In Venice it’s a “spritz,” in Rome it’s a Campari and soda. By whatever name, the Spritzer—think orange bitters and soda—is enjoying a big moment right now. In Santa Cruz, variations on a spritzer, using some version of an amaro (Italian bitters) such as Aperol or Suze, are finding local appeal. The most accessible version…
Articles by Santacruz.com Staff
Sweet Curls Reinvents Santa Cruz Ice Cream
Ice cream has long been this area’s No. 1 dessert fixation. From the old-school scoops and sundaes at Marianne’s to Penny Ice Creamery’s more modern and unusual flavors that make the most of local produce, there is a destination for every type of sweet tooth. Now, Santa Cruz has a new type of ice cream…
Terroir in a Jar Finds Life for Farms’ Unsellable Foods
It’s no surprise that Tabitha Stroup is cooking up something new, different and delicious. Stroup is one of the longtime culinary queens of Santa Cruz. She started her career in the Dream Inn kitchen in the early ’90s, then to other venues and projects—notably Friend in Cheeses Jam Company. But Stroup is moving on from…
Santa Cruz County’s Best Breakfasts
Nobody doesn’t love breakfast, and we’ve got every possible style available in the breakfast-obsessed Santa Cruz area. To get you started on your tour, we’ve helpfully corralled several of our favorite spots into appetite needs—choose what fits your morning. Pastries and More Verve: In three Santa Cruz locations, Verve’s brisk baristas serve up expert espresso,…
Santa Cruz County’s New Theater Boom
Editor’s Note: This story is part of Good Times’ annual Santa Cruz Visitors Guide 2019. Read the full publication here. You can find drama of all kinds in Santa Cruz—on Pacific Avenue on a Saturday night, at the Boardwalk’s Giant Dipper, or at the surf breaks of Steamer Lane. But if you’re looking for theater…
Fybr Brings Eco-Conscious Bamboo Clothing to Downtown
Editor’s Note: This story is part of Good Times’ annual Santa Cruz Visitors Guide 2019. Read the full publication here. About five years ago, Kamala Allison bought a bamboo shirt for her husband as a gift, but she had no idea that shirt would lead to something much bigger. “He would wear the shirt and…
A Killer Year for Monterey Bay Whale Watching
Editor’s Note: This story is part of Good Times’ annual Santa Cruz Visitors Guide 2019. Read the full publication here. I didn’t go whale watching to see whales. The Monterey Bay is full of whales year-round, from humpbacks to greys and the coveted big blues. I’ve heard stories of friends and families getting full spout…
Meet Santa Cruz’s Newest Dispensary
Editor’s Note: This story is part of Good Times’ annual Santa Cruz Visitors Guide 2019. Read the full publication here. When it comes to cannabis, West Cliff Wellness CEO Tyler Smith is a man ahead of the times. Although West Cliff Wellness just opened April, Smith says he envisioned a dispensary in the old Mr.…
Laugh Riot: A Guide to Santa Cruz Comedy
Editor’s Note: This story is part of Good Times’ annual Santa Cruz Visitors Guide 2019. Read the full publication here. Over the last 13 years, Santa Cruz has been building a comedy revolution. Each week, there are more and more opportunities to check out live comedy. And there’s nothing quite like sitting just a few feet…
Yuzu and Rose Updates Ancient Indigo Dyeing
Editor’s note: This story is part of Good Times’ annual Home & Garden 2019 magazine. Read the full issue here. Kaitlin Bonifacio stumbled upon indigo dyeing on a trip to Japan. Originally planning to tour a sake brewery, she found herself in very different company—a group of longtime textile dyers a short distance away. “I went…
