10 Best Things To Do At Night In Santa Cruz California
Located on the northern shore of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is a vibrant city in Santa Cruz County, California. It experiences a warm summer and Mediterranean climate, thus having favorable weather throughout the year.
Its proximity to Monterey Bay results in fog and low cloud cover during night and morning, especially in the summer.
Its economy depends on agriculture (the center of the organic agriculture movement), tourism, education, and high technology.
Some tourist attractions include the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Redwood Forest, and Monterey Bay.
The city also offers cheap hotels and beach rentals for tourists to stay in. What better time than to explore a place and experience an unforgettable night out with the stars and the shining moon? Read on to learn more about things to do at night in Santa Cruz, California.
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Take your kids to EXIT Santa Cruz Theme Park
Enjoy playing fun, challenging, and interactive games with your kids in the Escape Room of Exit Santa Cruz.
Working as a team, you will have one hour to find clues, solve puzzles, and escape. Have fun solving a murder mystery, evading a mad scientist, or stealing jewels. In a fun environment, you can also participate in a brush-up painting party with a local artist.
This theme park is a perfect place for fun activities with the family. Fun activities also sharpen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Exit Santa Cruz
- Address: 816 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Website: Exit Santa Cruz
- Opening hours: Monday-Friday 6 PM-10 PM, Saturday-Sunday 10 AM-10 PM
- Price: USD 10
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Party with friends at The Catalyst
We all love to unwind at a good party. Catalyst is known for its mix of well-known musical acts with bands, DJs, and a full bar.
It has a more intimate small room and the main floor that can seat approximately 800 people. Sing and dance with your friends while listening to your favorite music. Attached is a restaurant serving great pizza, wings, and sodas.
This is a great place to chat with different customers and have fun with your friends, which varies depending on who is performing at the nightclub.
- Catalyst
- Address: 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Website: Catalyst
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 5 pm to 2 am
- Price: 11-30 USD
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Enjoy seasonal flavored ice cream at Penny’s Ice Creamery
Indulge in your sweet tooth at The Penny Ice Creamery. They make their ice cream from scratch, using locally farmed and organic ingredients such as 100% organic dairy, unrefined cane sugar, and egg yolks.
Enjoy delicious ice cream with flavors that change with the seasons. The ice cream has been described as worth every penny and is a must-try in Santa Cruz.
- Penny’s Ice Creamery
- Address: 913 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Website: The Penny Ice Creamery
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 12 noon to 11 pm
- Price: USD 5
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Play a Round of Golf at the Neptune Kingdom
Enjoy playing miniature golf at Neptune’s Kingdom Miniature Golf Course. Set in Buccaneer Bay, you’ll have to be wary of pirates while playing on a two-story 18-hole miniature golf course with three new black light holes. A fun way to spend your night that is both entertaining and physical activity.
- Neptune’s Kingdom
- Address: 400 W Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Website: Neptune Kingdom
- Opening hours: Monday-Friday 11 am-11 pm, Saturday 10 am-11 pm, Sunday 10 am-10 pm
- Price: USD 7
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Have a drink at The Poet and the Patriot Irish Pub
Visit this cash-only pub and enjoy a good selection of local beers, ciders, and some Irish pub beers. The atmosphere is relaxed with a mostly working-class crowd.
It has karaoke, live performances on certain days, dart boards where you can enjoy playing darts, and a separate area to play pool. Enjoy a cool night at this place.
- Poet and Patriot Irish Pub
- Address: 320 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 1 pm to 2 am
- Price: USD 10
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Build a community through tea at Hidden Peak Teahouse
Hidden Peak Teahouse offers a unique tea-drinking experience. The ambient lighting and interior decor with various antiques provide a serene environment to relax in, with old vinyl music playing in the background.
Enjoy a variety of traditional tea made from the finest quality raw materials, served in different serving styles such as Gung Fu Service, Gaiwan, or using a filter with a teapot.
Interact with others through sharing and talking or picking up a game or book from the shelves to entertain yourself. What a cool and unique way to spend your night!
- Hidden Peak Teahouse
- Address: 1541 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Opening hours: Monday-Thursday, Sunday 11 am-9 pm, Friday-Saturday 11 am-9.30 pm
- Price: 11-30 USD
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Enjoy a Movie at the Landmark’s Nickelodeon Theater
Watch a movie at the Landmark’s Nickelodeon Theater. Admire retro decor in the interior of the small and intimate theater.
It also features indie and foreign films and new releases shown on four screens. Get artisanal snacks from the small snack bar that serves a variety of titbits. A movie is always a great and entertaining way to enjoy quality time.
- Landmark’s Nickelodeon Theater
- Address: 210 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Opening hours: Monday-Friday 2 PM-9.30 PM, Saturday-Sunday 12 PM-9.30 PM
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Savor Italian cuisine at Lillian’s Italian Restaurant
Dine at Lillian’s Italian Restaurant to enjoy delicious Sicilian cuisine with creative additions infused with Italian influences and drink from a selection of regional wines.
The Restaurant is elegantly decorated and offers a classy dining experience to its patrons. Treat yourself to a wonderful dinner that will satisfy you and is undoubtedly a worthy way to spend your money and time.
- Lillian’s Italian Restaurant
- Address: 1148 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
- Website: Lillian’s Italian Restaurant
- Opening hours: Tuesday-Thursday, Sunday 4 PM-9 PM, Friday-Saturday 4 PM-10 PM
- Price: 11-30 USD
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Take a Walk Down the Santa Cruz Wharf
Visit this jetty located between Main Beach and Cowles Beach.
Enjoy a walk down the pier, which features restaurants serving foods such as fish and fresh seafood, activities such as fishing and boating, sightseeing for wildlife such as dolphins, otters, and sea lions, and shopping from various gift shops.
Breathe in the fresh air while enjoying the spectacular views of the sky, water, and surroundings.
- Santa Cruz Ferries
- Address: 21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Website: Santa Cruz Ferries
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 5 am to 2 pm
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See a mix of live acts at Moe’s Alley
Want to listen to loud music in a place with a good sound system? Moe’s Alley is the place! From blues to salsa and rumba to reggae, this music hall offers a variety for everyone to enjoy.
It features a spacious music hall, concerts by local and touring bands, a dance floor, a full bar, friendly staff, and an outdoor patio for fresh air. Enjoy a night out at this place and create unforgettable memories.
- Moe’s Alley
- Address: 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Website: Moe’s Alley
- Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 4 pm to 2 am
- Price: 11-30 USD
Experience an amazing nightlife
A city with a vibrant nightlife puts its visitors at ease, knowing there are many places they can visit when they don’t feel like going to bed early.
Santa Cruz offers venues that range from concerts to restaurants with fine dining and clubs. Plan a trip here and enjoy some of these things to do in Santa Cruz, California, at night.
During the day, check out some of the cafes and surf spots.
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