The Santa Cruz Paleo diet is more than a food trend — it’s a lifestyle that perfectly blends coastal living, ancestral wisdom, and modern wellness. Nestled between the redwoods and the Pacific Ocean, Santa Cruz has long been a hub for conscious eating, fitness, and outdoor living. So it’s no surprise that the Paleo diet has found a natural home here.
In this article, you’ll learn what makes the Santa Cruz take on Paleo unique, which local foods and farmers markets support it, the best places to eat Paleo in town, and how to adopt this primal way of eating while enjoying everything Santa Cruz has to offer.
What Is the Paleo Diet?
The Paleo diet is based on the foods believed to be eaten by early humans during the Paleolithic era, before agriculture. It emphasizes:
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Grass-fed meats
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Wild-caught fish
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Fresh fruits and vegetables
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Nuts and seeds
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Healthy fats (like olive oil, avocado, and animal fat)
It excludes:
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Grains
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Dairy
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Legumes
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Refined sugar
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Processed foods
The core idea: Eat like your ancestors — move more, stress less, and live in tune with nature.
Why the Paleo Diet Thrives in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California, is uniquely suited to support a Paleo lifestyle for several reasons:
1. Locally Sourced, Organic Food
With year-round farmers markets and organic co-ops, it’s easy to access:
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Pasture-raised meats from nearby ranches
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Organic fruits and veggies from the Central Coast
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Wild seafood from Monterey Bay
2. Active, Outdoor Culture
From surfing and hiking to yoga on the beach, the Santa Cruz lifestyle naturally promotes:
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Movement in nature
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Vitamin D from sun exposure
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Low-stress living — all aligned with Paleo principles
3. Health-Conscious Community
Santa Cruz attracts a progressive, wellness-minded population. Paleo eaters here often overlap with:
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Keto
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Carnivore
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Gluten-free
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Whole30
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Ancestral health followers
The “Santa Cruz Paleo” Twist
While the standard Paleo diet follows general ancestral guidelines, the Santa Cruz Paleo diet has a few distinctive features that set it apart:
🌿 Seasonal, Hyper-Local Ingredients
Santa Cruz residents often tweak their Paleo meals based on what’s fresh at the Downtown Farmers Market or Live Oak Market. You’ll see:
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Artichokes and strawberries in spring
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Coastal mushrooms in fall
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Heritage tomatoes in late summer
🐟 Monterey Bay Seafood
Wild-caught, local fish like salmon, sardines, rock cod, and anchovies are Paleo superfoods packed with omega-3s — and easy to find in Santa Cruz.
🌊 Foraged Additions
With forest and ocean access, some Paleo fans incorporate:
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Wild seaweed (kombu, wakame)
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Coastal herbs
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Edible mushrooms (chanterelles, morels)
☕ Conscious Coffee Culture
Paleo-style coffee — think grass-fed butter coffee or coconut milk lattes — is common in Santa Cruz cafés like Cat & Cloud, Verve, or LuLu Carpenter’s.
Where to Eat Paleo in Santa Cruz
While Santa Cruz isn’t flooded with Paleo-branded restaurants, many eateries accommodate the lifestyle with customizable, whole-food meals.
✅ Top Paleo-Friendly Restaurants:
1. The Penny Ice Creamery (for fruit-only sorbets)
While not a meal spot, their seasonal, dairy-free sorbets often contain just fruit and water.
2. Café Gratitude (nearby in Santa Cruz area)
This organic, plant-forward spot has Paleo-adaptable dishes like raw salads and veggie-heavy bowls (skip the legumes).
3. Zoccoli’s Delicatessen (custom salad bowls)
Build your own Paleo meal with protein, avocado, greens, and oil-based dressings.
4. Mission Street BBQ or Aptos St. BBQ
Choose smoked meats without sugary sauces and pair with coleslaw (no mayo) or grilled veggies.
5. Farmers Markets
Don’t underestimate these as “eating out” options. With local meat vendors, fresh produce, and Paleo snacks (like jerky or raw nut butters), they’re the go-to for Santa Cruz Paleo eaters.
Shopping Paleo in Santa Cruz
Eating Paleo at home? You’re in luck. Santa Cruz is home to a rich mix of co-ops, butcher shops, and clean-label brands.
🛒 Best Places to Shop:
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Staff of Life Natural Foods – extensive Paleo pantry options, grass-fed meat, and grain-free baking goods.
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New Leaf Community Markets – local produce, clean snacks, and supplements.
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Wild Roots Market (Felton) – excellent for Paleo staples like ghee, bone broth, and avocado oil.
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El Salchichero (Butcher Shop) – locally made, nitrate-free sausages and grass-fed cuts.
Top Santa Cruz Paleo Meal Ideas (Inspired by the Coast)
Need some local meal inspiration? These ideas align with both the Paleo template and ingredients commonly found in Santa Cruz.
🥗 Breakfast
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Sautéed greens, pastured eggs, and avocado
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Sweet potato hash with grass-fed beef and spinach
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Cold brew with coconut milk and cinnamon
🐟 Lunch
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Sardine salad with arugula, capers, lemon, and olive oil
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Grilled salmon with zucchini noodles
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Chicken lettuce wraps with avocado mayo
🍖 Dinner
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Grass-fed tri-tip with roasted root vegetables
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Grilled shrimp skewers with cauliflower rice
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Bone broth soup with wild mushrooms and kale
🍓 Snacks
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Local berries and raw walnuts
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Dehydrated seaweed crisps
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Beef tallow granola (yes, it’s a thing!)
Staying Paleo While Living the Santa Cruz Life
Santa Cruz isn’t just about the food — it’s about lifestyle. And Paleo isn’t just about what’s on your plate. Here’s how locals align their lives with ancestral health principles:
🏃 Movement
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Hiking in Henry Cowell Redwoods or Wilder Ranch
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Surfing at Pleasure Point
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Trail runs along the UCSC campus trails
😌 Stress Reduction
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Cold plunges at the beach
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Forest bathing in Big Basin
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Meditation at Mount Madonna or Land of Medicine Buddha
🌞 Sun & Sleep
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Early morning walks for natural light exposure
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Camping or beach bonfires to reconnect with circadian rhythms
Can You Be Vegan and Follow the Santa Cruz Paleo Diet?
This is a common question in health-conscious communities. While strict Paleo emphasizes animal products, some Santa Cruz residents blend:
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Pegan (Paleo + Vegan) approaches
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Plant-based fats like avocado, coconut, and nuts
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Occasional animal products like eggs, fish, or collagen
It’s not traditional Paleo, but in Santa Cruz, flexibility and personal experimentation are encouraged.
Final Thoughts: Is the Santa Cruz Paleo Diet for You?
If you’re looking for a way to eat clean, move often, and live in harmony with your environment, the Santa Cruz Paleo diet is a natural fit. It combines the time-tested wisdom of ancestral eating with the modern benefits of local, organic, and sustainable food culture.
Whether you’re fully Paleo, “Paleo-ish,” or just beginning your real food journey, Santa Cruz offers the ideal setting to thrive — physically, mentally, and spiritually.
