Chapter 1 : UCSC Postdocs Association
USPA Information: Who are we, and how do you join?
The mission of the USPA is to foster a community of postdoctoral scholars at the University of California Santa Cruz that advocates for the wholistic support of postdoc professionals and personal development goals during this pivotal and diverse career stage. We aim to provide professional skill-building opportunities relevant to careers both in and out of academia, advocate for resources to address challenges that postdoctoral scholars face, and create an inclusive social sphere where postdoctoral scholars can move beyond their individual groups and departments to belong to a broader community of peers living and working in the UC system and its affiliates.
The 2022-2023 USPA board has identified community, advocacy, professional development, and creating a more permanent place at UCSC as core values for the current year and as a foundation to build on for the future.
To see how we plan to address those goals, you can find our charter linked here.
Meet your current USPA board members: About Us
As a postdoc at UCSC, you’re automatically part of USPA! You don’t need to take any action to join, but if you’d like to stay updated on our upcoming socials and workshops, keep current on the news impacting postdocs, and get to know your peers, we’d like to invite you to join our email list serve and slack channel!
USPA Information: When are our events?
Besides our advocacy and postdoc visibility roles, we aim to provide two opportunities per month to interact with other postdocs in both social and professional capacities. Come hang with us at a picnic, hike, or beach party, or brush up on new skills at one of our networking events or workshops!
Find out where the coolest people on campus are going to be:
https://uspa.ucsc.edu/events/
https://uspa.ucsc.edu/posts/
Caption: Postdocs toast the beginning of the fall quarter at the 2023 USPA Welcome Picnic!
Chapter 2 : Your First Few Weeks
Congratulations! You’ve made it to UCSC and (maybe) moved to Santa Cruz! What now?
Your First Few Weeks: On-Campus Needs
Useful Contacts While You’re Onboarding
You’ll most likely receive information about the onboarding process and documents to sign from your department’s Academic Human Resources Analyst. They are really useful if you have specific questions about onboarding. If they don’t know, they can direct you to the right person to contact.
- For the Sciences you can find the current HR Resources analyst here under “Academic Personnel”
- For the Humanities you can find the current HR Resources analyst here
Another useful point of contact is your department’s Academic Timekeeper if you have questions about submitting your timesheet.
- All department Academic Timekeepers are listed here.
Important! All of your payroll, tax, and health benefits information is processed through the UCPath system. UCPath is used for all UC employees (for all UC campuses).
Enrolling in Benefits
- It can take 5-7 business days from the date of your hire before you are able to access UCPath
- Make sure to login as soon as possible to set up your account in order to sign up for direct deposit and enroll in health benefits
- If you have questions about how to enroll or make changes in UCPath you can call 855-982-7284 or via email at ucpath@univeristyofcalifornia.edu
Important! Your Period of Initial Eligibility (PIE) is 31 days from your initial appointment start date. You must enroll within this 31 day period to receive benefits under the Postdoctoral Scholar Benefits Plan (PSBP). If the 31st day falls on a weekend or holiday, your PIE will end the following work day.
About Your Benefits
The PSBP has multiple options for medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as options for short/long term disability and flexible spending accounts. The website can be found here. Details about all the benefits available to you, including costs, can be found here, such as:
- Family Member Eligibility
- You can also enroll family members in your PSBP benefits if they fall into one of the following categories:
- Spouse
- Biological or adopted child, step-child, grandchild, step-grandchild up to age 26 (unless eligible to continue coverage due to disability status), or legal ward up to age 18
- Domestic partner, as long as the domestic partnership is registered with a governmental agency—OR—If the domestic partnership is unregistered, it meets the University of California’s definition of a domestic partnership. Visit for more information on these criteria.
- You can also enroll family members in your PSBP benefits if they fall into one of the following categories:
- You can choose between an HMO or PPO for your medical coverage and a DHMO or POS for your dental coverage. There are a few key differences between HMO and DHMO plans versus PPO and POS plans. Ultimately you should choose a plan that you feel works best for you!
- HMO/DHMO plans
- are less expensive but require you to select a primary care physician and primary care dentist. However, you will have the option to change your primary care physician up to once a month.
- Only offer in-network benefits (except in cases of emergency)
- You will need to receive a referral from your primary care physician or dentist to see a specialist for care.
- Generally, this plan is good if you have a doctor or dentist in mind and/or want to save money.
- PPO/POS plans
- Are more expensive but offer more flexibility when seeking health or dental services
- Instead of choosing a primary care physician or dentist you can choose from a list of in-network providers
- You’ll also have the option to go to out-of-network providers, however services provided out-of-network will cost more than if they were in-network.
- You do not need a referral to seek care from a specialist
- Generally this plan is good if you want more flexibility in the doctors and care you can receive and don’t mind paying a little more.
- Are more expensive but offer more flexibility when seeking health or dental services
- HMO/DHMO plans
Contacts
Customer service and enrollment for the Postdoctoral Scholar Benefits Plan is administered through the insurance broker Gallagher Benefits Services (GBS)
If you have specific questions about the plans available, benefits, enrollment procedures, claims, etc. you can contact GBS at 1-800-254-1758 or via email at UniversityServices.GBS.psbp@ajg.com
Other Resources
You can attend a benefits workshop if you’d like to learn more about the plans available to you and/or have questions about your benefits
- UCSC Benefits Workshops
- UCPath Benefits Webinars
How to enroll
- You should be able to enroll in benefits through UCPath at ucpath.universityofcalifornia.edu
- Alternatively you can enroll by completing the Benefits Enrollment Form
- Detailed Instructions to Submit your Benefits Enrollment Form
Special Cases. You will also have the option to enroll newly eligible family members or change your medical and dental plane types if you experience one of the qualifying events
- Marriage
- Domestic partnership
- Family member(s) arrival in the U.S.
- Birth
- Adoption
Finding a Provider
Instructions on how to find in-network providers based on your plan can be found here.
Complete Online Training Required by Your Department
You will be required to complete online trainings related to ethical values and conduct, cybersecurity awareness, and preventing harassment and discrimination. Shortly after you’ve been onboarded, you will get an email to access these trainings through the UC Learning Center.
- You login with your CruzID Gold.
- Once logged into the UC Learning Center Website, click on the “Required Training.”
- You will see a list of trainings assigned to you, and you can click on them to start the training module.
If you’ll be working in a laboratory or in other UC facilities that contain additional hazards (bloodborne pathogens, radioactive material, etc.) you will be required to take additional safety trainings. Your supervisor or lab manager will assign extra safety training or will direct you to which training courses to take. These trainings are administered through the UC Learning Center, which you can access using your CruzID Gold.
- If you don’t see a training module you need to take under “Required Training,” you can search for it by clicking on the button labeled “Find a Course.”
- Enter the name of the course in the search bar in the upper right corner and press enter. (For example, “Bloodborne pathogens”)
- A list of related courses come up. Locate the course you need and click on it. You should then see a description of the course and a “Start” button to begin the course.
You will also need CruzFly and CruzBuy to travel and purchase equipment. Both require you to join a training session before being able to use them, so plan enough time in advance.
Institutional Review Boards in Cayuse
If you conduct research with or about living-beings (humans and animals) that may have potential to harm, stress or the alike, you will need to request ethical approval before running your study. The process can take several weeks, up to months until you get everything accepted. You can create and submit your applications via cayuse.
Lesson Learned: Software Licenses!
Sometimes you will need third party software for your research. UCSC provides a certain set of licenses, so check those out. If you need something else additionally, create an IT ticket and mention that you will be using the software as recommended by IT in your IRB.
Getting Your Staff ID
Your Employee ID card officially identifies you as a UCSC employee. Some of the services where you can use your Employee ID card for include: Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS); library services; and Office of Physical Education, Recreation and Sports (OPERS). You may also need an ID card to access certain buildings and rooms that use electronic locks.
How to get an employee ID card:
- ID card services can be found at the library with specific instructions found here.
- Note you will need the following
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- Your employee ID number (can be found by logging into UCPath )
- A photo of yourself submitted via email to idcards@ucsc.edu. Photo guidelines and submission information here
- A government issue ID to pick up your card (ex. Drivers license, passport, etc.)
- $25 - new ID cards cost $25
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- After you emailed your photo and employee ID number to idcards@ucsc.edu, you will receive an email when your ID card is ready for pickup. It may take a few days to process your ID card. Once you receive an email that your ID card is ready you can pick it up at the Bay Tree Bookstore located on campus at 500 Steinhart Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95064.
Getting Your Department Cards and Keys
You will be able to request keys for rooms and buildings on campus that you need access to for your work. Note you will need to first acquire a Staff ID card to access buildings with electronic locks.
Most requests for keys to buildings related to engineering and biological research can be made here using your CruzID Blue to login. Additional details about requesting keys can be found here, including when and where to pick up keys after submitting a request.
For access to buildings in the School of Humanities, you can request keys here.
Campus Directory
UCSC will create a publicly visible profile for you on its campus directory. Make sure to update your information and change your staff type to “Postdoc”. As soon as you have received your Cruzpasswords, you will be able to edit your personal page.
Nature and Natural Hazards
Trails
UCSC is beautifully embedded into the Redwoods and connected to multiple walking and mountain biking trails. You can easily go for a little walk during a break or after work. However, the forests goes deep and allows little to no cell phone reception. Make sure to stay on the official paths; people have gone lost in the woods.
Wildlife
There is a lot of wildlife around, mostly harmless, such as deer, turkeys, banana slugs, etc. They are part of UCSC, so accommodate them when driving on the roads or passing by them with other means of transportation. Some animals are also rather small and well-camouflaged, so be careful where you step when walking through the forest.
Natural Hazard
The Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay area have been struck by natural hazards, particularly heavy rains and floods as well as wildfires. Make sure to subscribe to Cruz Aware to receive warnings and timely alerts.
You First Few Weeks: Off-Campus Needs
Getting a Social Security Number
A Social Security Number (SSN) is required for everyone who works in the U.S. It is a unique nine digit identification number valid for life. It is issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to maintain a record of wages and to track individuals for tax purposes. All scholars employed in the U.S. are require to apply for a SSN. You do not technically need an SSN before you start work, but the IRS requires employers to report wages using a SSN for you to get paid and get reimpursed for purchases and travels.
Eligibility:
- Must be in the U.S. to apply. You must wait at least 10 calendar days before applying.
- You must wait at least 2 business days after the initial validation of your SEVIS record. A scholar advisor will validate your record after you have completed Scholar Orientation and submitted the necessary documents.
- J-1 scholars need an appointment letter
International Office
The UCSC International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will contact you to set up an orientation and check in. The ISSS can also help with questions about the application process.
Contact Information: Website | Phone 831-459-2858 | Email ischolar@ucsc.edu
After your orientation with ISSS, you can apply for a SSN at the Social Security Administration office.
What you will need:
- Completed SS-5 form
- Original foreign passport
- Most Recent I-94
- UCSC appointment letter
- Form DS-2019
There are multiple Social Security Offices in California. The Santa Cruz Social Security Administration Office is located at 169 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Be aware that acquiring a Social Security Number (SSN) can take up to 2 weeks after filling out an application at the Social Security Office.
Chapter 3: Getting Acclimated on Campus
Where do you work?
First things first: where are you? The easiest landmarks to use for navigating campus are the 10 Colleges, which are themed campus areas that correspond to undergraduate affiliations. The majority of postdocs work in buildings within or adjacent to one of the following locations: college nine, John R Lewis College, Crown College, Merrill College, Cowell College, or Science Hill, a non-residential area where most lab buildings are located. To use the interactive campus map you can go to here.
A walking map for UCSC Colleges and major buildings, walking timetable by TAPS. For more information on UCSC’s 10 Colleges, you can visit the housing office’ website.
What is your job title? Why does it matter?
Postdocs at UCSC may have a range of titles, but in order to ensure that you get on all of the postdoc mailing lists and are categorized as a postdoc for UC emails, you need to manually check and update your campus directory listing. You can do this by going to here.
Your “Title” needs to include the word “postdoctoral” spelled out completely and with no spaces! While we love to use the word postdoc for casual settings, people searching in the campus directories to disseminate postdoc resources will only find your listing if you include the full title!
You can also make yourself easier to find by journalists, other departments, and potential collaborators by including some info in your “Biography, Education and Training” section. This will allow potential collaborators to find your listing more easily!
Who do you work for?
Postdocs at UCSC work in a range of divisions. To find contacts and news about your division and department, visit this link!
Who are your HR staff?
Visit the below link and click on your department or college to learn who to contact regarding employee relations, leaves of absence, pay issues, timesheets, and other HR issues that may arise. Each department/college has different support staff members, so this directory makes it easy for you to find out who your contacts are!
Who is your dean?
As a postdoc, your main administrative contacts will be the Graduate Division leadership. Peter Biehl is our current Vice Provost & Dean of Graduate Studies. While you can reach your Deans using their UCSC email addresses, you can always reach the Vice Provost & Dean of Graduate Studies at the email address vpdgs@ucsc.edu. This email address will get you into contact with the Dean regardless of staffing or organizational changes, so even if the Dean changes you will still be put in touch with whoever is holding the position at the time of your email.
If you need to locate your division dean, you can use the following org chart:
Org Chart for UCSC Administration
Who is in the Graduate Division? Why do I need to know that as a postdoc?
As postdocs, we have support staff in the Graduate Division. Currently, our support staff consists of Peter Biehl, the Vice Provost and Dean for the Division of Graduate Studies, Don Smith, the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, and Sonya Newlyn, the Professional Development Coordinator for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars. USPA hosts joint events with the Graduate Division and we have a mutually beneficial relationship based on joint workshops and events, socials, providing postdoc perspective on campus issues, and holding quarterly meetings with administrators. You can see more details on our relationship with the Graduate Division in our charter.
Your grad div contact is Don Smith, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, Distinguished Professor: drsmith@ucsc.edu.
You can find additional resources for postdocs on Grad. Div.’s website.
USPA officers and Graduate Division administrators meet to celebrate successful Spring and Summer 2022 events!
Graduate Division and the UCSC Postdoc Association also cosponsor the Outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar Award, a new award which recognizes outstanding postdocs from UCSC every year! To access eligibility criteria and application materials, visit here.
National Postdocs Association (NPA):
Grad. div. sponsors a National Postdoctoral Association membership for ALL postdocs at UCSC! You can set up a log in to access lots of cool resources for postdoctoral scholars at NPA.
NPA provides conference presentation opportunities, access to online toolkits, and a National Postdoc Appreciation Week celebration that our UCSC Graduate Division participates in!
Chapter 6: Transportation
Acquiring a Campus Parking Permit
You can apply for a parking permit online or in person. To obtain a parking permit online you’ll first need to submit an application at TAPS or you can submit an application in person at the Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) office. Note you will need your employee ID number. Your employee ID number (can be found by logging into UCPath ). Once your application is complete you will pick up your permit from the TAPS office located at 111 Ox Team Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95064.
Postdoctoral scholars are considered staff, so you will be eligible for an A permit, which is valid in most parking lots on campus. However, there are a number of different permits available that vary in costs and where you can park https://taps.ucsc.edu/parking/parking-permits/permit-prices.html. Many postdoc positions qualify for payroll deduction to pay for their parking permit. This is a great way to save a little money on your parking permit if you will be commuting to campus frequently. You can contact TAPS to check if you qualify. You can also purchase a Santa Cruz Metro Bus Pass through UCSC for a discounted rate. Map of parking at UCSC, including the permit types that are valid for each lot. https://taps.ucsc.edu/pdf/parking-map.pdf
TAPS Contact:
- Website https://taps.ucsc.edu/index.html
- Phone 831-459-4543
- Email tapssales@ucsc.edu
Santa Cruz is a fairly metro-accessible city. The city metro has a program for employee discounts. To qualify, you must fill out the employee bus pass application. To pick up your pass once approved, you can go to the TAPS office on campus, present your ID and form of payment, and then pick up your metro pass. Getting your pass through the university instead of through the city can help ensure you get the employee discount and potentially save you money. For additional info, see here.
All local metro/bus services are operated by the Santa Cruz Metro Transit District (SCMTD). See the website for available routes. With the employee bus pass described above, you can ride all bus lines except the Hwy 17 line going to/from San Jose.
Biking around Santa Cruz for fun / local activities/errands
Santa Cruz is a relatively small town that is friendly to biking. For a sense of scale, it takes about 30-40 minutes to bike from Santa Cruz to Capitola. Between these areas, you’ll find most of what’s to offer in terms of restaurants, bars, local shops, grocery stores, gyms, beaches, parks, etc.
Bike lanes/routes
While you’re allowed to ride your bike on any road (yes, even the highway), it’s probably a good idea to use roads that have dedicated bike lines and/or have low car traffic.
Here is a good resource for finding safer bike routes.
This website also links to a Google Maps bike lane overlay, which has an accurate overview of bike-friendly roads*.
Lesson Learned: *Bike Lanes!
Even though some roads have bike lanes indicated on the map, they may still be quite busy with traffic due to their location, especially during commuting hours.
These include:
- Soquel Avenue / Soquel Drive
- Ocean Street
- Water Street
- Capitola Road
- 41st Street
Commuting to UCSC by bike
Going by bike to UCSC (main campus) is a great way to avoid traffic, parking, and/or waiting for the bus. The main UCSC campus is on a hill, a small additional challenge for bike commuting. Leaving campus, it’s an enjoyable downhill ride and you get a beautiful view of the Monterey Bay. UCSC offers bycylce e-bikes all across campus, including a discounted membership. Below a couple points of info/advice that will help you prepare.
Going uphill, the hard way: Biking from Santa Cruz downtown it’s about 800ft / 250m up going to the top of the main campus (Science Hill). This is a good workout and will wake you up in the morning.
Showers
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- Several buildings have showers, which are free to use. If you don’t know if the building you work in has one, it’s probably best to ask other workers in that building. Alternatively, there is a bike shower option at the sports center by the East Field.
- Known shower locations:
- Biomedical Sciences Building: Room 108 + Room 110
- Physical Sciences Building: Room ?
- Engineering 2, base floor next to bathrooms (need to get key from bldg management)
Going uphill, the easier ways: There are several alternatives for going up and still enjoy commuting back downhill by bike.
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- Via bus: Metro and Loop buses have a bike rack on the front that can carry 2-3 bikes, though they may fill up quickly during busy commuting hours.
- Via bike shuttle: This is a dedicated bus service for bike commuters that runs several times between 7.30am and 9.30am. It has a trailer that carries a dozen or two bikes. It leaves from Olive St (just off the Bay St / Mission St intersection).
- Via e-Bike: On an e-bike, the uphill will become a breeze, and this option also works well if you live a bit further away from campus. You should also be able to get a 15%-20% discount on e-bikes through UC (in the works with new UC postdoc contract). You can get a good offer of e-bikes on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace at much better prices compared to new.
Bike Safety
Be protected - wear a helmet and gloves at minimum (hands hit the ground first); also good idea to have knees and elbows covered; wear sturdy shoes (no flip-flops)
Be visible - use good bike lights in the dark and low visibility conditions; wear bright clothes; generate movement; move to the center of lane when approaching intersections to avoid being in drivers’ blind spots
Be aware - always assume drivers don’t see you; play it safe when on intersections, crossings, turns, e.g. don’t assume you’ll get right of way even if you should; be ready for the unexpected (people jaywalking, bikers going in the wrong direction, uneven road surface)
Bike sales/repairs/maintenance
Community driven - volunteers help you fix your own bike and teach you useful skills, using tools that are part of the shop, for a modest donation (a fraction of what you pay for professional service)
- Campus - UCSC Bike Coop
- Downtown - Bicycle Church (also sells used bikes)
Beyond this there are a number of commercial bike shops in Santa Cruz
- Bicycle Trip (East side, pricy but very professional and high service quality, also a good selection of apparel and rental options)
- Another Bike Shop (Westside, smaller, laid back)
- Spokesman Bicycles (Downtown, great central location, pricy, great selection of apparel, service quality varies but usually good)
- Santa Cruz / Scotts Valley Cycle Sport
- Epicenter Cycling (Westside, massive selection of apparel)
- Cycle Works
- Current eBikes (very professional - they can set up an appointment with you, but expensive)
- Santa Cruz Bicycles (Westside, mostly showroom and rental, legendary bikes)
- Specialized store (Downtown, mostly showroom, great for renting serious bikes)
Incentives / Reward programs / Bike events
- Love to Ride - Runs a monthly bike event twice a year with a chance to win prizes
- Cruz 511 - Keep track of your non-car commutes (bike, bus, work from home, carpool, walk, all count) and earn up to $100 per year in gift cards
- Slug Bike Life - Has regular events with free giveaways of helmets and bike lights
- Santa Cruz County - Local organization that advocates for improved bike infrastructure in Santa Cruz County, organizes bike events sometimes.
Airports
Santa Cruz is near two main airports, San Jose and San Francisco, as well as two smaller airports, Oakland and Monterey. It’s often worth price comparing between San Jose and San Francisco to see which can give you the best price for your destination!
To get to the San Jose airport without a car, you can take the highway 17 express from the Santa Cruz metro station. You can find information and schedules for this route here. The local wiki also has a list of potential other transit options here.
30 minute free parking lots (Cell Phone Lots) at San Jose and San Francisco Airports
When picking someone up from the local airports, there is short-term parking availability to wait. The parking is 5-10 min away from the terminals, so the person arriving can give you a call when they’re ready for pickup. This will save you looping around and/or parking costs.
- SJC: It’s right off the road going towards the airport
- SFO: It’s at a staging area a bit beyond the main airport area
Getting to Nearby areas:
UCSC offers both carpooling and vanpooling resources. If you want to rent a car for a few hours, Zipcar or TURO are options. There are pickup and drop-off spots on campus and downtown:
Chapter 7: Living in Santa Cruz: Necessities
Post office locations
The main SC post office is at 850 Front St (downtown)
USPS lists the following additional locations:
East Santa Cruz
1146 Soquel Ave
Soquel
4768 Soquel Dr, Soquel
Scotts Valley
241 Kings Village Rd, Scotts Valley
Capitola
826 Bay Ave, Capitola
Felton (2 locations)
41 Conference Dr, Mt Hermon
6101 Gushee St, Felton
Banks and Applying for Bank Accounts
Applying for a bank account can be different depending on the bank! Some banks require an SSN for opening an account with them, while others don't (Chase and Wells Fargo have not needed an SSN in the past). Ensure you have the following documents: Offer letter, Visa, Passport, and (potentially) DS2019. Typically, you’ll need to make an appointment to meet with a banker, who will then guide you through the different account types. Postdocs opening accounts in the past have advised that the simplest option is to open a Checking Account. To do this, you will probably need to carry some cash ($25-$200) to make an initial deposit to activate the account.
This information came from Postdocs who have recently completed the process, but be aware that your bank may have different policies regarding monthly charges, minimum balance required to waive the monthly charge, ATM withdrawal charges, online transactions and limits via Zelle/Paypal/Venmo, and wire transfer transactions.
Most banks require a certain period of account activity before you can apply for their credit card. Current postdocs recommend first looking at other options like Discover cards so that you can start building credit scores and retain bonuses. Credit Scores are only available after a minimum of 6 months of using a CC.
Our international postdocs have found that sending money internationally is better with 3rd party providers since banks will have a relatively high charge for the wire transfers. Wise, Remitly, Western Union, etc., are good options.
Finally, keep your account statements! Bank statements can serve as address proof.
Grocery stores and food co-op locations
A crowd-sourced list of grocery stores, convenience marts, and markets can be found here.
Some of the major chain grocers in Santa Cruz include Grocery Outlet, Safeway, Whole Foods, Target, and Trader Joes. Trader Joes and Grocery Outlet tend to be among the more affordable options, and many postdocs shop at these locations!
Food bank information:
LGBTQ+ centers and resources
On campus
- On campus queer resources can be found at the Lionel Cantú Queer Center
- You can sign up for weekly newsletters here.
Off campus
- Santa Cruz Diversity Center
- Santa Cruz Pride
- Queer Santa Cruz, by the Museum of Art and History
City and County information, resources
What types of infrastructure, resources, activities, and services are offered through the city and county? You find out more at Santa Cruz services, the library or the city’s event calendar.
Family Services
For crowd sourced family resources, Santa Cruz has a webpage compiling information.
Chapter 8: Living in Santa Cruz: Fun Stuff!
Santa Cruz has a variety of local coffee shops to explore! For an on-campus pick-me-up, visit Perk (EMS and PbSci buildings) or Iveta.
Mariposa Cafe: Cuban and Vietnamese coffee and treats - this cafe has chill Miami vibes and delicious pastries, food, and coffee. Pulling Cuban-style espresso drinks and Vietnamese-style drip beverages, this cafe is a special oasis in the bustle of downtown. Try the Cafecito for a hot favorite or the mint drip for an iced treat! Mariposa also spins DJ sets on the weekends and does late night service after shows at the Catalyst (the music venue across the street). If you’re looking for a community focused space to meet new friends and try something different, this is the place!
Verve: For the traditional Bay Area coffeeshop vibe, Verve has a slick aesthetic and a menu aligned with the third-wave coffee shop feel. Verve is roasted locally and has locations all over Santa Cruz county! They’re a local favorite workspace and you can pick up a bag to take home while you’re there.
11th Hour: Filled with plants and boasting a sunny patio, this is a favorite workspace amongst Santa Cruz grad students and postdocs. 11th Hour also hosts a late night bar service and works closely with local artist collectives to curate community events. 11th hour has a traditional menu but features seasonal specials that change monthly! For a space to work or a place to explore local art and Santa Cruz vibes, 11th Hour is the place to go!
Shrine: Perched at the top of West Cliff and nestled into the annex of a local Cathedral, Shrine is a unique coffee shop whose interior is retrofit by reclaimed wood from trees that fell in local forests. The beautiful wood surroundings feature a fireplace, holiday specials, and a selection of drinks made with Cat and Cloud roasts. For cozy vibes, sit inside by the fire with a warm book or a pile of grading. For breathtaking views, get a table outdoors - it borders a blooming rose garden in the spring and the views of the bay all year round!
Hidden Peak Teahouse: Hidden Peak Teahouse has an amazing selection of specialty teas for those who prefer tea to coffee! Check them out for some rare teas and a calming atmosphere!
Woodhouse Blending and Brewing: Conveniently located near Highway 1 at 119 Madrone St, this brewery offers a wide variety of beers to try and serves great Brazilian food. It is also a short walk from the Gateway Plaza shopping center, so there is plenty of parking nearby if the brewery parking fills up. There is plenty of outside seating, making it a great hangout spot for large or small groups.
Humble Sea Brewing Co.: This brewery is located closer to the shore at 820 Swift St. They have a good selection of beers and is definitely worth checking out if you like IPAs. They have a limited food menu, but there are places within walking distance where you can find food, too. There are also a number of other breweries and wineries within walking distance, including Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing and West End Tap and Kitchen. Parking usually isn't a problem; there are a few parking lots nearby and plenty of street parking.
Santa Cruz is hailed as an art town, and it delivers. Check out local message boards for current events (especially bus stops on campus). Here are just a few cherries we picked for you.
Downtown - The Catalyst and Kuumbwa Jazz Center are the fan favorites here. The former caters mainly to younger audiences (but not just), and the latter to the more discerning, mature crowd. Can't go wrong with either.
Indexical - experimental music venue based in the Tannery Arts Center with a very welcoming community. All manner of performances ranging from ethnic music to one-of-a-kind craziness. Ever seen an artist playing an electronic instrument welded together out of trash? Well, here you can.
Liminal Space - a grassroots collective, by artists for artists but also everyone else. Music, painting, electronic visuals, experimental sculpture, interpretative dance, jugglers, and more. At the time of writing (2023), I was still without a home base, ever transient and in flux. If you want to find out what Burning Man might be like without actually going there, this is a great entry point.
Santa Cruz has incredible hiking opportunities all around the year. The entirety of the Santa Cruz mountains stretching towards San Francisco is full of parks that will take you years to check all out. Here's a quick overview of the local options.
The local life is very friendly and consists mostly of hippies and banana slugs. The only real threat is the big cats living in the woods (cougars? lynx? bobcats? who knows), but encounters with them are extremely rare. Also be on the lookout for poison oak and ticks, especially in the Spring months and after rains.
Pogonip - cozy trails nested in the redwood forest right next to campus. Avoid U-Con and Emma McCrary if possible, as these are mainly biker territory. Be sure to check out Coi Pond and Rock Garden!
Wilder Ranch - get lost for hours in sprawling meadows with gorgeous views of the entire Monterey bay. Ridge trail and Enchanted forest are the must-see highlights. And, of course, the coastal bluffs trail and the many little beaches and caves hidden therein.
Henry Cowell - start at the parking lot and climb all the way to the top where a 360 lookout deck provides sightseeing and birdwatching opportunities. Bring binoculars and a zoom lens! Forage for mushrooms on the way down and end the hike with a refreshing dip in the San Lorenzo River (look under the old railway bridge).
Fall Creek - sitting right above Felton, is a small valley that never dries up. Allegedly one of the most diverse biomes in the area, it is never too hot, even in Summer. Look for a wealth of mushrooms after rains and a memorial tree stump off the beaten path.
More hiking resources can be found at local bookshops! Check out Secret Staircases of Santa Cruz or The Sidewalk Companion to Santa Cruz Architecture for some fun local secrets. Plus, a trip to a local book shop like Two Birds Books or Bookshop Santa Cruz for your local nature guides is another way to get plugged in to the Santa Cruz community!
Biking (alongside surfing, read below) is what Santa Cruz is known for worldwide. Institution-wise, the most important point of contact is the SCMTS - Santa Cruz Mountain Trail Stewardship (formerly MBOSC - Mountain Bikers Of Santa Cruz). Even though these folks pick terrible acronyms, they have been doing a tremendous job for over 20 years in building and maintaining trails for MTB, gravel bikes, and even hikers and equestrians. Be sure to support them with a donation or even a membership; your money goes directly to the local community.
A nice overview of local trails is available here. This is only a subset of trails - many more exist, from fully maintained trails to illegal bootlegged ones, and we leave it up to you do discover Santa Cruz’s treasure of secret spots. Here’s a quick sampling of the main riding locations.
Pogonip and Upper campus - natural preserve adjacent to the campus, mostly to the East and Northeast. The Emma McCrary and U-Con trails are the highlights - moderate difficulty with some steep sections, technically single trails, but traffic goes both ways (be sure to shout or ring into blind corners). Suitable for MTB and gravel bikes as well as hiking. Naturally connects to Wilder Ranch (see below) by taking Chinquapin Road past Painted Barrels and up to the Twin Gates, crossing the Empire Grade road.
Wilder Ranch is a beautiful state park north and west of campus that goes all the way down to the shore. Easy trails mainly on the coast, like the Bluff trail can be done even on a road bike (enjoy the fractally winding cliffs and seals), through moderate difficulty tails like Engelsman and Long Meadow (gorgeous views and lots of sunshine) to advanced technical trails like Enchanted Loop and Mailbox hidden in the redwoods (the latter being illegal for bikes but everybody rides it). If you start at Twin Gates (North of campus along Empire Grade), you’re looking at 1+ hour of descending and end up at the coast - an unforgettable experience.
DeLaveaga Park - a smaller natural preserve North of downtown, with narrow winding and quiet technical trails that bring you to The Top of The World, arguably the coolest lookout point in the area. Or just cruise along the golf course for an easy ride.
Nisene Marks - a large state park North of Capitola. Lots of trails for hours of MTB or gravel riding as well as hiking. Ride in the basin for some easy fun, or take the fire road up to Sand Point overlook and then a technical single trail all the way down to Land of Medicine Buddha near Soquel. Naturally, it connects to the Demo forest.
Soquel Demonstration (Demo) forest - home to a legendary flow trail built entirely out of the dirt. Be sure to be in good shape for this one, as it’s accessible only through a network of steep fire roads. Beside the flow trail, there are two downhill black diamond trails. Get there by reaching a parking lot on Summit Road (~45 minutes driving from SC), or - if you have legs of steel - by climbing the Nisene Marks fire road from Capitola. For the latter you’re looking at a 60+ mile round trip entirely in terrain, so be ready and pack extra water/food.
Pure road - there’s plenty of road riding to be had as well. For an easier ride, the East Cliff drive to Coastal Trail and Wilder Ranch is really nice and almost flat. The Branciforte Drive to Soquel San Jose Road via Laurel Glen Road is a great moderate option with generally low traffic. Going up in the distance, Hwy 1 is rideable all the way to SF, with cool detours such as the Bonny Doon Road and the Swanton Road further up. Or you can go hardcore and ride all the way to Castle Rock via Zayante Road or even the Pacific trail all the way to Big Sur (with a sleepover in the local walk-in bike camp).
If you’re hoping to catch a wave yourself, you can find the local surf report. Beginners can grab a lesson at Club Ed, Surf School Santa Cruz, Richard Schmidt Surf School, or Capitola Beach Company.
For more experienced surfers, check out this list of the best surf spots in the city!
If surfing isn’t your jam but you still want to be in the water, check out the vibrant local scuba diving scene in Monterey!
Religious and Spiritual local organizations
The Chamber of Commerce has compiled a list of spiritual and religious organizations in Santa Cruz County.
Volunteering locally
The city of Santa Cruz lists volunteer organizations online. In addition, our city also has a volunteer center where you can find programs and events to participate in!