Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove

This event space is very clean and bright, overlooking the ocean and the boardwalk of Santa Cruz. I came here with my boyfriend for the Sea Glass Festival yesterday, and it was a very pleasant environment. I only wish the space was a bit larger, and that it was advertised outside a little better. At first we were unsure whether this was the location for the festival, as it didn’t appear to have any signs outside.

They don’t do weddings here anymore, just found out, wanted to have our reception here.:(

I ended up coming here this past Saturday for the Sea glass art show which was $ 5 admission and part of proceeds go to Monterey Marine Mammal sanctuary.
The center is easy to find right on the boardwalk and during this slower season, parking was easy to find.
The Center was very bright and airy, although the particular event I attended, seemed to have more booths than felt comfortable and a teeming crowd. There were two smaller rooms off the main hall, that I think they could have used more effectively to spread out the artists’ booths, hence making this a 4 versus 5 star review. I fee like the center could have worked with the event organizers to lay out their tables a little more effectively, since the aisles seemed awfully narrow.
Overall, though, seemed like a cute little place to hold a small art show or similar type event. You certainly can’t beat the surrounding area, with a short walk to the Wharf and the boardwalk-​close driving distance to other Santa Cruz attractions.

My husband and I had our reception here in The Ballroom, mid September 2012. I’m so happy with the whole process and I have no regrets. Annie who helped us with paper work and booking was so helpful and responsive to my emails and meetings. And Rebecca the wedding coordinator, who I had met that night, made it seem like I knew her before then. Little things like putting my top tier of my cake in a protective box was so considerate. Thank you Rebecca. I strongly suggest whether you are booking this venue or not, to go to the bridal fair they hold there. Especially if you are planning your wedding in or around the central coast. Lots of steals and deals vendors offer.
Unfortunately, I’ve learned to discover they will be losing their kitchen come spring 2013. MY FOOD AT MY RECEPTION BUFFET WAS AWESOME! All of my guests had nothing but positive things to say about the food. I’m very lucky to have had their kitchen staff and chef for my wedding. The good news is they will have preferred catering list for you to chose from if you need catering. :)
We booked the The Ballroom b/​c of our guest size (200). The room is very spacious and the bar with the bay room included was great. The whole place is decked out in art deco, turn of the century, big band, 1920’s 30’s casino feel. I loved it!
Here is a quick list of the perks included and why we booked here .
–On-​site wedding coordinator
–Good food and and drink packages. Prices are VERY moderate for the S.C. area.
–On-​site tables, chairs with linens in a variety of colors.
–As many parking passes as you need for your guests the day of your event.
–LOTS and LOTS of space in the Ballroom.
–Beautiful views from Bay Room windows and bar. Oh and you’re on the Boardwalk too!
Thank you to the Cocoanut Grove staff, kitchen/​chef and Santa Cruz community for keeping this historic and special place alive for everyone to enjoy now and for years to come! It was wonderful and unforgettable. Wish I could do it again. :)

Came here for a show on a whim. I walked here from my home, which is a plus. Wow, Cocoanut Grove is huge! I was thinking I would be seeing Girls at a tiny venue, but man. The place is large in size, and offers popcorn at the merch booth. The 21+ area is large too, which is nice because people like to group up in circles like at high school dances and keep their distance from other groups of gossiping adults. There was a lovely view, and the drinks were just fine, nice n strong.
That said, the venue is a little rundown and could use some re-​painting or something. I don’t think I can say it’s my favorite venue in Santa Cruz, but I do appreciate how large it is. Also, when you’re done here you can go to the Boardwalk OR go bowling!

I don’t have much of an opinion on the Coconut Grove as a whole. Events take place there, so I go. The parking is a nightmare, there is no coat room, it is big and cavernous inside.
That said… the boys behind the bar can all make a real cocktail. The didn’t pause to think about what goes into a Sidecar. I asked two different bartenders to make me a sidecar over the course of my last evening spent at the Coconut Grove and each time it came back stinking of good brandy, lemony, icy cold with nary a sugar granule around the rim nor a cherry.
So, if you must be at a Realtor-​based event at the Coconut Grove, even if wine is included in your admission price, I recommend a stroll over to their old-​fashioned wrap around bar to buy yourself a real cocktail. Extra points for the ocean view
Lovely!

The Sun room is the place! I am a photographer, We have shot many wedding all over California, and this place Rocks. The place is epic– hands down. Food, 5 star, staff, 5 star, coolness of the venue 5 star — i cant say good enough about this place. If your thinking of having a wedding there, DO IT. Susan was in charge and ran the place like a ship and the employees were happy which says a lot. Staff is happy means they are treated right. One of the guy whistled while he stack the chairs from the ceremony, The dinner was buffet and rocked, photos coming soon. Chicken Kiev, to die for –the chef really is a chef here, and the twinkle lights everywhere so romantic.

I worked at the Boardwalk for 6 years and I have been in the Coconut Grove only twice for an event. Specifically my junior prom and now a Marine Corps Ball. The inside seems revamped but still outdated. Ye s it is on the water, and yes it is big, but if you are looking for a fancy location, I wouldn’t recommend it. I would say its above average because of its amenities, however I don’t think a wedding or a formal dinner would go well.

The Sun Room at the Coconut Grove is a beautiful place for a wedding. The glass ceiling with its lights is stunning. Sally, the wedding planner, and all the staff at the venue were very professional and very helpful. They made sure my daughter’s wedding went flawlessly. This is a great one-​stop shop for weddings.

I came here for a wedding reception and had no idea this place even existed in all the years I’ve been coming to Santa Cruz.
The place from the outside looks really old but they managed to make the place look amazing for the reception on the inside.
One of the things that I really enjoyed were the staff. Friendly, smiling faces, and very helpful.
The bartender was really busy. He did his job though. Drinks were good.

Came here for a wedding reception last night. Honestly in the years of going to SC and the boardwalk I had no idea this facility even existed.
Was really well set up for a wedding reception. The hall is a great size, has a great dance floor, great bar area, etc.
Not sure if it was an internal catering company or not. But if it was, The food was surprisingly good! I never expect much at a wedding reception (or really any large catered gathering). They did a great job.
The location is really cool. I mean you are right there at the boardwalk. If you had kids you could take em downstairs for a few games at the arcade. Walk the boardwalk in the evening with a special someone, etc.
The only downside I saw to the place was that of your party is relatively smaller (the reception was 70 or so people) it seems somewhat empty and impersonal. I’d say this is ideal place for 100 – 120 people.
Another thing some might say is a downside is parking. It’s just not that ideal to make people pay to park across the street in the lots.

I have photographed many a wedding here and There is a lot to love at this location, right on the beach, the sun room
is amazing when they roll the roof back and see the stars. The food is just average. Huge dance floor, always a plus!

Our school has had their prom here it went well.
Done did the chocolate festival… it was amazing
I went last Sunday for their Bridal Show. was totally impressed. Lots of vendors and they had tons of food/​drinks for sale as well… people gotta eat right?
Everything these guys do they do well…

This place is pretty nice. I went here for a chocolate festival. It was pretty interesting.

Okay, So i went to the chocolate festival today, and i was so amazing. There were so many chocolates for me to taste. It is not even funny. I love all chocolate, especially dark chocolate!
I will definitely come back again! That’s how amazing it is!

Great location. Room was wonderful and with the windows open it was cool even with tons of dancers rockin on the dance floor. Located right on the beach the windows were open and the breeze was amazing.

Wow. So historic. This place had the likes of Benny Goodman playing, and playboy Howard Hughes enjoying the nightlife of the 1930’s. That is enough for a guy like me to love it.
It has always been the style of the décor and amazing feeling that comes with being in a place that has so much history going for it. I once attended a swing dance night here, complete with big band and period dress. Amazing night that I wish would have never ended. Hell, I wish I had been 21 at the time so I could have had a martini and really made the night true to style.
It isn’t retro, its real. The Boardwalk has amazing history, but don’t forget this place. Have an event here, enjoy the view, and take in the years of groove in The Grove.

I attended an engagement ceremony in the Sun Room this past weekend — who knew this place was here!!! I’ve been coming to the Boardwalk since I was a kid and never did I know that there was more than just rides, corn dogs, giant doughnuts, and horny teenagers.
Let me help you with this piece… It’s called the «Sun Room» for a reason. Translation: If you’re there for a day time event, bring your sunglasses. It’s like being outside without being outside. The ceiling is entirely constructed of glass and sets a beautiful atmosphere. Granted, for the one and only experience I’ve had here, the weather was perfect! I’m going to assume that this will have a lot to do with the experience. But again, if you’re fortunate enough to have nice weather for your event, this is a really cool spot overlooking the Santa Cruz Beach and Pier.
I’m at that stage in life where I’m frequently finding myself at these types of events that are being held in facilities such as the Sun Room, but I’m going to have to admit, there is something about this spot that I think is flat out cool!

I proposed to my wife at Seabright beach which is right next to the santa cruz beach boardwalk. Cocoanut grove was putting on a wedding expo and invited us to come by.
We were going to choose another venue that we thought would be much cheaper than the cocoanut grove, so we decided… why not, lets check the place out.
Boy were we suprised. The cost to rent and the cost of food per person was almost $ 15 cheaper per person than the other venues. The place was so amazing and large we thought there would be no way we could afford it, but it turned out to be cheaper and nicer than all the other places.
Sally Sessions (the cocoanut grove wedding coordinator) took us on a tour and showed us the ball room. The size was perfect. We were expecting about 300 people.
We were able to use the place the Friday before for a rehearsal session at no extra cost. Sally was very accomidating and allowed us to stay a little past the allotted time to make sure everything was perfect.
The wedding went off without a hitch. Sally was there personally to make sure everything went smoothly. The food was as excellent as it was in the tastings. We had Kalua Pork, Salmon and Macaroni salad. The food was served Buffet style and serving went smoothly. Everyone was able to get food in about 30 minutes. We were given 2 rows of tables which made 4 lanes and moved people quickly through the lines. There was enough food for everyone to have seconds.
They also provided a photo booth for $ 450.00 which was probably one of the best things we chose. We had scrap books where our guests pasted one of their pictures and left messages for us. We must’ve laughed for an hour looking at all the crazy pictures.
All of our guests told us over and over how much they loved the venue.
It’s got a great view of the beach right from the ceremony area. The ballroom was right next to the ceremony space, so all the guests had to do was get up and go into the next room.
We forgot how large the space was for the guestbook and welcome area. the room was large enough to accomidate comfortably a guest table, a photobooth, and a long line of people who wanted to take photobooth pictures. They also had a «greenroom» space behind the stage that we were able to use to get ready or fix our hair and makeup. I don’t wear makeup, but it was a good place for me and my wife to practice our dance.
The Cocoanut grove was the best venue we saw and the cheapest as well. I recommend any couple to consider the Cocoanut Grove for their wedding.
Oh yeah, they had a Marquis in the front of the venue that we asked to put «Congratulations Jeanny and Phil»… They let you put whatever you like for your special day.
The restrooms were full sized with 4 stalls in the mens room and about 6 urinals, I’m not too sure what the women’s restroom was like.

I’ve been here before when we had a work function and it was okay. Most recently I was here for a Mother’s Day Brunch. They had the sky light open a bit in the center since it was an absolutely beautiful day. I thought the pricing was a little extreme at $ 33 per person for just an okay breakfast spread. Don’t get me wrong. .the food was pretty yummy and we had a window view of the beach, but it lacked some items such as waffles and toast. I know. too picky. But, seriously. I thought it would have been a little more upscale or something.
Their menu this year: yummy prime rib, an omelet station, salad, the yummiest deep dish french toast, some type of fresh fish, bagels, and a cool dessert counter. The wait staff was really pleasant and always ready to fill up with orange juice or wine. If you call ahead for reservations, ask for a table near the window as those tend to go fast. Thankfully we chose a late morning time as parking was plentiful in the lot across the street. Added bonus… only $ 10