u/groovitron2000

I was chatting with a neighbor and she was telling me that they are hosting an exchange student in the Fall. Very cool, and I look forward to meeting them when they arrive. We were trying to think of any special discounts for students in our area that they could take advantage of. I knew of a few downtown, but not too much more.

It got me thinking about what is currently available in this regard. And while I was at it, I was thinking of other group categories that had ongoing discounts. There's a lot outdated information out there (from the COVID era), but I think this represents the current valid state. If you are aware of any other active, ongoing group discounts that I couldn't find, please let me know.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SPECIAL GROUP DISCOUNTS

Type: S = Senior | ST = Student | V = Veteran/Military | F = First Responder

STUDENTS

Business	Location	Discount	Day(s)	Notes
Comicopolis	829 Front St, Santa Cruz	Student specials	Any day
EyeQ	Downtown Santa Cruz	10% off services	Any day
Go Ask Alice	Downtown Santa Cruz	20% off	Wednesday
HoM Korean Kitchen	Downtown Santa Cruz	15% off	Any day
Kianti's	Downtown Santa Cruz	BOGO signature cocktail w/ entree	Any day
Kinship Hair Co.	Downtown Santa Cruz	10% off products	Any day
Level Up Video Games	Locust St, Santa Cruz	Student specials	Any day
MAH - Museum of Art & History	Downtown Santa Cruz	$2 off admission; $10 off membership	Any day
Mission Hill Creamery	Downtown Santa Cruz	10% off coffee & ice cream	Any day
M.K. Contemporary Art	Front St, Santa Cruz	Student specials	Any day	Formerly Curated by the Sea
Motion Pacific	Center St, Santa Cruz	Discounted tuition & student promo codes	Program-dependent	Nonprofit dance org
Nectar Creations	Downtown Santa Cruz	10% off Nectar-brand clothing	Any day
Poke House	Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz	~10% off	Any day
Santa Cruz Ayurveda	Downtown Santa Cruz	30% off initial consultation	First visit only
Santa Cruz Cinema	Downtown Santa Cruz	$5 tickets	Tuesday
Santa Cruz Cinema	Downtown Santa Cruz	$8 tickets	Mon & Wed
Santa Cruz Somatic Bodywork	Downtown Santa Cruz	20% off massage	Any day
Santa Cruz Symphony	Downtown Santa Cruz	$15 rush tickets	Event days	Box office 90 min before showtime
Seymour Marine Discovery Center	UCSC, Westside SC	Free for UCSC students; 25% off all others	Any day
Shakespeare Santa Cruz	DeLaveaga Park, Santa Cruz	Steep discount	Weekdays	Under 12 or student ID
Shen's Gallery	Downtown Santa Cruz	Extra 10% off markdowns	Any day
Thrifty Cuts	Downtown Santa Cruz	10% off	First visit
Variance Objects	Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz	Student specials	Wed-Sun
Well Within Spa	417 Cedar St, Santa Cruz	Student discount (ask at desk)	Any day	Informal; not a published rate
Woodstock's Pizza	Downtown Santa Cruz	$6 off any XL pizza	Any day
Yoso Wellness Spa	Downtown Santa Cruz	10% off	Any day

ELDERS

Business	Location	Discount	Day(s)	Age	Notes
California State Parks (Golden Bear Pass)	Statewide	Free vehicle day-use at 200+ parks	Any day (peak exclusions)	62+	$20 annual pass
CineLux Capitola	1475 41st Ave, Capitola	$6 tickets	Monday	55+
CineLux Scotts Valley	226 Mt. Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley	$6 tickets	Monday	55+
Del Mar Theater (Landmark)	1124 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz	Senior discount ticket pricing	Tue & Wed	Confirm with theater
DeLaveaga Golf Course	Upper Park Rd, Santa Cruz	Discounted green fees + free rounds	Any day	60+	City residents only; Senior Discount Card required
Goodwill	Santa Cruz area	20-25% off	Monday	55+	Percentage varies by store
Grey Bears	Santa Cruz	Free hot lunch + free produce	Mon-Fri	55+	Registration required
KindPeoples Dispensary	533 Ocean St & 3600 Soquel Ave	10% off	Any day	65+
New Leaf Community Markets	Multiple SC County locations	10% off; ~10% extra value on senior e-cards	Wed + on request	65+
Santa Cruz Cinema	Downtown Santa Cruz	$3.50 off admission	Any day	60+
Santa Cruz Diner	909 Ocean St, Santa Cruz	Senior menu	Any day	65+	Smaller/discounted plates
Santa Cruz METRO	Countywide	Reduced fares & passes	Any day	62+	Senior ID from METRO required
Shakespeare Santa Cruz	DeLaveaga Park, Santa Cruz	10% off tickets	Weekdays	62+
Staff of Life	1266 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz	10% off	Tue-Thu	65+
Staff of Life	Watsonville	10% off	Tue-Thu	65+
Walnut Avenue Cafe	106 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz	Free coffee/tea/soda w/ menu item	Monday	55+	Dine-in, 6-8am only
Wild Roots Market	6240 Hwy 9, Felton	10% off	Any day	65+	Wild Roots Rewards card required
Wild Roots Market	13159 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek	10% off	Any day	65+	Wild Roots Rewards card required

VETERANS, MILITARY & FIRST RESPONDERS

Business	Location	Type	Discount	Day(s)	Notes
A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals	Santa Cruz	V	20% off all rentals	Any day
Goodwill	Santa Cruz area	F	20% off	Tuesday	Military, fire, police, EMT
KindPeoples Dispensary	533 Ocean St & 3600 Soquel Ave	V	15% off	Any day	U.S. veterans; ask budtender
Outdoor Supply Hardware	Santa Cruz	V	10% off	Any day	Retired and active military
Shakespeare Santa Cruz	DeLaveaga Park, Santa Cruz	V	10% off tickets	Weekdays	Military ID required

Sources: downtownsantacruz.com/discover/student-discounts | lookout.co/santa-cruz-student-deals

i was able to knock off of work early to the catch a matinee showing of Pressure on a Tuesday. could have been the ideal viewing environment: a sold out audience of attentive gray and no-hairs.

i got chills at the appearance of blowing wind. there was literal fist pumping in my row at the dissipation of clouds. and tears were shed when the Northern Ireland weather station transmitted it's latest data.

a lovely, well cast film that is improved by an optimal audience.

Curious about how Connections puzzles are written? Interested in learning more about the editor behind the game? On Friday, May 29th at 1p.m. E.D.T., Wyna Liu will be answering your questions in the Connections Companion comment section. Come and say hello!