The Perfect Active Day
Burn it all off and earn your beer
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5 stops
Perfect Day
The Perfect Cheap Day (Under $30)
Santa Cruz doesn't have to cost Santa Cruz prices
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1
9:00 AM
11th Hour Coffee
A cozy midtown coffee shop perfect for actually getting work done.
Solid drip coffee for under $4. Skip the fancy stuff today — you're saving your budget for tacos later and this coffee is genuinely good on its own.
Or try: santa-cruz-coffee-roasting
2
10:00 AM
west-cliff-drive
Free. Gorgeous. Walk as much or as little as you want. The whole path from the Boardwalk to Natural Bridges is about 3 miles and every bit of it is stunning.
3
12:00 PM
Tacos Moreno
No-frills taqueria with the best carne asada burrito in town.
Three tacos for under $10 that are better than most sit-down restaurants in town. The al pastor is the move. Cash only — there's an ATM nearby.
4
1:30 PM
henry-cowell
The Redwood Grove trail is flat, easy, and free if you park on the street outside the main entrance. Walking among old-growth redwoods never gets old.
Or try: pogonip
5
4:00 PM
The Penny Ice Creamery
Small-batch ice cream made with local ingredients and serious craft.
A single scoop of whatever seasonal flavor they're running. This is your splurge for the day. Worth every penny. Pun intended and not apologized for.
Pro Tip
Henry Cowell charges $10 for parking inside the park, but if you park on Highway 9 just outside the entrance, it's free. The Redwood Grove loop starts right there — you don't even need to go through the main gate.
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