Run Local HQ #1

We tapped Run Local Founder, J.T. Service to give us his rundown of favorite Santa Cruz spots…

Waking up in Santa Cruz means feeling the crisp temperatures of a seaside town. You’re going to need a cup of coffee and these seaside towns do not disappoint. Skip the corporate chains and hit up the local spots. Verve Coffee is a can’t miss and Cat & Cloud is strangely named standout. Both have multiple locations. 

Then it’s time to run. Don’t leave Santa Cruz without running in the Redwoods. Located in the little hamlet of Aptos, our number one is Nicene Marks. Great for a run or a hike or a mountain bike adventure. If you’re closer to the west side of Santa Cruz then you’re exploring Pogonip above UC Santa Cruz or going deep into Henry Cowell State Park. Seriously if you miss this we’re not friends anymore. 

After the run it’s time for brunch. A couple of options here, but you might as well go to Harbor Cafe on 7th Ave. Fresh squeezed greyhounds and big ass bloody mary’s while you wait for a sunshine table. Oh, they also have food and it’s bomb. Harbor Cafe (and pretty much everywhere else in Santa Cruz) is very dog friendly. 

After lunch we hit the beach. There are some great beginner surf spots including Capitola jetty, Jack’s at Pleasure Point (named after the late/great founder of the wetsuit Jack O’Neill), or if you’re on the West Side then go to Cowell’s. 

Night time means food and beer. Santa Cruz is crushing the craft brewery game. The first stop is Beer Thirty in Soquel, CA. 30 Beers on tap, great outdoor ambiance, and good people watching. Bring your own food or have it delivered. Then you can’t miss Sante Adarius. Sante was recently named the 9th best brewery in the FREAKING WORLD. Yes, the world. Two locations to serve you, but if you go to Portal location then ask for brewer Jay Thompsen and ask him what his marathon PR is. Then after you pick your jaw up off the floor ask for whatever he’s drinking. Other beer spots include Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing and Discretion, Humble Sea.