If you are looking for some unique experience while staying in Santa Cruz, you should certainly give a try to the local markets organised in the county. Santa Cruz is known for its amazing markets earmarked for various products starting from the markets with fresh and delicious products through flea markets up to the art markets or the events which will give you a unique opportunity to explore the culture of this area and buy some absolutely exclusive art work.
Makers Market
Makers Market is organised every third Sunday under the following address: Downtown Santa Cruz: Pacific Ave. between Cathcart St & Lincoln St 1100 Block Pacific Ave. This event is held exactly in Santa Cruz, so, if you are staying here, you will be able to have an ultimate experience.
This is a recurrent event so it does not matter whether you have a chance to visit the market on a particular Sunday or not, as long as your stay in Santa Cruz stretches out to one more Sunday, you will have a chance to enjoy the market. It starts at 10 pm and is open until 5 pm, so the even lasts quite a while and you will be able to visit it in the afternoon as well.
Makers market is a beloved event of all of the people who are interested in finding some absolutely unique goods not available anywhere else. The market is filled with artists and other people offering a variety of handmade goods. Even if you are not planning to buy anything, it is just a perfect time to explore the amazing variety of the goods offered by the local Santa Cruz community.
The Westside Marketplace
The Westside Marketplace is somewhat similar to Makers Market since you will also be able to get some handmade goods here and artworks, however, it has an even greater array of options. Here, you can also go for vintage shopping and actually just have since the place is filled with food trucks, pop ups and also hosts musicians performing live music. Needless to say, you will find everything here.
Note that you will also be able to use a free parking lot here and the event is also opened for pets as long as they leashed. Thus, you can come here with your entire family.
The Westside Market is held at University Business Park, 2801 Mission Street in Santa Cruz. This is the old Wrigley Building.
The event is also recurrent and is organised regularly, however, it is only on the first Sunday of every month. The next event will happen on the third of July. The event starts at 11 am and end on 4 pm.