BRAINY PURSUITS

PLACES TO STUDY

The Abbey

Tasty coffee and tea, munchies, free Wi-Fi, a bunch of power outlets, plus comfy couches and chairs. 350 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 429-1058. abbeycoffee.org.

Coffeetopia

This popular Internet café offers free Wi-Fi, baked goods, Italian-style espressos, and PC workstations with USB connections and printers. 1723 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 4256583; 3701 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz, 477-1940; 1443 Capitola Road, Capitola, 427-7181. coffeetopia.com.

Lulu Carpenter’s

Tables for studying, coffee, sandwiches and baked goods. 1545 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 439-2000. lulucarpenters.com.

Peoples Coffee

Yummy drinks and munchies, ample space to study, and outdoor seating in sunny Live Oak. 1212 17th Ave., #126, Santa Cruz, 464-2739.

The Ugly Mug

Numerous tables to study at, delicious coffee and tea, sandwiches, and vegan and vegetarian options. 4640 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 477-1341. cafeugly.com.

The White Raven

A few tables, free Wi-Fi, locally made pastries, gourmet teas, and coffee drinks. 6253 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-3611.

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BOOKSTORES

Bad Animal

This independent booktore, focusing on used rare, fine press books, is also a wine bar and restaurant. 1011 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 831-9005031. badanimalbooks.com.

Baytree Bookstore

Find all of your textbooks, university merchandise, study materials and more. 420 Hagar Dr, UCSC, Santa Cruz, 459-4815. slugstore.ucsc.edu.

Bookshop Santa Cruz

There are thousands of book titles to choose from at this popular store and some amazing guest speakers are mixed into the events roster. Added plus: it’s locally owned, and has been for decades. 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 4230900. bookshopsantacruz.com.

Literary Guillotine

It may be a hole in the wall, but Literary Guillotine is a great place to find those rare and out-of-print scholarly books. LG also sells UCSC textbooks. 204 Locust St., Santa Cruz, 457-1195. literaryguillotine.com.

GALLERIES

Artisans Gallery

Locally owned and operated since 1976, Artisans carries a wide selection of American- and local-made items. 1368 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8183. artisanssantacruz.com.

Cabrillo Gallery

Featuring six unique exhibitions annually, the Cabrillo Gallery is the largest college art gallery on the Central Coast. 6500 Soquel Drive, Ste. 1002, Aptos, 479-6308. cabrillo.edu/services/ artgallery/index.html.

Santa Cruz Art League

Characterized by quirky exhibitions, myriad classes and a dedication to preserving the arts in Santa Cruz, there’s always something going on at this art enclave. 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz, 426-5787. scal.org.

First Friday

During First Friday Santa Cruz, participants go on an evening walking tour through venues which have offered up space for local art to be displayed. Live music and snacks provided in various locations. Santa Cruz. firstfridaysantacruz.com.

Felix Kulpa

A precious gem amongst local galleries, the Felix is an avant-garde spot, and is always full of interesting and mind-bending art forms and artists. 107 Elm St., Santa Cruz. felixkulpa.com.

Sesnon Art Gallery

The Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery at UCSC features mixed media works by both local and national artists. 1156 High St., Santa Cruz, 459-3606. art.ucsc.edu/galleries/sesnon/info.

R. Blitzer Gallery

A vibrant rotation of local and regional artists in the expansive former Wrigley building. 2801 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 458-1217. rblitzergallery.com.

Tannery Arts Center

Multiple galleries are housed in this innovative live-work studio environment. The Radius Gallery exhibits contemporary art year-round. 1050 River St., Santa Cruz, 621-6226. tanneryartscenter.org.

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History

The MAH will soon become the art student’s best friend with its rotating and interactive collections and fun events. 705 Front St., Santa Cruz, 429-1964. santacruzmah.org.

17th Avenue Studios

This collective features more than 40 artists, whose work encapsulates Santa Cruz at its best. 980 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, 234-2215. 17thavenuestudios.com.

THEATER

Art League Broadway Playhouse

It boasts an impressive art gallery as well as a small theater, and over the past few years it’s rocked audiences with thought-provoking shows from Pisces Moon Productions and The Monterey Bay Repertory Theatre Company. 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz, 426-5787. scal.org.

Cabrillo Stage

The company wins points for its professional acting posse, live orchestra and production staffs. From Hairspray to A Chorus Line, this company pulls out all the stops. Crocker Theater, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 479-6154. cabrillostage.com.

Henry J. Mello Center

One of South County’s finest arts hubs. The lavish setting has balcony seating, a luxurious stage and more. 250 East Beach St., Watsonville, 768-3240. mellocenter.org.

Jewel Theatre Company

The only year-round professional theatre company in the county. From drama and comedy to musicals and classics, Jewel is independent theater at its best—now operating out of an additional, larger venue, the Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center, 425-7506. jeweltheatre.net.

Louden Nelson Community Center

The famed local center often attracts diverse offerings on the theater front, but take note of its other activities—everything from seniors yoga to dance. The hallway doubles as an art gallery. 301 Center St., Santa Cruz, 420-6177. facebook.com/LoudenNelson.

Mountain Community Theatre

From drama and comedy to musicals, the productions are ambitious for a small theater company. The charming venue opened in 1923 amid the redwoods and resembles the Alpine lodge. 9400 Mill St., Ben Lomond, 336-4777. mctshows.org.

Santa Cruz Actors Theatre

This local company is best known for its annual “8 Tens @ Eight” theater festival, in which playwrights submit original, unpublished 10-minute plays. The eight winning plays receive a fully staged production at the festival in January, and eight runners-up will receive a spot in the annual “Best of the Rest Fest.” 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz, 335-4409. sccat.org.

Santa Cruz Shakespeare

When Shakespeare Santa Cruz closed down last year, after 32 years, the community came together to fund Santa Cruz Shakespeare— and the shows must, and do, go on. Upper DeLaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz, 460-6399. santacruzshakepeare.org.

MOVIES

CineLux 41st Avenue Cinemas

Mainstream flicks unfold in this newly remodeled theater. 1475 41st Ave., Capitola, 479-3504.

CineLux Scotts Valley Cinemas

Catch the latest at this modernized theater. Or pay an extra $8 and watch from the D-BOX seats, which let you feel the action. 226 Mount Hermon Road, Scotts Valley, 438-3260.

Del Mar Theatre

A classic movie house that offers both indie films and releases from major studios. Keep an eye out for its Midnight Movie series. 1124 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 359-4447.

Green Valley Cinemas

This cineplex serves up Hollywood hits. 1125 South Green Valley Road, Watsonville, 761-8200.

Santa Cruz Cinema 9

This cineplex is the largest in the county, boasting many screens, a whole bunch of blockbuster flicks, plush recliner seats and a full concessions stand. 1405 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 462-7342.

Nickelodeon Theatre

At The Nick you’ll find indie movies, foreign language flicks, and Sundance winners. 210 Lincoln St., Santa Cruz, 359-4523.