Play it by Scene- Santa Cruz

History

Although now it is mainly a tourist destination and most of the shops represent this a lot of the buildings retain the characteristics of the original town that was built in 1869. Before this the location was used by Native Americans of the Soquel tribe but they were pushed out when Santa Cruz County was established in 1791. The Mexican era followed a prestigious Castro family owned the land. Looking at the buildings you can see that much of the architecture of the buildings is of Mexican origin. His land was then sold on when California became a state in 1849 and German immigrant Frederick Hihn created a much of the towns early industry and brought the land of the Castro family.
The town then became famed as seaside resort when the Pleasure Pier and Casino was built in 1906 and continues to draw in the crowds today.

Activities

Bike Hire
Another Bike Shop
2361 Mission St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.427.2232
This bike shops offers a large selection of bicycles ranging from beach cruisers (pictured) to hardier mountain bikes. The also provide routes of nearby bike trails that are open to all visitors who want to explore the more rugged side of Santa Cruz.
Bike repairs and fixture are on offer and welcome all bike related questions.


The Bicycle Shop Santa Cruz
1325 Mission St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.454.0909
This shop is suitable for all young people on a budget offering cheap bike hire for the week. All equipment is included for a safe ride and a lock for extra security. They also sell used beach cruisers, choppers and low riders for those who want to get their hands on an authentic Californian bike. Prices start from $200 a bargain for those who are staying in the States for a long period and want to discover off road California.

Skate Parks

Ken Wormhoudt Skate Park.

225 San Lorenzo Blvd at Riverside Ave in Mike Fox Park

For the less confident skater this is the place to brush up your skills. Ramps and pipes are smaller than standard parks, allowing you to break move and not a limb. Due to the younger clientele a park warden is often visible and enforces the strict park rules of helmet and pads at all times.

Santa Cruz Wave Skate Park
Ocean Ave
This park features California’s first full pipe that is 17ft long. Amidst other experienced skaters and designed to be more challenging only the more skilled skater should attempt to show off their skills here.

The Santa Cruz Fun Spot Skate Park
This skate park is located across the road from the wharf and makes it one of the more populated parks. Unlike the other two parks, novice and experienced skaters are provided for. Here there is a 3ft mini ramp and a 6ft mini ramp tons of banks, pyramids, rails, fun boxes (different heights) and quarter pipes.

Cinemas

Regal Cinemas Santa Cruz 9
1405 Pacific Avenue
This cinema plays all the new releases. Ticket and food prices are expensive, but you can reduce the cost by going to a matinee showing for $7.50. At 8pm on Thursdays they do Flashback Features for $5 playing favourites from the past.


The Del Mar
1124 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz
This cinema has history spanning back to the early 1930s and the art deco themed keeps to its roots showing classic films from the era it was built. Offering an escape from the modern world you can sit back and watch childhood classics such as E.T and The Goonies. Unlike its competitor Regal Cinemas across the street, prices are cheaper and you can expect to pay $5.50 for a showing.
Internet Cafes

The Bad Ass Coffee Company
1207 Pacific Avenue Santa Cruz
This is a Hawaiian themed café that has the big selection of coffee originating from the Islands, with pleasant names like Half Ass Decaf. If you buy a coffee here, you get use of internet for 15 minutes and longer depending if no one is waiting after you.

Wired Wash café
135 Laurel Street ,Santa Cruz, CA
Here you can wash and dry your clothes cheaply and while you are waiting take advantage of the free wireless. There are computers that have internet connection here but depending on when I visited it was 50/50 to whether they were working or not. But you can kick back and enjoy the local art work that is on display or read magazines that are welcome to visitors.
*Top Tip! Join the local library and get free internet use there.
Central Library, 224 Church Street, Santa Cruz

Places to eat

Pizza My Heart
1116 Pacific Ave B, Santa Cruz.
Buy a slice of pizza for $5 dollars and receive a free Pizza My Heart t-shirt! Dedicated to beach life, surfers and beach goers are regular customers here. This chain outlet features the ‘world’s largest wooden surfboard’ and other memorabilia form the surfing world, so you can soak up a little local history while you wait!

Charlie Hong Kong
141 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
Charlie Hong Kong brings traditional Southeast Asian street food to your table, where you can choose from a Chinese buffet or order meals from the menu. They pride themselves on providing food from organic ingredients that are all prepared on the premises. Open form 11am to 11pm.

Saturn café
145 Laurel St,
Santa Cruz.
This is a burger joint that caters to vegetarians, but you don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy the menu. The American styled burgers come with names such as Space Cowboy and Buck Rogers and are all served with a large portion of French fries. Despite the lack of meat on the menu they are not ashamed to display their ‘fakin bacon’ and ‘faux chicken’ on the menu which unexpectedly tasted good.
Saturn Café is a fun and reasonably priced diner where you can expect to pay around $15 for a meal plus dessert.
*Top Tip! If someone in your group is celebrating a birthday, quietly let your waiter know and a pleasantly embarrassing song will be sung to the birthday kid, rounded off with a free dessert.

Getting About

In Central Santa Cruz the common way to get around is to walk or ride a bike. If you are arriving or leaving town a Greyhound station is located on 425 Front Street just off Pacific Avenue. Here you catch buses to San Francisco and the local airports.

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