Food & Drink Santa Cruz 2026

EDITOR’S NOTE

One of my favorite things to do here in town is to pretend I’m a tourist and reflect back to when I really was one. Food Writer

Mark C. Anderson did just that for our Food and Drink issue and it’s made me appreciate even more the things we have.

Mark hits his favorite spots for craft beer, wine tasting, food with a view. These are things tourists travel thousands of miles to sample, but sometimes locals forget.

Like the New Yorker who has never been to the top of the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building, we Cruzans might miss the sights and tastes in our front yard.

Have you been on the Chardonnay or dined on the deck at Chaminade? Come on, be honest.

Have you checked out Lupulo or Birichino? Here’s your inspiration to get out and try something new. Pretend you just got here from Nebraska and want to taste some of the best of the West. I bet, like me, you’ve overlooked some of the things outsiders would write home about.

Get Up. Get Out. Check them out and feel like you don’t have to travel far to get a feel for new things. Or just revisit some of the favorites with a new set of eyes, ears and taste buds.

CONTENTS

STAYCATION MODE

What’s it like to be a tourist here? P4

ELEGANCE BY THE BAY

Food and Drink with a spectacular view. P6

THE GOOD KIND OF ICE (CREAM)

Forget wine tasting; what about ice cream tasting? P10

UNDER SAIL

The Chardonnay is a must for visitors and locals. P12

DRINK UP

Our own version of Cheers downtown. P16

TASTY TASTINGS

Once a warehouse district, the Westside is home to great tasting rooms. P18

FOOD &

A menu of upcoming events. P20

STAFF

MAX SANTA CRUZ

Exploring

the tastes that pulse with the power of this place, with the help of outsiders, spot by spot

BY MARK C. ANDERSON

Maybe the play is to crush a signature Seabright Deli sandwich like the Giant Dipper— with smoked brisket au jus and Provolone—after a spin on the Boardwalk’s Giant Dipper roller coaster.

Perhaps it’s mainlining an Alta Organic Coffee medium dark roast coffee and a Vegan Dilla at Steamer Lane Supply, after a surf session, with your pooch perusing the dog menu under consultation from bull terrier mix “shop ambassador” Nellie Frittata.

Or then again maybe you head into the Santa Cruz Mountains, alternating Corralitos Vodka and Living Swell Kombucha, while foraging for chanterelles, after barreling around the Mushroom Hunter and Broncos Loop MTB trail and munching on the Mushroom Hunter at Pogonip Pizza while staring at The Lost Boys movie posters.

For casual taste buddies out there, coming up with those sort of peak Santa Cruz experiences, food or drink mandatory, makes for a fun thought experiment.

For others, like Christina “CeeGee” Glynn, who works as communications chief for Visit Santa Cruz County, it’s her job.

As I went along for a media trip aimed at promoting Santa Cruz to regional and national travel writers this spring, it was fascinating to see what professional Surf City ambassadors aim to make sure shines through.

The visit was headquartered at Chaminade Resort & Spa and alighted upon beach picnics and sailboat pizza parties, poolside relaxation and redwood meditation, local wine and local produce and local products like Gizdich jams, Verve coffee beans, Marini’s taffy local honey, Martinelli’s cider and Marini’s taffy, which Glynn stuffed in goodie bags.

Through it all, identity was the focus.

“One thing we try to convey, whether it’s through destination information or at international travel shows, is authenticity,” Glynn says. “More than ever, visitors are seeking a sense of place—and experiences unique to that place—when they travel.”

She takes pride in providing that specificity, compared to the rest of the country (“California has an advantage because people see us as different—the culture is different, the politics is different, the vibe is different”) and the rest of the state (“if you do a similar itinerary in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara or Monterey, it wouldn’t be the same”).

Another ambassador collaborated with Glynn on behalf of Chaminade Resort & Spa to leverage zenith Santa Cruz voltage. When asked what she prioritizes in such a project, Leah Goldstein notes the key is going beyond the obvious.

“We love to shine a light on those aspects of a destination that are lesser known and often overlooked,” she says. “Not just the beach, but lush mountains, a vibrant wine region, artisans and students, wellness and spirituality, instead of just surfing and The Boardwalk.

“There’s a quintessentially California vibe about Santa Cruz—both the soul of its history and the excitement of what’s new and next.”

When considering the power of sharing a special place with outsiders, Glynn gets a little philosophical.

“The beauty of tourism is that it’s sort of a hero’s journey,” she says. “You’re transformed and then you return home with a different perspective.”

Staycationing through that lens, and the viewpoint of their Santa Cruz adventure choices, gave me a welcome reminder: If you make an effort to maximize local character, you don’t have to travel far to take a real trip.

What’s your peak Santa Cruz experience involving food and/or drink? Weigh in with an email to letters@goodtimes.sc with the subject line “true Santa Cruz” and Good Times will share as many of the most inspiring thoughts as possible.

THE SPOT PEACEFUL

If you thought Chaminade Resort & Spa was for tourists, you’re missing out

BY MARK C. ANDERSON

It’s not often that FOMO and YOLO arrive at the same time. But so it went with my virgin visit to Chaminade, the FOMO being

“How did I not know about this sooner?” the YOLO hitting with “I must soak this up— and return soon!”

Part of my double emo surprise emanates from the fact the “resort & spa” part of the Chaminade Resort & Spa doesn’t suggest “locals hangout.”

A few days there on a media trip reveal Chaminade works as exactly that, across diverse dimensions, while feeling very Santa Cruz, which adds to the charm.

Some crucial elements therein: the open-to-thepublic redwood wonderland, adjacent to the resort grounds; the adult happy meal and accompanying happy hour(s); and the six-nights-a-week live

music—three hours’ worth—overlooking Live Oak and the Pacific beyond.

To be fair, the 300 acres of wooded campus tucked in the hills of Live Oak can do the “resort & spa” part just fine.

A big contributor to that effect is the scenic setting, from the sylvan back patios on ground floor rooms to the sweeping panorama befitting the name of The View restaurant.

The View is where chef and Director of Culinary Avram Samuels completes equations of elevated + playful + local product with skill and joy, from the happy meal combo of short rib chuck smashburger sliders, truffle fries and a martini for $25 to the Vine to View winemaker dinner series in the dramatically situated restaurant courtyard.

The stately pool, which does locals day passes and memberships, provides a sanctuary unto itself, then adds in The Sandbox food truck treats like crab cakes and quesabirria to go with the fresh cocktail recipes by bar director Oscar Reyes, available walk-up or cabana-service style.

The generous gym and spa, meanwhile, allow for some flex and top-shelf treatments rendered with tender expertise, in addition to the tennis/ pickleball courts and hiking circuits.

A primary architect of the Chaminade press trip was gunning for cross-country appeal (and succeeded, according to the New York and Miami reporters along for the ride). But Leah Goldstein, founder of award-winning LGPR, admits the neighborhood appeal gets slept on.

“Chaminade is always thinking about the local audience, varying their offerings with brunches, live music and entertainment, wine dinners, spa and day passes to the pool,” she says. “Obviously the restaurant looks to be frequented by locals, as well. What’s fun is how creative the team gets— including a PAWsh Retreat event for dogs and their owners and the Vampire Ball come Halloween.”

The restaurant vibrates with hidden-gem qualities, starting with the fact it’s got so much room to stretch out and soak up the scenery.

Samuels and his team clearly thrive in giving hand-picked proteins and super-local produce atypical expression—check out his ++ gluten-free French toast, slow-basted crispy skin Monterey Bay salmon, or inventive calamari with sweet chili relish and pickled banana peppers—making the most of the place in a habit-forming way.

“I love classic cuisine…but what keeps it exciting is the creativity,” he says. “Fried calamari can be something more.”

He highlights another fundamental detail from there, noting “food, the cuisine, the wines, the setting attracts a melting pot” for a specific reason.

“We’re unlike anywhere else because we’re in the forest, in the woods; it’s so peaceful, the birds are chirping around us,” Samuels says.

Which gets back to the biggest reveal for me. Even if you’re allergic to stunning views or memorable food and drink—or “resorts,” however approachable—the fact that Chaminade abuts a heavenly redwood hiking circuit would be inspiration enough to parlay a walk with a lunch or beverage or both.

Better yet, the chance to quell the FOMO—and up your YOLO—requires no hotel reservation.

THE CHILL SPOT

Santa Cruz can contend with the state’s best when it comes to quality homespun ice cream

BY MARK C. ANDERSON

The question, “How are you going to celebrate Santa Cruz Ice Cream Day?,” freezes a Marianne’s Ice Cream scooper. But only momentarily.

“I celebrate every day!” Annabel Mahnke says with a smile.

The pause is understandable, because the Santa Cruz Ice Cream Day decree only happened recently, and climaxes with a solemn directive: “I, Fred Keeley, Mayor of the City of Santa Cruz, do hereby proclaim Sunday, July 19, 2026, as ‘Santa Cruz Ice Cream Day’ in the City of Santa Cruz and urge all Santa Cruz residents to join me in eating as much ice cream as humanly possible at one or more of our local ice cream shops.”

Former City Councilman Don Lane has been celebrating pretty much every day himself, and in earnest all July, completing a state-wide odyssey starting in San Diego and concluding in Eureka.

He launched his journey as a bucket-list mission when he turned 70—check out his “Ice Cream Tour of California” website for more—and timed the trip to hit the city he calls home on National Ice

Cream Day, which not coincidentally happens to be July 19 too.

His travels, which reached 90 small-batch outposts, have reaffirmed a few things.

One, craft ice cream shops work as a compelling reflection of community in terms of both ingredients used and social playgrounds provided.

Two, the four stops along the special National Ice Cream Day “scoop crawl” he assembled reveal how Santa Cruz identity and ice cream inter-swirl—and how they reflect industry inertia.

Stop #1 was Mission Hill Coffee & Creamery, which happened to open on National Ice Cream 16 years ago. “One thing that’s pretty strong [among] these different trends are old-school, high-butter, high-fat ice creams—my go-to all along—and that’s embodied here at Mission Hill,” Lane says.

Stop #2: Gran Gelato Caffè, by far the newcomer to this group, riding a wider wave. “I knew it was happening, but along my trip I was surprised how much gelato has entered the mainstream.,” Lane says, noting despite its born-in-2026 youth, GGC draws upon time-honored Italian wisdom. “It’s just a great new gelato shop.”

Stop #3: Penny Ice Creamery (Westside location, for the purposes of the crawl). The pattern evoked there: sophistication to match intuition. “True artisan creative flavor making, selective and precise, chef-driven,” Lane says.

“That’s Penny Ice Creamery.”

Stop #4: Marianne’s Ice Cream Scoop Shop (on Fair Avenue, as opposed to the iconic Ocean Street joint where Mahnke works). “People just know it as a classic,” he says, shouting out the mind-bending inventory of 100+ inventive flavors, some pulling inspiration from specific Santa Cruz lore like legendary Otter 841.

The punchline the quad pack of standouts deliver: Santa Cruz has undeniable ice cream credibility, which is helpful to any hamlet’s character.

“Each community that has some good local ice cream shops really cherishes them, and sees their shop as a gathering place,” Lane says. “That’s what I experienced in so many towns. And it’s part of the experience of coming to—or living in—Santa Cruz, on the way to the beach or on the way home, or when you just want to enjoy it.”

No holiday needed.

WAVY SPOT

The good ship Chardonnay flows on as a powerful ambassador of place, with snacks

BY MARK C. ANDERSON

There’s a rule that the charismatic crew aboard the Chardonnay announces up front on a sunset-smooched float around the harbor, past Santa Cruz Wharf, along the Beach Boardwalk coastline and various scenic points in between: “You should at all times have three points of contact, and your drink does not count.”

That directive encourages guests to be aware of how to stay secure on a sailboat bouncing through the bay.

But it also taps into several key themes with the longrunning operation.

Those themes: Safety and ease-of-enjoyment are paramount. Their sailboat points of “contact” also number three—food, drink and resplendent nature.

The glistening sailing ship became an attraction in 1984 and was run by the Beauregard family, which owns the Shoppers Corner market, long celebrated in the county for its fresh meat, produce and huge selection of wines. It was sold at the beginning of the year to the Seaside Company, which owns the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Visit Santa Cruz County communications chief “CeeGee” Glynn loves including the Chardonnay on visitor itineraries because it delivers the biggest ocean on the planet in a local, individualized and up-front manner.

“Activities like the Chardonnay or O’Neill [Yacht Charters] are a way for visitors to experience the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary literally—and get as close as you can unless you’re in the water,” she says. “Visitors may not surf or stand up paddle board or swim, so it’s a soft adventure that everyone can enjoy.”

Glynn goes on to add how many indigenous animals often join in on the trip, from pelagic birds to marine mammals, and the diverse programming Chardonnay deploys—

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afternoon sails, winemaker sails, sunset sails, providing “a little cross pollination with other destination assets.”

On our voyage, the Chardonnay squad dishes out Upper Crust Pizza—from another decidedly Santa Cruz outpost—to go with a choice of soda, beer and wines, and suddenly it’s a singular sort of party, amplified by the salty air, the striking visuals, the kinetic movement and the parade of sailboats racing in informal Wednesday showdowns, yet another Santa Cruz signature.

It’s hard not to enjoy it. And hard not to appreciate Surf City with fresh eyes from this classic, and specific, perspective.

TEAM CONCEPT As one regular says of the Lúpulo personnel, “Ask a staff member, ‘Who’s that?’ and they just know. They’re constantly saying hello to people by name. It makes it a special place.”

THE

VIBES SPOT

Lúpulo Craft Beer House has well earned its reputation as a defining Santa Cruz taphouse, thanks to the cyclone of fast-rotating draft brews and 300 handpicked bottles.

At the same time, It still surprises the uninitiated with its depth of from-scratch small plates and smart-casual fare driven by neighboring farms, meats and seafood sourced after a lot of homework, and quality meat-free options—check out the white anchovy boquerones, conchinita pibil tacos, lion’s mane “crab” cakes and mountainous vegan nachos.

A different sort of range might matter most, though, and is a product of both of those previous qualities, along with the easy vibe one early adopter evokes by saying, “First thing you do before you check the board for [current] beer, is look around, looking, ‘Who’s here that I know?’ ‘There’s bound to be someone.’”

That additional range: a diversity of clientele befitting the city, something which humbles Stuyvie Bearns Estrada, who co-owns and -operates Lúpulo (and sister Oaxacan spot Copal) with his partner in love and life Noëlle Antolin.

Another installment of peak Santa Cruz operates on curated flavor and cultivating connectivity

“What we’re most proud of with Lupulo, and by extension Copal, is that they’ve become a hub for every single kind of Santa Cruzian to gather,” he says. “We span the age ranges, and where they’re coming from in life, from the most buttoned up professional to the crustiest anarchist.”

Local high school history teacher Jeff Matlock has been tracking it all since its first day open, saying, “it hooked me in, along with many who were there opening day too, and I still see.”

“As soon as the starter pistol sounded, we were there, which is a good indicator it was a needed thing for the downtown area,” he says. “It’s just become a magnet for gathering and culture and events.”

Matlock’s among those who know more flows here than beer, including the monthly trivia he’s gone on to host, along with other programming like pitch deck showcases, clothing swaps, tap takeovers and live performances from the likes of Death & Saxes.

“They just do a lot to contribute to a vibrant, diverse, downtown culture,” Matlock says.

The formula benefits from a balance of dependable-but-adventurous, food included.

BY MARK C. ANDERSON

“People have an expectation of gastropub food,” Bearns Esteva says. “It’s a scratch kitchen, nothing out of a bag, so [newcomers] are blown away by the quality.”

Antolin draws satisfaction from a similar widening of the aperture.

“What I hear all the time is, ‘Oh Lupulo, I don’t drink beer,’” she says. “But Lupulo is so much more. Once they figure it out, it becomes one of their favorite spots.”

Part of the alchemy draws from blending the familiar with new frontiers. Of late that’s included an expanding wine program, more nonalcoholic beverages, World Cup games on an 85-inch big screen in the freshly comfy-ified back room and a dedicated—and full-figured—vegetarianvegan menu omnivores lust after, and feels appropriately Santa Cruz.

Which all translates to maximum connectivity, as has been the aim all along.

“Creating a community gathering place was a core driving motivator from the start,” Antolin says. “Lúpulo means a lot of things to a lot of different people.”

THE PASSION SPOT

LIVING, BEING The wine list at Birichino takes on Biblical proportions in length—and faith in area-specific soils—while easy-going education and carnivorous plants contribute to the spiritual energy of a special destination.

Birichino Tasting Room channels a

tonnage

of Cruzian character into a memorable venue

BY MARK C. ANDERSON

If you had to pick one Santa Cruz County wine tasting room to represent the region’s three dozen or so spaces, it would be a tricky task. Christina Glynn, who represents Visit Santa Cruz, rejects the endeavor.

“It would be impossible,” she says.

But you could do a lot worse than Birichino, and Glynn did host our media group there.

She cites its central downtown location and the balance of approachable and enlightening energy from owner-operators John Locke and Alex Krause, which she finds reflective of the wider wine region.

“One of the ways we talk about wine to visitors is that it’s a very intimate experience, not like you have to walk through the gift shop,” Glynn says. “There’s a very personal, one-on-one, non-intimidating experience which is true for all the tasting rooms and wineries in Santa Cruz County. We’re a very wine-forward destination, and the product speaks for itself.”

Another incredible element to recommend Birichino—in addition to the gallery of carnivorous plants and freely circulating NYTimes Crossword Puzzles of the day—is the avalanche of regional terroirs it spotlights.

So that works as a vehicle to transport guests to

all parts of the area’s rich growing districts—while tasting literally and figuratively levitational.

“Alex and I like wines light- to medium-bodied, with exceptions, after time living and working in Europe, but a lot of people think California wines have to be riper—not true!” Locke says. “We have plenty of [partner vineyards] that are relatively cool, with interesting soil type, lower temps at night, that make really interesting, really perfumed, really complex, lower alcohol wines.”

Ian Brand provides the facility where Birichino makes its wines, after meeting Locke and Krause while they all leaned into adventurous sourcing and styling while understudies at Bonny Doon Vineyard.

“We were all pursuing a more internationally relevant style,” Brand says. “It was a lot of help for them [and Bonny Doon] to show me what this area could be in wine.”

Local sommelier and Big Sur Food & Wine VP Matt Peterson adds another layer.

“Birichino finds a lot of organic and off-thebeaten-path varieties, where there is a real polish and subtlety and more than anything a respect for where they source,” he says. “They love the places they work with.”

And provide a place that’s both uplifting to hang out in and very much Santa Cruz.

Saturdays and Sundays | 7am - 4pm

Indulge in our new Weekend Brunch menu at Sevy’s Bar + Kitchen. Dive into a plate of your favorite brunch classics while sipping on a bloody mary stacked with all the fixins or a mimosa with freshly-squeezed OJ.

7500 Old Dominion Ct. Aptos, CA 95003

SevysBarandKitchen.com @SevysBarandKitchen

EVENTS

RECURRING

Midtown Fridays Santa Cruz

Celebrate the vibrancy of Midtown Santa Cruz at the Summer Block Party, happening every Friday through September. Free event with food, artists, live music and vendors.

INFO: 1111 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. Free admission. bit.ly/3ygh6y1.

Sunday Funday

Visit the Chaminade Resort and Spa to enjoy some mimosas and a delicious brunch. Stay until sunset for wine and live music overlooking Santa Cruz. Regularly occurring every Sunday through early September. Brunch is available 9am-1pm. Live music 5-8pm.

INFO: 1 Chaminade Ln., Santa Cruz. Free admission. chaminade.com.

Sip, Savor and Sway

Come by Stockwell Cellars for a glass or bottle of wine on the patio while enjoying live music. In addition, food trucks will be on hand serving up everything from fish and chips to smoked meat sandwiches and salads. Live music from various local musicians, rotating every week.

INFO: 5:30-8:30pm. 1100 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz. Free admission. Reservations required; email info@stockwellcellars.com. stockwellcellars.com/events.

SAT-SUN

8/15-8/16

Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival

Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival is back at Skypark. The premier summer festival in the Santa Cruz Mountains, there is something fun for everyone—with food, over 100 local artists and award-winning wineries. The Cops ’N Rodders Car Show will be on Saturday along with a Wellness celebration. And the popular Bring Your Dog Day is Sunday, with contests for such things as best pet tricks and costumes.

INFO: Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am5pm. 361 Kings Village Rd., Scotts Valley. Free admission. svartfestival.com.

SATURDAY

9 / 5

Collective Santa Cruz Best of the Best All Star Fest

Collective Santa Cruz and DoubleMeatPlease are bringing together some of the best restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, food trucks, pop ups, and local makers from Santa Cruz and BEYOND.

And we’re packing them in a BRAND NEW VENUE that’s 20,0000sq ft! Your favorite food spots/makers, and so many bangers we can’t wait for you to see!

All in one spot. All for one day!

INFO: Saturday, Sept. 5, 11 AM to 5 PM. HWY 17 Studios - 831 Almar Ave, Westside Santa Cruz.

Feed Your Belly

Refuse

Rethink

SUNDAY

9 / 6

Seabright Summer’s End Block Party

Got plans yet for Labor Day weekend? How about a fun Block Party in the Seabright neighborhood? On Sunday, September 6, celebrate the end of summer with live music, free activities for kids of all ages, vendors, local food and more! The Block party is Live music with The Dusk Syndicate.

INFO: Sunday September 6, 12 - 4pm. Located on the closed portion of Murray Street on the corner of Seabright.

The Capitola Art and Wine Festival celebrates 40 years of

wine, music and food—in Capitola Village overlooking the stunning Monterey Bay. This year’s festival includes more than 100 fine artists and 22 Santa Cruz wineries.

INFO: 10am-6pm, Capitola Village. Free. capitolaartandwine.com.

ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING

INTRODUCING

EVENTS «

“Ken Foster’s Confessions of a Bicycle Powered Landscaper is a charming, readable account of his personal evolution to a model of eco-sensitive landscaping, and also a clear, comprehensive and engaging introduction to permaculture and the ethics and principles of regenerative design, a valuable resource!” Available at: www.terranovalandscaping.com/check-out-kens-new-book or at Bookshop Santa Cruz bookshopsantacruz.com – Starhawk Author of The Fifth Sacred Thing, The Empowerment Manual and director of Earth Activist Training

WED-SUN

9/16-9/20

Santa Cruz County Fair

The Santa Cruz County Fair will return this year for five days of family-friendly fun. The 2026 Fair is themed as Apple Pies and Starry Skies. The Fair will feature a nightly Drone Show, in which 200 drones will take to the sky above the fairgrounds each night in a stunning and artistic display of technology. The Fair will also host all the annual favorites… the Tractor Parade, Junior Livestock Auction, Monster Trucks and Motocross, a Horse Show, Charras and much more! There will also be live concerts, including James Durbin, Santana singer Andy Vargas, Lola Montes and Los Mismos, to name a few.

INFO: Wednesday-Friday, noon-11pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-10pm.

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. santacruzcountyfair.com.

SATURDAY

10 / 24

SAT-SUN 9/26-9/27

Capitola Beach Festival

Capitola’s Annual Beach Festival will have something for everyone to enjoy. The community event will include a 3-Miler Fun Run hosted by the Wharf to Wharf, a Horseshoe Tournament, the Lighted Nautical Parade, Food & Drink, a Fishing Derby, a Sand Sculpture Contest, the Chalk Art Event, a Concert in Esplanade Park, Rowboat Races and more.

INFO: Capitola Village, Esplanade Park. Free admission. For schedule, visit capitolabeachfestival.com.

Chili Cook-Off

Both professional and amateur chefs vie for accolades at this annual event on the Boardwalk. The chili starts to simmer at 9am, and tasting kits go on sale at 10am. The kits, which are $15 each, include eight taste tickets and a People’s Choice ballot. The public tasting begins at 1pm and the winners will be announced at 4pm. A portion of the proceeds from each tasting kit sold will benefit Haven of Hope, a Santa Cruz County nonprofit that serves foster youth.

INFO: 9am–4pm at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. Free. For information on how to participate, visit beach boardwalk.com/ chili-cook-off.