Discover Santa Cruz, a Legendary Bay Area Surf & Coffee Town

Join host Josh Meyers on the California Now Podcast as he explores the laid-back coastal town of Santa Cruz with two local experts.

Meyers kicks off this episode by chatting with Peter Mel, a champion big-wave surfer and Santa Cruz native. From his first waves at Pleasure Point to catching world-class beginner breaks at Capitola, Mel shares his childhood Santa Cruz surf experiences. Mel gives insider tips for first-time surfers, sharing where to find beginner surf spots and lessons. “Living here, you’re kind of living in a vacation anyway,” he says. “There’s a wave for everybody. You just need to know where it is.” 

Beyond surfing, Mel shares his favorite Santa Cruz adventures: “You can get up in the mountains and see the redwoods…you can get on a boat, go whale watching, go fishing…or just hang out on the beach or boardwalk, ride a roller coaster.”  

Next, Meyers interviews Colby Barr, cofounder of Verve Coffee Roasters and a pioneer of Santa Cruz’s coffee scene. Barr shares his go-to order (a cappuccino) and recommends drinks for adventurous coffee lovers. 

He also recommends seeing old-growth redwoods and visiting the nearby mountain town of Felton for lunch. “The cool thing about Santa Cruz is that you can be in the ocean, and then be in the mountains in 10 minutes among towering redwoods,” Barr says. 

GUESTS

Peter Mel, professional surfer and owner of Freeline Surf Shop
Colby Barr, cofounder of Verve Coffee Roasters

RESOURCES

Peter Mel is a decorated professional surfer, broadcaster, and owner of Freeline Surf Shop in Santa Cruz. 

Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County
Capitola 
Santa Cruz Board Riders Club
Freeline Surf Shop
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 
The Mystery Spot 
Shadowbrook Restaurant
Cafe Cruz 

Colby Barr cofounded Verve Coffee Roasters and has also worked as the brand’s coffee buyer over the years. 

Verve Coffee Roasters
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 
Felton 
The Grove Cafe 
The Emerald Mallard
Santa Cruz Bicycles
Specialized Bikes
Humble Sea Brewing 
Bantam 

ABOUT THE HOST

Josh Meyers is a comedian, actor, and new host of the California Now Podcast. He also co-hosts the podcast Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers.

OUR TEAM

Host and Executive Producer, Josh Meyers
Editorial Director, Jené Shaw
Producer, Kate Eplboim
Technical Producer, Jessica Marshall
Theme music, Staffan Carlén