A complete archive of issues from the past and present.

Issues | Santa Cruz Vibes Magazine

Looking for a copy of Santa Cruz Vibes magazine? Use the interactive map below to explore locations across Santa Cruz where you can pick up the latest issue. You can also search the directory by category to find a convenient pick-up spot near you.

SANTA CRUZ, CA – Tucked right where the Santa Cruz Harbor meets the sparkling Pacific, The Crow’s Nest is one of those places that feels like a little slice of coastal magic. It’s not just a restaurant—it’s an experience. With a front-row seat to one of the most iconic views in town and over 50 years of good eats and good times under its belt, this local favorite is still going strong in 2025.
Whether you&#8217;re a beach bum just rolling in from the sand or you&#8217;re dressed up for date night, the Nest has something for everyone. Downstairs, the main dining room is all about that classic California coastal charm. We’re talking floor-to-ceiling windows that frame postcard-worthy scenes of sailboats drifting by, the sun dipping behind the Walton Lighthouse, and pelicans gliding over the water like they own the place. The menu is just as impressive—fresh-off-the-boat seafood, hearty pasta, perfectly aged steaks, and chef specials that change daily to keep things fresh and seasonal.

Want something a little more laid-back? Just head upstairs to the Breakwater Bar &amp; Grill. The vibe up there is pure Santa Cruz—casual, breezy, and full of energy. It’s the kind of place where you can grab a cold beer and some calamari, kick back on the deck, and just watch the boats roll in. During the day, it’s perfect for lunch or happy hour hangs, but once the sun sets, the place transforms into a lively spot for live music and dancing. Locals know it’s one of the best places in town to catch a band and vibe out with friends.
Both levels feature open-air decks with panoramic shoreline views, and inside, the décor leans into Santa Cruz’s surf culture. Think polished wood, custom glass art, and walls lined with vintage surfboards and black-and-white photos from the golden days of local surf legends. It&#8217;s a warm, welcoming space with just the right amount of nostalgic cool.

Oh—and did we mention? The Crow’s Nest is officially part of Santa Cruz Vibes &amp; Event Santa Cruz’s 2025 Foodie Month! So this April is the perfect time to stop by, dig into something delicious, and celebrate one of the city’s most iconic foodie destinations.
Whether you’re just stopping through town or you’ve lived in Santa Cruz your whole life, The Crow’s Nest is one of those places that always hits the spot. Come for the views, stay for the food, and leave with a little more love for this quirky, sun-soaked town we call home.
Find them at: 2218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 📞 Call: (831)-476-4560 📧 Email: <a rel="noopener" data-start="4228" data-end="4256">info@crowsnest-santacruz.com</a> ⏰ Hours: Mon–Thurs: 8AM–9PM Fri–Sat: 8AM–11PM Sun: 8AM–9:30PM
Give them a follow on Facebook and Instagram—or just drop by and see what all the fuss is about.

Foodie Month Profile: Crow’s Nest

As stewards of the sea, we surfers have a responsibility to do what we can to preserve the natural beauty of the amazing environment that provides us so much happiness. Whether it’s investing in eco-friendly equipment, becoming a member of a group such as the Surfrider Foundation, volunteering for a beach cleanup, or individually leaving the beach with at least one piece of trash each time you visit, we owe it to Mother Nature and future generations of surf-stoked grommets to do what we can to ensure the preservation of this threatened resource.
Such was the theme last Friday at the “Rope, Rubber, and Rudders” art show at Minnow Arts in downtown Santa Cruz. In celebration of Earth Month, the exhibit—which showcased the work of local artists Ethan Estess and Jonathan Steinberg, along with special guest, Mark Cunningham of Oahu—featured art constituted of marine debris and reclaimed objects pulled from the ocean. 
The event was well attended; everyone seemed to be fully engaged in the artists&#8217; unique visions. The thought provoking works managed to convey a complicated issue in a simplistic and stark manner. All three artists were on hand to meet and greet to provide a personal connection to those in attendance, who enjoyed free beer and wine courtesy of Humble Sea and Margins Wine that helped stimulate the imagination and provoke thoughtful discussion.The show was succeeded by a beach cleanup at Cowell’s Beach with the Save the Waves Coalition and the World Surfing Reserve on Saturday, as well as an intimate musical offering by local artist Chase LaRue.
In between festivities at the Santa Cruz Vibes Spring edition pick-up party at 11th Hour Coffee, my girlfriend and I were able to pop into the unique show for a quick peek. It was there that I was able to corner the humble artists to gather some insight into their artistic process and purpose for putting on the show.

Ethan Estess
We’re lucky to have a rad little gallery like Minnow Arts in our town, and I had the idea to do a show with two friends, John Steinberg and Mark Cunningham, who both love ocean trash and reclaimed object art as much as I do. I reached out to the gallery through a mutual friend Thomas Campbell last year and we lined up an Earth Day 2025 exhibition.
I’ve been making artwork out of marine debris rope and reclaimed commercial fishing rope for about 8 years and I’ve built up a pretty bjg stash of material, which I used to put this show together. I donate to some nonprofits on Oahu who do beach cleanups and they let me take some of the rope they collect, and I also get some from local fishermen when they are ready to take their old gear to the landfill. I try to give it a new life by creating seascapes from the different colors of rope.

My goal with these reclaimed fishing rope panels is to nudge people to think about the importance of sourcing seafood from local, responsible fisheries. Most of the seafood we eat is imported from countries with little environmental oversight, which leads to overfishing, bycatch, and the illegal dumping of plastic rope and nets that entangle and choke marine life. Sourcing fish and shellfish from well-regulated domestic fisheries can help make a dent in the broader ocean plastic pollution issue, and I think more people need to be aware of that.

John Steinberg
The show is 100% found materials. All of which came from the ocean, with a few exceptions, such as the bicycle and wagon. The materials were taken out of the ocean and rescued to live on as art.
My friends know that I gather swim fins, and they drop them off at my house—including lifeguards when they find them on the beach. A lot of them come from the dump, yard sales, and thrift shops. When I’m out walking my dog on the beach at It’s I come across a lot of them too. Sometimes even floating in the lineup out at the Lane. The nice thing is if someone loses, let’s say a ML (Right) swim fin, they can come to me, and more often than not, I’ll have one for them. I’m not going to hoard them just for art— at the end of the day surfing has to come first.

Mark Cunningham
I’ve been beach combing and finding things—Oh my God, I’m almost 70 years-old—since I started lifeguarding when I was 20 years-old. So I’ve been finding things on the beach and while snorkeling underwater for close to 50 years. I didn’t start putting them together in an artistic kinda way until the past 10 or so years. I’ve been collecting and appreciating these things for a really long time but it’s been the past decade that I got a kick in the pants by some mentors telling me to put it together artistically.
I’ve gathered this stuff around the whole island of Oahu; anywhere people swim and surf they tend to lose things.  Mother Nature has a knack for stripping them up. Jewelry falls off, surfboard fins get knocked out, and I have a incredible assortment of Waikiki hotel room keys. 
The primary message in my art is simply my love of surfing. The basis of this collection is surfboard fins. I just love surfing, so when I find these things on the bottom of the sea I go, “This is so cool! Whose board was this on? How many waves did it ride? How much carving and radical ripping did this fin do?” Then, when it’s on the bottom of the ocean, I think, “How many millions of waves have washed over this thing?” And then the energy that it’s kinda been a part of—these things are like totems of energy. I just really appreciate them.
I like putting my work on found or repurposed wood. I go beach combing as much as possible to find what I’m looking for. I don’t use driftwood, per se, but I like manmade lumber that’s been weathered or worn. As I get older, I like showing this passage of time—what Mother Nature does to things. The Japanese have this concept, Wabi-sabi, which is an appreciation of the imperfection of life. It’s not all right angles or perfectly painted, whether it’s weathered or worn, it’s got some soul.

Rope, Rubber, and Rudders

Arslans Turkish Street Food is a Must-Try for Foodie Month 2025 On Walnut Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, nestled among coffee spots and surf shops, there’s a place where the air carries hints of roasted spices, sizzling meats, and something you don’t smell every day in this beach town: real Turkish street food. This is Arslans Turkish Street Food, and if you haven’t experienced it yet, there’s no better time than Santa Cruz Foodie Month 2025.
Arslans is the creation of husband-and-wife duo Yunus and Marissa Arslan. Yunus was born and raised in Gaziantep, a city in southern Turkey known for its bold flavors and deep culinary roots. After arriving in the U.S., he brought those flavors with him—first to San Francisco, and now, to Santa Cruz. Marissa, a Santa Cruz native, grew up just down the street. Together, they’ve combined their love of food, culture, and community to create something truly special.

At first glance, Arslans feels like a fast-casual eatery—bright, clean, and inviting. But don’t be fooled by the simple layout. The kitchen is where the magic happens. The menu centers around the Döner Kebab, a Turkish classic made by stacking marinated meat on a vertical rotisserie and slicing it thin as it cooks. Whether you choose a wrap, a rice box, or a plate, the result is a mouthwatering mix of textures and flavors: tender meat, crunchy cabbage, crispy fries, fresh herbs, and vibrant sauces that are more house-made magic than condiment.
Veggie lovers are far from left out. Arslans offers a beautifully spiced lentil köfte, made with bulgur and red lentils and packed with bold, earthy flavor. Their salads are fresh and herb-forward, and even the rice—soft, buttery Baldo grains imported from Turkey—feels like something that deserves center stage.

Then there are the sweets. Turkish Delight (yes, the real kind) comes in pomegranate, pistachio, and rose petal, and the baklava is flaky, rich, and not overly sweet—just the way it should be. These treats are perfect for ending your meal, or even grabbing to-go on your next downtown stroll.
But what really makes Arslans shine is the balance it strikes between authenticity and approachability. You don’t have to be familiar with Turkish cuisine to fall in love here. Everything is clearly explained, the staff is warm and welcoming, and the vibe is laid-back—this is Santa Cruz, after all. For longtime locals who’ve never tried Turkish food, it’s an easy and flavorful gateway. And for seasoned travelers or foodies craving something different, it hits all the right notes.
As we celebrate Foodie Month 2025, there’s no better time to explore the culinary corners of Santa Cruz you might’ve missed. Arslans is more than just a great lunch spot—it’s a celebration of cultural roots, family tradition, and the power of food to connect. Yunus and Marissa haven’t just brought something new to town—they’ve made it feel like it’s always belonged here.
So skip the usual and treat yourself to something bold, bright, and delicious. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, Arslans Turkish Street Food promises a taste of something different—and something unforgettable.
<hr class="" data-start="3285" data-end="3288" />
Arslans Turkish Street Food 📍 113 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 📞 Phone: (831) 459-9770 🌐 Website: <a class="" href="https://www.arslansturkishstreetfood.com/" target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="3410" data-end="3482">arslansturkishstreetfood.com</a> 🛒 Order Online: <a target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="3504" data-end="3571">ToastTab</a> 📸 Instagram: <a class="" href="https://www.instagram.com/arslansturkishfood/" target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="3590" data-end="3658">@arslansturkishfood</a> 📘 Facebook: <a class="" href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Arslans-Turkish-Street-Food-100084535980110/" target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="3676" data-end="3778">Arslans Turkish Street Food</a>
Hours Monday – Thursday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM Friday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Foodie Month Profile: Crow’s Nest

Killer Views, Chill Vibes & Tasty Bites