The Grove is located in Upper DeLaveaga Park in Santa Cruz. Our address is:

501 Upper Park Rd
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
Click here to see it on a map!

• Our daytime Box Office hours are 12 noon - 4pm, Tuesday through Friday.
• The Box Office will also be open beginning two hours before each public performance (the box office will close after intermission).
• The Box Office phone number is (831) 460-6399.
• If you have trouble purchasing tickets online, please call us, or send an email to boxoffice@santacruzshakespeare.org, and someone will get back to you within 48 hours (or on Tuesday if the message is left on the weekend).

Parking at The Grove couldn’t be easier! Our accessible lot is directly adjacent to our magnificent outdoor theater. Due to the limited parking availability at The Grove, our “Sort by Size” Parking system maximizes the number of cars parked while ensuring that no one gets blocked in. This parking system takes a bit of patience, but, after the show ends, all cars can leave within 10-15 minutes! Come early to avoid a long line!

The parking fee is $10 per car (cash only, please). However, we offer FREE parking for carpools (4+ per car). You can pre-order your parking pass along with with your tickets (online or by phone). There are also a number of handicapped-designated parking spaces, as well as a drop-off zone.

For the 2024 Season, we continue our open groundling seating plan. You may wish to arrive early to claim your favorite groundling spot. If you are seated in the center groundling blanket area, please bring your own blanket, rug, or towel to sit on; no chairs may be used in this area. If you are seated in a side groundling box, low beach chairs will be available for rental. Please do not bring your own beach chairs to the theater.

The term “Groundling” was coined during Shakespeare’s time. “Groundling” refers to people who paid one penny in order to be able to stand in front of the stage to watch the play.

Groundlings were known to be raucous and even throw food at characters they didn’t like. While we don’t encourage that behavior, we do think being a Groundling is a fun way to watch Shakespeare!

Santa Cruz Shakespeare does not currently have any public health restrictions in place. 

Yes! We have partnered with Coffee 9, owned and operated by Chef Mo L'Esperance and Jeff Whiting of Whiting's Foods (food & beverage operator for the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Warriors Arena), to provide a selection of beer, wine, snacks, charcuterie boxes, and other yummy things. Concessions and wine bar open an hour before the show begins. Our concessions are cashless only - no cash is accepted. This season's menu is coming soon!

The gate to the The Grove venue opens 2 hours prior to show time. This allows access to parking & picnic areas, wine bar, and concessions.

Santa Cruz Shakespeare Members (Patron level and above) receive early entry to the theater beginning one hour prior to curtain. Please follow the signs for member entry. Non-member seating in the theatre will begin 45 minutes prior to curtain.

Children age 6 and above are welcome to attend all of our performances. If you have children under age 6, please bring them to our All-Ages Matinees (see the next FAQ).  Our performances generally run between two and three hours in length. At this time, we do not adjust the length or content of our performances for All-Ages or Student Matinees.

This year, we offer three 2:00 pm Sunday matinees for patrons who wish to bring any family member of any age:

• The Importance of Being Earnest on August 11;
• Hamlet on August 18;
• As You Like It on August 25.

All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket. As noted in the previous FAQ, we do not alter the length or content of our performances for All-Ages Matinees, so please use your discretion when deciding what is appropriate for your youngest family members.

Yes! They’re available for rental free of charge. Please check with the box office when you arrive to reserve a device for the performance.

Legend

Red: Premium

Blue: Classic

Yellow: Accessibility

Grey Blocks: Groundling

Premium seating in rows A-G consists of finely crafted metal-reinforced wooden benches. Features include a shelf for drinks attached to the benches in front of you, arm rests and wide seats. Seating in boxes 1A, 1B, 3A, 3B, and 3C are the same as classic seating (see below). 

Classic and Accessibility seats are individual steel grating chairs. Boxes 1C and 3D, along with the accessibility section, have chairs pre-set in all available spots, but chairs can easily be moved to make room for alternative seating such as wheelchairs. 

The Groundling Blanket sections are three large wood chip areas at the front of the house. We encourage you to bring your own blankets or cushions to sit on the ground with. We do not allow any outside beach chairs or camp chairs, but they are available for rent from the Soroptomists, who are based on the left side of the parking lot. These chairs are not allowed in the center Groundling Blanket section. 

Groundling Box 1A is the same as the side blanket sections, but has crushed granite instead of wood chips. Rented chairs are permitted in this section. 

Yes! We partner with the Soroptimists of Capitola who use proceeds from these rentals to provide scholarships for young women. 

At matinee (daytime) performances, the weather will usually be sunny. Even if it is not hot, direct sun exposure can be uncomfortable, or even dangerous for sensitive audience members.  Certain seats are discounted due to sun exposure. Please be sure to bring sunblock and a hat, and to drink plenty of water!

At evening performances, enjoy the bright stars and, on some nights, even a full moon! But remember: when the sun goes down, the temperature drops quickly, and the wind can be chilly. Bring outerwear or your own blanket to ensure your comfort.

And, of course, remember to take your belongings with you when you leave the theater!