Predicted to make up nearly three-quarters of the global workforce by 2030, millennials and Gen Z are a driving force for changing the way we do everything—from work to travel, to meeting and eating.
When it comes to traveling for offsite meetings and events, Gen Z and millennials want more from the experience than sitting in sessions and taking notes during presentations. They’re looking for interactive agendas, opportunities to make new friends and connections, and to get a taste of the local area—through food, team-building activities, and helping in the community.
Santa Cruz County is a haven for adventurers, foodies, environmentally conscious travelers, and those who like to mix in some R&R with their jam-packed work agendas. Read on to discover how the jewels of Santa Cruz County can add unique flair to your event and entice millennial and Gen Z attendees.
1. Keep it local
Gen Z and millennials are hungry for local experiences—even within the event agenda. Experiences are key for these generations and they’re always on the lookout for opportunities to learn, see, taste, or live something new.
For a uniquely Santa Cruz vibe, pull in local restaurants as event caterers; organize a beer and wine tasting with a micro brewery and winery; or rent out a local brewery for a happy hour to close out the day’s agenda. Shanty Shack Brewing, Steel Bonnet Brewing Company, and Woodhouse Blending & Brewing—to name a few others—combine local brews, live music, and a rotation of food trucks.
Named one of Eater’s Best Places to Eat and Drink in Santa Cruz, Humble Sea Brewing Co. can accommodate private events and groups at their brewery just a few minutes away from Main Beach, or at their seasonal location right on the Santa Cruz Wharf. Regan Vineyards Winery offers groups a tour and tasting nestled in the Santa Cruz mountains, or for a historic tasting room and courtyard setting, check out Bargetto Winery.
As The Little Shop of Horticulture says, bars aren’t just for cocktails anymore. Instead of cocktails or mocktails at your event, attendees can sidle up to the “bar” and make their own terrariums, moss walls, wooden signs, flower arrangements, wreaths, or plant pots. It’s a great way to tie in a local keepsake and DIY element to any team building workshop.
At local farmers markets, attendees can experience a cross-section of everything Santa Cruz County has to offer—from live music and local brews to organic produce and tasty meals, and beyond. The Downtown Farmers’ Market runs weekly and boasts an array of grab-and-go food from renowned local chefs of Eritrean, Indian, Nepalese, Mexican, Korean, and other culinary traditions. For shoppers on a budget, the Aptos Market at Cabrillo College offers a variety of local produce and eats at a price that keeps wallets happy.
2. All about the foodies
Gen Z and millennials are the foodie generations. Food is more than just fuel for the adventure—the food, and the experience around it, is the adventure. In fact, Hilton’s 2025 Trends Report found that after hotels, dining experiences are the next highest budget priority for travelers.
Partnering with restaurants to provide local fare and cuisine, organizing team brunches or dinners out on the town, or renting out the space for a happy hour are great ways to get foodies excited about your event.
Attendees can enjoy an expertly cooked meal paired with stunning panoramic views of Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz at The View, located in Chaminade Resort & Spa. Nestled in the charming Seacliff Inn, Sevy’s Bar + Kitchen offers contemporary California fare and fine wine. To jazz up the experience, many Santa Cruz restaurants—these two included—have a nightly lineup of local musicians.
Quality ingredients and experiential dining that goes beyond the mainstream are important to Gen Z and millennials. For a true slice of all things local, attendees can venture to Oswald for upscale California comfort food with a rotation of local artist solo exhibitions as a backdrop.
Swift and Ingalls Street Courtyard—located next to Eater’s pick for best coffee in Santa Cruz, Cat & Cloud Coffee—is the perfect area for diving into a taste of the region with a smattering of restaurants, breweries, wineries, cafés, bakeries, and local wares.
For lively grab-and-go options in a small area, pop-ups and food trucks are increasingly popular. Food Truck Fridays in Scotts Valley gathers a variety of food trucks and musicians for a fun-filled afternoon immersed in the local culture—or, mix it up and fill out their catering form to have a few food trucks come to your event.
3. Meet with purpose
Having a sense of purpose tied to their jobs is paramount for these generations. In fact, 89% of Gen Z and 92% millennials say it’s important to their overall job satisfaction and well-being. Event planners can coordinate with local groups and nonprofits for volunteering opportunities to enable these generations to live their personal values and personify their company’s values out in the world and in the local community.
Both Gen Zers (54%) and millennials (48%) are more likely than their older counterparts to report struggling to make new connections at work events. Organizing volunteering events can make it easy to connect over common interests, strengthen team bonds, and have a positive impact on the local community.
Anxiety about the environment is a key concern for these generations as well. Partner with Save Our Shores for group beach cleanups—perfect for getting people outside and engaging with each other while making a difference. Or, coordinate a group night out to the Save the Waves Film Festival to learn about surf and ocean conservation. All proceeds go directly to ecosystem and conservation projects.
And of course, ensure your events are adhering to sustainability best practices, such as supplying compostable plates, cups, and cutlery; water filling stations versus single-use plastic bottles; digital screens and QR codes rather than printed materials; and partnering with a sustainable caterer and venue.
For more tips, check out 5 Steps to Sustainable Meetings in Santa Cruz County.
4. Prioritize mental health & well-being
In Deloitte’s annual global survey of 23,000+ Gen Zs and millennials, fewer than six in 10 respondents rated their mental well-being as good or very good, and more than 30% said their job is a significant stressor.
Fostering a work-life balance—even at a work event—can go a long way to showing attendees they are valued and supported. Santa Cruz County makes it easy to include the four main pillars of wellness—nutritious food, movement, mindfulness, and stress relief—in your agenda.
Moving your body and staying active—even lightly—can boost mood, productivity, and creativity. Santa Cruz County delivers a variety of options for making the outdoors into the perfect playground, no matter the activity level of your group.
Taking a leisurely stroll along the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk or West Cliff Drive, or opting for a more vigorous hike in DeLaveaga Park can get the blood pumping and the ideas flowing. More adventurous attendees can take a spin through a redwood forest with Santa Cruz Bike Tours or get up close and personal with the waves at Surf School Santa Cruz.
Give people a chance to unwind and have moments of respite in between the hectic event schedule. 78% of respondents in the Hilton 2025 Trends Report agree that sometimes when they are at a work event, they need a break or time to themselves.
Opening September 2025, La Bahia Hotel & Spa is a sanctuary of tranquility with ocean views and signature wellness experiences that include guided outings and group classes, or meditations on the Zen deck. At Dream Inn Santa Cruz Wellness Weekend Series, guests can unwind in serenity and recenter themselves with guided meditation, wellness workshops, and nature-inspired activities.
Gen Z and millennial event attendees are all about health conscious snacks and meals, but not just vegan and vegetarian options — they want grab-and-go options that pack a nutritious punch. Voted best new restaurant in Capitola, Trestles offers seasonal fare crafted with healthy, fresh, local ingredients, calling out the name of their farm supplier right on the menu for event attendees who like to know exactly where their food is coming from.
For more about crafting wellness-centered meetings in Santa Cruz County, check out 4 Ways to Work Wellness into Meetings.