45 Best Santa Cruz Podcasts (City in California)

1. Motorcycles & Misfits

Play
Website Apple Spotify Episodes
The Motorcycles and Misfits Podcast is how we share our passion for all things two-wheeled. We ride street, dirt, ADV, track, touring, vintage and scooters, and we wrench, ride, race and attend events year round. We share our stories and interviews every week from the Re-Cycle Garage in sunny Santa Cruz, Ca.MORE Hosts Liza Miller, Wendy Crockett
Producer/Network Re-Cycle Garage in Santa Cruz
Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 560Facebook 4.3KInstagram 3.3K Avg Length 116 min Format Extended Since Aug 2013 Get Email Contact Get access to full database of 2.7M podcastsCreate podcast lists, export in spreadsheet or CSV file with email contacts and start your podcast outreach in minutes.Sign Up for Free with Email Continue with Google

2. Driving While Awesome

Play
Website Apple Spotify YouTube Episodes
Driving While Awesome is an automotive podcast starring Lane Skelton, Waarren Madsen, and Art Cervantes. Experts in automotive opinion, long-time friends discuss topics on cars of all types, heavy on fun and cheap sports cars from the '80s and '90s, from a podcast studio in Santa Cruz, California. New episodes are uploaded every Thursday. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook @drivingwhileawesome and visit our website at drivingwhileawesome.comMORE Hosts Warren Madsen, Lane Skelton, Art Cervantes
Producer/Network Lane Skelton, Warren Madsen, Art Cervantes
Email ****@drivingwhileawesome.com
Location Santa Cruz, California, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 386Facebook 2.3KTwitter 72Instagram 31.5K Avg Length 68 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

3. Santa Cruz Local

Play
Website Apple Spotify Episodes
We're a news organization in Santa Cruz, CA. We watch our public institutions and hold power to account.
Category Politics, Housing, Community Services
Producer/Network Santa Cruz Local
Email ****@santacruzlocal.org
Location Santa Cruz, California, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.9/5Apple Reviews 53Facebook 2.3KTwitter 2.6KInstagram 12.6K Avg Length 33 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

4. This Ocean Life Podcast

Play
Website Apple Spotify YouTube Episodes
This Ocean Life Podcast. 150 episodes. Interview-style podcast series capturing the stories and perspectives of people around the world who have based their lives on the ocean. Fishing, free diving, art, music, surfing, paddling, spearfishing, conservation, sailing, anything in the ocean... Hosted by Josh Pederson, from Santa Cruz, California, USA.MORE Host Josh Pederson
Producer/Network Josh Pederson
Email ****@thisoceanlife.tv
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 123Facebook 538 Avg Length 61 min Format Long form Since Dec 2018 Get Email Contact

5. Santa Cruz Medicinals Radio

Play
Website Apple Spotify Episodes
?️ Welcome to Santa Cruz Medicinals Podcast! Join us for insightful conversations on health, wellness, and nutrition.
Host Brendan
Producer/Network Brendan
Email ****@gmail.com
Location Santa Cruz, California, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.9/5Apple Reviews 76 Avg Length 67 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

6. The Hive Poetry Collective

Play
Website Apple Spotify Episodes
Airing on KSQD 90.7 FM most Sundays at 8:00, the Hive Poetry Collective is a buzz of poets in Santa Cruz, California— a swarm of radio conversations, public readings, and writing workshops. Our theme music is 'Drunk on Funk' by Top-Flow. Find us at hivepoetry.org And https://www.facebook.com/hivepoetryMORE Hosts Julie Murphy, Geneffa Jahan, Dion O'Reilly
Producer/Network The Hive
Email ****@hivepoetry.org
Location Santa Cruz, California, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 13Facebook 1K Avg Length 60 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

7. Learning the Land

Play
Website Apple Spotify Episodes
We're bringing you all things conservation, wildlife, and trails in Santa Cruz County...and beyond!
Category Conservation, Wildlife, Trails
Host Laura Dannehl-Schickman
Producer/Network Land Trust of Santa Cruz County
Email ****@gmail.com
Location Santa Cruz, California, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 5 Avg Length 35 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

8. Gary Shapiro's From The Bookshelf

Play
Website Apple Episodes
This website does not work with Google Chrome! Please use a different browser! Listen On Your iPhone! From the Bookshelf is heard on radio station KSQD in Santa Cruz California. Host Gary Shapiro brings you interviews with best selling authors of fiction and non-fiction, graphic novelists, actors, photographers, and singer-songwriters discussing their works. Visit us on Facebook! Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! Your comments are welcome! Email us at ****@rattlebrain.comMORE Host Gary Shapiro
Producer/Network Gary Shapiro's From the Bookshelf
Email ****@rattlebrain.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 26Facebook 409 Avg Length 59 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

9. Central Coast Naturalist

Play
Website Apple Spotify YouTube Episodes
Central Coast Naturalist invites listeners to join UCSC Ecology and Evolutionary Biology graduate students as they explore nature in and around Santa Cruz County. Each episode will enrich your next experience with nature as you learn fascinating insights (from local experts) about the creatures that inhabit your favorite hiking trails, beaches and even your own backyard.MORE Category Ecology, Conservation, Wildlife
Hosts Kelley Voss, Sara Gonzalez, Emily Donham, GC Sparrow
Producer/Network Santa Cruz Naturalist
Email ****@gmail.com
Location Santa Cruz, California, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 7Facebook 2.5KTwitter 70Instagram 1.8K Avg Length 5 min Format Bite size Since Feb 2019 Get Email Contact

10. Indexical Podcast

Play
Apple Spotify Episodes
Every so often, Indexical has a chance to interview some of the wonderful artists who come through Santa Cruz. We'll post those here, along with live recordings of those artists' shows.
Producer/Network Indexical
Email ****@indexical.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 1 Avg Length 52 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

11. Off The Lip Radio Show

Play
Website Apple Spotify Episodes
Surf writer, Neil Pearlberg, and skateboarding afficianado, Terry Campion, host 'Off The Lip' radio show in the #1 surf city in the United States, Santa Cruz, CA.
Category Surf Culture, Skateboarding Community, Environmentalism
Hosts Neil Pearlberg, Terry Campion
Producer/Network Off The Lip Radio Show
Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 22Twitter 297Instagram 4.4K Get Email Contact

12. Santa Cruz Baptist Church Sermons

Play
Website Apple Spotify Episodes
Sunday Sermons from Santa Cruz Baptist Church.
Category Religion, Christianity, Sermons
Producer/Network Santa Cruz Baptist Church
Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 15Instagram 1.2K Avg Length 36 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

13. KZSC Santa Cruz

Play
Website Apple Episodes
On-demand news, interviews, and live performances from KZSC 88.1 FM Santa Cruz - Non-commercial, educational, community radio for the Monterey Bay, California
Category News, Community, Local Culture
Hosts Dan Woo, John Malkin
Producer/Network KZSC 88.1 FM Santa Cruz: Noncommercial, educational radio for the Monterey
Email ****@kzsc.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.2/5Apple Reviews 5 Avg Length 28 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

14. Santa Cruz Zen Center

Play
Website Apple Episodes
Listen To Our Weekly Dharma Talk
Host Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh
Producer/Network Santa Cruz Zen Center
Email ****@sczc.org
Location Santa Cruz, California, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 5Facebook 1.6K Get Email Contact

15. Dharma Talks | Ocean Gate Zen Center - Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos

Play Video
Website Apple YouTube Episodes
Dharma Talks from Ocean Gate Zen Center
Producer/Network Ocean Gate Zen Center
Email ****@oceangatezen.org
Location California, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.3/5Apple Reviews 13Facebook 1.1KInstagram 616 Get Email Contact

16. UCSC Slugcast

Play
Website Apple Episodes
Hosted out of the Student Affairs and Success divisional office, UCSC Slugcast is a way for students to learn more about campus resources, services, and student stories no matter where they are. Join our team of student podcasters every week to hear interviews, news, and stories about slug life at UCSC.MORE Category Education, University Life, Student Resources
Producer/Network UCSC Division of Student Affairs and Success
Email ****@ucsc.edu
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 6Instagram 559 Avg Length 14 min Format Short form Get Email Contact

17. Flight 1080

Play Video
Website Apple YouTube Episodes
Flight 1080 is red hot news talk from Santa Cruz California!
Category News, Talk Shows, Current Events
Host Dave Michaels
Producer/Network 1080 After Dark
Email ****@ksco.com
Location Santa Cruz, California, United States
Estimated listeners
Facebook 1KTwitter 57 Avg Length 96 min Format Extended Get Email Contact

18. Nelly's Magic Moments Podcast

Play
Website Apple Spotify Episodes
Dave 'Nelly' Nelson is a globally published veteran surf and skate photographer with countless magazine covers and spreads to his name. After spending years as a senior photographer at TransWorld Surf Magazine, Dave now shoots freelance for domestic and international publications.Major action sports brands such as Vans, O'Neill, Fox, and Reef commonly contract Dave to shoot on location for trips locally and abroad.As one of the best action water photographers in the world, he is usually in the right place at the right time to produce 'the goods'...MORE Host Brian Upton
Producer/Network David Nelson & Brian Upton
Email ****@emeraldcitylandscaping.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 20 Avg Length 58 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

19. Freedomhouse

Play
Website YouTube Episodes
We are a church that will empower you to 'get free, live free and set others free'.Located in Santa Cruz, CA.
Producer/Network Freedomhouse
Email ****@fhus.org
Location Santa Cruz, California, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 3Facebook 588Instagram 920 Avg Length 51 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

20. Unpacked In Santa Cruz

Play
Apple Spotify Episodes
'Unpacked in Santa Cruz' is a homegrown podcast hosted by Michael Howard that dives into the lives, stories, and salty moments of people who call this coastal community home—or have been shaped by it in some way. Whether it's a deep conversation with local surfers opening up about mental health, or a peek behind the curtain of someone who started a one-of-a-kind food spot right here in town, every episode brings something real...MORE Host Michael Howard
Producer/Network Mike Howard
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 10 Avg Length 97 min Format Extended Get Email Contact

21. The Roller Door

Play
Website Apple Spotify Episodes
The Roller Door is a podcast from Santa Cruz Bicycles, where we talk to the people behind the bikes, the riders who ride them, and hear from our extended family of trail builders, visionaries, and champions for the sport of mountain biking.MORE Hosts Garen Becker, Hannah Mirsepassi
Producer/Network Santa Cruz Bicycles
Email ****@santacruzbicycles.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 54 Avg Length 59 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

22. Community Matters

Play
Apple Spotify Episodes
Community Matters features guest interviews to discuss topics of interest to the Santa Cruz Community. We aim to help people better understand important local issues and learn how to get involved to make a positive difference. Please listen and call in to join the discussions.Listen to Community Matters live every Friday from 2:00pm to 4:00 pm PT on https://santacruzvoice.comMORE Producer/Network communitymatters
Email ****@santacruzvoice.com
Estimated listeners
Avg Length 94 min Format Extended Get Email Contact

23. Catch Waves Not Feelings

Play
Website Episodes
Just two university students discussing our experience learning to surf in Santa Cruz, CA with some encounters we've had along the way and even some juicy stories from our personal lives.
Category Surf Culture, Personal Experiences, Ocean & Environment
Email ****@gmail.com
Location Santa Cruz, California, United States
Estimated listeners
Avg Length 45 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

24. Science, Solutions, Santa Cruz

Play
Website Episodes
Hosted by Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, this podcast spotlights groundbreaking research in Santa Cruz, California, and shares actionable, positive environmental news from the region. Featuring in-depth conversations with scientists from UC Santa Cruz and beyond, along with local leaders and environmental experts, the show makes complex science accessible while highlighting real progress and tangible solutions protecting our unique coastal community.MORE Estimated listeners
Avg Length 34 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

25. 'Be Bold America!'

Play
Website Apple Spotify YouTube Episodes
'Be Bold America!' is produced by KSQD 90.7, 89.5 & 89FM and is a live, biweekly, radio talk show for those who are motivated to step out with the bold actions necessary to reimagine ethical politics, restore our democracy and fight the climate crisis. 'Be Bold America' is for those who want to understand the unique challenges ahead and who are curious to learn what they can Keep doing, Stop doing, and Start doing to fight for a bold democracy. Our future depends on it.Our future is unwritten. It will be shaped by how we treat each other and what we do right now. We have big things to do!MORE Producer/Network Jill Cody, MPA
Email ****@ksqd.org
Location Santa Cruz, California, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 3Facebook 208Twitter 124 Avg Length 57 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

26. What a Week from KSQD

Play Video
Apple Spotify YouTube Episodes
Dazed and confused by current events, both national and local? Well, have we got the show for you! Every Saturday at 11AM, 'WHAT A WEEK' brings you a 'listeners digest' of the news you really need to know. Award winning journalist Tony Russomanno and cultural magpie Erik Nelson scour the web, read all the papers (part of the way through) and dive deep into what's happening in Santa Cruz to tell you what you need to know — WHEN you need to know it You can't be well informed unless you are informed well, and 'WHAT A WEEK' points you in all the right directions.MORE Category News, Current Events, Local Affairs
Producer/Network ksqd.org
Email ****@ksqd.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 6 Avg Length 66 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

27. Bettina's Buzz

Play
Apple Spotify Episodes
Local Lifestyle, Art, Fashion, Community, Events and the latest on what's happening in the Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Listen live Saturdays at 11AM PST on https://SantaCruzVoice.com
Producer/Network bettinasbuzz
Estimated listeners
Avg Length 61 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

28. One season in the sun

Play
Website Apple Spotify Episodes
A show about national as well as local Monterey and Santa Cruz county sports and activities that enrich our lives.
Producer/Network One Season In The Sun
Estimated listeners
Avg Length 60 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

29. Talk of the Bay with Bodie Shargel

Play
Apple Spotify Episodes
Broadcast on KSQD Community Radio, Talk of the Bay covers the local happenings of Santa Cruz. Host Bodie Shargel focuses on the politics of the region, from Santa Cruz to Silicon Valley to Monterey County.MORE Producer/Network Bodie Shargel
Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5 Avg Length 56 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

30. Think Local First Santa Cruz Radio

Play
Apple Spotify Episodes
Think Local First Santa Cruz's radio program features the stories of members of this Santa Cruz co-op marketing organization. The mission of Think Local First Santa Cruz is to promote and sustain economic vitality while preserving the unique character of Santa Cruz County.MORE Producer/Network thinklocalfirst
Estimated listeners
Avg Length 55 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

31. 1080 After Dark

Play
Website Apple Spotify Episodes
Billy Armi and Dave Michaels are host of Flight 1080. Their radio show airs on KSCO am 1080 in Santa Cruz, California.
Category Radio broadcasting, Entertainment, Local news
Hosts Dave Michaels, Billy Armi
Producer/Network 1080 After Dark
Email ****@1080afterdark.com
Location Santa Cruz, California, United States
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 3.7/5Apple Reviews 3 Avg Length 14 min Format Short form Get Email Contact

32. FAITH FUSION

Play
Apple Spotify Episodes
Santa Cruz peer ministers talk about what it is like being a Catholic teen today.
Estimated listeners
Avg Length 28 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

33. Santa Cruz County Queer History Podcast

Play
Apple Spotify Episodes
Created by and for students. Older LGBTQ people in Santa Cruz County are interviewed by younger queer students about their stories since the 1970s in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Santa Cruz Pride. Students from across Santa Cruz County conducted the interviews and then edited and produced each 20-minute long podcast. These podcasts will be released each Tuesday in 2025. We thank Patti Maxine on the steel string guitar for providing the music and the art was developed by Hex, one of the involved high school students.MORE Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5 Avg Length 25 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

34. Cruzio Stories: Santa Cruz at Work

Play
Website Apple Episodes
Cruzio Stories is a bi-weekly podcast from Cruzio Internet, sharing short conversations with the people who make Santa Cruz tick — entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders, and creatives working out of the Cruzio coworking space. It's not just tech talk — it's real stories from the heart of a vibrant local community.MORE Estimated listeners
Avg Length 24 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

35. Saucy and Unfiltered

Play
Apple Spotify Episodes
A deep dive into the world of Santa Cruz's hottest monthly party—the Sauce. Featuring interviews with workshop leaders, behind-the-scenes insights from your Pleasure Captain Bez Stone, and conversations on intimacy, empowerment, and erotic exploration. Stay connected, explore the Sauce's values, and expand your sense of belonging in an authentic, celebratory, edge-pushing community.Learn more at www.thesauce.partyMORE Email ****@thesauce.party
Estimated listeners
Avg Length 22 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

36. Pride Perspectives

Play
Apple Episodes
Join KSQD every other Sunday evening at 5, and Tuesday morning at 6, for Pride Perspectives, highlighting the LGBTQ community across Santa Cruz County and the Central Coast. Hosts Rob Darrow and Cece Pinheiro keep you up to date on current issues, and share perspectives from the long and rich history of Santa Cruz Pride, marking its 50th anniversary in 2025. Among the features are interviews between young members of the community and elders of the modern Pride movement.MORE Email ****@ksqd.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5 Avg Length 21 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

37. Santa Cruz County Transit and Transportation Agency Meetings - Audio Tracks

Play
Apple Spotify Episodes
Attending these meetings in person is very time consuming. They are long and there is often quite a bit of administrative business done. Not many people have the time to do it. And, even if you do, it is not a very efficient use of time.But the meetings are important. They are the best way to keep track of what the agencies are up to. These podcasts make access to that content very simple and efficient.I edit the podcasts to break the meetings into short, topical episodes. You can listen to the episodes that cover topics that matter to you...MORE Host Keith Bontrager
Producer/Network Keith Bontrager
Location Santa Cruz, California, United States
Estimated listeners
Avg Length 17 min Format Short form Get Email Contact

38. Good News Santa Cruz

Play
Apple Spotify Episodes
From the redwoods to the beach and all the places in between, Santa Cruz County is beaming with stories that will make you smile. For the inaugural season of Good News Santa Cruz, we're sharing some of our favorite gems from the arts and culture scene, green living, open spaces and state parks, as well as simple ways to give back. We hope you enjoy our podcast.MORE Producer/Network Miller Maxfield
Email ****@millermaxfield.com
Estimated listeners
Avg Length 17 min Format Short form Get Email Contact

39. Good News Santa Cruz

Play
Apple Spotify Episodes
The GOOD NEWS SANTA CRUZ podcast is hosted by musician and educator Moshe Vilozny, along with his family, friends, and special guests. Most of the news that we hear on the radio and read in the newspapers is not uplifting. That is why I decided to start a podcast dedicated to good news. Whether it's a small event like finding your missing key; or a big event like saving a child from a burning building; when you tune into this podcast you know you're going to find something positive and uplifting.MORE Producer/Network Moshe Vilozny
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 9 Avg Length 7 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact

40. The Coed Killer

Play
Apple Spotify Episodes
Edmund Kemper Podcast
Category True Crime, Serial Killers, United States History
Producer/Network Carol
Estimated listeners
Get Email Contact

41. The Santa Mierda Podcast Network

Play
Apple Spotify Episodes
Keeping Santa Cruz vibrantly honest since 2016, the Weekly Dump can be found at www.santamierda.com
Category Local News, Community, Regional Interests
Producer/Network Ben Dover
Email ****@santamierda.com
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 8 Get Email Contact