You guys, Santa Cruz is rad! I’m not a surfer, I’m still eight days away from eating sugar or drinking alcohol and it was pouring rain all weekend, but Santa Cruz was STILL rad. That’s saying something right there. In case you find yourself exploring my side of the world any time soon, here’s what you should do:
Verve
Get lattes at Verve. This coffee shop is beautifully branded, they have amazing looking baked goods (although I resisted – one week left of Whole30!), kefir on tap (hellooo, probiotics) and, of course, plenty of other coffee and tea options (with a side of hip facial hair). Tons of natural lighting, cool decor and wooden tables = the most Instagram-worthy of coffee shops.
Samba Rock Acai Cafe
Get acai bowls at Samba Rock Acai Cafe. These highly customizable acai bowls are so, so delicious. I got the banana/acai base and topped it with all kinds of superfoods like goji berries, cacao nibs and coconut cream (I told you I’m obsessed!). My friends got chia seeds, peanut butter and papaya in theirs.
Shopping Downtown
Get home decor envy at Agency and explore downtown. Agency is pretty much the cutest, most impractical store ever. Walking in there was like remembering that I needed an adorable pom-adorned laundry bag, a wooden house for my door key and justifying a $35 price tag on a trendy water bottle (It stays cold for 24 hours and hot for 12?!).
The Mystery Spot
Get your mind blown at the Mystery Spot. This place defies gravity and gives away a whole lot of bumper stickers. I’d seen that iconic yellow sticker on way too many cars throughout my time in California to pass it up while in Santa Cruz. I don’t understand what is happening in that place, but I like it. You go see the mystery for yourself and let me know if you have any theories.
Serpent’s Kiss
Get some crystals at Serpent’s Kiss. This place is awesome or creepy, depending on how you look at it. We tried to get our tarot cards read since we’d never done it before, but unfortunately the reader was not available. Instead we perused the incense, candles, energy crystals and mystical herbs while taking in some serious dreamcatcher inspo.
Get some crystals at Serpent’s Kiss. This place is awesome or creepy, depending on how you look at it. We tried to get our tarot cards read since we’d never done it before, but unfortunately the reader was not available. Instead we perused the incense, candles, energy crystals and mystical herbs while taking in some serious dreamcatcher inspo.
Charlie Hong Kong
For excellent organic food with gluten-free noodle options (and even semi Whole30-approved meals) on the cheap, try Charlie Hong Kong. It looks like a cute little hut, the staff was super friendly and the tablecloths were too beautiful to not document.
Natural Bridges State Beach
Get over the fishy smell for the view at Natural Bridges State Beach. “No shame for the frame” was the mantra of the day, and we definitely had no shame as we dredged through the muddy beach to get the perfectly angled shot of the arch out there. I might’ve made a bad joke about the dead body rot smell and filmed a Backstreet Boys music video in the gale-force winds. You know you want be my IRL friend (or maybe just Snapchat? @marymackensie).
For excellent organic food with gluten-free noodle options (and even semi Whole30-approved meals) on the cheap, try Charlie Hong Kong. It looks like a cute little hut, the staff was super friendly and the tablecloths were too beautiful to not document.
Natural Bridges State Beach
Get over the fishy smell for the view at Natural Bridges State Beach. “No shame for the frame” was the mantra of the day, and we definitely had no shame as we dredged through the muddy beach to get the perfectly angled shot of the arch out there. I might’ve made a bad joke about the dead body rot smell and filmed a Backstreet Boys music video in the gale-force winds. You know you want be my IRL friend (or maybe just Snapchat? @marymackensie).
Extras We Didn’t Get To
Admire the monarch butterflies near the Natural Bridges State Beach. It was too rainy and wind for them last weekend.
Ride the rollercoaster on the boardwalk (and eat churros).
Admire hot surfers on the beach Go surfing and play volleyball on a day the sun’s out.
Have you ever been to Santa Cruz? This song used to be all I knew of it, and it made my heart happy.
How fun! Great ideas!
Emma | Seeking the South
I love you, you adventurer!
I want your sweatshirt! Also, for you to take me there when I come visit.
I went last year and got to see the butterflies! Very awesome.
Looks like fun! I totally love your shirt too 🙂
Annie
http://www.miscellannieous.com
Pretty sure I heard of Mystery Spot on Supernatural…! I'll definitely have to visit Santa Cruz one day.