The Perfect Local Sunday

8:30 AM

santa-cruz-coffee-roasting

Before the farmers market, grab a coffee and sit on the bench on Pacific Ave. Watch the town wake up. This is the quiet before the weekend energy kicks in.

Or try: verve-coffee

9:30 AM

pacific-avenue

The downtown farmers market runs until 1 PM. Get there by 9:30 to beat the crowds. Grab some strawberries, talk to the mushroom guy, buy a tamale from the stand near the middle.

11:00 AM

walnut-avenue-cafe

Brunch without the two-hour wait. Get there at 11 when the first rush clears. The huevos rancheros are the sleeper hit on the menu.

Or try: harbor-cafe

1:00 PM

west-cliff-drive

A post-brunch stroll along the cliffs. Sunday afternoon West Cliff is peak Santa Cruz people-watching — surfers, dogs, families, the occasional unicyclist.

3:30 PM

sante-adairius

If you're up for the short drive to Capitola, SARA is making some of the best beer in California. Not an exaggeration. The saisons are world-class.

Or try: humble-sea