Palomar Ballroom Santa Cruz — Attraction in Santa Cruz

I have been taking dance lessons at Palomar Ballroom with Whitney, and I am beyond thrilled with my experience! From the moment I walked into the studio, I felt welcomed and supported. Whitney is an exceptional instructor who combines technical expertise with an encouraging and patient teaching style.

My journey into dancing has been nothing short of transformative. I used to run away from anything to do with dance, feeling self-conscious and unsure of my abilities. However, Whitney’s warm and approachable demeanor quickly put me at ease. Her ability to break down complex steps into manageable parts has been instrumental in my progress. Her keen eye for detail ensures that I am always improving and refining my technique.

Whitney creates a fun and engaging learning environment that makes every lesson something to look forward to. What truly sets Whitney apart is her genuine passion for dance and her dedication to her students’ success. She takes the time to understand each student’s goals and tailors her instruction to help them achieve their best. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she inspires confidence and joy in every class.

The Palomar Ballroom itself is a fantastic venue, with a welcoming community and a vibrant atmosphere. The combination of a great instructor like Whitney and the wonderful environment makes it the perfect place to learn and grow as a dancer. Now, I find myself longing for my private lessons, eager to see what new skills and techniques I will learn.

I highly recommend Whitney and the Palomar Ballroom to anyone looking to embark on a dance journey. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced dancer, you will find the perfect blend of challenge and support here. Thank you, Whitney, for making my dance experience so incredible and for turning my apprehension into a...

Note: I read some older low reviews on here and believe people got this mixed up with the restaurant downstairs or are talking about Santa Cruz city two stories down and outside. They're complaints have nothing to do with the actual ballroom or classes. I dare anyone to find such a historic classy ballroom for at least 20 miles.

I love this place and it is simply, by far, the best ballroom dancing resource in Santa Cruz County! Basically, it's excellent and there really isn't another option.

Pros: Awesome Instructors Variety of dance styles. Primarily: East/West coast swing Salsa Argentine Tango Rhumba Foxtrot Charleston Lindyhop Cha Cha Variatry of class styles Drop in's great for beginners Series classes to really improve for different levels Dance parties for practice and a real fun event Private single or couples lessons Excellent package deals to fit your needs and budget Beautiful huge historical ballroom that immediately makes you want to dance Central location that pairs well with other events before or after Fun and effective learning Frequent rotation of dance partners makes the whole thing less intimidating for new people

Cons: No main classes on Thursdays Difficult to coordinate classes between their two locations, one in Scott's Valley and in Santa Cruz, if you are trying to attend multiple series classes Would like more advanced Tango and Cha Cha series classes

Far more pros than cons, I give it 5 stars, and would highly...

This review is predominant focused on private lesson with Whitney

Taking private lessons with Whitney for the past two years has been an incredible journey for my dancing. We've dived deep into Bachata, exploring different styles and really focusing on the details that make social dancing work, like timing and body movement.

Whitney is an exceptionally skilled instructor with a real knack for pinpointing exactly what I need to work on and explaining it clearly. What truly stands out is the passion she brings to every single lesson; you can really feel how much she enjoys helping her students improve and develop their own love for dance. She makes learning fun and is incredibly patient, creating a supportive space where I feel comfortable pushing myself and seeing real progress.

Thanks to her guidance and genuine dedication, my understanding of Bachata and my confidence on the dance floor have grown immensely over these two years. I wholeheartedly recommend Whitney to anyone looking for a passionate and effective...