POPPIE LADY ON THE ROAD AGAIN:

SANTA CRUZ

Welcome to my series ‘Poppie Lady On The Road Again,’ where I am sharing the most recommended tips and places to visit (children optional) in my favorite cities in California. You can view more photos and videos of these tips under my highlights ON INSTAGRAM.

I grew up (and still live) on the “other side of the hill” and have always loved an afternoon trip to Santa Cruz. There is nowhere else in the world quite like Santa Cruz with the ocean, redwoods, hippies and bookworms. “Keep Santa Cruz Weird” is a popular saying that represents the region well;)

WHAT TO DO

• SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK

A CLASSIC! For a throwback date night or a family fun day, it’s hard not to feel footloose and fancy free when you enter the threshold and hear the screams from the roller coasters and smell the fresh cotton candy and funnel cakes. There is a huge arcade, indoor pirate-themed mini golf (need I say more?), Boardwalk games and rides. It’s right near the wharf, where you can drive down and get a bowl of chowder at Stagnaro brothers (my grandma’s fave). The sky glider is a MUST RIDE and you can enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and glide above the Boardwalk. Warning: The Big Dipper is not great if you’ve got hips and is QUITE ratchet-y! Tips: You can pay for the metered parking on Riverside Drive on an app (info on the actual meter)

• SAILING ON THE CHARDONNAY

A sailboat you can publicly or privately charter (we opted for the BYO Thursday night voyage for $50 per person, kids free unless they are full). 2 hours of fun at sea! They also have events for a little more $$$ where they serve wine and pizza!

#TracisTips: Bring a jacket! Bring cash for tipping (they have a box). Check in starts 30 minutes prior to your sailing time.

• DAYS MARKET

Right next to both La Posta and Tramontina is Days Market Liquor. It doesn’t look like much, but they have a great selection of canned wine and beverages, as well as local ice cream (The Mission Hill Creamery in their Salted Carmel flavor is to die for). We stock up on goodies and bring them to Twin Lakes Beach to enjoy for less $$$. We also like to get their canned champagne to bring sailing on the Chardonnay!

• TWIN LAKES BEACH

With views of the Harbor (where you board the Chardonnay), Twin Lakes Beach is our favorite beach to visit. The Palomar has AMAZING nachos and margaritas (I love the Guava!) and you can bring the food out onto the sand. Crow’s Nest is a fancy Hawaiian-themed throwback and I love to get a to-go Mai Tai (you have to buy a food item with to go drinks and can get fries or a bread roll).

• DIG GARDENS

Curated plants, plants, gifts and cards. They carry the most amazing selection of goods and decor (think a more modern/urban Anthropologie with LOTS of plants).

• DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ

As one of our summer camp staffers used to say, 'We’re Chillin on Pac Ave” (said without any sarcasm whatsoever). Fun to walk around and check out the surf shops, grab a cone at Penny Ice Creamery and some coffee at Cat and Cloud. If you are feeling adventurous, Good Vibrations is across the way from Abbott Square;)

• ABBOTT SQUARE MARKET

This little square is home to one of the Cat & Cloud locations and some delicious eateries like La Buffala pizza. It is also connected to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, where we love to visit the dahlia show annually! They have dahlias the size of your head and insanely gorgeous bundles for sale.

GARDEN OF EDEN

The Garden of Eden is a ‘super secret locals only spot’ (kidding, not kidding) inside Henry Cowell State Park. It’s a bit of a trek along some railroad tracks and down a steep hill, but the reward is a heavenly watering hole! We love to pack a picnic and head out for the best way to cool down on a hot summer day. I have seen a family enjoying some time in the nude there, but I can’t guarantee you will see them because I only saw them once.

• HOME/WORK

This is a total gem of a shop with lots of handmade goods for gifting (or yourself!). I found some amazing ceramic snakes here, fun jewelry and art prints.

• HARTS FABRIC

Truly the most extensive fabric selection that I’ve ever found and I personally feel so represented with their selections. It’s as if you can shop the fabrics used to make garments at Anthropologie and MORE. They have an incredible selection from Rifle Paper Co. rayons to upholstery and outdoor fabrics to lots of cotton prints for quilting. A must visit for anyone who likes fabric!

• THE MYSTERY SPOT

The mystery spot is “gravitational anomaly located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California. It is a circular area of effect around 150 feet or 46 meters in diameter. Within the Mystery Spot you will be stunned as your perceptions of the laws of physics and gravity are questioned.” I have to say, I got nauseous there but found it to be really fun!

ROARING CAMP RAILROAD STEAM TRAIN

Fun for all ages, board a steam train and enjoy a ride through the redwoods. You can arrive a bit early and grab a hot dog or walk around the camp area.

DISCOUNT SHOPPING

My aunt Jill loves to visit the Patagonia discount store on River street and the outlet Rip Curl surf shop on Mission. Outdoor and surf apparel for less!

I ASKED MY FAVORITE LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER, JESS OF BIRCH STUDIO, WHERE HER FAVORITE LOCAL SPOTS ARE AND SHE WROTE: “WE LOVE A GOOD WALK/HIKE ALONG THE OCEAN AT WILDER RANCH, VERVE COFFEE, MINI MINT, CHILDISH, MIDTOWN SURF, PATINE, THE WARMTH COMPANY, HOME RESTAURANT IN SOQUEL, LILLIAN’S ITALIAN, VENUS SPIRITS, ABBOT SQUARE, HIDDEN BEACH, and SEABRIGHT BEACH!”

WHERE TO EAT

LA POSTA:

I think this is one of my all-time favorite places to eat. They hand make in-house all pasta, pizza dough, and bread (all SO good!). Be sure to buy a loaf to bring home! We adore their mushroom pizzas and any of their pasta dishes. Their Blue Heron salad is my FAVORITE and my husband and I always fight over the Fettuccini (asparagus, peas, pancetta, pecorino romano $25). SUPER kid friendly, and the food and wine are top notch. I asked for waters with lids for the kids and the staff, Zylen, replied “We don’t have lids, but we are always happy to clean up a mess!” It made me feel really comfortable and not like a bull in a China shop.

• THE PENNY ICE CREAMERY

For the first 34 years of my life, I would have told you I don’t like whipped marshmallow topping, but then I ordered the toasted marshmallow topping here with their burnt carmel ice cream and my life has changed completely. I am now a whipped marshmallow topping person. Seriously, make sure you get it.

VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS

One of our favorite places to grab coffee, Verve is consistently delicious! Amanda says, “order the iced vanilla latte! (their vanilla syrup is made in house and a whiskey vanilla).”

• CAT AND CLOUD COFFEE

There is no lack of amazing coffee in Santa Cruz. My husband is a big coffee enthusiast and we love to visit Cat and Cloud.

MENTONE

Delicious pizza and cocktails! This is new from an amazing chef. A really fun and delicious date night with some awesome cocktails (we loved the peace cocktail). Heads up, it’s on the pricier side, especially for pizza.

GAYLE’S

There is always a line from here to Tombucktoo, but it’s WORTH THE WAIT. Our new move is to look at the menu online (everything is good, literally) and order an hour ahead of when we want to pick it up. Would make for a lovely picnic, or if you have a little time on your hands, order in and enjoy! The key lime pie is to die for.

• BURGER (It’s literally named ‘Burger’)

Very kitchy! They have every single type of burger you can ever imagine (and milkshakes!). My friend, Amanda, loves to order the John Wayne.

• SAMBA ROCK ACAI BOWLS

Every flavor/kind of acai bowl you can imagine!

• MARIANNES ICE CREAM

i definitely like Penny Ice Creamery better, but Marianne’s is definitely a Santa Cruz staple!! They have 105 flavors!

• WATSONVILLE- ALOHA HOLA
  If you are driving through Watsonville, you have to stop at Aloha Hola for their Hawaiian-Mexican inspired food! Their pulled pork Wahine salad with Passion fruit dressing is my favorite. Also, the co-owner and chef is really cute (she’s my aunt;)

A FEW MORW IDEAS:

• My friend Erin said, “everyone needs to eat at the super kitchy Tyrolean Inn at least once! It’s a German restaurant, pretty authentic, with an atmosphere I don’t quite know how to describe. It’s like Buca Di Beppo but for the Alps. 😂”

• My Aunt Jill lives in Santa Cruz and said her favorite local spots are Manuel’s Mexican Food, Maki Hawaiian food on the wharf and Zen Island (three new places on our list to try!!).