If you're still a student at ucsc and live around seabright this was probably my favorite place to do homework. good coffee, good bagelwiches, good smoothies, and a super friendly staff. I really dug the atmosphere and theres always people with dogs outside which provide that pooch petting break to bust up the monotony of studying. read more

Their drip coffee was cold. On a busy morning, with the cafe filled to capacity. And the man behind the counter had the nerve to tell me there was no way it could be cold because they were cycling through new pots of coffee every 15 minutes. He tried it himself and realized his mistake. They were serving cold coffee indeed. Yeah, I don't think I'll be back to Java Junction anytime soon. read more

Nice little coffee house, BUT....... Freezing cold inside in the morning. They usually leave both doors open so there's an icy cross-breeze at 6AM. You would be wise to bring gloves to drink your coffee...INSIDE. Music blasts loudly. I usually like the selection, but it's definitely not background music! Someone order a smoothie? Loud blender alert! The baristas are always nice. I would give this place an extra star for that, but I'm shivering in this coffee drafty, loud coffee shop right now at 6:50 AM; not the best start to this day. I mainly only come here because it's within walking distance of my house. read more

So happy the new Java junction opened in the old KindGrind space! Nice to have a coffee shop at the beach again! Helpful hint... If you are going to continue to charge an additional 0.25 for ice drinks because the "cups cost more" you may want to put that on the menu board or tell the customer when they order. Otherwise happy with our coffee each morning since the July 28th opening. And sometimes our afternoon coffee too! read more

A chain coffee house that really doesn't feel like a chain. Friendly service, delicious smoothies & great coffee.

This place is adorable! I was staying at a friends house and needed a quick coffee and bfast before driving back down the 17. Pleasantly surprised that this place was just around the corner, I think this will be my new coffee shoppe whenever I'm in town! I seemed to beat the rush getting there around 9am. I got an iced coffee and sundried tomato bagel which came out to be under $6! Everything was ready super fast and tasted great! read more

Java Junction - Everything bagel with sundried tomato shmear and cucumbers. Yum! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Before coming here, the reviews made me questions whether or not I should even try this place. But I'm glad I did. There were only 1-2 people working, and the 1 girl who was helping us was pretty nice. I ordered the mint mocha, and unfortunately, it didn't taste minty at all. :( If it was a regular mocha, it was pretty good! One thing that I loved about this place was the homemade, fresh whipped cream! YUM! read more

A must when I visit Santa Cruz! Homemade whipped cream with delicious cherry mocha! I just found out there's more locations!

They play The Devil Makes Three a lot so that already makes them a high-rating place in my book ;] The coffee drinks are delicious. The staff can be hit or miss though. Sometimes they're friendly, other times...not so much. They only take cash, but they do have an ATM. They offer free internet which is always pretty good and never spotty. They don't have a bathroom inside of the cafe, but there is one upstairs. (That bathroom can be kind of creepy though, so I prefer to sneak into the brewery's bathroom next door). They have lots of seating but limited power outlets to plug your laptop into. Great seating area outside and a nice location to watch people go by. read more

First pit stop on my quest to find the perfect study cafe: Java Junction whoooOoo. Anyway, time to break it down for anyone curious about whether they should venture here or not: If you know somewhere that serves actually good coffee--skip this place. For strictly a place to study- this place is 'aight'. Nothing special-- there are definitely better study cafes out there. The seating is nice and if you're able to get one of the two big tables it is even nicer. When I was there, however, they blasted 90's hip-hop which is great when I'm in the Fresh Prince mood but I was honestly just trying to study and it got a little distracting. Might have just been the person behind the counter that day, but still. Oh and the bathroom is JANK, yo. It's dirty, you have to climb up a flight of stairs on the outside of the plaza and it doesn't lock. This is really inconvenient for studying at a cafe considering I usually have to go after about 3 gulps of mocha. The drink-- ugh goodness-- I'm not even close to a coffee snob but jeez that mocha was bad. Even the person I was with who rarely drinks coffee could tell it pretty awful. It tasted like if was made from powder or something. And there was oil at the bottom? Gross. Anyway, all the horrible reviews about service I didn't really get to experience, the girl who took my order was pleasant enough and it seems like they get a few regulars. It's pretty far from campus as a UCSC student so my first trip to java junction will probably be my last. All in all: Not bad, but you could do a lot better. (Try coffeetopia!) read more

This is a chill, clean little coffee house next to the Seabright Brewery. It's pretty easy to miss if you're driving down Seabright Ave., so if you haven't been there before remember it's the last turn before Murray. I got a double cappuccino with a homemade biscotti. The cappuccino perfect, and the service was cute with a side of dry humor - just the way I like it. read more

Good wi-fi and great feeling. Really nice atmosphere and not as drafty as the other place up the road. The Peanut Butter Cup Mocha is crazy good and has that Reese's aroma. $ for the cup of joe is a great value and you can tell there is a little personality in the joint. The barista was quoting Talladega Nights while I walked up. Love the Seabright area once again! read more

This place shreads and great Owner. Good coffee and good food, employees here are great and helpful and more. This place is my favorite out of all coffee shops in town. read more

After numerous attempts to communicate with the staff I have come to the conclusion that the employees either don't listen, don't want to listen, or don't have the capacity to process the english language. That makes it frustrating when it comes time to place a simple order, in advance, only to find that the order was not made, then attempt to over charge, then fail to correct the situation. After all the failures from numerous visits hoping that the staff would correct their behavior I have decided that they can't. Don't believe me? Just Google search the owners name and watch the videos. He's got quite the temper! read more

So when I first arrived there was an cool relaxed vibe in the air, which I always love, especially in Santa Cruz. Second there was a super long line to order, which could either mean they have really slow service or the coffee is just so good it's worth the wait. It turns out that the coffee is totally worth it and I barely had to wait two minutes for my latte. Highly recommend to all locals and visitors. read more

Don't really understand all the negative reviews! I've been coming here forever, and have only ever had great service. Everyone's nice, they come to the register as soon as they see you there, they hand over the simple syrup when you ask for it... I will agree about the both doors open thing. Come prepared! I actually like sipping my hot coffee in the cold, it's so heavenly. But yeah, it's cold. read more

Good Coffee house, near the beach and good place to sit down(in the coffee shop) and have a cup of Joe and maybe even some breakfest? Over all though its good coffee and good help to boot. Young kids for the most part, but still they are good with the customers. read more

As a courtesy to the owner I offer you some input. I went there yesterday and ordered a smoothie and all I can say is what lousy employees you have. Absolutely running business off with their unfriendly don't care attitude. I won't bother with the details but a good business will fail with lousy employees. Make some changes! read more

this place sucks food is TERRIBLE, the employees were very rude and took so long for a simple order. do not recommend

Everyone needed a pick me upper Sunday morning after a night of fires and drinking. Most of us head over here and grab a cup of joe and some breakfast. I end up having the White Tea and a Sun Dried Tomato bagel with Artichoke Smear. Boy was the bagel good and totally hit the spot. The tea was not bad and what I wanted in the morning. We all took a seat outside and enjoyed the cool crisp air of the morning. read more

Only had black coffee, but I really enjoyed it. Not bitter like some other places. Also has lots of room to sit inside and outside.

Someone should tell the staff at Java Junction that the world is not out to get them, nor are they gods of the coffee house. The aggression from, especially the blond girl, is really irritating first thing in the morning. Not a good combo to be rude to people before they have their morning coffee. Dont order the burritos, they are super disgusting and taste like when made, there was no attention payed. The brewed coffee, is good, the smoothies are delicious, but how is it that one can maintain a job at a coffee house when he burns the milk in my latte? Burnt milk? The location of Java Junction is what keeps people coming back, unfortunately this is not the place where you should expect the baristas to ever remember your name, face, order, or even care to. thanks for reading. read more

Java Junction is horrible. We had to wait for 30 minutes to get our food and they forgot part of our order. We had to wait as they forgot part of our order and they had to bring it to us. We also ordered to go and they gave our order to us for there and when we told them they just gave us some cream wrap and sent us on our way. We had to walk home in the rain. I am never going to go their again and I recommend that all of you who read this review do the same. read more

The quality of the espresso is worth 5 stars, but the customer service is worth 1 star. I could not tell if the employees hated their jobs or were just extremely tired and unenthusiastic. My Americano was really good and the shop was very clean. I prefer my coffee served with a smile. Therefore, I probably won't be returning. :( read more

Every time I go to this coffee shop I have had shitty service, in addition serving stale coffee and adding way too much ice in their iced drinks I'd have to say this place is pretty disappointing. read more

The coffee is meh.. good bagels. However today I got charged for an extra bagel and the guy at the register was so rude about it. He took my money and I said you charged us for an extra bagel.. his response "I didn't charge you for anything "...uhh..I just paid you. Then he tells me when I try and show him the receipt.. " I trust you..here's $2.25... " they actually overcharged me $3... it's OK to make mistakes but no reason to be a dick about it. Just lost a customer..and I live down the street. Boo read more

For starters, it took forever. And again, idk why locals get their coffee before us! Must be an SC thing because I've experienced that in a couple different spots now. As for the white mocha we got... she totally screwed it up. I'm not that big of a coffee snob to make a scene about it but for the 15 minutes we waited, I expect perfection. Definitely a local spot and that's where it ends. Would not recommend unless you are bored, rich and have no other place on earth to get a coffee buzz. read more

Having lived in the area my whole life I have been continually dissapointed with the lack of friendlyness. My interactions with staff have generally been negative and regardless of the convience I won't be going back. read more

If you like rude assholes and cold coffee, then come here. The man that owns this place thinks he owns the world and is rude and annoying. He makes the atmosphere so bad that one would never want to return. Moreover, the coffee sitting out in the huge containers is almost always cold or tepid. It is not very tastey coffee, either. The bathrooms are upstairs and they have to give a gigantic key to use it. The rude, condescending service puts the nail in this coffin. Unfortunately, their cold, bad coffee doesn't help. The only positive is their location.... read more

Service can be fast or slow depending on the day, but overall I love this place! Friendly workers and great space. Sit inside or on the patio. Free Wi-Fi makes it a great place to work or study. read more

2nd stop on the search for ideal coffee shop setting pros: big large space with great outdoor seating. the staff was super friendly. latte was decent. cons: sandwiches were just alright. nothing too special (however, i got a veggie which tend to be on the bland side of the menu to begin with) overall: i didn't dislike it. it just didn't have that homey cozy feel makes me not mind spending hours on the computer. will go back but only until i find a better staple closer to the house. read more

I kind of wish that I would have read the reviews before I went because I would have been pleasantly surprised. I had a great coffee, Cafe Au Lait, and great service. Only reason I am giving it a 4-star rating is because I only had drip coffee but I would still say go for it. Oh, but beware parking DOES suck. read more

They just introduced loose leaf teas! Their coffee is organic and pastries are local-made which is awesome. I have a hard time deciding between their vanilla latte or creme brûlée mocha. One of the employees suggested I try the sundried tomato bagel with sundried tomato and artichoke cream cheese ... I'm hooked! read more

As a student, I have been searching for the best study place and I think I have found it! Definitely the best coffee shop in Santa Cruz! I take issue with some of the policies of other seemingly more popular coffee places, such as forcing two people with laptops to sit at the same table on the tiniest tables you've ever seen. But there is no such pretense at Java Junction! PROS: The staff is so incredibly friendly! They love neighborhood locals and offer great suggestions if you don't know what to get. The tables are huge. The free internet is great. The wooden chairs look uncomfortable until you sit down in them. I work from my laptop in their chairs for hours at a time. And there is a nice big space outside to sit and bask in the sun. The coffee decent, I prefer brewed coffee to their espresso drinks. They do roast their own and have a nice selection of light and dark roasts. Their sandwiches are great if you ask for no mayo and their breakfast bagel sandwiches are awesome! Great fruit smoothies too! CONS: The only downside is that the bathroom is upstairs from the actual establishment and you have to bring a friend or ask the staff to watch your stuff while you are gone. They also have a $5 card charge minimum, so if you are just getting a cup of coffee bring cash (they have an ATM inside) Overall, this is the best place to work or study from your computer. I love this place. No pretense, no ridiculous rules, and rarely overcrowded (good for students trying to study) Definitely the friendliest, most comfortable place to spend a few hours. read more

How does it take 38 minutes to get a bagel with cream cheese, and then the order is wrong?!?! I have been to this place several times, and have NEVER had a good experience. Rude staff, slow service, always mess up my order somehow. I will NOT be going back. read more

Service is not always great. Often out of bagels. Seems to be getting worse. Two days this week no bagels!!!!

Oh man. I bought a chicken caesar salad, and when I opened the container the chicken was stinky and slimy. Gross. So I traded it in for a pre-made fruit salad, because I didn't have time to wait for the one guy behind the counter to finish the 2 smoothies that he was working on for other customers, and then make me a fresh salad. So I sat down with the fruit salad and I noticed some of the pieces of fruit were dark and slimy in some parts but I figured since it was fruit it wouldn't actually hurt me, so I picked around the pieces that looked spoiled and moved on with my day. Well, when I was projectile-vomiting 30 minutes later, I knew I had been wrong. Not sure if it was just the fact that the fruit had gone bad, (I didn't eat any of the pieces that looked bad) or perhaps a lack of cleanliness on the part of the staff. Anyway, that's the last time I'll ever hit that place up. Yuk. read more

I love this place! The food is great! I usually get a lox bagel or a plain bagel and it's always great! Their turkey cranberry sandwich is also very good! All their smoothies look and taste wonderful! And the coffee they make is wonderful. If I could I would go there every day! I would highly recommend this place! read more

This place is awesome, normally when my wife and I go to a coffee shop she gets a coffee and I dont get anything, but here I get a smoothie or am iced coffee, they are so good! Plus their whipped cream is delicious! read more

Their outdoor dining is a fantastic and pet-friendly way to spend a sunny Santa Cruz morning. Good coffee and tea as well as a smattering of smoothies. Good when you don't want to deal with the line at Linda's. Decent breakfast on the cheap, too. read more