Our flagship studio is located in an historic downtown Santa Cruz site, on Walnut Avenue just a block off Pacific. Beatifully lit with skylights in a towering ceiling, Petroglyph was launched in Santa Cruz in 1994, in the years following the Loma Prieta earthquake. In almost 3000 square feet, Petroglyph is the perfect creative venue for your very special large parties or quaint events with live music. It also happens to be our corporate headquarters. You can’t miss the enormous “Song of Santa Cruz” mural along the side of our building, a tribute to the history of our location. (Trivia: the founders of Petroglyph are even painted into the train!)

Surounded by ample parking, Petroglyph is a few steps from a dozen unique eateries, like Soif Wine Bar (they sometimes have Friday night wine tastings), 99 Bottles (great beer, fries and trivia night), Walnut Avenue Café (perfect for Sunday brunch), Gabriella Café, El Palomar; more than 18 movie screens (in 5 theaters), and shopping.

There are many ways to enjoy Petroglyph in Santa Cruz. On many mornings, moms walk downtown with strollers and come in to relax while the baby is sleeping (or press his little foot onto a plate!) It’s also a great time for moms – and their moms – to go out together and share some time. After school, parents come by with gradeschoolers – sometimes they bring a friend – and they paint for the afternoon. After, they walk along Pacific Avenue and get a pizza or burrito. Most kids love topping off an afternoon out with a treat from any of the nearby sweet shops (we like Marini's and Swirl). 

In the evenings, Petroglyph is part of date night. Couples have a nice dinner, maybe Gabriella Cafe or Oswalds and spend a quiet night painting and talking. And of course, girls night out might involve wandering down Pacific, browsing through the shops, picking up a dessert and cappuccino and regrouping at Petroglyph.