Teen Center and Teen Programs

The Santa Cruz Teen Center is a recreational facility dedicated to creating a safe and diverse environment for the teen community in order to empower youth, foster creativity and promote alternate forms of education.

Stop by the Santa Cruz Teen Center for recreational activities such as basketball, a pool table, PS5 (3 & 4 too), 360, Wii, foosball, movies, computers with internet access, free Wi-Fi, music and generally a pretty chill space for teens. Also pick up our current calendar to find out what’s happening for teens in Santa Cruz. The Teen Center sponsors special events, day and overnight trips, sports, and outdoor events in addition to daily activities. Check our Monthly Calendar for ongoing activities!

Friends of Parks and Recreation (FOPAR) has allocated funds for partial scholarships for limited-income families residing within the City of Santa Cruz. Interested Santa Cruz City residents may pick up scholarship request forms at the Parks and Recreation Office, 323 Church Street. Call 831-420-5270.

The Teen Center is in charge of administering the City's Bicycle Distribution Program. The purpose of this program is to distribute surplus bicycles recovered by the City of Santa Cruz to local youth through partnerships with charitable or nonprofit organizations. If you know of someone under 18 who lives in Santa Cruz and who needs a bicycle, or if you are a non-profit that works with youth, please fill out the sign-up form(PDF, 32KB) (sign-up form - Spanish(PDF, 32KB)) and the waiver(PDF, 65KB) (waiver - Spanish(PDF, 61KB)) and return them to the Teen Center. See the Bicycle Distribution Program's Guidelines(PDF, 49KB). For more information about the Bicycle Distribution Program you can also email the Teen Center.

The Teen Center is always seeking motivated, creative and energetic individuals to mentor our teens. If you have a strong desire to work with youth please contact us regarding our program. Ages 19 and up are encouraged to inquire. Positive role models with knowledge of serving youth are desired. We are especially looking for people skilled in, but not limited to arts, community service projects, skill building, cultural enrichment, dance, music, sports and computers.

• All information on how to become a volunteer

Support the Teen Center: The Teen Center is always seeking additional funding to help continue operation of this very important program. Donate to FOPAR in support of the Santa Cruz Teen Center.

• Summer Camps Positions - Coming Soon
• City of Santa Cruz's Teen Intern Program - Coming Soon

Please note that visiting links on this page will take you away from the City website. Some sites may require you to create an account in order to apply. The Santa Cruz Teen Center staff is happy to help you apply for jobs, just stop by during our open hours, or make an appointment with us by email at aares@cityofsantacruz.com.

Entertainment

• Whiting's Foods - Concessions and more at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Kaiser Permanente Arena
• Seaside Company - Concessions, ride operators, game attendants and more at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Boardwalk Bowl
• Santa Cruz Cinema - Local Movie Theater located in Downtown Santa Cruz
• Cinelux Theaters - Locations in Capitola and Scotts Valley

Food Service

• Kianti's Pizza and Pasta Bar - Restaurant located in downtown Santa Cruz
• Starbucks - Search this site for local opportunities
• Five Guys - Search this site for local opportunities
• Pizza My Heart - Search this site for local opportunities
• Marini's Candies - Local business with locations on the Santa Cruz Wharf and West Side of Santa Cruz
• Marini's at the Beach- Local business located on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
• Togo's - Search this site for local opportunities
• Jamba Juice - Search this site for local opportunities
• Cold Stone Creamery - Search this site for local opportunities

Retail

• Safeway - Search this site for local opportunities
• Whole Foods - Search this site for local opportunities
• Ross - Search this site for local opportunities
• Forever 21 - Search this site for local opportunities
• Target - Search this site for local opportunities
• Urban Outfitters - Search this site for local opportunities
• SunShops - Local retailer with locations on the Santa Cruz Wharf and Beach Boardwalk

Teen Job Fair

We hold an annual Teen Job Fair every year in April. This year's event is on April 12, 2025 in Laurel Park. Local employers who hire teens are highly encouraged to attend and table at the event! There will also be workshops on how to create résumés and cover letters, as well as mock interviews. Email racosta@santacruzca.gov if you would like to be an employer at the event or if you have any questions.

8th Annual Teen Job Fair

Attend our 8th Annual Teen Job Fair on Wednesday, April 12, 2-5pm at Laurel Park!

Apply to our Teen Intern Program for a PAID internship within a City of Santa Cruz Department.

Too young for a paying job? Check out our Junior Leader Program to earn volunteer hours and valuable job experience!

Workshops

We partner with Access2Employment and others to offer employment workshops that lead you step by step through résumés and cover letter creation, mock interviews and best job searching practices.

Career Development Resources

• Career Center for Employment Training
• Monterey Bay Career Connect
  
• Job Corps
• GetMyFuture
• Youth.gov
• Employment Development Department Services for Youth

Questions?

Get help by email at racosta@santacruzca.gov.