Santa Cruz Weekend Guide: Things to Do August 21–23, 2026
Summerween, live music, farmers markets, flowers, Shakespeare in the redwoods and a triathlon by the sea. Here’s what’s worth doing in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos and Watsonville this weekend, August 21–23.
Things to Do in Santa Cruz This Weekend | August 14–16, 2026
Summer is showing off in Santa Cruz. From strawberries at the UCSC Farm and art and wine under the redwoods to live music, local makers and a Sunday ride on the Giant Dipper, here’s what’s worth leaving the house for this weekend.
Your Perfect Santa Cruz Weekend: Strawberry Festivals, Farmers Markets & Coastal Magic (August 1–2)
Summer is showing off this weekend. From strawberry-filled streets in Watsonville to slow mornings at the Aptos Farmers Market, Shakespeare beneath the redwoods, and sunset along the coast, here's your curated guide to the best things happening around Santa Cruz, Capitola, and Aptos. Slow down, wander a little, and let the weekend surprise you.
Alley Oop: Santa Cruz's Best Kept Secret
Some places announce themselves. Alley Oop doesn't. Hidden in downtown Santa Cruz, this moody speakeasy serves cocktails, caviar, and enough intrigue to make an ordinary night feel like a scene from another era. I went for a drink and left feeling like I'd discovered a secret.
My New Local Loves in Santa Cruz
Discover my favorite local spots in Santa Cruz, from cozy coffee shops and charming bakeries to beachside boutiques, farmers markets, and breathtaking sunset views. After moving from San Francisco, these are the places that have already become part of my everyday rhythm — plus a look at what I still miss from the city and what I’m more than happy to leave behind.
The Things I Hope I Never Get Used To
A love letter to the ordinary moments I hope never become background noise, from Pacific sunsets and cold ocean water to fresh coffee, live music, new books, and the kind of kiss that briefly quiets the world.
In-Shape vs. Santa Cruz Athletic Club: A Very Unscientific Comparison
The pool almost kept me. The red light therapy bed sealed the deal. After months at In-Shape Capitola, I'm making the move to Santa Cruz Athletic Club, and the reasons have less to do with fitness than you might think.
The Art of Being Hard to Impress and Easy to Delight
The older I get, the less interested I am in being impressed. Fancy things fade. Status loses its sparkle. Yet somehow, I've become easier to delight. A perfect peach, a great song, a dog racing down the beach. Maybe wisdom isn't becoming cynical. Maybe it's learning to find wonder in the things that were beautiful all along. ✨🌊🍑
A Delicious Weekend in Santa Cruz
A Delicious Weekend in Santa Cruz | June 19-21
The Ocean Doesn't Chase Waves
Living beside the ocean has taught me many things, but perhaps the most important is this: nothing meant for you needs to be pursued to exhaustion. The sea doesn't run after waves, and these days, neither do I. I've become far more interested in consistency than potential, and far more interested in what is than what could be.
Living at Full Throttle
An evening of dirt bikes, custom builds, and people who refuse to sleepwalk through life. Sometimes living deliciously isn't about slowing down. Sometimes it's about going full throttle. 🏍️✨
This Weekend in Santa Cruz & Capitola - 1/9/26 - 1/11/26
Discover what’s happening this weekend in Santa Cruz and Capitola, from local events and art to cozy cafés, coastal walks, and slow winter wandering by the sea.