Santa Cruz has 8 dispensaries licensed by the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC). Shoppers 21 and older with a valid government photo ID can buy, visitors included, and 7 of the licenses also cover medical patients 18 and older. The City of Santa Cruz charges its own 7% cannabis business tax on retail sales.
Santa Cruz is a beach and college town, home to UC Santa Cruz, and its cannabis stores keep long hours to match. Four of them stay open until 10 p.m., the latest California allows, and two of the busiest are on Ocean Street, a main route toward the beach.
All 8 Licensed Dispensaries in Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz stores fall into three ZIP code areas. Most are in 95060, which covers downtown, Ocean Street and the Westside. Two are in 95065 on the east side, on Winkle Avenue and Commercial Way, and one is on Soquel Avenue in 95062.
Ocean Street, downtown and the Westside (95060): KindPeoples and Ohana Santa Cruz are both on Ocean Street, and CannaCruz is on Limekiln Street. On the Westside, The Hook Santa Cruz is on Mission Street and The Green Spot Santa Cruz is on Fair Avenue.
East side (95062 and 95065): One Plant Santa Cruz is on Winkle Avenue and Santa Cruz Flavors is on Commercial Way. Calwave Enterprises holds a license on Soquel Avenue.
Best Santa Cruz Dispensaries for Every Need
Based on public Google ratings and hours, checked October 2026:
- Highest rated: The Hook Santa Cruz (4.8 stars, about 140 reviews), One Plant Santa Cruz (4.7, about 865), CannaCruz (4.6, about 735) and KindPeoples (4.6, about 500).
- Most reviewed: One Plant Santa Cruz, then CannaCruz and Ohana Santa Cruz.
- Open earliest: KindPeoples and Ohana Santa Cruz open at 8 a.m., and CannaCruz at 8:30 a.m.
- Open until 10 p.m.: CannaCruz, KindPeoples, Ohana Santa Cruz and The Green Spot Santa Cruz.
- Adult use only: Santa Cruz Flavors has no medicinal license, so patients under 21 should shop elsewhere.
Visiting a Dispensary in Santa Cruz: ID, Payment and Hours
- ID: You need a valid, unexpired government photo ID showing you are 21 or older. A student ID alone will not work.
- Hours: California allows sales from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Half of Santa Cruz stores stay open until 10 p.m.
- Payment: Cash always works. Many stores accept debit, while credit cards are rare.
Santa Cruz and California Cannabis Laws: Purchase Limits, Public Use and Driving
Adults 21 and older can buy up to 28.5 grams of non-concentrated cannabis, 8 grams of concentrate and 6 immature plants per day. See our California marijuana laws guide.
- Beaches, the boardwalk and parks: All are public places. Smoking or eating cannabis there is an infraction with a fine of up to $100.
- Highway 17: Keep cannabis sealed or in the trunk on the drive to San Jose, and never drive impaired.
Cannabis Taxes in Santa Cruz
California's 15% cannabis excise tax applies to every sale, state and local sales tax is added on top, and the City of Santa Cruz levies a 7% cannabis business tax on the gross receipts of retail cannabis businesses, according to the city's Finance Department. Stores may build that tax into prices or list it on your receipt, so compare the out-the-door total. See how prices stack up in our cannabis prices by state report.
Medical Marijuana in Santa Cruz
7 Santa Cruz licenses include medicinal sales. Patients 18 and older need a physician's recommendation. A state Medical Marijuana Identification Card removes sales and use tax, though the excise tax still applies.
Dispensaries Near Santa Cruz
- Dispensaries in San Jose: 35 stores over Highway 17.
- Dispensaries in Oakland: 14 stores across the bay from San Francisco.
- Dispensaries in San Francisco: 72 stores, including licensed consumption lounges.
Find more cities on our California dispensary directory.
Santa Cruz Dispensary FAQ
Is weed legal in Santa Cruz?
Yes. Adults 21 and older can buy from licensed Santa Cruz stores and use cannabis on private property where the owner allows it.
How many dispensaries are in Santa Cruz?
Our directory lists 8 DCC-licensed stores in the City of Santa Cruz.
Can tourists buy weed in Santa Cruz?
Yes. Visitors 21 and older can buy with an out-of-state driver's license or a passport.
What time do dispensaries close in Santa Cruz?
CannaCruz, KindPeoples, Ohana Santa Cruz and The Green Spot close at 10 p.m. Most others close at 9 p.m.
Do Santa Cruz dispensaries take cards?
Many take debit and all take cash.
How much weed can I buy in Santa Cruz?
Up to 28.5 grams of flower, 8 grams of concentrate and 6 immature plants per day.
Where can I smoke weed in Santa Cruz?
Only on private property where it is allowed. Beaches and the boardwalk are public places, where use can bring a fine of up to $100.
Can UC Santa Cruz students buy weed?
Students 21 and older can buy with a government photo ID. Students 18 to 20 need a physician's recommendation and a medicinal store.
Can I get weed delivered in Santa Cruz?
Yes. California allows licensed delivery between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
What is the best dispensary in Santa Cruz?
One Plant Santa Cruz has 4.7 stars on about 865 Google reviews. See our ratings list above.
Does your dispensary need more visibility? Cannabis shoppers use The Weed Street Journal to compare stores, read strain guides and check the law before they buy. Advertise with us · Spotted a wrong address, phone number or hours? Tell us and we will fix it free.
How we build this list: Store names, addresses, license numbers and adult-use or medicinal designations come from the California Department of Cannabis Control's license list. Ratings, review counts and opening hours come from public Google Maps data. We update the list every month and drop stores whose licenses are no longer active.