About Santa Cruz
Situated on the northern coast of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is known for its beaches, sunny weather, and surfing culture. Besides those things though, Santa Cruz has loads of nature, hiking trails, and outdoor parks. Not to mention, it is situated right next to the Redwood Forest. This makes it a great place to plan any sort of event, even outdoors.
With boardwalks to explore and whale watching at places like Old Cove Landing Trail, the variety of things to do here is endless. Not to mention, the weather is warm most of the year. But the summers in Santa Cruz, like much of California, can be quite hot. It’s important to find ways to beat the heat if your gathering is outside.
Looking for your next Santa Cruz event space? It’s just a few steps away.
Event Options in Santa Cruz
Putting on any type of event takes a lot of preparation and hard work. If you’ve never been one to plan an event before or you just want to make things easier on yourself, then it’s important to figure out the services you’ll need to make it successful
- Event Planner
One of the things about putting together an event is that it takes a lot of planning. If you don’t want to handle all of it alone, or you could just use a little bit of help with some of the finer details, it’s a good idea to bring in the expertise of a professional event planner. No matter what level of services you need, they can accommodate you and help you prepare for a stellar event.
- Catering
Whether it’s a graduation celebration or brainstorming corporate meeting, guests still get hungry and want good food. While you could try to whip something up that everyone will love yourself, preparing that much food and keeping everyone’s individual tastes and needs in mind is a tricky endeavor. Hiring a professional caterer will make that part of the event much less stressful and guarantee that everyone will have delicious and tasty food they will enjoy.
- Photography
Capturing the moment is another major part of every event. Whether you’re hosting an award ceremony, a press conference, a retirement celebration or a company luncheon, there are going to be moments that you want to capture and save for posterity. Doing this yourself is difficult and relying on everyone with a phone may be fun, but it isn't likely to get you the shots you want. Instead, hiring a professional photographer is the best way to get great results and capture some amazing memories of your event.
Event Companies in Santa Cruz
When the day of your special occasion is here, you’ll want to make sure everything is perfect. Call in local pros to organize your Santa Cruz event space exactly to your specifications.
- Karissa Paxton Events
When you’re putting together an event, you want to make sure that whoever is helping you has the know-how and the vision to make your event the best it can be. That’s where Karissa Paxton Events comes in. With over 20 years of experience in the event planning business, and the ability to not only help coordinate all the event details but to help design the event itself, she’ll get the job done.
- Santa Cruz Catering Company
A great event should also include great food. If your event space doesn’t provide the food itself, then you might want to seek out the professional services of a caterer. Santa Cruz Catering company provides a wide array of options from boxed meals to full-service catering for any type of occasion. They can cover everything from a full breakfast to pre-dinner appetizers to a sit-down spread.
- Devi Pride Photography
Capturing the moment takes more than a camera, it takes a special eye for finding just the right shot. If you want memories of your event, then a great photographer is who you want doing the job. Devi Pride Photography handles all types of events and styles, and she has a keen eye for catching the moments that matter. She’s been voted Best Portrait Photographer in Santa Cruz by Good Times several years in a row.
Pros and Cons of Events in Santa Cruz
Being a beachside city with a ton of things to explore and great weather most of the year makes Santa Cruz an amazing place to live. With all its benefits though, there are some downsides to a Santa Cruz event space as well.
Advantages
- Great weather
Being on the coast of California, Santa Cruz has some of the best weather in the country. With roughly 250 days of sunshine, it’s almost always a great day to be outside in Santa Cruz. While it can get hot, it’s always nice and sunny.
- Outdoor activities
Whether it’s beaches, bike trails, parks, or hiking, you’ll find every type of outdoor space and activity you can imagine in Santa Cruz. This makes getting active before or after your big event a breeze and plus there’s options for every activity level.
- Lots of amenities
If you’re looking for food, tourism, places to party or just a quiet walk along the beach, you’ll find it easily in Santa Cruz. It might seem like just a surfer’s paradise, but Santa Cruz has amenities and options for just about any sort of get-together.
Disadvantages
- Cost of living
Like many major cities, the cost of living in Santa Cruz is higher than the national average. This may make paying for your event a bit more expensive. It’s a good idea to take this into account when putting together your budget for the event.
- Crime rate
We all want to feel safe whenever we go out to an event. Santa Cruz has a higher than average crime rate. It’s worth finding an event space that is secure and keeping an eye on your guests and their belongings.
- Traffic
Much like other major cities, traffic and congestion can be a big problem when it comes to getting from place to place. Make sure to consider a venue easy to get to and ensure there are transit options available.
Famous Locations in Santa Cruz
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
If you’re looking for a place where you can walk along the beach, enjoy amusement-style rides, and eat great street food all in the same place, then the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the perfect attraction to visit. With attractions dating back nearly 100 years, there is something for everyone along this famous boardwalk.
- U.C. Santa Cruz Arboretum and Botanic Gardens
Located on a pristine spot in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Arboretum and Botanic Gardens site is nature at its finest. Different sections of the garden house plants from varying parts of the globe, including Africa and New Zealand.
- The Mystery Spot
If you’re in the mood for something bizarre, then the Mystery Spot is the place for you. Situated in a patch of Redwoods which is about 46 meters in diameter, everything within the area appears tilted even if it is standing straight. It’s an effect that scientists have yet to figure out since its discovery in 1939.