CAFES

The Abbey

Off the beaten track, this spacious cafe is geared toward inspired study or inspired conversation, and there’s often live entertainment. 350 Mission St., Santa Cruz. abbeycoffee.org.

Café Delmarette

Located next to the Del Mar Theatre, this sweet café offers some of the freshest organic food around. You can find a variety of coffee drinks, creative sandwiches and a wide array of other treats, including irresistible scones. 1126 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 420-1025 .cafedelmarette.com/

Cat & Cloud Coffee

Their roasting philosophy focuses on darker roasts, which they view as more approachable for the average coffee drinker. 3600 Portola Dr., Santa Cruz; Abbott Square at 118 Cooper St., Santa Cruz; 719 Swift St., Santa Cruz; 10 Parade St., Ste. A, Aptos. catandcloud.com.

Coffee Cat

With a roaster on site, Coffee Cat peddles its own brews, always featuring a light, dark and organic roast. Decadent pastries, sandwiches and salads. Everything organic and local. 255 Mount Hermon Rd., Scotts Valley, 439-0700.

Coffeetopia

Coffeetopia is a coffee lover’s paradise specializing in Italian-style espresso preparation, plus chai, yerba mate, Italian sodas, and smoothies. Free Wi-Fi, Kelly’s French Bakery pastries and Bagelry bagels. 1723 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 4256583; 3701 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz, 477-1940; 1443 Capitola Rd., Capitola, 427-7181. coffeetopia.com.

Firefly Coffee House

From its homemade pastries to its unique coffee drinks, this lower Pacific Avenue portal has become a fascinating java hotspot. Check out their coffee deals for students. 131A Front St., Santa Cruz, 471-8881; 1700 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, 226-2610. fireflycoffee.com.

Heavenly Roadside Cafe

A lavish breakfast menu including a benedict bar, scrambles and “Sweet Stuff,” rounded out with salads and burgers. 1210 Mt. Hermon Rd., Scotts Valley, 335-1210. heavenlyroadsidecafe.com.

Hidden Peak Teahouse

This respite from downtown bustle features a slew of teapots and other tea paraphernalia, plus a fine selection of premium teas, from pu-erh and green to herbal blends. 1541 Pacific Ave. #C, Santa Cruz, 4234200. hiddenpeakteahouse.com.

Java Junction

With an extensive specialty coffee menu, smoothies, snacks, and an ocean view to boot, you can’t go wrong at the Seabright location. If you’re on the other side of town, the location on River Street is a great place to chill after a hike at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. 580-A River St., Santa Cruz, 426-2128; 519 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 4235282; 2222 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, 464-1243. javajunctioncoffee.com.

Lulu Carpenter’s

This popular coffeehouse boasts friendly service and a slew of fresh culinary treats—salads, sandwiches, desserts and more. Great attention to coffee drinks and specialty teas are a plus. 1545 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz ;925 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz (drivethrough); 930 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, 439-9200. lulucarpenters.com.

Mr. Toots

Set in an upstairs loft overlooking the beach at the Capitola Esplanade, this little gem has great java drinks and exceptional cheesecake. 231 Esplanade Ste. 100, Capitola, 475-3679.

Pacific Coffee Roasting Co.

Coffee is roasted on site every week at this favorite hangout. Complete with breakfast bagels, ice cream, specialty coffee drinks, and easy access to Highway 1 and Cabrillo College. 7554 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 685-2520.

Samba Rock Acai Cafe

Cozy, laid-back nook serving organic acai bowls, coffee and tea. 291 Water St., Santa Cruz, 458-2224. facebook.com/sambarockacaicafe.

Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company

With a commitment to locals and a passion for fair trade, SCCRC is a winner. Great entertainment, too. 1330 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 4590100. santacruzcoffee.com.

The Ugly Mug

From the quirky art expositions to the careworn hodgepodge of furniture, The Ugly Mug has character written all over it. Free wireless (or rentable computers) and yummy study snacks. Check the calendar for live events, including a weekly Monday night open mic. 4640 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 477-1341. cafeugly.com.

Verve

Notable for its modern design and some of the best coffee in town, the über friendly staff make Verve a java drinker’s delight. They roast their own beans, and the shop swells at all hours. 816 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-7776; 104 Bronson St., Santa Cruz, 2164448; 1540 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 471-7726.; 1010 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-5648. vervecoffee.com.

Zizzo’s Coffeehouse & Wine Bar

Coffee by day and wine or coffee by night, plus small plates/tapas and pastries to snack on. A piano bar adds a big dose of atmosphere. 3555 Clares St., Capitola, 477-0680. zizzoscoffee.com.

BREAKFAST

Beach Street Cafe

Located directly across from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, this is a popular breakfast and lunch spot for locals and visitors alike. 399 Beach St., Santa Cruz, 426-7621.

The Buttery

Seabright hub for the best in coffee, pastries, cakes, breakfast, and lunch. 702 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 4583020. butterybakery.com.

Café Brasil

Enjoy a healthy and exotic breakfast or lunch for under $10. The options are too extensive to list, so just know there’s a reason it’s so popular. Biker discount of 5%. 1410 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 4291855. cafebrasil.us.

Chill Out Café

For the best breakfast burritos— there are 20 to choose from—and sandwiches, salads, coffee, and smoothies, make sure to stop in at Chill Out Café, where the service is quick and the wall art is always changing.

Companion Bakeshop

Companion’s incredible artisan pastries and unique breads have earned it a special kind of fame on the Westside.

2341 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 4718378; 7486 Soquel Dr., Aptos, 6126655.

860 41st Ave., Capitola, 477-0543.

The Picnic Basket

Sophisticated yet casual, this counter-service spot serves up organic local ingredients fashioned into exceptional meals for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Stop by for a specialty coffee or snacks of the highest order. 125 Beach St., Santa Cruz, 427-9946. thepicnicbasketsc.com.

Red Apple Cafe

Award-winning breakfast menu includes six varieties of eggs benedict. 589 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville, 761-9551; 783 Rio Del Mar Blvd. #15, Aptos, 685-1224.

Red Apple Cafe

This Watsonville diner is a local breakfast and lunch institution. 589 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville, 761-9551.

Walnut Avenue Cafe

Named “City’s Best Breakfast” by Sunset magazine, this downtown breakfast hub serves generous portions of all the classics and more, plus indoor and outdoor seating. 106 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 457.2804. walnutavenuecafe.com.

Zachary’s

The omelets are impressive, but everything on the menu is dynamic— and bountiful. Salads are fresh, and the variety of sandwiches is noteworthy. Try the Mike’s Mess. 819 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 4270646. zacharyssantacruz.com.