The team here has been a pleasure to deal with. I grew up in Santa Cruz but sadly, no longer live there. I saw a few shirts on the PW social media feed that I *had* to have so I called up to see if they would hook me up. Jessica was super helpful and sought out the T-shirts by my description from IG posts, and saw the transaction through even though it took a couple of tries for my card to cooperate. Not long later, everything arrived just as I ordered it! On the other end- I needed to exchange one of the shirts and Elfin was key in making that go as smoothly as possible. They even texted me photos of the shirt display so that I could select the best color. Sure enough, the perfect exchange was made, and they even included some Pacific Wave stickers! So great! I wish I lived there so that I could impulse buy their sick designs on the regular! read more

Pacific Wave - Men's Clothing Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

My family and I love this store, their clothing and the staff. We had a complicated exchange (as we don't live in the area) however Elfin and his staff were great at accommodating our exchange and working with us to get my daughter the right fit for her hoodie. All their clothing is good quality and super cool. Highly recommend visiting when in the Santa Cruz area. read more

Large selection in this well maintained store downtown. We were looking for a sweatshirt and found one right away. Appreciated that it was designed by a family in Santa Cruz! Love to buy local :) Cashier was friendly and helpful. read more

Pacific Wave - New sweatshirt design - Men's Clothing Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Place is rad for one, the tees, shoes and hats are pretty cool two and "IN" so that counts for points with the cool people. hahaha. They've got a pretty nice collection of men's shirts and kids' clothes and womans clothes. Definitely a gem for sure! Enso forever! Stickers. Shoes. Independant. "You can look at a picture for a week and never think of it again. You can also look at the picture for a second and think of it all your life."― Joan Miro read more

Pacific Wave - Santa Cruz decal Pacific Wave - Men's Clothing Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Great selection of clothing, shoes and gear. Have gotten some great value finds over the years. An establishment of our local downtown. read more

Such a great selection of all your favorite beach, surfing and skating apparel. There is a lot to look at and I am always grateful they are still there whenever I head down to Santa Cruz from SF. The team is also very friendly and will go out of their way to offer you great service. read more

Still the best deals.. they own the hoodie game in town super cute dots too Service Always helpful and cool Value it's pricy 36-72$$ but there memories for life Everyone seems chill and helpful read more

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I purchased an original design women's shirt and am using for workout light andhas stretch Would recommend this as best surf shop for quality and price Came back for second shirt read more

PW has a huge selection of clothing, hats and more. I had the BEST customer service provided by manager, Elfin. I had an issue with a return. After speaking to him he made it right! I live out of town so he went the extra mile to accommodate the situation. I appreciate great customer service, which I feel is lacking in retail. I will be shopping here the next time Im in Santa Cruz! Huge Thanks to Elfin! read more

The service was great. They were very friendly. Multiple employees asked us if we need help with anything and just said hi. The selection was really great. We went there because there was a sale on the sidewalk. But it ended finding stuff inside as well. I always love their selection and they always love their service. read more

Okay, I have a little gripe and I have to say this will be the last time I get merchandise here. I just dropped $148 on two sweatshirts and the young boy/man behind the counter didn't even bother to fold my sweatshirts and the worst part was that he didn't even say Thank you. That's poor customer service and they have lost a customer. They have all of the latest merch, but it's not worth spending my money at such an establishment. read more

Pacific Wave - Non folded sweatshirt - Men's Clothing Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Amazing service by Celia. The staff was so friendly and helpful. Couldn't be more happy. My husband and I got a pair of shoes and a shirt for our 1 year old daughter that she more than happily wore out of the store. Great prices. After some really terrible service from another store in the area, it was a breath of fresh air to have been treated so well. Will be returning! read more

I really like all the different designs they have here and the overall layout of the store is really nice. The only thing that is lacking is the customer service. I asked for assistance and the individual was really annoyed that she had to come and assist me - instead if hanging out with her cow worker. I wasn't going to say anything until when I was checking out and she rolled her eyes at me when I was asking about what time pacific wave was closing. read more

I had an A+ experience with a really friendly brown-haired teenager (fairly certain his name was Tyler) helping me find the perfect skateboarding shoes and socks! I'm just a beginner so this was my first time buying skate shoes (ones to actually skate with that is lol). The store was out of a a few of the shoes I was interested in, but Tyler brought me out almost every skate shoe they had in my size for me to try on. And awesomely, when we figured out that I actually needed to go down half a size (as these were men's sizes), they had a pair of black and white ones that I really wanted in stock and he brought those out to me straight away. Tyler also recommended I get the taller skate shoes since I was a beginner so I'd be less likely to roll my ankles. I think I tried on like six pairs of shoes total. He helped me lace up the shoes for like all of them too. I ended up buying a pair of black and white VANS SKATE SK8-HI's. He then also helped me pick out some good thick Stance socks to wear while skating! They've all been great picks and feel comfortable every time I've gone out. Also loved that he wore his face mask the entire time. I've been so hesitant to go into shops, but knew I had to try on skate shoes and couldn't just buy them online without likely having to return them a dozen times. So it was really great that he made me feel comfortable being in the shop. When I wear these skateboarding shoes out, I'll be back for another pair from here! Thanks, Tyler! read more

Extremely rude staff... I'll just Kill them with kindness so they can learn something. I just needed a pair of flip flops no need to be rude and glare. Smh read more

This is a really great store to get some authentic Santa Cruz clothing , from the classic old school design hoodie to stuff I have not seen before Lots of independent skate shirts both long and short sleeve and for the first time saw a store selling an independent blanket .... for 40 bucks ... As usual this stuff has become popular with tourists so the prices have gone up. A normal SC hoodie now 60 dollars They have sandals , glasses , stickers , socks and so much more. Would have spent more time but had to jam One thing , the staff was amazing , super friendly and looked happy to work here. The parking is rough as it is main town but worth to go Try it out for sure if in Santa Cruz read more

We like to frequent the store quite a lot once we come to visit the Santa Cruz area. This is where you can find all of the shirts or sweaters that say Santa Cruz on them and they have shoes close of every sort here. We especially like to check this place out to get the Santa Cruz stickers to put on board and other stuff. read more

Huge store! I had to leave otherwise I woulda spent a crap ton of cash. Came specifically for their selection of Santa Cruz hoodies. The selection did not disappoint. I love their PWS wear as well. Pricey but, it's downtown so expected. Lots of friendly employees. Hoodie $80 but great quality and a taste of home while I'm out of Ca read more

Elfin you are amazing! Me & my friend went in today she got stung by a bee on her way into the store. Elfin you were so quick to help! I was amazed by your customer service. You conjured up some mud & water solution! Wow it took away her pain so fast. Thank you Elfin for going above & beyond! You are truly an incredible person. Bless you read more

Good inventory but you guys literally have the laziest staff. They're currently trying to close the store early and already turned off the music to make customers feel "awkward." Their words not mine. Kudos to the male employee with died gray/white hair who remained professional. Go pack your bad lazy attitudes otherwise. read more

Very open and inviting shop.The best place shop in town If you are looking for Santa Cruz appeal this is the spot to go. I've been to other places in town that claim to have "the best selection of Santa Cruz appeal in town". Let me tell you those places are bogus man. Pacific Wave selection sets the bar and are always stocked. The employees here are so awesome! I'm glad this store exists. I had to write a review about my experience today with an employee named Jack. At first I didn't see the sweatshirt I wanted, then when I was about to leave I saw it, but it was on the top rack where I couldn't reach so I asked if he could assist me, and he was willing to help and immediately grabbed an extension rod to get the sweater. Was this sweater pricey? Yes, but they have longevity so they are worth it. Plus it's starting to get cold and this will keep me warm. Thank you Jack for reminding me that great customer service still exist. These guys have my business and I will continue to shop here. read more

Pacific Wave - My new Santa Cruz sweater. - Men's Clothing Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

They have a lot of nice stuff and a good selection of clothes and shoes but there stuff is overpriced. I payed 40 dollars for a hat and a Santa Cruz hoodie costs 70 plus dollars. read more

This store has a lot of options. I was originally looking for a baseball hat (they didn't have it) but I looked around and found some gems. The best find was a pair of Brixton slacks that were like a plumb maroon type color. Hard color to find but perfect for many of the shirts I own. Also, the fit is perfect - super nice for work. They also have a great selection of shop shirts and hoodies with cool designs! Not what I was looking for but very cool designs. read more

The condescending snark of a manager on duty poorly trained in service recovery as he peers out from under his flat brim is really something to behold. If this is of interest, then Pacific Wave is the place for you! If it does not then I suggest you shop elsewhere. I was in Santa Cruz a few weeks ago and picked up a pair of boardshorts here before a vacation. While away on vacation I was surprised to find that the security tag had not been removed from the shorts necessitating a purchase of another pair of boardshorts if I wanted to swim while I was away. Frustrating, but not the end of the world. When I returned to Pacific Wave they apologized for their mistake and mentioned that their forgetting to remove the security tag happens frequently with their staff that get busy or "lost in the conversation" with customers. Awesome. So how did the aforementioned manager on duty offer to make it up to me for the additional pair of shorts I bought and the 40 mile drive to have the security tag removed after their error? "I can give you some stickers?" No thanks, I am not a tween with a lunchbox to put them on. "I can give you $10 off?" Again, no thanks. Safe to say, you missed the point. read more

Being born and raised in Santa Cruz, I know surf and skate shops are all over town, but this one really shined today. My mom and I were shopping and a middle aged man came in the store who was browsing, touching items all while not wearing a mask. It made us feel very uncomfortable so we asked the staff member who was checking our items out at the register to say something. He very politely did while being faced with hostility, annoyance and anger. The customer without a mask went on a rant that he thought it was stupid and he didn't believe in Covid-19. He then went and got a mask and came back in begrudgingly and talking under his breath The staff member was so nice, helpful and respectful and I felt bad that they have to deal inconsiderate people. I didn't catch the staff members name but he was around 14 years old, blonde hair, freckles and had a killer mask he made himself! I just wanted to write this to say thank you for making what could have been a heated situation into something that we laughed about after. People who don't want to wear masks in a public place like a store, should really just stay the hell home. read more

So being from the Santa Clara Valley, I really wanted to represent where I come from. This set off a quest to find a specific brand of clothing called NOR*CAL. We kind of hit the jackpot here because they have a great selection of NOR*CAL clothing. We bought a total of four shirts in varying styles. The store is nice, clean, and well organized so you can actually breeze in and find everything you want quickly. The staff is younger so you may have to take the initiative to ask for some help, but once you do, you'll find them very helpful. Overall, we'll be back next time when I need some more shirts. From the other reviews, I'll have to check out their website. The physical location is in an area with limited parking and we just found some at a really close parking garage. read more

Pacific Wave - Men's Clothing Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Very cool store featuring 'California style' clothing, sunglasses and shoes; they sell skateboards and associated accessories. The clothing was all very stylish and included skateboard brand t-shirts and sweatshirts (plenty of Santa Cruz designs, Independent Truck Co, etc), and also more dressy button down shirts and sweatshirts. The prices I saw were all reasonable. This place is like a higher end version of Zumies, with merchandise that is suitable for older people, not just teenagers. read more

I've literally never seen so many skate/surf brands in one place before Awesome range and staff are super lovely and helpful.

I had a good experience here and they had a great variety of Santa Cruz clothing and hats. I've been looking for kid rainbow sandals and found them here. Cashier was polite but no one in the store was really friendly but that's ok since I didn't need any help. read more

Tried to return an item that was slightly damp from the rain. Note: it was pouring rain outside. Teenage manager was an absolute ​nightmare who had not an ounce of customer service ability. She refused to take the item back. Stay away from this store!! Shop at customer service friendly establishments!! read more

Even though I'm not a surfer/skater, my fashion sense tends to lean in that direction. Really strange, especially with a no-nonsense personality and overall lack of coordination. Was bopping along downtown Santa Cruz over the weekend, killing time, and ran across Pacific Wave. I *almost* passed 'em by completely, but a cute sweater in the window forced me to backtrack. Worth the extra few steps, for sure. What did I find? + Comfy, fleece-lined sweatshirt. Perfect for grey, rainy Bay Area days. + Geometric designed cardigan. 100% organic cotton. And it dresses up fairly well with boots and black jeans. + Billabong Laptop bag. Totally random, I know. But the tote-bag is properly cushioned/set up for carrying a laptop. Or in my case, laptop inside of sleeve. Never can be too careful. No, I don't usually get my clothes from a skater shop, but it's fun to mix it up with items from a store like Pacific Wave, which carries all sorts of brands/styles for guys and gals. And the staff was perfectly friendly. Would definitely come back! read more

I am a big fan of surf and sports stores so I was excited to make my way to Pacific Wave. While their staff is friendly (5 stars to the staff) their product and pricing is what falls very short. I went in to purchase a hoodie or shirt from their private label. I know it is California but wow...I was not paying $50 for a hoodie that was as thin as a t-shirt. I kept looking around and could not find one thing in the private label that was worth the price that they were asking for. I went up to the Santa Cruz skateboard area and purchased a hoodie that was priced similar to what other stores in the area was asking for. Guess what, it was at least twice as thick and ~$10 less than the private label. The private label of a company is what is suppose to represent a store...I wouldn't mind spend $50+ for a quality product. My advice, put the money back in your pocket and take the beautiful ~45 minute drive up the coast to Mavericks Surf Company. There you will spend far less on a better product and get to talk to surfing legends such as Jeff Clark about riding the big waves of California. read more

Nobody every says hi to you when entering they store, and when you greet them they act like they're not obliged to talk to you! I'm a Santa Cruz native and I swear they always hire people that think they're just too cool! Ridiculous. read more

This was the only place I could find in the Bay that had the hat I wanted. They have a buy online, pick up in store option that was great. I ordered the hat online as I was buying it to bring back home to Philadelphia with me later that week. The $ was taken out of my account and 3 days after I ordered I took the drive down to SC to pick up the hat. However, upon arriving I was told they were out of the hat and they needed to pick one up across town to bring back. I was on a strict deadline, not to mention flying across the country at 6am the next day, so needless to say I was pretty upset. The web did not say it was out of stock and I never received an email stating I culd not pick up right away. On a redeeming note, the person I spoke with volunteered to run across town rather quickly and get the hat for me which I was very grateful for. That is why there are three stars and the quality of the hat was very nice as well. I just hope they add some organization to their shopping site. read more

I am from Santa Cruz and over the years this store and its popularity have been consistently growing. I find it kind of a nuisance to shop here because it is so packed with people and the store can't take over any more space so stuff is jammed in. The staff is cool and about what you'd expect, I don't mind their lack of attention to my every shopping whim. They still sell a decent selection of boards, but it's not a real surf/skate/board shop. Go upstairs for a few boards and occasionally they will have a used surfboard or two. No one in their ever loving mind would buy a new surfboard here. Skateboards are within 10% of what they should be so buy up. I have no idea about snowboards because I hate being cold. The prices are absolutely not competitive for the same items in the area, but I think this place caters more towards valley's and beyond and from the reviews that seems to be the main clientele. To give you an idea I bought a Santa Cruz baby shirt for a friend and found it CHEAPER at Noland's on the Wharf which is arguably the touristy of the tourist areas. The only more expensive place for Santa Cruz dot style shirts is the place in the Capitola mall to give you some perspective. All that being said this store is a good one stop shop if you're not a local or want to see a big selection in one place and the locals appreciate you buying a bunch of crap here. read more

This is a great surf and skate apparel shop in Santa Cruz. There is so much variety. Although the girl clothing is too girly for me, I like some stuff that suits tomboys like me. They have a lot of shoes, sunglasses, sweatshirts, etc. A lot of sweatshirts and t-shirts with prints from the store and from other brands. Brands like Toms, Herschel, Volcom, Vans, North Face, etc. can be found here. Great brands, BUT expensive prices. If it was cheaper, I'd buy a bunch of stuff, but it's a tad bit overpriced. People who work there are nice. read more

This place is one of my first memories as a kid. I bought my first longboard here, my first shortboard here, countless pairs of board shorts here. Pacific Wave is honestly an icon to me. I remember them as long as I have memories of Santa Cruz. No longer as close to the beach as my heart is, I took to Pacific Waves website. I used the contact us feature for a question and got a speedy response. http://Pacwave.com was equipped with Google Checkout as well as traditional. They also gave me free shipping on my order. I received an initial e-mail about my placed order then a second about my tracking info so I could keep an eye on my order. I've seen smaller companies take to the net to some pretty ugly websites. I'm just glad that didn't happen with Pacific Wave. They've got a good looking website with a ton of stuff to offer, and it's the next best thing to being in store. Aside from the store, check out http://pacwave.com . If you're like me and you're out of the area for now it's a nice way to get something from home. read more

Always a solid spot to get your local gear situated. Tons of selection of stuff from all different brands. Staffs always friendly and a great location dt. Pricing is about average or even lower if you compare it to other shops in the area. read more

This is a great shop. I've been a customer for over 10 years now, and will continue to support this awesome shop. They have a great selection of all things surf/skate/snow for men and women of all ages. The staff has always been super friendly, and more than willing to answer all of my stupid questions. For some reason, they seem to have the largest on hand inventory of Tom Penny decks I've ever seen. I've gotten 4 from them for my collection so far, and they are always on the short list of places to check when a new deck becomes available. I'm sad I moved away and can only visit a few times throughout the year. This place is top notch! read more

Gabe provided the utmost amazing service! Very knowlegable about surfing in general and helped us get around, what a nice guy! My friend and I were visiting from San Francisco, he was happy to answer any questions we had, because of him I will recomend your shop to all my friends : ) Keep up the great work Gabe. read more