Mission St. BBQ brings oak-smoked brisket, tri-tip and Texas-style hospitality to Santa Cruz. General Manager Humberto Olivera shares his passion for the food and the people.
After Hours at 11th Hour Coffee serves inventive cocktails and mocktails in downtown Santa Cruz, alongside Chubb’s Chicken Sandwiches and a lively community gathering space.
Boulder Creek Golf Club owner Matt Robles returns to his childhood roots with a vision for The Clubhouse, where fish tacos, comfort food and Sunday brunch anchor the menu.
Josie Cowden explores Dresser Winery’s 2023 Zinfandel, with its rich berry aromas, savory notes and floral complexity, plus a beachside dinner and Capitola wine-bar news.
At Los Freseros Paleteria in Ben Lomond, Elizabeth Ramirez and Hugo Moreles serve Mexican-inspired desserts, savory snacks and warm hospitality, from concha ice cream sandwiches to fruit piled with chamoy and treats.
Evil Wings fuels downtown Santa Cruz’s late-night revival, while Mark C. Anderson makes a case for local pizza supremacy and checks in on the region’s growing vegan scene.
Brittny Beshore and Cliff Nelson are giving Bay Bar & Grill a fresh identity in Capitola Village, pairing elevated sports-bar fare and cocktails with live music, local art and a revamped coastal atmosphere.
Arslans Turkish Street Food brings the flavors of Gaziantep to downtown Santa Cruz, with loaded döner wraps, Istanbul salads, red lentil köfte and pistachio-rich baklava.
Rosscienda is making a name for itself in Aptos with expressive estate wines, including the 2025 Big Char Chardonnay, a bright, layered bottle with notes of nectarine, lemon custard, white peach and baking spice.
Taqueria Los Viejones brings handmade heirloom tortillas, quesabirria, tacos and traditional Mexican cooking from a successful food truck to a new Water Street restaurant.
Mark C. Anderson celebrates Rob Brezsny’s rebellious new book, CARNE’s East Cliff debut and California’s enduring avocado obsession—with cider, oysters and kelp on the side.
Josie Cowden pairs Ian Brand’s 2023 Escolle Vineyard Chardonnay with chef Michelle Gomez’s inventive menu at Jack O’Neill’s Restaurant in the Santa Cruz Dream Inn.
