Back To School Shopping in Santa Cruz

Summer always feels like it’s going on forever—and then suddenly stores are advertising sales and it’s time for back to school. With the oncoming academic year quickly approaching (or already arrived in some cases!), it may be a bit overwhelming to check everything off your shopping list.

The city of Santa Cruz has a number of stores and shops that stock the essentials, from backpacks to new clothes and everything in between. Get ready for the start of school with some things that new residents, students, and locals should know.

Shopping in the Downtown

Santa Cruz’s downtown spans Pacific Avenue, from Mission Street/Water Street in the north to Laurel Street in the south. With a range of retailers including international brands and local businesses, students returning to school can pick up the necessities—stationary, bags, clothing and accessories, and more, in style.

Downtown options include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Old School Shoes* (bags, shoes, and accessories)
• Free People (women and girls' clothing)
• Gap * Gap Kids (clothing)
• Lively Kids* (clothing and accessories)
• Comicopolis* (graphic novels, comics, and books)
• Atlantis Fantasyworld* (comics, figurines and merchandise)
• Pacific Wave*
• Urban Outfitters (preteen/adolescent clothing and accessories)
• Sockshop & Shoe Company* (shoes, socks, and accessories)

Stores with a * indicate that they are small or local businesses, while names that are bolded offer student discounts. However, be aware that percentage off varies and also requires a student ID. 

Additionally, there are a number of thrift stores in Santa Cruz, so for those looking to pick up something new-to-them for less, or for those searching for something unique, secondhand or vintage stores are a great alternative. And it’s environmentally friendly!

Santa Cruz Sidewalk Sales

The downtown area, as well, also hosts Sidewalk Sales, with merchandise decorating the exteriors of stores and the sidewalk around them. Again, sales differ from retailer to retailer and not all stores downtown participate, but it is an excellent opportunity to pick up something brand new at a discount. 

The next Downtown Santa Cruz Sidewalk Sale runs from August 29th to September 1st. More information can be found here.

The Essentials at Bookshop Santa Cruz

With titles for anxious students and parents, Bookshop Santa Cruz is a landmark in the downtown area, and offers a wide range of titles. For this school upcoming school year, browse from books required for certain classes, study guides and self-help, cheap and easy recipes for post-secondary students living alone, or even picture books that answer questions about going to school for the first time. Or, for those looking to break free of the textbooks and course readings, Bookshop Santa Cruz offers a wealth of titles to enjoy for fun. 

For university students, Bookshop Santa Cruz also partners with UC Santa Cruz and stocks apparel, supplies, and required reading. It may have a title in stock that the Bay Tree Campus Store does not currently have (or one might prefer a physical store to ordering online!). The Bay Tree Campus Store often has back to school discounts and special offers for students. 

Upcoming Summer Events

Santa Cruz also has a few events coming up in the next few weeks to celebrate the end of summer.

• National Roller Coaster Day [August 16th]
• Beach Cleanup at Cowell Beach [run by Save Our Shores, August 16th]
• Downtown Santa Cruz: Makers Market [August 17th]
• Neighborhood block parties [run by Santa Cruz Neighbors, August 23rd and 24th]
• Midtown Fridays Summer Block Party [August 29th]
• Fall Campout at the Beach [fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, September 12th to 13th]

Explore shopping, entertainment, dining, and more in the Santa Cruz area all year round. To begin your home search, contact Lauren Spencer today.