What are your favorite things about Watsonville?
I love the festivals, like the Strawberry Festival. I love coming downtown, and I love our warm weather.
Jaslyn Alcaraz, 15, Student
I love the old scenery and the old buildings downtown. I think before the earthquake, before they tore the buildings down, the city looked even nicer. The culture, everybody’s close, you know.
Jose Carrillo II, 34, Martinelli’s
We love the food here! The Fish House is our go-to place, and we like El Alteno on Main Street for Mexican food.
Robin Botwinick, 61, Retired chef
It doesn’t seem like it, but it’s a small town. We love the small-town feel. It’s amazing how many people you know that you run into when you go out.
Arnold Botwinick, 63, Retired
It’s where I came from, my roots. I love the Plazita and the concerts there; shopping at the Farmer’s Market surrounded by people of my culture. I’m proud of our heritage from Aztec and indigenous ancestors and Spanish culture.
Margie Medrano Biddick, 65, Speech pathologist
The culture that everyone brings—the Lowriders, art, film, photography, music. I find the culture everywhere—the music you hear in the background, even when people are working out in the fields you’re listening to Mexican music.
Carlos Campos, 30, Photographer / Filmmaker