Beaches Boardwalk Glass Art Hiking Sailing Santa Cruz Wharf
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santasanta cruz cruzcounty 2009 Our 25th Year! Beaches Glass Art Sailing Boardwalk Santa Cruz Wharf Hiking Dining • Shopping • Event Calendar Welcome to Santahis small seaside community Cruz has become one of the top tourist destinations in Califor- nia – making all the marketing hype, quite simply, true. Buffered by a protective ring Tof redwood forests on one side and a glorious coastline on the other, the area’s iden- tity and reputation varies depending on who you ask; Although it is many things to many people, those who live here are justifiably proud of the place they call home. And yes, the redwoods are tall and awe-in- new and contemporary ideas into almost every spiring, densely carpeted below and majestically facet of life. reaching high into the heavens. People explore A stone’s throw down the coast is Capitola the trails and natural wonders, accompanied all Village, a tony enclave of restaurants, shops and the while by an ever-changing symphony of bird boutique hotels built around a postcard-perfect calls and squirrel chatter. Hikers discover clear beach with its own esplanade. It’s the home of streams and waterfalls, centuries-old trees, wind- the world-famous Begonia Festival each summer, ing deer trails and the welcome embrace that where flower-bedecked floats make their way only a forest this old, and this pristine, can offer. down a small creek and a Sand Castle Contest is In fact, in 1906, the first “Save the Redwoods” held on the beach. Capitola Village is the quintes- campaign resulted in Big Basin Redwoods State sential California beach town, where surfers ride Park – 18,000 acres of old growth, now gently the waves, kids play in the sand and couples stroll dissected by almost 100 miles of trails. happily hand in hand. The wild Pacific stretches the length of the Nearby is Aptos Village, anchored by an histor- county, its coastline highlighted by the fabled ic bed and breakfast and the 10,000-acre Nisene Highway One. Slightly tamed by the Monterey Marks State Park, and home to a Blues Festival Bay Marine Sanctuary, and home to a 10,000 in May. foot-deep chasm that’s twice the depth of the If you continue south you’ll find the fertile Grand Canyon, the water, though chilly, is home Pajaro Valley and the city of Watsonville. Long to all kinds of wildlife, from otters and sea lions to known as an agricultural haven, apples, berries, salmon and migrating whales. Surfers, kayakers artichokes and a variety of other crops grow here. and sailboats of all sizes can be found as well as The first “organic baby salad greens’ were pro- many beaches – some rocky inlets, others sandy duced and marketed from this area. havens. Nestled in the mountains around Santa Cruz, On a clear day, the mountains across the bay in you’ll find Ben Lomond, Felton and Boulder Monterey are visible, adding an Avalon-like mysti- Creek, three towns of the San Lorenzo Valley. cism to an area already steeped in alternative ways Notable for their long history that’s tied in so of thought and life. Adventurous fashion, food many ways to the redwood forests, you’ll find and nightlife abound, and the town remains an real working steam trains at Big Trees & Roaring eclectic mix of ‘60s hippie idealism, surf culture Camp Railroad, miles of trails through redwood and Silicon-Valley-is-our-neighbor chic. Don’t be glens at Henry Cowell or Big Basin State Parks, surprised when you find contemporary boutiques and Loch Lomond, an 87-acre fishing lake. with the newest New York fashions next door to Whatever your reasons for visiting Santa a bead shop, and gourmet vegetarian options on Cruz, do take an hour or so and drive North on most menus. Serious surf, skateboard and cycling Highway One out of town, past the fields, till it’s gear is not just sold but designed and made here, just you, the glittering Pacific and the occasional in stores next to the signature shop of, say, an in- other car. On the way, you’ll find any number of ternationally known glass artist or cookie compa- places to stop: some, like Davenport Landing, are ny. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, celebrating marked, but others are little more than a pullover its 100th year in 2007, offers giddy family fun at with a trail leading to the water or simply a vista an old-fashioned amusement park, complete with for that perfect photo. roller coasters, kiddie rides and an outdoor sum- An insider’s tip: when in doubt, head toward mer concert series. the water. You’ll find places to sit, shop and stroll, Santa Cruz County plays host to the biggest interesting people to talk to (and watch), all sorts names in the music and theater world, but also of good food to eat and, more than likely, some- finds time to showcase its own local talent, and a thing going on such as art and music festivals, burgeoning art scene that includes monthly “art outrigger canoe and sailboat races, antique and walks,” and Open Studios events. Santa Cruz is street fairs, winery tasting rooms, beach barbe- also home to the University of California at Santa cues, street theater – you name it, Santa Cruz Photo: Paul Dionne Background photo: Marguerite Meyer Cruz, which guarantees the vibrant addition of County’s got it. r 4 SUMMER 2009 two thousand nine summersantacruz.com summersantacruz.com two thousand nine2009 SUMMER 5 santa cruz cruzcounty Great Food, Great Drinks, With Great View Photo: Paul Dionne Contents 8 .....Yacht Harbor 24 .....Museums 41 .....Moss Landing Day Trip (You are in Paradise!) 8 .....Golfing 25 .....Hiking 42 .....Water Sports Beachfront Patio Dining 10 .....Event Showcase 26 .....San Lorenzo Valley Shopping 43 .....Aptos Shopping Full Bar 12 .....Jewels: Be Dazzled! 28 .....Wineries 44 .....Capitola Shopping Outdoor Bar 14 .....Antiques 31 .....Pleasure Point Shopping 46 .....Calendar of Events With Fireplace 15 .....Points of Interest 32 .....Santa Cruz Wharf Shopping 47 .....Coffee & Tea Cafes Island Fusion Cuisine 16 .....Magical Glass 34 .....Spas 48 .....Rio/Seabright Shopping 18 .....Scotts Valley Shopping 36 .....Santa Cruz Shopping 49 .....Twice is Nice Shopping Fresh Hawaiian Seafood 21 .....By Design 38 .....Romancing Santa Cruz 50 .....Breakfasts to Enjoy House Aged All Natural Beef 22 .....Beaches 39 .....Nightlife 51 .....To Dine For Open Daily 11:30 23 .....Birding 40 .....Tattoo Parlors 53 .....Dining in Santa Cruz County Lunch & Dinner 24 .....San Juan Bautista Day Trip 40 .....Swift Street Courtyard 60 .....Dining at a Glance Voted Best Staff: 63 .....Map of Santa Cruz County Restaurant Rose Smith .................................................................................Publisher Marguerite Meyer ...................................................Design & Production Santa Cruz County Kristina Crooks, Jacklyn Johnston, Jo Romaniello ........ Sales Associates 2007, 2008, 2009 Eileen Begley, Janet Blaser, Stephen Gerow, Pearl S. Jones ...................................Contributing Writers Good Times Weekly Diane Lowery ..................................................................................Bookkeeper Peter W. Kyryl II ......................................................................Distribution PARADISE BEACH GRILLE Photography By.......Duane Dietz, Flip’s Photos, Marguerite Meyer, Jo Romaniello, Larry Selman, Rob Watson 2009 Volume XXV 215 Esplanade Summer Santa Cruz County Magazine is published annually by Visual Ink Publishing. No portion may be Capitola reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The name Summer Santa Cruz County is a trade- mark of Visual Ink Publishing © 2009 Visual Ink, all rights reserved. 831-476-4900 Mailing Address: VISUAL INK PUBLISHING, P.O. Box 4067, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 www.paradisebeachgrille.com Phone; (831)429-5500 Fax: (831)420-1855, Summersantacruz.com. summersantacruz.com two thousand nine2009 SUMMER 7 Come Harbor VisitYacht Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor Golfing Gateway to the Monterey Bay Sanctuary National Safe Boating Week May 16-22 Photo courtesy: DeLaveaga Gof Course Year round golfing makes Santa Cruz County one of the best places to live and Wear Your Life Jacket; to visit. Most play is from sunrise to sun- set. All of the golf courses listed below It Floats, You Don’t! Fresh Seafood, Steaks, Salads, have a clubhouse where food and bev- Sandwiches and More! erages are served as well as a pro shop. Harbor Views Carts (except for Valley Gardens), lessons Nightly Specials, Brunch Sat & Sun and equipment rentals are available at all Open Daily with Continuous Service 493 Lake Ave. • Santa Cruz • 831-479-3430 courses. For more info: ncga.org. johnnysharborside.com Pasatiempo Golf Club is rated as one of the Top 100 Golf Courses in America. Designed by Alister MacKenzie, it was constructed in 1929 and has with- stood the test of time. A full pro-shop and restaurant are on the premises. The golf course boasts a mag- nificent view of the Monterey Bay. Open daily 7am to dusk. 18 Clubhouse Rd., Santa Cruz (831)459-9155. pasatiempo.com. DeLaveaga Golf Course. This newly renovated municipal golf course is well known for its tree lined fairways, deep canyons, and infamous 10th hole. This beautiful facility offers a full service pro shop, a two- story, lighted driving range and an award-winning res- taurant. Open daily from sunrise to sunset. Located at 401 Upper Park Road, top of DeLaveaga Drive, Santa The Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor hosts facilities for a variety Cruz. (831) 423-7212. delaveagagolf.com. Boulder Creek Golf & Country Club. Locat- of pleasure boats and commercial fishing vessels. Boating relat- ed just over 3 miles from the town of Boulder Creek ed businesses, restaurants, shops and charter boat options are this magnificent public golf course with its beautiful tree lined fairways, and views of lakes and rambling available. Wednesday Night Sailboat Races start at 6pm with creeks offers immeasurable golfing pleasure. 16901 Big Basin Hwy, Boulder Creek. (831) 338-2121.