Most visitors to Santa Cruz head straight for Pacific Ave or the Boardwalk. Fair enough - those are the well-known spots. But if you only hit the main drag, you're missing the quieter stretch that locals prefer: Soquel Avenue, running parallel to Pacific just a block or two south, where the foot traffic drops, the pace slows down, and the neighborhood character comes through.
We work at 311 Soquel Ave, so we know this stretch well. Here's a genuine walking guide - where to park, what to see, where to eat, and how to turn a quick errand into a full afternoon.
Getting There and Parking
Let's start with the practical stuff, because parking in Santa Cruz can be its own adventure.
Street parking along Soquel Ave is metered in some spots and free in others, depending on exactly where you are. The blocks closest to downtown tend to have meters, while the spots a little further east are often unmetered with generous time limits.
There are also a few public parking lots near where Soquel Ave meets the downtown core. These are usually less crowded than the lots on Pacific Ave, which is one of the advantages of starting your walk on Soquel instead of downtown.
If you're coming on a weekend afternoon, give yourself an extra five minutes to find a spot. It's rarely a problem, but it's not always instant either.
Starting Your Walk
The most interesting section of Soquel Ave for walking runs roughly from where it approaches downtown - near the intersection with Front Street - out to around the 400 block and beyond. This stretch is manageable on foot, relatively flat, and packed with more interesting stops than its quiet reputation suggests.
The energy here is different from Pacific Ave. Fewer crowds, more breathing room, and the feeling of being in a neighborhood rather than a shopping district. The businesses along Soquel tend to be the kind that rely on regulars and word of mouth rather than foot traffic and flashy signs.
Coffee First
There are several good coffee spots within walking distance of Soquel Ave, both along the street itself and on the blocks connecting to Pacific. Local roasters, espresso bars, and cafes with good pastries are all easy to find.
Our recommendation: grab your coffee early in the walk, before you start browsing. Soquel Ave is the kind of street that rewards a slow pace, and having something to sip while you wander makes the whole thing feel less like shopping and more like an afternoon off.
The Shops Along Soquel Ave
Santa Cruz Scent - 311 Soquel Ave
This is our shop, so we'll keep it brief: we're a fragrance bar carrying candles from five brands, Japanese incense from Shoyeido, room sprays, reed diffusers, and personal fragrance decants. Appointments are free and typically run 15 to 30 minutes. You can book a scent flight or just walk in when we're available.
We're open Monday through Friday 10am to 5pm, and Saturday through Sunday 12pm to 5pm. If you're following this walking guide, we make a good mid-walk stop - come in, smell some things, and head back out refreshed. You can browse our home fragrance collection online if you want a preview.
Other Shops Worth Browsing
Soquel Ave and the surrounding blocks have a rotating cast of small businesses - vintage shops, plant stores, boutiques, and a handful of service-oriented spots like barbershops and bike repair. The exact lineup changes over time (that's the nature of a small-business neighborhood), but there's usually something worth ducking into.
The businesses on this stretch tend to be owner-operated. The person behind the counter is often the person who chose every item on the shelf. That makes a difference - you get real recommendations instead of scripted ones.
Food Options
The food within walking distance of Soquel Ave is surprisingly varied. You're close enough to the downtown core that you have access to most of the restaurants in the area without needing to move your car.
For a quick bite, there are casual counter-service spots serving tacos, sandwiches, and bowls. For a longer sit-down meal, the restaurants on and around Pacific Ave - a five-minute walk north - cover everything from Italian to sushi to farm-to-table California fare.
If you're planning to visit our shop and want to make a meal out of the trip, here's a solid schedule: coffee around 11, lunch at noon, appointment at 1, then browse your way back to the car. Or flip it - appointment first, then lunch, then a walk along the Riverwalk (more on that below).
The San Lorenzo Riverwalk
One of the best-kept secrets near Soquel Ave is the San Lorenzo Riverwalk, which starts just a couple of blocks from our shop. It's a flat, paved path that follows the river toward the ocean, shaded in spots, and genuinely pleasant for a walk.
Most visitors don't know about it. Locals use it for morning runs, afternoon strolls, and as a shortcut between neighborhoods. On a warm afternoon, it's one of the nicest walks in Santa Cruz - quiet, green, and a world away from the busier parts of town.
It's also a great way to reset your nose if you've been smelling candles and fragrances at our shop. Fresh air and a short walk do wonders for your sense of smell.
Connecting to Pacific Ave
If you want to extend your walk, Pacific Ave is about a five-minute stroll north from Soquel Ave. You can cut through on any of the cross streets and land right in the heart of downtown - bookstores, record shops, gift stores, and all the rest.
Our downtown Santa Cruz shopping guide covers the Pacific Ave route in detail. The short version: start at one end, work your way to the other, and you'll pass more independent shops than you can visit in a single afternoon.
The combination of Soquel Ave and Pacific Ave gives you two completely different vibes without ever needing to get back in the car. Soquel is the neighborhood walk. Pacific is the downtown experience. Together, they're a full afternoon.
The Boardwalk and Beach
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is about a 15-minute walk from Soquel Ave, depending on your pace. If you're visiting with kids or just want to see the iconic amusement park, it's an easy add-on to a Soquel Ave afternoon.
The beach itself is always worth the walk, even if the Boardwalk isn't your thing. There's something about ending an afternoon of shopping and eating with ten minutes of watching waves that makes the whole day feel complete.
Making the Most of Your Visit
Soquel Ave rewards people who show up without a rigid plan. The best afternoons here happen when you're willing to wander, duck into a shop you didn't know existed, and say yes when someone behind a counter asks if you want to try something.
If you're visiting Santa Cruz and want to see what the town actually feels like - not the tourist version, but the neighborhood version - start on Soquel Ave. Get coffee, walk slowly, stop when something catches your eye.
And if you want to add a fragrance experience to the afternoon, book a scent flight at 311 Soquel Ave. Fifteen minutes, no pressure, and you'll leave knowing a lot more about what you like. It's the kind of stop that turns a nice walk into a memorable one.