The Kind Grind

so sad it closed. We have years of wonderful early morning memories there. Who is replacing Kind Grind?

Closed for business as of April 2015. Too bad, it was nice to get an espresso at the beach.

I tried this place three times, but was only successful in actually getting coffee once. This is because the other two times they were closed … At 8:50 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. respectively (Monday and Tuesday). No hours are posted on the door, so I asked what time they open when I called Monday afternoon. I was told «uh, 8 … 30.» Sadly they were still closed when I dropped by at 10:30 a.m. But, I did manage to make it during business hours once. I ordered an iced coffee, which was made with a tar like substance that oozed out of the espresso machine, to which tap water was then added. Eeek. Not the way one makes iced coffee! Their system was also down at the time (no advance notice before ordering), forcing a larger tip than the circumstances called for because they couldn’t make change.

The baristas are always weird not super friendly or helpful. Which is kinda important at a coffee shop. Everyyyy time we go here it takes forever. Slowest coffee shop ever. Only reason it gets two stars is cuz the coffee is ok and the beach view is nice.

Can’t beat the views of the Capitola lighthouse and Harbor… Coffee is fine although no almond milk. Service is bland. They are short staffed it seems… But, the views trump that. Great place to people watch. We are blessed to live here.

The Kind Grind is just an average coffee experience in Santa Cruz.
Nicely located on the way to the beach, my Mom and I swung by one morning for coffee.
Just one Barista working. She did a great job chatting up regulars and out of towners alike.
I got a cup of the Amalfi Dark Roast. Not burnt, and it warmed me up on a chilly morning.
Mom got an Iced Mexican Mocha, which I was able to take a sip of.
This was excellent; not too cloyingly sweet like these types of beverages usually are.
Not my first choice for coffee in Santa Cruz, but gets the job done.

I’m currently a student working on my masters in Education and my program is extremely intense as far as schedule. I have had zero vacation time, but since a good amount of my work is done online, I’m able to get away at least a little every now and again. With that in mind, when hanging out in Santa Cruz, I was relying on hotel wifi. Because I am a habitual procrastinator, one Saturday I was in a pinch because things were due by midnight. I really was enjoying my beach time, but had this nagging feeling of having to complete my work. The Kind Grind is located on the beach. Their patio is on sand. Luckily the beach my parents like happens to be the same beach The Kind Grind is on.
I personally do not do coffee and I wasn’t feeling tea, but I really needed to get some work done. Now, there are those places that are really strict with the bathroom and their wifi, but this is not that place. The people here are very friendly and welcoming. I think my mom did get a cup of coffee, but without even knowing if I actually was a customer, they happily gave me their wifi password and let me use the bathroom freely without questions. I know I’m emphasizing the bathroom, but it is very important when at the beach. I was able to complete by work and enjoy the rest of the day on the beach without that nagging feeling. Great, welcoming and friendly staff.
The prices were right and the food looked pretty good. If it weren’t for our just getting back from Costco, I probably would have ordered something. I will be back.

There is no finer place to have coffee, a croissant (preferably chocolate) or just to shoot the breeze with the very friendly staff (not least the very amiable Nick or Saul, whose musical tastes will always put you in a good mood). The location is perfect, right by the beach and harbor, and the views from inside, or from anywhere you care to sit outside, are just spectacular. My most welcoming moment came when I walked in the ocean at sunrise in October and needed to thaw my legs and feet out, but anytime is a good time to go to the Kind Grind, except after 4:30pm when they close! Then I would suggest next door at Palomar, for a very reasonably priced margarita and a plate of oysters!

For me, the Kind Grind is almost a five-​star spot.
— It’s right on the beach (Harbor State Beach).
— Open seating means you can grab any available table/​chairs and drag em wherever you want to sit and enjoy your coffee.
— Volleyball games are being played all day = free entertainment!
— Friendly folks helping you with coffee, press drinks and baked goodies.
— Mexican food a la El Palomar next door.
How can you go wrong?

I’m hanging out in the harbor and decide I need a coffee. I cruised in and decided to try it out. For the record, I hate trying new coffee shops. I am a Starbucks fan girl, I like being a gold member and earning my free drinks and I admittedly am picky. The shop is uninspiring and needs some décor lovin, but my mocha was fantastic. The barista was friendly and the view and outdoor space is lovely. I decided I needed a cookie with my coffee, I figured it wouldn’t be good. I’m super picky about my cookies. I ordered the oatmeal toffee. I’m still thinking about that cookie. The cookie nice and chewy and the toffee still crunchy. Sooo good. I would go back, hell I even bought a cute rockabilly themed sweatshirt from them. Maybe they could carry that theme over and decorate the coffee shop ;-)

It’s a coffee shop («coffee» — you know a morning/​evening drink) that closes at 4:30pm!!! You gotta be kidding me! Oh and I have to pay for parking! Hourly!

Just wanted to say thanks for not correcting your hours on Unilocal so that my handicap wife and I walked 2 miles to find out u close 3 hrs earlier. Santa Cruz itself has been a miserable place to visit. Since when does nobody drink coffee past 4:30 in the afternoon. Guess that’s why there is one of the Kind Grind and 1,000,000 Starbucks. I know where I’ll get coffee in this crappy city from now on

The service was great. I would come back. Nice location after grabbing some lunch at the crows nest. The cookies need some work. I little burn other than that. Pretty good.

I had discovered this place while attending to the Saturday morning Ukulele meet ups that happen at the Santa Cruz Harbor. They have a great selection of locally baked goods as well as coffee and teas. The actual coffee itself? Kinda average, but still good enough to wake you up and enjoy the morning fun. The service is good and they get your coffee out fast, considering how busy it can get on Saturday mornings. Also, check out the local artwork that they have on display!

I discovered this place because of the Ukulele meet up that happens on the beach just outside. In the Kind Grind, you’ll find a great selection of coffee drinks, pastries and seating. I’m not sure if they have their own WIFI here, but there is a Comcast Xfinity public hotspot in range so I jumped on that.

I found a WIRE in my muffin. From a cleaning brush— an INCH-​LONG WIRE!
ewwwww
NOT OK!
And on top of that the staff were very rude. There are enough coffee shops in this town and I will NEVER come here again. Hopefully the health inspector comes soon.

Sorry Kind Grind, but after today I am not a fan. Ordered an iced coffee and after ten minutes of waiting, went inside to see if it was ready. Saw it being made… small amount of coffee in a cup with ice and then the ‘barista’ filled the rest of the cup with tap water.
I asked her why she put water in it and she said, «that is how we do iced coffees here, its like an iced americano». An iced americano is expresso, ice and water but that is not what I ordered! Boooo

Very disappointed in what was my favorite little coffee shop. Used to come in daily to see the smiling face of the young girl with the brown hair. Finally asked what happened and was told all the old employees were gone. I live very close, so I could most likely deal with the now terrible customer service if the product was great. But each time I’ve come in since Ive had these issues.
More than once, of the 3 pots coffee pots all were empty. I let the new girl that I’ve never seen before know and it took her 2 minutes of trying to figure out how to brew coffee before one of the customers stepped in and made it for her. Finally got my coffee and it was more grinds then coffee. I showed her the coffee which was undrinkable and asked for an Americano instead. She had no idea what an Americano was. I finally gave up and asked for a lid. Even though there was a stack within hands reach of the girl she angrily pointed over towards the other end of the room and walked away. Well they were out of lids over there as well as cream, sugar, and napkins.
I recently went in on the weekend with my family to get blended coffee drinks. I got a mocha and asked if my son could have a chocolate one. The girl told me no, they don’t have that on the menu. I tried explaining that it would be the same as a mocha, just don’t add the coffee.
So I am not sure if this place is under new management or what. But if they are going to succeed they either need to bring back the old employees or properly train the new ones. even if the product is spectacular, a restaurant is nothing without great employees. I sincerely hope my favorite coffee place gets it together.

There are few forbidden pleasures worth repeating and going to the kind grind, having a latte and (note flavor) a cherry turnover and sitting in the sunshine watching the world go by is one I’d heartily recommend.
If you want the full Monty you need to be there by mid morning on a weekend as the turnovers move faster than the latest incarnation of iPhone on launch day.
The pastry must have ¼ton of the best butter massaged into it and the sugar is caramelized reminiscent of your favorite crème brûlée topper.
Go on. You know you want to !

*********************** 646 **************************
Great spots with local artists arts on the walls. Caramel gelato is yum here. Decent pastries and sandwich options. I personally love the Mango Bash smoothie, adjacent to the beach volley ball court to the harbor and the East Cliff beach.
Nice and super friendly servers here. I have the same smoothie here a few times a week!