The La Selva Beach Library is a wonderful community resource. The recently renovated space is…read morelight and well designed. The children's section is well stocked and invites young readers to engage with the space and materials. The staff is welcoming and knowledgeable. While the library is on the smaller side, materials can be brought in from other SCPL locations and online materials (ebooks, audiobooks, documentaries etc) are available through various apps like Libby and Kanopy.

California libraries are the place to stock up on music from bygone eras. Use the website to have…read moreyour cds delivered to this branch if this is closest to your home. Also, you can use the new Santa Cruz public library "SCPLgo" application from the App Store of your choice if you would like to use your smart phone when you check out books at the library. It doesn't necessarily make things easier but you do feel like your superior to the troglodytes that are milling around in our libraries. Now, onto La Selva Beach library: this is such a cute little barn/library and occasional remote office. It's not swanky but we can work outside on the patio. WiFi is great out here and it's just a few hundred yards from the beach. Sunsets in #LaSelva are pretty when viewed from atop the cliffs that look over Manressa State Beach. Believe that.

A hidden gem of a library! Los Gatos library is the only one of its kind and is on their own…read morelibrary card system. Books, media, even laptops are checked out and can only be checked back in at the library! What draws our family to the LGL is the beautiful and unique space it's created for little learners, studios students, and the working professionals! Love the tech station that provides access to a 3D printer and their summer reading program which has encouraged my littles to stick their noses into books as their activity if choice this summer! Bravo Los Gatos Library!

Our family has been coming to the LG Library for many years, even before they remodeled in 2012…read more This library is beautiful (both inside and outside), the librarians/staff are friendly/helpful and their restrooms are always clean. When my daughter was little, she loved reading in one of the cozy upholstered circular reading nooks in the Children's Room. Besides books/audiobooks/DVD's/CD's, you could borrow park passes, various kinds of board games, puzzles and kits (such as stargazing telescope kit, pollinator kit, ukulele kit, gardening kit, and sewing machine kit.) Recently, I've noticed that you could even borrow an induction cooktop. They also offer free 3D printing (1 per month), and drop-in tech help. They have a seed library as well. They have a technology lab, and you could reserve study rooms. The library also hosts different events for adults and children. I attended the "Summery Vegetable Success" event in the Technology Lab on Sunday. The speaker, a UC Master Gardener, was very experienced, and her talk was very interesting and informative! I feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful library in our community.

My beautiful wife, adorable toddler and I came by Morgan Hill Library located on W Main Avenue in…read moreMorgan Hill, CA on 1/24/26. This library was one of the first libraries to have a play and learn areas for toddlers and children. It has a huge collection of books for children and adults as well as a play area for smaller children. They have computers, outlets available for patrons who need to charge their electronics, and other things to make the trip to the library fun. This was a great experience for our family. We will be coming back whenever we are in the area.

My hubby and I took our toddler here to check out Trusty Trails indoor playground, located inside…read more It opened just last year, definitely the first time I've seen a playground inside a library! Our toddler had a blast, her favorite was the slide and board books! We'll definitely be back to explore more! I thought all the statues outside were just gorgeous and loved the library's Beatrix Potter books section! They have a little store inside too with DVDs, books etc! SYOY! :-) *Song Credit: Got Me Feelin' Good by Kidpenny (from Audiio)

This is one of my favorite libraries! It's spacious, with plenty of tables and chairs. There are…read moredesignated sections for teens, children, and a quiet area. My favorite part: It's very clean, well-organized, and has an open floor plan that feels spacious rather than cramped. And the bathrooms are clean I never have trouble finding a table--there are plenty spread throughout the library. The staff here are always pleasant, and there's ample parking available.

Great library to study and get work done. It's really spacious and fresh inside compared to other…read morelibrary's. Only issue is the parking lot. It is pretty small & spots are a bit narrow and compact. Aside from that, the library has a room dedicated for teens, a computer room, lounge area and plenty of open tables spread out.

We had a great day at BFC Soccer game this pass Sat afternoon with my son Natan. My son…read moreparticipates with special Olympics group with Earthquakes. Go Quakes!!

This is a fantastic neighborhood library. What I particularly like about this library system is the…read moreonline access. You can order books, see what books are on the shelves and available, get access to E reader and audiobooks for free and so much more!

I have been a patron of this local branch since moving here in '88. They have a friendly, very…read moreknowledgeable staff, led by Tammy. The facility is packed with a variety of media, many computers, and innovative ways to engage the public like virtual reality and 3D printing. Perfect for our community.

I love our small community library. They offer so many things besides books…read more Dvds, cds, up to date magazines and newspapers. You can fax from here and use their printers for 15¢ a copy. Free computer use and help if you get stuck. They have atleast 10 computers to choose from so you rarely hate to wait to use one. Homework help center for the children. Which is a really valuable resource for the children of our community. It's like getting a tutor for free. Community movie nights with free popcorn. Used book sales. Used magazine sales.

I visited this museum, in December of 2025. And it is almost Valentine's Day, 2026 so I am late to…read morerecord my experience, I understand that. But I rather take down the Christmas on Super Bowl weekend than wait to take the lights down near the 4th of July. I went to this place on my first trip to Santa Cruz. And I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this place, and its focus on Santa Cruz Culture. Thorough out my life, I have heard that Santa Cruz is known for crystals, and forest green. But on my trip here, I learned that Santa Cruz is also famous for surfer culture, As some of the pictures, demonstrate surf boards, like cups, hair styles, and volcanoes, come in a variety of lengths, shapes, colors and purpose. I also learned that surfing has its origins from Hawaii, and even though I did not know that, it totally makes sense. I will never be on a surf board, catching a big wave, while the breeze hits my face, and pelicans fly above, but by visiting this museum I learned the historical value of the surf movement that waved hello, initially, in Santa Cruz by way of Hawaii. My favorite room was that one that reflected the beach and ocean vibe of Santa Cruz in place. The room was colored in a deep blue that did not resemble clear waters, more like the deep blue that is found when the ocean seems to be infinite. I am not sure the exact shade of blue that the room was painted in, but I will call it calming serenity blue, which is a close cousin to royal blue. If popcorn yellow and burnt cocoa brown are colors than mine can be colored too, I do not need Crayola level authority to christen colors. The pictures in the room continued my trance into serenity. The paintings showed these peaceful seascapes, where sky and sea became partners in a waltz, not interwoven as one, but paired into slow movement that induces stillness upon the viewer. Other pictures showed a calm beach, where the shore water had white froth as it met the sand. In the background, there was a rock formation and behind the rock formation was a tranquil sky brighten by subtle hues of a descending sun. Even as I reviewed the pictures for this yelp, I found the paintings to be, in a phrase: rest in ocean and pastel candy colored strokes. The room also had a speaker that played the sounds of the ocean, quietly about a chair. I allowed myself to transport myself to a beach shore, to experience the colors of the sea breeze. The museum also tried to educate others on its place in USA farm produce history. One of the pictures discusses the migration pattern by stating, "Today Mexican men, women and children cross the border voluntarily- but at great risk of violence and rape." This is just my opinion, but this sentence, is too broad yet to specific at the same time to accurately paint a picture of the migration experience of many Mexicans and by extension other people who seek to come to America to fulfill their version of the American dream. The way it is written, again from my interpretation, implies that the choice to come to America is one that is a "voluntary" decision like skipping or going to the gym, or using a credit card for a jacket when it does not fit your means. Meaning, that the word voluntary may ignore the vast conditions that push others to migrate, other than personal choice. But this is just one Yelper's opinion, if that makes sense. In another, poster, which I clipped, explains how Santa Cruz goes alternative. The poster explains that "Santa Cruz became a cauldron of cultural experimentation, neighborhood activism, intellectual exploration and environmental protection in the 1960s and 1970s." I think that the word cauldron here is not the right choice because a cauldron most often then not, holds a witches brew. And, most witches brews that are mixed in a cauldron, are meant to produce a potion that results in some type of calamity or curse. I know I may be nitpicking, but if a museum is going to report history, they should be prepared for a response, as history should be reported with objective caution, not editorial perspective. A better word, again in my opinion, would be site, like Santa Cruz became a site of.... this gives objective reporting, as a posed to imagery that a word like cauldron produces. I think, and thus I write. Angela Davis, said, according to a poster, I also clipped, " I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change, I am changing the things I cannot accept." I also really enjoyed playing with Christmas train models for about 10 to 15 minutes. I was not transported into the Polar Express, but, it was fun to turn on cabooses and view their speed and stops through the tracks. It was a zen kind of moment. The museum also had a sculpture garden and a picture of a man in front of a giant redwood that made me want to find a giant tree and walk inside its tunnel. I guess, what I am trying to say is that this museum has a lot to see and ponder about. I was stirred, and calmed, by it.

What a great find while visiting downtown Santa Cruz with my girlfriend! Such a relaxing experience…read morevisiting this museum, it wasn't busy and the exhibits are very simple. You really get to learn about the history of Santa Cruz and the surrounding cities. It was three floors and wasn't a crazy big museum. I enjoyed it a lot and it was affordable to enjoy. Definitely can be a cool add to your itinerary for Santa Cruz. Bathrooms are a bit spooky though haha, they are super dim and is very ominous! Could barely go anymore once I walked in.

My absolute ideal day in Santa Cruz would be strolling the Santa Cruz Wharf. Talk about California…read moredreaming. This is it! It feels like home to me. Years of awesome visits to the wharf. Whether it is sunny, foggy, or raining... it is always magical. Each experience offers it's own beauty and is, indeed, a memorable slice of heaven. It boasts the longest wooden pier on the West Coast. Which by the way has been seriously damaged (and fixed) during crazy storms these past few years. Wonderful choices for dining. My favorite is Jack O'neill Restaurant and Lounge which provides not only fabulous food opportunities (casual and fine dining), but affords the best view of the wharf, the famous and iconic SC Boardwalk, and the big, blue, beautiful ocean. There are many great choices on the pier itself to enjoy yummy seafood, (as well as many other menu items) and the unforgettable coastal views. Makai Island... my favorite restaurant/bar on the pier is a must visit! Family friendly and great food in the dining room. But if you do not have the kids take a spin on the revolving bar in the back and just soak in the vibes of a good, strong cocktail and the Pacific Ocean :-)! Right? Fun, tourist shopping too. I am always a "tourist" on the pier. Love spending time crusing the wharf's nice shops when I want a cool SC ball cap or sweat shirt! Like any other popular tourist destination... nothing is cheap. Whether you are Just walking and feeling the ocean breeze, hanging with the large sea lions, watching peeps fishing off the pier, and of course hoping the dedicated surfers catch a wave...it is all good! You can even rent a boat. Everyone is happy on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Especially with an ice cream cone in hand:). So much to explore. #EpicPhotoOpportunitiesToo!

A Walk Down Memory Lane--With Seagulls as Security Guards!…read more There's something special about walking the Municipal Wharf in Santa Cruz, especially when you grew up fishing from this very wharf. For me, this wasn't just another tourist stop--it was a little trip down memory lane. Years ago, I even went scuba diving underneath the wharf. Looking back, I'm not sure what I was thinking! I definitely would not recommend that today. Between boat traffic, fishing lines, and the possibility of getting tangled up in something that you really don't want wrapped around you, it's probably better to enjoy the view from above the water! We had a wonderful time strolling the wharf, visiting the various shops, and talking with the shop owners. Everyone we encountered was kind, friendly, and happy to engage with us. It was also encouraging to see that some areas that used to be pretty dirty have been cleaned up. There's still room for improvement, but overall, it was a pleasant day and a fun way to experience the beach. One area that kept this from being a five-star experience was the ticket booth. The woman working there seemed much more interested in her conversation on her cell phone than in engaging with the people she was serving. A little hospitality goes a long way, especially in a place that welcomes visitors from all over. The Municipal Wharf also gives you a completely different perspective of the Santa Cruz coastline and the area toward the Boardwalk. You get beautiful views of the beach, the water, and all the activity along the shoreline. And then there are the seagulls. Consider them the unofficial security team of the wharf. If you're carrying food, keep your eyes open--and your sandwich even closer! These birds have absolutely no respect for personal property, personal space, or the concept of "I paid for this." All in all, the Municipal Wharf is worth a stroll, especially if you want to see Santa Cruz from a different angle and experience a little history along the way. For me, it was even better because I got to revisit a place connected to some great memories from growing up. Just remember: walk the wharf, enjoy the view, talk to the locals, and leave the scuba gear at home! #YelpElite #SantaCruz #MunicipalWharf #SantaCruzWharf #SantaCruzCalifornia #CaliforniaCoast #BeachDay #SantaCruzBoardwalk #OceanViews #LocalHistory #FamilyMemories #YelpReview #SeagullWatch #CaliforniaAdventures