My husband and I together with our dog stop by Java Junction at Twin Lakes State Beach almost every weekend. Today we had a hot latte (single shot), a hot Mocca (oat milk, whipped cream on top, single shot), and a toasted plain bagel with cream cheese. Very friendly service, short wait time, drink and food quality are very good! We also now bring our own cups to save on the 25 cents per paper cup (per Santa Cruz regulation)... and helps keeping extra waste out of the landfill. Love Santa Cruz! read more

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Pretty view right by the beach, we were craving smoothies and didn't realize until after we left that they were closed 30 minutes ago. But staff was so friendly and fast! Smoothies are $10 (24oz). A little insane, but if you add the $1.25 to split? The girl math makes a little more sense. Got the Last mango in Paris, tasted more like just banana. But still a good experience! read more

Java Junction - Last Mango in Paris - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Decent coffee and sandwiches at the small craft harbor in Santa Cruz. Stopped by with family as we were in the area for a boat cruise. We ordered drinks and food, which were ready in about 15 minutes. Bill was a little over $30. My nephew devoured his sandwich, so I guess he must've liked it! Coffees and hot chocolates were also enjoyed. My matcha latte was just ok, nothing to crow about. The location is right on the beach, so grab an outdoor table if you can. There's inside seating as well. Will likely be back as the location can't be beat. read more

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Eh, I ordered a mocha and it was disappointing. Service could be better too. Prices are too high for what you get served, it should be much better tasting to charge that much. Next time I'll follow the fishermen to see where they're getting their coffee. read more

Java Junction - The menu - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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We walked in with one person in line in front of us. It was quiet when we arrived and no one behind us the lady at the register taking orders and payment was very quick to say, "Line starts over here!" That was a nice welcome, not! Service is high up in how I'm treated at a food/drink place. How about a good morning first before growling at us. The Very Berry smoothie I ordered was good. My boyfriends' mocha was nothing special. While we were there, another customers plastic cup cracked. While they were over the lid, cup holder section, there was a small mess to clean up. Not sure if they were offered a new drink but they did get a cup to put it in. As they were cleaning up the mess, one of the workers walks over to them and says, "You're done here." She meant, that she would be cleaning up. But her voice was commanding. Ugh. The view is beautiful! You can sit inside or outside looking into the ocean. I don't think we'll be back. read more

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I ordered the Jumping Monkey. It's always a gamble when you buy frozen drinks because some people know how to make them and some people don't. Either way, there goes $10. I wouldn't recommend this drink. It was as thin as water. If they were properly trained or cared then it would at least have the consistency of a smoothie. I've been to Java Junction's other locations and I've never been impressed. I'm really done trying. read more

Service was okay, the cashier got my order wrong after fixing it my food sat there until I walked in to grab it spent about $55 dollars we got 2 bagels 2 drinks and dessert! We sat outside. read more

What started as an understandable delay with a non-English speaking customer turned into something that could have easily been avoided. I waited patiently while the associate helped the customer which took a little longer due to language barrier. By the time they had finished a second line formed which was a bunch of young girls lined out towards the beach while the 2 of us were lined up alongside the counter. We were completely ignored as they went with the young folks. At this point I just left as we had been noticed waiting and apparently didn't fit the profile of people they wanted to help on a Sunny Sunday afternoon. I was excited to get one of my old favorites as a treat after being on an 18- month diet journey but I guess the universe told me "You don't need that" through the young folks working at Java Junction. read more

Something is always broken or out. Today on a cold foggy morning the machine to steam milk is not working so they will only do a cold drink. They refuse to heat milk in the microwave because it "has to be reserved for food" even though no one was in line at the time. As a business they could get a milk frother from target to cover this problem easily but don't seem solution oriented. The espresso tastes burn as well. The staff is friendly and nice despite this issue and it is awful that the owners/management make the staff go deal with their problem. Unfortunately it is common to be let down by the experience here. So many great coffee shops in town, don't waste your time here. read more

i come here often (even though the food and drink is very mid if not poor). every time i come they give spell/callout my name wrong, and when i ask to confirm if it's mine they give me attitude. Mariah is pretty common name, sorry you don't know how to spell it ‍ read more

friendly service, walkin cafe, great smoothies and lattes, i reccomend because they are tasty after a good day of beach fun.

max is awesome, got me an egg nog latte and recommended it to be cold 10/10 barista. my boyfriend and i love coming here to see him and the ocean. great views of the lighthouse and people playing volleyball. great service, will be back. read more

Java Junction - and they decorated the building for christmas! beautiful! - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

We ordered an iced mocha and jasmine green tea, and enjoyed our beverages on a cool and sunny Saturday morning. The customer service was standard, and the wait for our drinks not too long, maybe 8 minutes or so. The cafe setting was overall clean and simple, nothing really noteworthy about the decor or environment, both indoor seating and a few tables outside overlooking the beach... and lots of dogs (mostly leashed). The ukulele event near the back patio provided fun laid back entertainment (but this is only on Saturday mornings as far as I know). Parking was easy in the paid lot, just a few dollars for a couple hours. read more

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Java Junction is a charming little coffee joint located RIGHT on the beach! Popped in there the other day jonesing for some joe, and boy did this place hit the spot. I didn't know what to order so I asked one of the baristas, and she recommended a French macaron iced latte, with almond and vanilla. Genius! I felt like I was in the south of France, sitting at a cafe, smokin a cig, eating a macaron. They really did nail it. Great job Java Junction! read more

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Pretty decent coffee right on the harbor. Parking is easy if you get there early. Might be tough a bit later plus you'll have to pay after 10am which technically adds to the price of your drink. Staff is friendly! read more

Java Junction - View of beach from inside - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I ordered a cream cheese bagel and matcha and both were lackluster. The bagel bread was really hard and the cream cheese was no good. They not only charge for vanilla sweetener ($1) but they also charge for a cup fee?? (50 cents) Not sure what that's for, a cup is the bare minimum for a drink unless it's being poured into my mouth. The matcha was also not good either, it was a weird shade of green. Maybe it wasn't a good day. read more

This is one of my favorite coffee spots in Santa Cruz! The servers are all friendly and make excellent drinks! They have a very extensive menu and the most delicious whip cream. I had a super rich espresso with the whip cream and it knocked my socks off! It's right on the beach, you can walk right out to the marina and lighthouse from the shop. So beautiful on a sunny day read more

This convenient little coffeehouse is just a few steps from the sand at Twin Lakes State Beach on E. Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. They offer everything from coffee and baked goods to sandwiches and smoothies. There are 4-5 tables on the concrete patio facing the beach where you can sit and enjoy the view of the ocean, the Walton Lighthouse, maybe a sailboat or two, and an occasional volleyball game. Umbrellas are scarce (there were only two the last time I was there) so it's tough to find a place to sit in the shade. There are a couple of indoor seats at the window if it's really chilly outside or if you need WiFi access. According to the chalkboard menu, Java Junction is a small batch coffee roaster and they roast their beans daily. From the barista, I learned that this is one of three locations in Santa Cruz and that they're celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. I enjoy black coffee, especially on a foggy morning at the beach, and have always found their dark roast to be brewed perfectly. A light-medium roast is usually available too, and they occasionally have decaf as well. My wife likes strong black tea (Earl Grey, English Breakfast, etc.) which they brew by the cup from loose tea leaves. You can also choose from a large selection of herbal teas. Baristas have always been friendly and efficient which makes for an enjoyable overall experience. It's tough to rate a business based on just their coffee and tea, so II'll update my review when I try something else from their menu. read more

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I popped into this spot a few days in a row when I was staying a few blocks away for a long weekend. I had a few coffees, pastries and one sandwich over the few days I was there. All of them were delicious and the customer service was great every time! read more

Their chai is trash, tastes like warm sink water. I asked for something different after tasting it and learning they made the mix themselves and the barista just stared blankley like I asked for his kidney. $6.50 for warm sink water. read more

Smoothie was good, lady at the counter super rude, I don't wanna discriminate but it was this Japanese/asian lady helping the front line and I asked her if she had smoothies and what flavor I had forgotten my glasses so i couldn't read when I ask her she look at me like I'm slow and just points at the the board like?.... You as the customer employee are supposed to help what if I had a language barrier or having issues to read this case I forgot my glasses but she just points at it like saying can't you read. Very rude read more

This is the 2nd time in a row where my family and I experienced poor service from this location! This time, as we walked in to place our order, one of the employees was sitting on the ordering part of the counter, facing inward towards her co-worker, and neither one of them acknowledged that we were there for at least a full minute! while we were waiting to be served, my son had to use the bathroom, so when one of the girls finally asked me what I wanted, I said "I'd like the code the code for the bathroom so that I could send my son and husband off to handle that business, while I was ordering. The girls behind the counter said that their manager doesn't like them to give out the code without someone ordering something first. I kept saying to them, "Yeah, I'm about to be a customer", but they weren't getting it! They snidely kept telling me that there was a public bathroom outside in the front. This went around in a circle for about 20 seconds! I'm not sure what I finally said to get them to understand that I was trying to order RIGHT THEN, but they finally seemed to get it... after my frustrated husband already escorted my son out towards the parking lot! The entire ordeal seemed SO ridiculously OUTRAGEOUS!!! :-( The girls that work at this location just act like average 'twits', who barely take their job seriously, and who don't really seem like they even care to figure sh*t out (i.e. normal, common sense type of stuff)! I guess they just aren't old enough yet to feel any real sense of responsibility or anything. I'm giving this store 2 stars because, believe it or not, these girls aren't the worst people I've encountered in the service industry... And, they have some good food/drink options. Some of their smoothies are quite good... and they offer Begalry bagels! :-) Yum! read more

Coffee was very good. Used to come here often for the great customer service. Employees are very helpful and friendly. Had a very unpleasant experience with the owner or manager this morning. He was condescending, rude, and aggressive. Won't be returning. read more

I usually come in earlier in the morning around 7-8am and the coffee and service is really good. Today when I went in around 11 am I asked for a coffee and a sandwich and I tried the coffee and then asked them if they could remake it because it tasted like milk. She offered to put another shot in it and at first I agreed but after thinking for one second I asked her to remake my coffee entirely instead. I got the coffee back and it tasted like she put another shot in it. I did end up just asking for a refund which they did give me. I get back home to see that my sandwich literally barely has any salami on it. It tasted like mustard and bread. I honestly for the most do like there coffee but I feel like the person making the coffee was the issue and needed better training. I honestly just won't get there sandwiches again though. read more

Java Junction - Salami sandwich - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Idk but if I'm getting a drink I know I have to pee at least, 1 basic physiological need can't be catered in a place. It's unhealthy. Have a RESTROOM for customers if you sell drinks at least. read more

Always stop in for coffee on my way to the beach. Employees always friendly and helpful. Ordered a mocha freeze against my better judgement due to $9.50 price but it sounded so good so I splurged. Bad idea. It was a large cup of runniness. Wasn't cold, was just like warm chocolate milk. I assumed the "freeze" part of the name meant it would be cold/icy. After waiting for 10 minutes and paying that price it was disappointing. Lesson learned. read more

Cool spot, if you've got 25 minutes to wait on an $8 coffee.. taste decent, but even with no line you'll wait for the coffee cherries to grow on the tree, roast, grind, and drip before getting your drink...! Nice staff and clean spot to be fair. Just zero sense of urgency I guess.. read more

Chai Tea Alert! Homemade spicy Chai goodness here. We savored the hot tea and Witch's Brew tea (Chai tea with homemade whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon...oh my!). Additionally, super friendly folks work here! Best bonus, Location-Location-Location! Oceanfront view of Lighthouse and warm tea on a blustery day... For the win! read more

BEST BAGELS EVER!!! I get a bagel before work every weekend and they always come out great and the workers are always super sweet!

Not open until 6pm on Saturdays as down. I'm a fan of the coffee but these people are living in 2010 with the service.

Great coffee and bagels with lox and a view of the bay. Volleyball games active on the weekends. Get a summer parking pass for about $40 nearby. Ukulele's on Saturday's. Sunday's in Capitola or visa-versa. read more

Drinks never disappoint, but what was disappointing was their choice of music. Young girls were working and playing music saying mother F______. Not cool for a business. Sorry, this location of Java Junction has lost my business. I will not return. What a way to start the morning. read more

Nice little place next to the beach. We'll come down early Saturday morning, get our beach fix, and then have a coffee and breakfast sandwich. The coffee and the food is solid, nothing to write home about, but well done. Service pretty friendly, and our order is filled in a reasonable time. Prices are reasonable. You just can't beat the beachside location. read more

We often stop by here and the coffee is usually pretty good if overpriced (cappuccino is around $5 with the cup, specialty drinks approach $7) and service is generally good. Today we were very disappointed, and a little alarmed when we ordered a lemonade and after drinking it discovered the date scrawled underneath -- 9/30 (today is 10/4), suggesting it had been sitting in the display for five days. It's our local coffee shop so we'll be back but begrudgingly so after this, and likely won't be ordering anything "fresh" ever again. read more

The seasonal strawberry latte with homemade whipped cream... Genuinely one of the best espresso drinks I've ever had.

First time, last time. Three blonde stooges working the counter couldn't apparently understand any of the words coming out of my mouth. First one forgot my drink but proceeded to the back where she was indulging. Second one didn't seem to know we should be recycling aluminum in this country as she was confused about my recycling bin inquiry. Third one just hid in the background saying anything to gain the approval of twiddle-dee and twiddle-dumb. In general I would not care to comment on service unless it was unusually poor...Shall I go on? read more

Two employees and only one can make a drink at a time while the other crosses her arms leans against counter top and talks about the antioxidant property's of tea to the only barista making the drinks. There were four people in line that they didn't ask for orders or even greet good morning . Off to Coffeetopia. It's 7:40 am and your not efficient. Get it together. read more

I came here last Sunday while on the beach with my godchildren. I was looking for something iced and coffee flavored, but was not expecting much from the strip of cafes and diners near the beach as, usually, their thing is that they're there and you just have to deal with whatever they make. I said I was looking for something cold, sweet but not too sweet, in which I could still taste TGIF coffee. The nice lady working recommended an iced latte. Usually at these random unknown coffee places the coffee is not very good, but I was pleasantly surprised by my drink. It was not too milky, the coffee was good, not too bitter, and just the right amount of vanilla so that it wasn't too sweet. Really delicious and perked me right up!Thank you! read more

This one of several Java Junction coffee places around Santa Cruz and this one has by far the best location. There is a private -that is to say, for pay- lot which is pretty much the best parking here. Don't want to pay for parking? in the winter-that is to say after labor- day parking is free both on the side streets and alongside twin lakes beach, which is right next door. In the summer you'll need to take care with the street/beach parking as it's permit only. Conveniently (sort of) the city puts out a kiosk which sells single day permits for 8 dollars cash only. Inside there is a small uncomfortable counter section, a small number of tables/chairs and an extensive amount of outdoor beach seating, just behind the twin lakes beach volleyball court. Also offers a great view of walton lighthouse. Most people come here to get food/coffee to go. When the weather is co operative the outdoor seating is the totally the way to go. When the weather is colder/rainy, the inside will fill up very quickly. The espresso is, as near as I can tell from from a helpful but not terribly knowledgeable counter worker, their own roast/grind which may or may not be from Java Bob's. For those of you not from Santa Cruz this means it's a local brand. Typically I go for a standard latte for (current cost-4.30) and it's everything you'd want in a latte. They have a larger then expected breakfast/lunch menu. While the breakfast is heavy on bagel choices the lunch menu offers a fairly extensive selection of sandwiches. The sandwiches are very popular as there are not really any casual food places nearby. While coffee is consistently good verging on great, the food isn't . Don't get me wrong. It's entirely possible to get a really good meal here, somewhat harder to get a great sandwich two or three times in a row. Pricing is slightly higher then the area standard. A coffee and a sweet will run about 4-7 dollars depending on choices made. Theoretically breakfast/lunch can be kept down to 6-7 bucks or so, but adding chips, a drink, or lox will put you in the ten dollar minimum range. This is a perfect place to have a nice cuppa and enjoy the beach. read more

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Service was incredible. The assistant manager Delphi was extremely helpful and made the experience quite delightful. 10/10 would recommend to my friends. To be honest, she should be promoted pronto. read more