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SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE ADVERTISING FEATURE
Santa Cruz
Discover surf, brews, hidden gems
INSIDE
Play: Beach Boardwalk celebrates Uncover: Learn about Santa Cruz’s Dine: Indulge your sweet tooth at
110yearold Looff Carousel S4 surfing connection to Hawaii S6 one of the storied local bakeries S10
S2 Advertising Feature Santa Cruz Sunday, May 23, 2021
PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEULNER
The 135acre UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden showcases coastal plants that thrive off of moisture in the marine layer and California heat.
From skydiving to coastal gardens, discover adventure
By Peggy Spear
When someone thinks of
outdoor adventures in Santa
Cruz, the main thing that comes
to mind is enjoying the day at one
of the 14 state beaches along the
gleaming shores of Monterey
Bay. But how about seeing them
from 18,000 feet in the air as you
skydive from an airplane?
From skydiving with Wat
sonvillebased GoJump, to dig
ging sandcastles along Rio Del
Mar beach to hiking in Henry
Cowell Redwoods State Park,
there are many ways to find ad
venture in Santa Cruz.
Just ask Christina Glynn, who
not only works for Visit Santa Cruz
County but also takes advantage
of unique outdoor experiences
whenever she can, especially now
that the pandemic threat is eas
ing and more activities are open
ing to the public.
“There are ‘soft’ adventures,
such as taking a sunset Chardon
nay cruise or enjoying the Board
walk, to paddleboarding, kay
aking and, of course, surfing,”
she said.
However, she also tells trav
elers who may need a day off
from the beach to seek out fun in
other ways, such as renting a Above: The UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden features a sculpture by Su Gatch, a graphic artist and ceramicist, called Herm
beach cruiser bike and taking a Aphrodite, a banana slug decorated with yellow, orange and purple glass tiles. Below: The gardens feature many vibrant flowers.
threeandahalfmile spin on
West Cliff Drive or discovering said. “They’ve been putting on a Details
the myriad state parks and moun show since January.”
tain attractions nearby. That’s despite the drought, GoJump: www.gojump
“The Roaring Camp Railroad but it makes sense. The garden is america.com
starts in the redwoods above the one of only a handful of places in
West Cliff Drive: www.santa
city of Santa Cruz and can take the world that have the unique
you all the way down to the climate of just enough moisture cruz.org/listings/westcliff
Boardwalk,” she said. from the marine layer and Cali drive
The train travels through fornia heat to keep the plants Roaring Camp Railroad:
Henry Cowell Redwoods State happy, he said. www.roaringcamp.com
Park along the San Lorenzo River “It’s the perfect Mediterra
Gorge and through an 1875 nean climate,” Quigley said. Redwood Grove Loop Trail:
tunnel. Other areas with a similar www.redwoodhikes.com/
Glynn also recommends the climate are along the coasts of Cowell/Cowell.html
Redwood Grove Loop Trail, an Italy, the western cape of South
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum &
easy multigenerational hike for Africa, New Zealand, Australia
all ages, as it is wide enough for and Chile. Botanic Garden:
strollers and wheelchairs. The plants featured in the www.arboretum.ucsc.edu
If visitors want to explore a garden are drought and fire Adventure Out:
unique gem, they should head to resistant, important aspects university since 2008, the botanic Wilder Ranch State Park offers www.adventureout.com
the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & when planning your own garden garden and arboretum is “holding grasslands, oaks, Knobcone
Botanic Garden, a 135acre living in California, he said. its own,” Quigley said, thanks pines, coastal redwoods, Douglas For lists of Santa Cruz out
museum full of rare and unique “We’ve been asked to help mainly to private donations and a firs, rugged coastline, tidepools, door parks, hikes and camp
plant species. And this spring and populate areas after major fires,” thriving gift shop. And while the hidden beaches, barns and even a sites, visit www.santacruz.
summer is a perfect time to visit, Quigley said. pandemic closed it for a couple of Victorian farmhouse — not to org/thingstodo/parks or
Executive Director Martin Qui The garden is also attracting a months, it is now open and ready mention over 34 miles of hiking, www.parks.ca.gov.
gley said. plethora of birds as well, espe to dazzle visitors again. biking and equestrian trails wind
“I haven’t seen the gardens cially raptors. A few other remarkable out ing through coastal terraces and
this spectacular before,” Quigley Despite funding cuts by the door areas in and around Santa valleys. There are also specialized dogs.
Cruz were closed or limited due to hikes in the area, including a Finally, for the next generation
the pandemic but most, if not all, waterfalls hike, a history hike and a of nature lovers, some visitors may
SANTA CRUZ are now open. In fact, the many redwoods hike. want to enroll their kids in Ad
state parks and beaches are bore There are also many camp venture Out, an outdoor school
Antoinette Santos Jason Gray dom busters for all ages. Santa sites, including New Brighton specializing in surf lessons,
Regional Sales Manager, South Bay Account Executive Cruz County is home to Califor State Beach and Manresa Up camps, rock climbing classes,
4157776122 4084896420 nia’s oldest state park, Big Basin lands State Beach, a tentsonly backpacking trips, mountain
Antoinette.Santos@sfchronicle.com jason.gray@sfchronicle.com Redwoods State Park, and some site. biking, wilderness survival in
others that are not as well known And of course, who can forget struction, adventure tours, and
Maggie Creamer but just as fun, like the Twisted our furry companions? Henry perhaps most importantly, out
Editor Forest at the Forest of Nisene Cowell, West Glenwood Open door stewardship.
mcreamer@sfchronicle.com Marks State Park in Aptos. (Don’t Space Preserve, Manresa State That will make sure this out
miss the worldfamous cement Beach and New Brighton State door paradise continues to thrill
Cover photo: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has reopened. S4 boat and the albino redwood Beach are just some of the out visitors and locals alike for years to
Photo by Brian Feulner tree.) door spots that allow leashed come.
Sunday, May 23, 2021 Santa Cruz Advertising Feature S3
Arts scene ingrained in Santa Cruz’s culture
By Peggy Spear Details shows on marine habitats and
conservation.
Maureen Harrison is one of Santa Cruz Museum of Art
those rare people who can find a & History: www.santacruz UC SANTA CRUZ
silver lining in the COVID19 mah.org ARBORETUM & BOTANIC
pandemic. GARDEN
“While it was terrible in so Santa Cruz Arts Center: If kids aren’t into the amazing
many ways, we’ve actually grown www.santacruzartcenter.com displays of flowers at the garden,
our audiences through virtual Tannery Arts Center: they might be intrigued by wild
presentations,” said Harrison, the www.tanneryartscenter.org life sightings — rabbits, quail and
assistant director of arts commu butterflies. At this 135acre out
nication at UC Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz Mountain Arts door, living museum, families can
That was not an easy feat, as Center: www.mountainart also explore the Hummingbird
the university’s art department center.org Trail to seek out the rare, elusive
offers such a variety of produc white hummingbird, and sniff
Seymour Marine Discovery
tions and installments, from pleasing scents of lavender, jas
opera and Shakespeare to visual Center: https://seymour mine and oregano in the fun
arts to an increasingly popular center.ucsc.edu Aroma Garden. Don’t miss the
speaker series. This year focused UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & annual “Hummingbird Day” held
STEVE DIBARTOLOMEO / WESTSIDE STUDIO IMAGES
on social justice and racism, and Botanic Garden: every spring that offers crafts and
the spectrum of shows presented Actors perform in UC Santa Cruz’s “American Night” in 2019. plantings for the kids.
www.arboretum.ucsc.edu
virtually struck a chord with During COVID19, the department transitioned to virtual shows.
audiences. Capitola Museum: www.city CAPITOLA MUSEUM
That’s nothing new for Santa ofcapitola.org/capitola fabricating artworks from recy learning, displays and cultural If visitors haven’t discovered
Cruz. The city doesn’t just feature museum cled materials. events that draw audiences not the charming city of Capitola, just
many art opportunities, it lives it, just from the mountain communi south of Santa Cruz, it’s time.
said Christina Glynn, communica Santa Cruz Museum Month: SANTA CRUZ ARTS ties but as far away as San Jose. Capitola Village houses this
tion director at Visit Santa Cruz www.santacruzmuseum CENTER The art center opened in 1987 as quaint museum in a 1920s beach
County. month.org Built by local artists on Pacific a committee of the local Santa cottage. Older kids will appreci
“We have public art installa Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz Cruz Cultural Council and incor ate detailed models and
tions all over town, murals and a Vin Di Bona” on May 25; “‘The in 1971, the Santa Cruz Art Cen porated in 1997 as its own non handson items, while smaller
thriving music scene almost ev Elixir of Love’”— How we Made a ter has long been a home to the profit. The center provides exhib children can try out their artistic
erywhere you look,” she said. Remote Opera” on June 1; and arts and artsminded businesses. it space, art classes for adults and skills at a wellstocked coloring
The arts scene is ingrained in “Fabricating Solace” starting on Featuring theaters, dance spaces children and opportunities for table.
the city’s unique character. June 3, which introduces the and galleries, there are also many paid teachers. There are also
“Music, art and performances, 2021 prestigious Irwin Scholars. local businesses there that sup volunteer positions available. These are just a small sample
combined with rich cultural his For a complete list of these port the arts and arts education. of all the art happening in and
tory and beautiful natural sur
roundings, are all ingredients
and all of UC Santa Cruz Art
Department’s activities, many of TANNERY ARTS CENTER For the little ones around Santa Cruz. Be sure to
check ahead for updated hours
that, when combined, give Santa which will become hybrid events The Tannery Arts Center, Santa Cruz is a great place to and COVID19 protocols. As an
Cruz County its creative flair,” (both inperson and online), visit which opened in 2009, is home teach young children that art can added benefit, Harrison said May
Glynn said. https://arts.ucsc.edu. to 100 live/work lofts, 28 artist be exciting. Here are some great is the first “Santa Cruz Museum
While Santa Cruz has always The city of Santa Cruz features studios, Colligan Theater, Tan kid and socalled grownup Month,” where all museums will
attracted artists because of its almost as many art venues as nery World Dance & Cultural museums: be free or have reduced admis
beauty, it is only enhanced by the sandcastles. Here is a quick Center, Radius Gallery and the sion.
strong arts program offered at its roundup of some of what the North County offices of Arts SEYMOUR MARINE Meanwhile, set off on a self
local university. In fact, it is world city has to offer: Council Santa Cruz County. Visi DISCOVERY CENTER guided tour of the city, Glynn
renowned for its breadth and tors are welcome to walk through Visitors — if they want to — suggests. At Abbott Square
expertise, and Harrison can speak SANTA CRUZ MUSEUM OF the campus anytime or the gal can touch real, living sharks at Market in downtown Santa Cruz,
at length about the many events ART & HISTORY lery during open hours. Stop by this research center and aquari public art and performance com
happening on campus and in This mustsee museum is fun on First Friday to experience um located on the coastal bluffs. bine to create a vibrant space,
collaboration with the city. for all ages. Besides being home open studios or check out its The docile, 3footlong swell with interactive displays for kids
The most fun is April’s produc to an immersive, permanent calendar for upcoming events. sharks are just some of the fasci and a hip, young vibe. Also,
tion of the Bard’s “The Comedy exhibit on Santa Cruz history nating Monterey Bay marine during the summer, Santa Cruz
of Errors,” which is being per and rotating shows spread over SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN creatures on display. Visitors can County offers countywide per
formed virtually but with a much three floors of galleries, this ARTS CENTER also investigate a touch tank forming arts for visitors to enjoy,
wider audience than ever before. dynamic museum hosts weekly Up in the quaint town of Ben filled with tidepool regulars, such as Santa Cruz Shakespeare,
Then there is the renowned community events every Friday Lomond, just along the San Lo including sea urchins, star fish or Cabrillo College’s Festival of
speaker series, whose upcoming in its lobby. Dropin activities renzo River, the Santa Cruz and slippery kelp. The adjacent Contemporary Music. Visit
events include “Producing Prime include handson crafts such as Mountains Art Center offers art exhibit hall features rotating www.santacruz.org/thingstodo/
time Comedy, an Afternoon with screenprinting, embroidery and experiences through handson kidfriendly displays and art artsculture.
S4 Advertising Feature Santa Cruz Sunday, May 23, 2021
Elaborately c
Santa Cruz B
By Jeanne Cooper Details
When the oldest ride in the Visit www.beachboardwalk.com
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for updated hours and to
takes its first spin of the season schedule a reservation.
May 21, there’ll be little sign of
all the storms it has weathered
since its 1911 debut, including time. On a typical weekend day,
its long closure due to we do that a couple of times
COVID19. throughout the day, so we en
Installed just four years after courage people, including sea
the boardwalk opened, the Looff son passholders, to make reser
Carousel and its handcarved vations in advance.”
horses largely kept turning dur Guests are currently limited
ing the Spanish flu pandemic, to California residents, Reyes
the Great Depression and World added, and everyone age 2 or
War II, and closed for just a few older must wear a mask at all
weeks, along with the rest of the times, “except when actively
amusement park, after the 1989 eating or drinking,” and observe
Loma Prieta earthquake, accord social distancing.
ing to Boardwalk historian Ted “We also close the rides for
Whiting III. 10 to 15 minutes throughout the
Now, after months of silence, day to sanitize and clean them,”
the iconic merrygoround is he noted. “We always did that
ready to add its organ music to before and after rides were
the sounds of the Beach Board open, but now we do it intermit
walk’s arcade, concessions and tently throughout the day and
nearly two dozen other rides not all rides at the same time.”
and attractions that have Despite these changes, “it
opened gradually since April 1. really feels like a typical day at
The rides and attractions are the boardwalk that people en
currently open on weekends, joyed prepandemic,” Reyes
while the admissionfree board said. That includes the whoops
walk’s food stands, outdoor and yelps of happy or fearful
games, retail, Neptune’s King riders on the Giant Dipper roller
dom miniature golf course and coaster, the park’s other signa
Casino Arcade are open daily. ture ride since 1924.
Reservations are strongly recom “There was a lot of media
mended, since at press time, the attention on whether screaming
amusement park’s capacity is still on amusement park rides had
restricted by state law to 25 been banned and that has never
percent of normal operations, been true,” Reyes said. “The
according to Boardwalk spokes leadership team and I have been
man Kris Reyes. The company working rides on weekends, and
shared its capacity numbers to I can assure you that people are
the state last fall, but does not screaming under their masks and
disclose them to the public, you can hear them.”
Reyes said. Reyes said executives at the
“We limit the number of ad Santa Cruz Seaside Co., which
vance ride reservations to keep owns and operates the board
numbers compliant with state walk, have been pitching in
guidelines,” Reyes said. “We recently since the company is
monitor entrances, and when still “actively hiring” new sea
BRIAN FEULNER
headcount gets close to capac sonal employees after only three
People ride the sky glider at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which has gradually been reopening. ity, we close the gates for a weeks’ notice that it could open
Sunday, May 23, 2021 Santa Cruz Advertising Feature S5
SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK
Far left: Visitors
ride on the
handcarved
horses of the Looff
Carousel in 2018 at
the Santa Cruz
Beach Boardwalk.
The carousel
debuted in 1911
and it will take its
first spin of this
season on May 21.
Above: The Looff
Carousel opened
in 1911 and has
spun for
generations,
including during
this photo in 1968.
Left: The Santa
Cruz Beach
Boardwalk has
been gradually
reopening as
guests enjoy the
rides and food
from various
vendors.
SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK BRIAN FEULNER
carved carousel still spinning at
Beach Boardwalk after 110 years anized in the 1950s, the ring
machine remains one of the
merrygoround’s most popular
features.
“In the ’70s, we took it out
because it was a maintenance
headache, and ridership
dropped precipitously, so we put
it back again,” said Whiting,
who started working for the
Santa Cruz Seaside Co. in 1979
and whose family still owns con
cessions on the boardwalk.
Most of the elaborately
carved and bejeweled horses are
original; some were added later,
but all were carved by Looff.
Accompanied by two ornate
chariots, the 71 “jumpers” and
two “standers” sport a variety of
expressions and finery, including
real horsehair tails, all of which
require significant upkeep, Whit
ing said.
“There was one painter who
spent upwards a third of his
time, maybe more in some
years, touching up the horses.
You can see little dings where
the ring hits against the horses,
and sand plays havoc with the
woods. People grab the horse
hair tails, so they start getting
scraggly and have to be re
placed,” he noted. “And if it
isn’t the public, it’s the weather
— you’ve got to keep maintain
ing those rides and the
buildings.”
But the investment of “time
and energy” in the carousel and
the rest of the Beach Boardwalk
is key to its longevity, he added.
BRIAN FEULNER
“When you go to the board
The admissionfree Casino Arcade at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is now open daily as well Neptune’s Kingdom miniature golf course. walk today, it’s this sparkly, pris
tine, colorcoordinated array of
again, Reyes explained. distinctive as always when it Among them is the 342pipe land, acquired for the park’s sights and sounds and colors.
“Hiring has been a big chal reopens later this month for $5 a Ruth und Sohn organ built in centennial. That’s what the public wants, to
lenge — normally we would ride. Created by Danish carver 1894 and “well upgraded,” The carousel’s ring machine, come to this place that’s well
have hired 2,000 people by now, Charles I.D. Looff at a cost of according to Whiting, with a which allows riders on outside cared for,” Whiting said. “It says
but we were starting from $18,000, it’s now part of a Na beautiful new façade and com steeds to grab metal rings from the people who run this place
scratch in March,” he said. tional Historic Landmark (along plete refurbishment in 2009. a dispenser and toss them into pay attention, and I can feel safe
Thanks to a dedicated main with the Giant Dipper, built by Today it plays along with two the mouth of a mechanized here and enjoy coming here with
tenance crew, though, the Looff Looff’s son Arthur) and features other band organs, including clown, is “very uncommon” my family, and coming back
Carousel will look and sound as many original components. one from San Francisco’s Play nowadays, Whiting noted. Mech again and again.”
S6 Advertising Feature Santa Cruz Sunday, May 23, 2021
PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEULNER
A surfer rides a wave at Private’s Beach in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum celebrates the evolution of the sport and displays about 25 surfboards.
Hawaiian connection celebrated
donated in 2010 by Ka royals, the Swan family
wananakoa’s descendants lived on the San Lorenzo
and extended family. River about four blocks
at Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Adopted by King Kala from Grover Lumber Co.,
kaua and Queen Kapi‘o one of the largest red
lani, their aunt on their wood mills in Santa Cruz
father’s side, the three County.
By Jeanne Cooper waves of history go all “where there’s a wave, local newspaper’s princes “were all taught “They got their wood
the way back to 1885 — there’s a will.” Spotting account. to surf by the king in there, according to a
With 23 consistent surf the first record of surfing the surf at the mouth of One of the museum’s Waikiki,” Stoner said, local historian and long
breaks, Santa Cruz has in California, and by the San Lorenzo River, founders and Santa Cruz before being sent to St. time reporter Ernest
long been an iconic des extension, North about a mile and a half surfing historian Kim Matthew’s Hall for their Otto, and they probably
tination for board riders. America. east of the museum, they Stoner has spent years education. transported them by
But unless you’ve visited That’s when three had a local lumber mill researching and writing “David was the oldest wagon to the Swan family
the Santa Cruz Surfing young Hawaiian princes, fashion the heavy, long about this landmark feat and showed up in 1884 in property and shaped
Museum, tucked in the on summer break from surfboards of the era out by David La‘amea Kaha the summer by himself,” them or handplaned
compact lighthouse their military school in of redwood, and rode the lepouli Kawananakoa, Stoner recounted. “He them by draw knife,”
above Steamer Lane, you San Mateo, epitomized waves, “enjoying it then 17, Edward Abnel stayed with Antoinette Stoner said.
may not be aware its the surfer ethos of hugely,” according to a Keliiahonui, 15, and Jo Marin Swan, who had In 2015, the Bishop
nah Kuhio Kalaniana‘ole, been the queen’s cham Museum in Honolulu
14. It’s the focus of the berlain. … I’m sure when allowed two of the
first display in the free he came back the follow princes’ original surf
museum, which opened ing year with his brothers, boards to be exhibited at
in 1986 in the Mark Ab he said, ‘Hey, there’s surf the Santa Cruz Museum
bott Memorial Light there, we gotta make of Art & History. The
house, and the subject of some surfboards.’ ” long, narrow shape of the
a bronze plaque outside, Fortunately for the boards reflected a style
The cityowned Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is tucked in a compact lighthouse
above Steamer Lane and is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.
Sunday, May 23, 2021 Santa Cruz Advertising Feature S7
known as olo, reserved Details
for the highest ranking of
Hawaiians. Santa Cruz Surfing
“They were 17 feet Museum: 701 West Cliff
long and 6 inches thick, Drive, 8314206289,
and they had a crude https://bit.ly/3y1G3OB
edge,” recalled Stoner,
adding that each board
weighed 180 to 190 Lane, made a name for
pounds. “Most likely the himself on the North
princes dropped them in Shore of Oahu’s epic surf
the river, since they were in the 1990s before open
living next to it, and pad ing his current surf school
dled them down the river in Santa Cruz.
about a quartermile.” Other displays in the
On July 19, 1885, the Santa Cruz Surfing Muse
day after “the largest um tell more about the
breakers of the season local evolution of the
had hit the beach at sport, such as the forma
Santa Cruz and tossed tion in 1936 of the Santa
people around,” accord Cruz Surfing Club and the
ing to Stoner, the princes contributions of wetsuit
caught their first waves in pioneer and Surf Shop
California. Thanks to founder Jack O’Neill,
other events taking place who died in 2017. Some
on the beach that day, 25 surfboards also have a
Stoner said, Otto was home in the museum —
there to report what he as do the ashes of 18
called “surfboard swim yearold Mark Abbott.
ming, as they practiced it Two years after his death
in their native land.” in 1965 in a body surfing
While there aren’t accident, his parents built
other documented refer the lighthouse as a me
ences to the princes’ morial and donated it to
wave riding, Stoner said, the city.
a Santa Cruz newspaper Before the pandemic,
column from 1896 noted: the museum was often
“The boys who go swim “packed to the gills” with
ming in the surf at Sea visitors, according to
bright Beach use surf Mary Verutti, an atten
boards to ride the waves dant there for 15 years.
like the Hawaiians.” After staying closed for
The Hawaiian connec much of the past year, the
tion continued with visits citymanaged museum is
in 1913, 1920 and 1938 now open Thursdays
by celebrated surfer and through Mondays from
Olympian Duke Kahana noon to 5 p.m., with five
moku to the Plunge nata to six patrons allowed in
torium at the Beach at a time.
Boardwalk, according to “The plaque outside
Stoner. A replica of a draws a lot of people in
poster promoting one of here, because people
the visits hangs in the didn’t know about that
museum. Hawaiian connection for
“Later on, you had a many years,” Verutti said.
whole contingent of “And the first thing you
Santa Cruz surfers who see is that this is the
went over to Hawaii and world’s first surfing muse
made it big,” Stoner said. um — we beat Hawaii by Top: The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum has exhibits
Brothers Fred, Gene about six months.” showing the history of surfing in California and its
and Peter Van Dyke be “We’re just a tiny little connection to Hawaii. Above: In 1885, three Hawaiian
came big wave pioneers Northern California out princes, Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana‘ole, David La‘amea
in the ’50s and ’60s, while post, but we have a lot of Kahalepouli Kawananakoa, Edward Abnel Keliiahonui,
Richard Schmidt, who stuff that’s kind of caught their first waves in Santa Cruz. Left: Surfers
grew up near Steamer unique,” Stoner said. ride waves at Private’s Beach in Santa Cruz.
S8 Advertising Feature Santa Cruz Sunday, May 23, 2021
Breweries offer patios, gardens for outdoor sipping
By Carey Sweet Details
After what we could politely Greater Purpose Brewing
call a challenging year, we would Company: 21517 E. Cliff
all probably appreciate a cold Drive, Santa Cruz, 831713
beer right about now. 5540, www.greaterpurpose
In Santa Cruz, the experience
brewing.com.
can be even more toastworthy,
thanks to the area’s many artisan Humble Sea Brewing Co.:
breweries fashioning craft quaffs, 820 Swift St., Santa Cruz,
in pilsners, ales, lagers, stouts, 8316212890,
porters, malts and more. Add to www.humblesea.com.
that plenty of tap house patios
and gardens for outdoor sipping, Santa Cruz Mountain Brew
delectable dining options to pair ing: 402 Ingalls St., #27,
with your beers and dogfriendly Santa Cruz, 8314254900,
setups, a visit to a Santa Cruz www.scmbrew.com.
brewhouse is a wellcelebrated
adventure. And guests can feel extra
good about spending their mon
GREATER PURPOSE ey. As a point of pride, both the
BREWING COMPANY brewery and church give back to
According to the Bible’s Gos the community.
pel of John, Jesus turned water “The brewery is not a nonprof
into wine for a wedding at Cana it, so it does pay taxes, but we do
in Galilee. But for pastor Christo designate 30 to 60% of its profits
PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEULNER
pher VanHall, water turns into for charities such as Save our
beer. That’s because VanHall, Humble Sea Brewing Co. has a nautical themed taproom, food truck offerings and a dogfriendly patio. Shores, Planned Parenthood, the
leader of the Greater Purpose NAACP, the local Diversity Center
Community Church of Santa over, and we also upload ser crafts a wide range of unusual session IPL, the malty Inner Peace for LGBTQIA+ folx and the
Cruz, also owns the Greater mons in a podcast format.” hazy, sour, India Pale Lager and Ale West Coast IPA and the Nut Homeless Garden Project,” Van
Purpose Brewing Company on All guests are invited to visit fruited styles of beer, along with Up or Shut Up bold brown ale, Hall said. “The church donates
East Cliff Drive off 14th Avenue. the brewery, of course, for non stouts, porters, lagers, nut among others. 100% of tithes and offerings to
“Before the pandemic, we religious drinking any time. Set in browns, red ales, barley wine, The blue paint and wood similar ventures.”
met for Sunday worship with an the former East Cliff Brewing wheat beers and pilsners. Many trimmed taproom is still limited Unfortunately for beerwith
open bar, and people could have Company space, the new opera are served out of traditional capacity, but guests can spread church lovers, VanHall is ponder
a drink during church,” VanHall tion supports the ideologies of English casks. out at picnic tables on the socially ing a change for postpandemic
said, noting that these days, the church, noted VanHall, “as a “‘A beer for everyone,’ and distanced, dog and cat friendly services.
parishioners are welcome to sip safe, inclusive, affirming space for ‘pour with a purpose’ are our patio, while snacking on tacos “More than half of our church
suds at home while watching his all gender, race, faith and sexual mottos,” VanHall said. and other casual fare from a membership is atheist or agnos
YouTube preaching. “Our politi identities.” The clever names alone bring diverse group of food trucks that tic, and we focus on the positive
cally far left church is strictly on All types of taste buds are good cheer. There’s the light, rotate through the brewery park ethical teachings of scripture, not
lineonly until the pandemic is welcome, too. Greater Purpose fruity, Sunday Morning mosaic ing lot. the spiritual aspect of the Bible,”
Sunday, May 23, 2021 Santa Cruz Advertising Feature S9
Left: Humble Sea Brewing cans feature handdrawn cartoons. Middle: Andrew Kokinakes works in the brewery in Santa Cruz. Right: The HS4 with Equilibrium is a foggy DIPA.
he said. “But going forward, we beers for shipping. Cofounders (once the small batches are gone, Impossible sausage, red onion, crafts unusual beers, as well, like
will likely not meet at the brewery Taylor West and Frank Scott they’re gone). Beyond the signa goat cheese, hot honey and Thy Twisted Sister, a dark, volup
for church services because we Krueger and head brewer Nick ture favorite Socks & Sandals oregano. tuous stout spiced up with or
do not want those outside the Pavlina immediately discovered foggy IPA, there have been hun ganic cacao nibs and smoky, hot
Christian tradition to feel like they that their customers craved the dreds of unique creations like a SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN organic chilis. Flights are popular
were tricked into coming to a stuff, placing hundreds of online David Boaty West Coast Pale Ale, BREWING for tasting the beer varieties, and
religious service. If we did ever orders in the first few hours the an Otter Nonsense Decocted Organic is the operative word guests can pair selections with
elect to use the space for such website went live. Baltic Porter or a Tiny House Big for this brewery, taproom and bites like an overstuffed, toasted
events, we now would do so Now, the nautical theme tap Mood White Chocolate Milksh dinein beer garden. Owners and Cubano sandwich, tofu banh mi
during hours when the brewery room and dogfriendly patio is ake DIPA made with cacao nibs, brewers Emily Thomas and Chad or a farmers’ market salad, plus
isn’t open to the public.” back to serving its craft brews coconut, roasted almonds, oat Brill handcraft and hand bottle prepackaged snacks like soft
onsite with plans to open a milk, almond milk and vanilla. their ales, for unfiltered, lightly pretzels with spicy ale mustard
HUMBLE SEA BREWING second Santa Cruz area taproom Food truck offerings are in carbonated brews like a light, and stout cheddar spread.
CO. in Felton. It does get very busy ventive, too, tempting with refreshing Daffodil Blonde ale or Guests spread out on the
Founded in 2015, the west here, but crowds are well man changing selections like aspara a robust Giant DIPA boasting expansive patio — it’s so pet
side brewery and taproom had a aged with distancing. gusmushroom empanadas, strong, citrusy aromatic hops friendly that there’s a cold
banner year through 2020, thanks Part of the brewery’s draw is its chicken yakitori, salmon rice balls, rounded out with sweet maltiness smoked marrow bone on the
to being forced to move from rotating selection of beers that porkscallion gyoza and pizzas and a touch of bitterness. menu for Fido — soaking up the
draft pours and introduce canned are often oneofakind recipes with tasty toppings like spiced Founded in 2005, the brewery late night service until 10 p.m.
Other breweries to visit coowners Brandon Padilla and
Nathan Van Zandt draw fans for
their innovative beers like the
and “Pleasure Point” beer garden
welcomes guests with pours like
the “extra dank” piney, malty and
www.seabrightsocial.com)
Discretion Brewing: A large
on your Santa Cruz trip new JalaPaleEñyo strong pale
ale brewed with jalapeños, lem
fruity Hook West Coast IPA. (1030
41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 831350
tent keeps the dogfriendly beer
garden protected from the ele
on zest and black pepper. Also 0253, www.nubobrew.com) ments, while guests toast the
Sante Adairius Rustic Ales Noir saison beer tempting with check out the kitchenmade joys of artisanal brews. Unusual
Santa Cruz Portal: For their chocolate and oat notes. They lunches, daily changing food Seabright Social: The sprawling recipes feature drafts like the
small Capitola brewery and are planning to reopen at the trucks and cute events like patio beckons for al fresco, casual Raspberry Smile Tart Raspberry
Santa Cruz tasting room, owners end of May. (1315 Water St., “Pawtraits,” painting parties to American dining and signature Ale, a BarrelAged Allegedly
Adair Paterno and Tim Clifford Santa Cruz, 8312014141, benefit dog rescues. (138 Fern suds including the smooth, me Double Cream Ale and the “new
are inspired by the Belgian beer www.rusticales.com) St., Santa Cruz, 8313160800, diumbodied, golden Pelican school” Jugo Nuevo Hazy IPA
tradition. They craft fun suds like www.shantyshackbrewing.com) Pale Ale, and the Blur, a Pacific brimming with aromas of trop
Four Legs Good Blonde Quad Shanty Shack Brewing: Drive Northwest IPA made with Cas ical fruits and plenty of big hops.
fermented in puncheon barrels through and patio service has New Bohemia Brewing Co.: cade, Lemondrop and Calypso (2703 41st Ave., Suite A, Soquel,
with extensive oak large vat been the style at this nano Crafting a mix of traditional and hops. (519 Seabright Ave., Santa 8313160662, www.discretion
foudres aging; and Farmhouse brewery for the past year. But experimental beers, the brewery Cruz, (831) 4262739, brewing.com)
S10 Advertising Feature Santa Cruz Sunday, May 23, 2021
Storied Santa Cruz area bakeries hit sweet spot
By Matt Villano
Bakeries are often the heart
and soul of a community. They’re
the places where people gather
for yummy indulgences and the
spots where families go to buy
goodies that celebrate milestone
occasions.
Put simply, communities do
good with baked goods, and the
Santa Cruz region is teeming
with places to find them.
A rudimentary search for
bakeries around town yields
nearly a dozen options, including
some of the most storied in
stitutions in the entire region.
Turns out Santa Cruz is a great
destination for those with a
sweet tooth.
“We do have a lot of bak
eries,” said Beth Holland, CEO
of Beckmann’s Old World Bakery,
arguably the most famous of the
bunch. “Maybe it’s because
we’re a college town. Maybe we
just like our treats.”
Beckmann’s is one of the
older bakeries in town, dating
back to 1985, when a German
immigrant named Peter Beck
mann founded it to perfect and
sell breads he had learned to
make while apprenticing in
Heidelberg.
The bakery grew exponen
tially in the early years, selling
PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEULNER
directly to consumers out of a
retail location on the West Side Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria in Capitola opened in 1978 and features sourdough bread, eclairs and cookies as well as hot dishes.
of town and at grocery stores
and farmers’ markets all over the for different specialties. The Details options and created a whole new
central coast. Today, though the Buttery, for instance, has been line of business for ourselves.”
retail operation has closed, the famous for its cakes since Janet Beckmann’s Old World Bakery: 1053 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, Today some of the popular
bakery cranks out between Platin founded it in 1984. 8314239242, www.beckmannsbakery.com dishes on the rosticceria side
10,000 and 14,000 loaves each Companion Bakeshop, which include chicken enchiladas, teri
The Buttery: 702 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 8314583020,
week. The signature approach: started in 2006 and now occu yaki salmon, spinach gorgonzola
Clean, organic baking with no pies the former retail space for www.butterybakery.com pasta and farro, apple and aru
preservatives, ever. Beckmann’s, is renowned for its Companion Bakeshop: 2341 Mission St., Santa Cruz, gula salad. On most days, there
“We’ve always baked things variety — depending on the day 8314718378, https://companionbakeshop.com are at least 12 to 15 hotfood
we wanted to raise our families you might find nearly two dozen options in the case, as well as
on,” said Holland, who joined in options. Emily’s Good Things to Eat: 1129 Mission St., Santa Cruz, five to seven salads.
1991. (Word to the wise: the Goat 8314299866, www.emilysbakery.com Gayle’s also offers a Blue Plate
Beckmann’s is known for its Horn, sourdough with goat ched Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria: 504 Bay Ave., Capitola, Special every weekday; $22.95
sourdough, a milder spin on the dar, will change your life.) 8314621200, www.gaylesbakery.com gets you a main course and two
sourdough you’d find at most Emily’s Good Things to Eat is sides.
bakeries in the Bay Area. The quirky, and offers six different If those aren’t enough op
bakery also recently has kinds of croissants daily, as well Gayle’s is legendary — before offers hot dishes served from tions, Gayle’s also operates a
launched a line of pies that has as a host of sandwich options. the COVID19 pandemic the trays. This part of the business grabandgo case with premade
become popular; Holland said Then, of course, there’s place was cranking out roughly emerged organically in the early sandwiches, pizza kits, salads and
the company is gearing up to Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria in 150 different items a day. This 1980s. Gayle and Joe went to cold pastas. Most days a cold
launch a new apricot pie later Capitola, arguably the grand roster included usual suspects Italy for inspiration and noticed version of the Blue Plate Special
this year. dame of them all. such as sourdough bread, eclairs that they were buying all their also is available.
The CEO added that the Gayle’s dates back to 1978, and cookies. It also featured the meals from these fastcasual “We’ve really evolved to the
production facility on 17th Ave making it the oldest bakery in famous Downtowners, a crois restaurants arranged in this man point where we offer something
nue is open for (masked) tours by the entire area. The place is santbased cinnamonsugar rolls ner. That’s when it hit them: Why for everybody,” Ortiz said. “I’m
appointment, even as the region named after coowner Gayle that pay tribute to a bakery in not bring a similar concept back proud of what we’ve built and
comes out of safety protocols Ortiz, who opened it with her Healdsburg. to Capitola? the food we make. More than
connected to the COVID19 husband, Joe, and has run the While locals line up for these “It worked out well for us anything I’m delighted we have
pandemic. place every day for 42 years and sweet treats, what sets Gayle’s because it brought in customers created a place in the community
Other Santa Cruz bakeries counting. apart from other bakeries in the at off times,” said Gayle Ortiz, where everybody can come
have established cult followings The lineup of baked goods at area is the rosticceria, which looking back. “We added more together.”
Left: Gayle’s Bakery in Capitola is known for many unique item, including kouignamann, a French pastry. Right: Orlando Comenarez layers cakes with frosting at Gayle’s.You can also read
