Santa Cruz: Wineries and Field-to-Table Dining on the Coast

Santa Cruz’s mountainous terrain with its proximity to the ocean creates diverse microclimates and soils, making it the perfect growing ground of some of the best wine grapes in the USA. There are over 80 wineries in the area that produce some of the most distinct pinot noirs, cabernet sauvignons and clean, crisp chardonnays.

There are also many different wine-tasting environments, including family-owned vineyards on the summit of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the bustling wharf and downtown, where you can visit some of the best restaurants in the area.

I went to a family-owned winery with lovely outdoor grounds where I could sit at the picnic benches and enjoy gazing out over the lush green vineyard. Santa Cruz locals are health-conscious as well. The winery I visited keeps sulfites in their wines to a minimum, which was noticeable in the superb taste of their product.

Visiting the Downtown Farmers' Market was a wonderful experience. Almost every stall offered organic produce, and many of the award-winning vendors featured some of the most delicious food I’ve tasted. Walking around the market, I was treated to samples of some of the juiciest and ripest fruits from peaches to apples and berries. I also sampled some raw, organic pomegranate juice, which I couldn’t resist purchasing along with the delectable peaches.

There were also meat and fish vendors, and even a furniture stall selling repurposed furniture made from wine barrels. Aside from the wonderful produce, you will find local musicians, artists and a perfect place to grab some lunch. One of the stalls was a pizza stand, where they bring in a brick-fire oven to make fresh pizzas using vegetables and meat toppings from the organic and fresh stands around the market. The Downtown Farmers' Market is one of five markets in Santa Cruz County, so make sure to enjoy this wonderful activity.

Santa Cruz shows the same dedication to healthy living with the food in restaurants, and many places offer field-to-table dinners with fresh, seasonal produce. I ate at one of the most popular lunch spots in town, The Picnic Basket, where I enjoyed a tasty salad whilst overlooking the ocean. For dinner, I visited another favorite downtown, Assembly, where I had a delicious charcuterie and cheese plate with a crisp pinot grigio, a perfect end to my day.

Beyond the amazing wine and food you can feast on, Santa Cruz also offers its visitors 300 days of sunshine a year, beautiful beaches, an admission-free boardwalk – where you can enjoy rides and play games – train tours and hiking through the stunning redwood forests. Santa Cruz really is a brilliant holiday destination for families.