-
January 2023 by Farid Hamidieh
Awesome, historic experience. Come on down and Enjoy.
-
August 2021 by Chris Palma
Pretty place, crazy crackheads
-
July 2021 by Sarah W.
I've lived here all my life, the Pacific Garden Mall has never been good. From overpriced shops, buildings that have been abandoned and the homeless wandering around screaming. It's just not a good place. I can't even count the amount of times I've been in a position where I could easily get hit. Don't bother coming here after dark, or really don't bother coming down here at all. Nothing good comes out of the Pacific Garden Mall.
-
May 2020 by Jayasimha Nuggehalli
Pacific Garden Mall is a nice place to hangout in Downtown Santa Cruz. You will see lot of interesting things here. There are also street music performers, you can enjoy the music. Lot of Restaurants close by, also Regal Cinemas. Nice place to take a stroll.
-
November 2019 by Lee O.
First of all I have to echo another reviewer's comment that Pacific Ave was called the Pacific Garden Mall up until the '89 earthquake. Afterwards is just called downtown. All the local people know that and if you refer to Pacific avenue as PGM they'll look at you oddly. Nevertheless, you'll have your post office, a couple poke shops, Jamba juice, a couple movie theaters, a used record store, and the metro center. There's also a variety of restaurants, clothing, and shoe stores. Stores vary from time to time depending on who can stay in business and whatever is trendy. Unfortunately you will see various homeless individuals walking around or occupying the benches. Typically they are harmless and just walk by. Along the edge of the sidewalk you will see various vendors and musicians which add to the flavor our area.
-
June 2019 by Bob Downing
The Mall is always changing , never a dull moment that's for sure !
-
July 2018 by Tori B.
This was not what we were expecting. I didn't get the hippy vibe people wanting. It was basically a string of stores. Many of those were unique, so it was not a total waste if time... It was just quite different than many of the write ups. I wouldn't really call it a destination, but it was nice.
-
August 2017 by Kristi R.
Why aren't there more reviews?! I still love the Pacific Avenue, even though it has changed so much. There are still plenty of weird stores, and a few not so weird. There are many stores that I have no use for, but they are all part of the flavor of Santa Cruz. The only reason I did not leave 5 stars? People should leave their marijuana at home and not smoke so much on the mall!
-
August 2016 by Carmen M.
Don't miss this place! Clean, restaurants with varying price ranges and tastes, art galleries and entertainment. Special activities on first Fridays. All of this in one street downtown Santa Cruz.
-
June 2016 by Russ V.
First - I wanted to update the cool way Santa Cruz came up with to help out the homeless and others in need of community services. The RED " Parking Meters " along the sidewalks in the downtown shopping district. Just to CLARIFY they are not for paying your parking. They are on the walking part of the sidewalk. I thought this is so great! Not sure if these are in other parts of town. It's a terrific way to donate some of your spare change without wondering what the street person will do with the money! Second - Someone else's comment mentioned this shopping area now known as the Pacific Garden Mall was in place well before the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. So I researched the now defunct Santa Cruz Sentinel that wrote an article celebrating the Pacific Garden Mall's 40 year anniversary back in 2009. YIKES~ being a kid that grew up in Santa Cruz I didn't even know it existed until after I returned from the Air Force in the 70's ...but it is certainly a local and tourist magnet these days, guess it has been for quite some time. Go check it out. great shopping and restaurants only a short distance from the beach and boardwalk!
-
February 2016 by Steven W.
This is only technically a thing. The pacific garden mall was the name given to the main outdoor shopping district which existed before the 1989 loma prieta quake. What you see now is the main street of Santa Cruz. Most people that come to visit never really get to it as they just go straight to the beach. Which is their loss as there's dozens of restaurants, bars, and unique shopping to be had here. Runs roughly from the post office on the north end to the bus station on the south end. There is metered street parking however in the summer unless you arrive at 6 am you'll never find a spot. The city has a couple of parking garages and pay lots a block or two off pacific ave. in any direction, 24hrs of parking will run you less then ten bucks, usually five will get you all the time you need. Especially useful as there's bus service what runs you to the beach in about 15 mins which is pretty much what it will take to walk there from downtown. Not counting time spent popping in and out of pubs. This stretch of Santa Cruz is always worth a look.
