Best places on and off campus to study in Santa Cruz
UCSC & Cabrillo College
Tutors
Bookstores
List of Free wifi locations in Santa Cruz >
Complete Santa Cruz Student Guide click here >
UCSC on campus
McHenry Library The most obvious place to study. But, the silent area on the fourth floor is a prime study spot with lots of natural light.
Stevenson Library It’s small, but offers many one-person study spaces in between the bookshelves.
Page Smith Library This tiny library is right nearby the Cowell Coffee Shop and Cowell/Stevenson Dining Hall. It’s limited in terms of computer outlets, but there are couches, large tables, and personal desks.
Crown College Library This one is across from the Crown/Merrill Dining Hall and Banana Joe’s convenient store. It’s located below a computer lab. Open late.
Stevenson/Cowell Benches For those who can’t focus in a library, the benches in the Stevenson/Cowell area of campus are a great place to read—and see the ocean.
CABRILLO on campus
Robert E. Swenson Library The busiest on campus, this library provides a large online database for student research, a core book collection, a large course reserve collection of textbooks 
and required materials, and friendly librarians.
Student Technology Center Cabrillo’s Computer Technology Center offers computers for all enrolled students to use. There are Macs and PCs, color and black and white printers and scanners. Student assistants are available to help. Plus, there are tables where students can eat and drink, and a wireless network.
Student Services Complex The Student Activities Center houses an expanded bookstore, student government and student activities, community education, assessment and orientation, and student services administration.
MESA (Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement) is a study center designed to help students in the math, science, and engineering fields. They offer free tutors, workshops, Internet, food, and camaraderie.
Computer Labs There are more than 30 computer labs located throughout Cabrillo’s campus for students to utilize. View the full list at http://cabrillo.edu/services/ctc/ctclabs.html.
Off Campus
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. http://abbeylounge.org.
Peoples Coffee Yummy drinks and munchies, ample space to study, but be prepared for loud music. 1212 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. 464-1739. http://peoplescoffee.net.
Caffe Pergolesi Coffee, tea, plenty of tables inside and outside, and low noise level. Great place to study for hours with free Wi-Fi, then reward yourself with a beer or glass of wine. 418 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 426-1775. http://theperg.com.
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, 425-6583; 3701 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz, 477-1940; 1443 Capitola Road, Capitola, 476-5488. http://coffeetopia.com.
The Ugly Mug Numerous tables to study at, delicious coffee and tea, sandwiches, with vegan and vegetarian options. 4640 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 477-1341. http://cafeugly.com.
Lulu Carpenter’s Tables for studying, coffee, sandwiches, and baked goods, plus a few power outlets. 1545 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 429-9804.
The White Raven A few tables, free Wi-Fi, locally made pastries, gourmet teas, and coffee drinks. 6253 Hwy 9, Felton, 335-3611. http://awhiteraven.com.
Study Resources / Tutors On Campus
UCSC
The Academic Resource Center (ARC) Home to Modified Supplemental Instruction (MSI), which gives students the opportunity to learn in small groups led by advanced Student Learning Assistants who help out with specific classes, writing tutoring, and one-on-one tutoring.
El Centro El Centro holds “study breaks” and hosts workshops for students who need help with writing papers, applying for jobs, or gaining know-how on interviews.
CABRILLO
Tutorial Program The Tutorial Program is available at no cost to all students currently enrolled in the course for which they need help. By appointment.
Math Learning Center Offers free drop-in tutoring for all math classes. Plus, online tutors are available.
Writing Center The Writing Center serves all Cabrillo students that are taking courses in which written work is required. The tutors strive to provide students with composition and critical thinking skills to enable them to compose successful essays and assignments.
Music and Theatre Lab The Music and Theatre Lab provides instruments, rooms, and teachers for students who wish to (1) pursue an advanced degree in music, (2) become a professional musician, (3) prepare for a career in public school teaching, (4) broaden a general knowledge of music, or (5) develop performance skills.
Reading Center The Reading Center offers reading classes in a group setting and self-paced programs for individuals to advance their skills.
Bookstores
Bookshop Santa Cruz There are thousands of book titles to choose from at this popular store and some amazing guest speakers are mixed into its events roster. Added plus: it’s locally owned, and has been for decades. 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-0900. http://bookshopsantacruz.com.
Capitola Book Café Capitola Book Café is a cozy, independent bookseller with a helpful staff and an in-store café. The store hosts a bevy of author events each month featuring famous writers such as Augusten Burroughs and Natalie Goldberg, as well as local ones. 1475 41st Ave. #G, Capitola, 462-4415. http://capitolabookcafe.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. Buy a book and read your purchase at the coffee shop next door. LG also sells UCSC textbooks. 204 Locust St., Santa Cruz, 457-1195. http://literaryguillotine.com.
UCSC
Bay Tree Bookstore UCSC’s main bookstore has it all: textbooks, ebooks, UCSC apparel, gifts, computers, and more. 459-4815. http://slugstore.ucsc.edu.
A former UCSC student launched this website, which aggregates purchasing options in one place to help save students money on books. http://slugbooks.com.
CABRILLO
Cabrillo College Bookstore This nonprofit, college-owned bookstore offers competitively priced goods and services. Any profit above operating expenses benefits the Cabrillo community. The Bookstore provides new and used textbooks, reference books, study aids, school supplies, and sundries. 479-6298. http://cabrillobooks.net.
List of Free wifi locations in Santa Cruz >
Complete Santa Cruz Student Guide click here >
