggestions on the hotel I mentioned or any others that I have may have overlooked.

Thank you for your advice.
Answer: There is not much for boys that age in Capitola. Its core is a small village with boutique shopping. The hotel itself is on busy 41st Avenue, not very near the village. The mall you speak of is considering going out of business and turning into something else. It has a couple of semi-fast food restaurants. It is not something the boys could walk to from the Fairfield Inn, or has anything of interest to them, IMO.

The Holiday Inn Express in Santa Cruz is not near anything for the boys except Denny's :~). It is on Ocean Street as you come into the town. The Paradox is a new remake of a Holiday Inn and it screams 'businessmen'. It is also on Ocean Avenue, but further down and just across San Lorenzo Park (about two or three blocks) from the main street of town, Pacific Avenue, with lots of restaurants of various kinds, two movie theaters, ice cream parlors, a cookie company, pizza, etc.

Have you looked into the Dream Inn? This is of the same quality as, or better than, the others but near the Wharf and a block from the Boardwalk, an old fashioned historic amusement park with no admission charge.

The hotel has a pool and faces a beach. Surfing lessons happen there. There are volleyball nets set up on part of the beach near the Boardwalk. During the summer there are free movies and concerts and aerial acts at various times on the main beach there. Of your choices, I really think this is the best. It is not inexpensive, but I think it might be in the same ballpark as the Paradox. The boys *could* walk to Pacific Avenue from here, but it is about 8 or 9 blocks to the main area .

The Hyatt is new and I know nothing about it except its location. It is on the west side and not really convenient to activities for the boys.

I am going to give you a link to a traveler article on Santa Cruz. Trip Advisor has stopped supporting these, so there is a disclaimer that the information may be outdated. The information in this article is not outdated. I will be re-writing it to put in my own files.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g33048-c133677/Santa-Cruz:California:Santa.Cruz.Sights.And.Activities.html

Good luck and let me know if I can be of help....

Edit. The Paradox is not in a "shady area of town". Yes, homeless people do hang out in San Lorenzo Park, but there is no reason for the boys to go there. If you should pick that hotel they can walk on city streets, quite safely, to get to Pacific Avenue...
Note that forum content are individual perspectives of forum posters and not the opinion of Tripadvisor