This is such a cute library. From the wonderful volunteers to the awesome historic collection it…read morereally has something for everyone. I've always passed it going up and down Old San Jose, but I had time to stop in and I got a library card the second that I could. Everything is by the books and you won't find a computer to save your life. I think that is what gives it the unique charm that most libraries don't have. 10/10

Soquel Porter Memorial Library is an all-volunteer effort to provide library services to the…read morecommunity. It was begun by pioneer descendants in 1912 and has been kept open (except in times of flooding) ever since. When it was ordered closed after passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, the people of Soquel fought to keep it open. It functions like a regular library under the guidance of several (retired) volunteer librarians who are highly skilled. Volunteers accept books and must decide which are suitable for cataloging in the collection. Volunteers deal with county regulations. Volunteers sweep the floors. Volunteers keep the doors open on a regular schedule. Sometimes volunteers get grouchy, but they perform a tremendous service for the town of Soquel. It is the little library that could.

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.

I had a car full of bags of extra garbage - about 10 bags. The cost depends on the weight. The…read moreprice sheet is listed on their website https://cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov/. The transfer station was easy to find with good signs that lead you the way. When you arrive, you drive up to the cashier where your load is measured for weight. They ask you where you are coming from, and ask what you are dumping. There is an extra charge for garbage coming from out of County. Depending on what you are throwing away, they have lines painted on the ground that you follow. The cashier is very helpful and tells you. For garbage, you just back in and dump your garbage over the rail. There is a little bit of garbage smell, but not too overwhelming.

It's a dump, but it's supposed to be. Convenient if you live in this part of the county. Line can…read morebe long to pay/get weighed. Workers are courteous but sometimes seem to have a lack of urgency they might have if not employed by the government. You can bypass the line of you are only going to the CRV redemption center. CRV redemption is going away 7/1/2025 as the state is now forcing stores to take back containers.

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)

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.

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!

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.