Annieglass is bringing love by the glass to their Watsonville warehouse!  Following a successful “Summer of Love” wine tasting series that offered up local tastings and studio tours from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Annieglass has extended their tasting/studio tours to all weekends.  Visitors can tour the studio on Riverside and Harvest Drive at 11:30 and 2:00 p.m., and wine tasting is also available from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Previous wineries showcased were Windy Oaks and Hunter Hill Vineyards, ushering in other great local wines available for taste and purchase.  Reservations and Walk-Ins Welcome.

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An 84-unit Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott has opened at 1255 41st Avenue in Capitola in July 2011.  The open and bright lobby welcomes guests with a vibrant color palette of greens, blues and oranges and a stunning jellyfish chandelier by Johnson Art Studio. All rooms are suites with distinct living and sleeping areas.  Each includes a microwave, mini-fridge, coffeemaker, free Internet connectivity, cordless VoIP phones and a vast HD channel lineup. The bright, spacious living room provides a well-lit work area, an ergonomic chair and an entertainment center with a second television.  The hotel also offers upgraded suites with whirlpools, fireplaces and showers with dual heads. A complimentary continental breakfast is available each morning that can be enjoyed either indoors or next to a fireplace on the rooftop patio.  Other hotel amenities include a heated outdoor swimming pool, whirlpool spa, exercise room, bocce court, valet laundry service and business center.  The hotel also offers 1,766 square feet of meeting space.  The property will be operated as a Marriott franchise, owned by Aspromonte Inns, LLC and managed by Aspromonte Hospitality, with over 50 years of lodging industry experience in Santa Cruz County and beyond.

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One of the most historic outdoor venues for interpretation and education has been restored to its original splendor. The campfire center at Big Basin Redwoods State Park was built in 1935 by Franklin Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps and has been serving generations of campers and visitors to the park since then.  The campfire center has suffered in recent years, but has finally been restored, thanks to the non-profit, Sempervirens Fund. The non-profit – named for the Latin word for redwoods – has been working to preserve these majestic trees since 1902. The Big Basin project began in 2007, but was just finished due to the restoration only able to take place during dry weather.  The new area includes 139 new redwood benches for the over 1 million visitors to the park each year.

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In 1952, Santa Cruz resident Jack O’Neill opened his first Surf shop starting his surfing empire from humble beginnings.  Soon after, O’Neill experimented with a newly discovered product – neoprene – pieced together to keep himself warm in the cold waters of Northern California.  “I just wanted to surf longer” Jack O’Neill said, launching the birth of the modern wetsuit. O’Neill’s company grew exponentially, going international in the 1980’s and continuing to transform the surf realm worldwide.  Boasting global watersports teams, sponsorship for major competitions, wetsuit innovations and outerwear, O’Neill has transformed the surfing landscape worldwide.

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Two new culinary stores have opened in Downtown Santa Cruz.  These side by side stores both have the all-natural/organic theme in common, but have different and exciting options to offer the downtown dynamic.  The True Olive Connection offers unique gourmet, fresh organic olive oil and basalmic tastings and offerings, brought to Santa Cruz from around the world.  Nut Kreations opened in Summer 2011 by a local Santa Cruz couple looking to offer healthy all-natural treats and gifts.  Striving to provide creations from local ingredients, Nut Kreations offers a custom nut bar with more than 120 varieties of nuts and dried fruits, along with packaged gifts and nut products.

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Located on the Corralitos Wine Trail, an idyllic region in South Santa Cruz County, Windy Oaks Winery has opened a newly renovated tasting room.  The 500-square foot tasting room features a curved tasting bar made from recycled redwood panels and Brazilian granite.  Two sets of folding glass doors showcase the barrel room, and open out onto the 500 square foot patio overlooking the vineyard and redwood forests beyond.  Parisian garden tables and chairs, shaded by market umbrellas, complete the restful scene.  The soft natural colors of the tasting room, the terra cotta stamped concrete floor, and the contemporary lighting, all contribute to a feeling in the tasting room of bringing nature inside.  Windy Oaks features 18 acres of pinot noir grapes and one acre of chardonnay grapes and is one of four family-owned wineries on the Corralitos Wine Trail, surrounded by redwood trees and apple orchards.

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“Whale Tale” shot sparks renewed interest in whale watching

Contact:  Christina Glynn, Communications Director/Film Commissioner
Phone: 831.425.1234 ext.112, email: cglynn@santacruz.org

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – So many visitors choose Santa Cruz County as a wintertime destination, and butterflies, whales, birds and elephant seals are no different.  This season, the nutrient-rich waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is attracting blue whales and humpback whales, which migrate to the Sanctuary to feed on their primary prey of anchovies and krill.   A photo released by the Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council (CVC) last week has added to the excitement about the possibility of viewing whales up close.  However, the CVC encourages visitors to use common sense and view wildlife in a responsible way.

The “Whale Tale” photo captures an authentic and spontaneous act of nature – one instance in many – on the Monterey Bay.  While aboard a small boat operated by Pacific Yachting and Sailing out of the Santa Cruz Harbor, local photographer Paul Schraub, on an unrelated assignment for the CVC, captured an amazing display of lunge feeding whales in the Monterey Bay.

“Visitors are drawn to the activity of wildlife watching because the actions of Mother Nature – as we have seen in the media with other events – are fundamentally unpredictable.” said Christina Glynn, Communications Director for the CVC.  “We encourage visitors and locals alike to enjoy the Monterey Bay responsibly, abiding by the laws and rules of the Sanctuary.  This includes maintaining a safe distance of at least 100 yards from all marine animals, whether in the water or on shore.”

Visitors can choose from an array of ways to view marine life in Santa Cruz County, utilizing the expertise of local whale watching tour companies.  Additionally, an abundance of sea life can be viewed from shore, from such vantage points as the Santa Cruz Wharf, Santa Cruz Harbor, Capitola Wharf and the cliffs at Davenport, among other locations.

The CVC features whale watching information on its website at http://www.santacruz.org/things/whale-watching.php, including safety guidelines for visitors.

The wintertime months are some of the best times of the year for wildlife viewing.  A mild climate combined with changes in weather, food availability and other variables brings with it the seasonal migrations of wildlife to California’s most popular beachside town.  Monarch butterflies flock to Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz to feed on milkweed, whales make the journey along the California coastline to warmer waters, and a variety of migrating and permanent bird species are plentiful.

“The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is a tremendous source of pride for locals and visitors alike, and we encourage responsible stewardship of this national treasure.” said Glynn.  “However, if wildlife is looking back at you, you may be too close!”

Visitors and locals can take part in special opportunities to see various birds and mammals gathering, leaving, passing through, and arriving in Santa Cruz County.  The free Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council’s Birding and Wildlife Watching Guide is a wonderful resource for spotting all these amazing animals.  Call 831.425.1234 for a copy, or visit http://www.santacruz.org/misc/request-birding-and-wildlife-watching-kit.php

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A private, non-profit corporation, the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council (CVC) exists to enhance tourism and the economy by positioning Santa Cruz County as a visitor, conference and film destination. For more information, contact the CVC at 831-425-1234 or 800-833-3494.  Or visit CVC’s web site at www.santacruz.org

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Contact:  Christina Glynn, Communications Director/Film Commissioner
Phone: 831.425.1234 ext.112, email: cglynn@santacruz.org

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA— Haunting tales, mysterious places and Halloween-themed events and attractions abound in Santa Cruz County.  So if you’re looking to get spooked or just have some family fun this Halloween, pack your ghost busting gear and trick-or-treat bag and head for Santa Cruz County.  Below are some of the signature events celebrating the ghouly goodness of Halloween:

Task Masker!

The yearly Santa Cruz Mask Making Day is a fun-filled day for the whole family to enjoy masks, theater, dance and stories from around the world at Laurel Park and Louden Nelson Center on Saturday, October 29, 2011, from Noon to 5:00 p.m.

Zombie Brain or Vintage Train?

All aboard….the Ghost Train!  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow comes alive October 28^th and 29^th at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton as the tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman is narrated during a spooky nighttime ride through the redwood forest.  Trains operate at 6:00, 6:30, 8:00, and 8:30 p.m.

Cutie Patootie or Psychotic Aquatic?

Tales of local shipwrecks, whale ghost stories, nighttime tours, costumes and scavenger hunts make up an evening of family fun at the Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab’s Marine Masquerade and Scary Aquary.  From 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. on Friday, October 28^th, hear the tale of 1924 wreck of the La Feliz and the fate of her crew. Take a nighttime tour to discover what the ghost of the whale says. Watch the creatures that come out at night to feed in the aquarium tanks.

Ghouls Just Want to Have Fun!

On October 30^th, head to Capitola Village for trick-or-treating and a costume parade at 2:00 p.m.  Halloween on the Wharf is another option for a Trick-or-Treat outing at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf on Sunday, October 31, 2011.  From 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., little witches, goblins, and ghosts and their parents can gather treats for kids provided at wharf businesses.  And in Downtown Santa Cruz from 2:30 – 5:00 p.m., merchant trick-or-treating and Halloween activities are all part of the fun on Halloween day.

In addition to these creepily-fun events, families can visit the Haunted Castle ride which graces the landscape of the legendary Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.  This 10,000 square-foot attraction features a unique design twist: riders will board the ride at Boardwalk level then spiral down backwards into the haunted basement. Riders then glide through dimly lit rooms filled with spooky special effects. The location of the new Haunted Castle has been home to a number of “dark” rides over the years, starting with “Dante’s Inferno” in 1935. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will be open Saturday and Sunday, October 29 and 30 from Noon to 5:00 p.m.  For more spooky fun – and a bit of history – visit Evergreen Cemetery, located on a forested hillside and the final resting place of many of Santa Cruz’s earliest ‘pioneers’.  Established in 1850, the cemetery is operated by the Museum of Art and History, which can arrange for group tours of ten people or more.

For more information on these and other Halloween events and activities, visit www.santacruz.travel/events.

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A private, non-profit corporation, CVC exists to enhance tourism and the economy by positioning Santa Cruz County as a visitor, conference and film destination. For more information about local tourism, contact the Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council at 831-425-1234 or 800-833-3494.  Or visit the CVC’s web site at www.santacruzcounty.travel

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Visitors welcome to partake in fall events with locals “in-the-know”

Contact:  Christina Glynn, Communications Director/Film Commissioner
Phone: 831.425.1234 ext.112, email: cglynn@santacruz.org

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – Fall in Santa Cruz County is the best-kept secret among locals. Although barbecue grills and bathing suits will be put into storage following Labor Day Weekend until next season, summer continues for visitors in-the-know.  Citing fewer crowds and some of the year’s best weather, the autumn months are hailed as Santa Cruz County’s “Secret Summer”.  And this fall, the Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council (CVC) encourages visitors to take a peek at the fall festivals that are lined up this season:

29th Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival

September 10-11, 2011
Fine art, wine tasting, gourmet food, eclectic music and children’s art area in Capitola Village by the Beach. 10am – 6pm.
Location: Capitola Village, Capitola Phone: 831.475.6522 www.capitolachamber.com

115th Annual Santa Cruz County Fair

September 13-18, 2011
Six days of fun and festivities, including a large carnival. Safe, fun and affordable. Noon – 11pm daily.
Location: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds (2601 East Lake Ave., off Hwy. 152), Watsonville Phone: 831.724.5671 www.santacruzcountyfair.com

Watsonville’s Monterey Bay Birding Festival

September 22 – 25, 2011
Come see 200 species of birds in one of the world’s most picturesque areas of California on the Monterey Bay. Thurs. – Sat. 6:30am – 9pm, Sun. 6:30am – 3pm.
Location: Watsonville Civic Plaza, 275 Main Street, Watsonville Phone: 831.724.3900 www.montereybaybirding.org

14th Annual Thunderbirds on the Santa Cruz Wharf

September 24, 2011
A collection of classic (1955-57) & vintage (1958-66) Thunderbirds displayed by owners from central & northern California. 9am.
Location: Santa Cruz Wharf, Santa Cruz  www.montereytbirds.com

Downtown Santa Cruz First Friday Art Tour

On the first Friday of each month, Santa Cruz galleries, museums and other venues open their doors to the public, showcasing spectacular artwork and visitors can take a self-guided tour.  Approximately 50 participating venues are open and offer openings, talks, music, other special activities or later hours. Individuals start their art tour by visiting any participating venue and can view more information at www.firstfridaysantacruz.com. October 7, November 4, December 2, 2011; 5pm – 9pm
Location:  Various galleries throughout the Santa Cruz area
www.firstfridaysantacruz.com

Free First Friday at the Museum of Art & History

The Museum of Art & History at the McPherson Center in Downtown Santa Cruz is admission-free on Fridays!  October 7, November 4, December 2, 2011
Extended Friday hours: 11am – 9pm
Location: 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz;  Phone:  831.429.1964
www.santacruzmah.org

Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour

October1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 2011
Meet local artists in their studios, see processes, purchase art! Artist Guide/Calendar has artist info & detailed map. 11am – 6pm.
Location: Various locations, Santa Cruz County Phone: 831.475.9600 www.ccscc.org

Monte Fireworks Extravaganza!

October 7, 2011
A wonderful family event featuring over 50 game and food booths, live entertainment and a fireworks display.
Location: Seacliff State Beach, Aptos Phone: 831.685.3317 www.monte-foundation.com

2nd Annual Chili Cookoff at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!

October 22, 2011
Bring your appetite & join the fun as both professional & amateur chefs compete!  Time: 10-4pm, Tasting starts at 1p
Location:  Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz; Phone: 831.423.5590
www.beachboardwalk.com

O’Neill Cold Water Classic

October 26 – 30, 2011
Since 1987 this four-star men’s and women’s surfing event has thrilled spectators amid the rugged waters of Santa Cruz.  8am to 5pm.
Location: Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz
Phone:  831.475.4151 www.oneill.com/cwc

Roaring Camp Railroads Ghost Train

October 28 – 29, 2011
Ride a steam train to Bear Mountain through a haunted redwood forest as you relive “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”.  Trains at 6pm, 6:30pm, 8pm, 8:30pm.
Location: Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton
Phone: 888.35.EVENT www.roaringcamp.com

Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Passport Program

November 19, 2011
Your chance to visit wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains not normally open to the public.  Taste wine & have a great time. 11am – 5pm.
Location: Various wineries, Santa Cruz Mountains Phone: 831.685.VINE (8463) www.scmwa.com

Shakespeare Santa Cruz – Holiday Performance

November 18 – December 11, 2011
Celebrate the holidays with a performance of Shakespeare Santa Cruz!  Based on the beloved “Frog and Toad” books by Arnold Lobel, A Year With Frog and Toad follows the story of two great friends as they journey through four, antic-filled seasons, complete with a jazzy score and live band.Location:  U.C. Santa Cruz Mainstage Theater  Phone:  831.459.2159
www.shakespearesantacruz.org

Capitola’s Surfing Santa

November 26, 2011
Santa & his reindeer ride into Capitola Beach. Bring your Christmas list to review with Santa. Candy Canes for everyone! Noon.
Location: Capitola Beach, Capitola Village Phone: 831.475.6522 www.capitolachamber.com

For more information events taking place during Santa Cruz County’s “Secret Summer”, visit www.santacruzevents.travel or call 800.833.3494.

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A private, non-profit corporation, the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council (CVC) exists to enhance tourism and the economy by positioning Santa Cruz County as a visitor, conference and film destination. For more information, contact the CVC at 831-425-1234 or 800-833-3494.  Or visit CVC’s web site at www.santacruz.org.

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Contact:  Christina Glynn, Communications Director/Film Commissioner
Phone: 831.425.1234 ext.112, email: cglynn@santacruz.org

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – The wine scene in Santa Cruz County is as diverse as the region’s sights and as inspired as its culture.  And so, it’s no surprise that local wineries – along with the Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council – are raising a glass to California Wine Month.  Three new wine packages are celebrating crush in a variety of ways:

Farm to Table Wine Dinner Package at Chaminade Resort & Spa

Chaminade Resort & Spa in Santa Cruz is offering a Weekend Farm to Table package in honor of California Wine Month. The package, starting at $379++ for two, is available Friday, September 9 and Friday, September 30, 2011 and includes Luxury accommodations, Farm to Table Wine Dinner featuring local Santa Cruz Mountains wine and breakfast for two. Subject to availability. To book the package or learn more, call 800.283.6569 or visit  www.chaminadepackages.com

Sip & Stay with the Inn at Pasatiempo and Surf City Vintners

Enjoy a one-night stay at the Inn at Pasatiempo, an elegant, boutique-style hotel situated near the Santa Cruz Mountains, a pass valid at 12 tasting rooms at Surf City Vintners and 10% off purchases at select wineries. Package starts at $89++ in September and October; starting at $75++ in November and December.  Valid September 5, 2011 through December 30, 2011.  Blackout dates: September 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 2011.  Advanced reservations are required.  Subject to availability.  Call 800.230.2892 for more information or to book this package.

Chaminade Resort & Spa Wine Package with Summit to the Sea Wineries

The Summit to Sea Wine Trail focuses on a unique collection of small wineries. Spend a relaxing day with wineries of your choosing, on this self-guided tour. This weekend wine package starts at $300++ and includes luxury overnight accommodations, complimentary tasting passes to five Summit to Sea wineries, including: Poetic Cellars, Loma Prieta,  Burrell School, MJA Vineyards and Dancing Creek.  Package also includes a winery map and brochures of featured wine trail wineries, a picnic lunch for two, with cheese platter and crackers, fresh fruit, turkey or veggie wrap, fruit tart and bottled water.  Corkage fee is waived on wines purchased from the Summit to Sea wineries when dining in Chaminade’s on-site restaurants! Package available Friday and Saturday only. Winery hours subject to change, some blackout dates apply.  Valid until December 31, 2011.  To book the package or learn more, call 800.283.6569 or visit www.chaminadepackages.com

Hit the Corralitos Wine Trail with the Seascape Beach Resort

The Seascape Beach Resort is offering guests a wine tasting experience on Saturdays during the month of September.  Guests already staying at the resort can purchase tickets at a 25% discount for wine tasting at all four wineries on the nearby Corralitos Wine Trail will receive a complimentary tasting glass.  Additionally, guests who bring a bottle of wine from one of the Corralitos Wine Trail wineries to Sanderlings restaurant will receive free corkage and a complimentary dinner appetizer for two.  Wine tasting tickets available for purchase through Resort Concierge Services. Valid on Saturdays during the month of September 2011 only.  For more information, call 800.929.7727.

Private Vineyard Tours at Windy Oaks Estate Vineyards & Winery

Private walking tours of Windy Oaks Estate Vineyards & Winery’s 15-acre vineyard, winery and barrel room, where guests will taste the wines, learn about Windy Oaks’ barrel program, winemaking techniques, unique canopy management, organic/sustainable vineyard practices and more. By advance reservation only, $25/person for tour, tasting, and light snacks; $35/person for tour, tasting, and gourmet box lunch on the vineyard ridge overlooking the Monterey Bay. Tours offered daily, except Sundays.  To book this tour, call the winery direct at 831.724.9562.

“Fall for Our Mountains” on the Summit to the Sea Wine Trail

The Fall for Our Mountains” promotion includes two-for-one tasting at each of the five wineries on the Summit to the Sea Wine Trail, custom fall-themed coasters and special fall discounts on wine.  Start your self-guided wine tasting tour at any of the wineries and receive a card to have stamped at subsequent tasting rooms to receive a special tasting, discount or gift!  Summit to the Sea Wine Trail Wineries include:  Burrell School Winery, Dancing Creek Winery, Poetic Cellars, Loma Prieta Winery and MJA Vineyards.  Valid until Friday, November 18, 2011.  Visit www.summittoseawinetrail.com for more information.

For more wine-related fun, the 29th Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival takes place September 10 – 11, 2011.  Held in Capitola Village from 10am – 6pm, this yearly event showcases fine art, wine tasting, gourmet food, and eclectic music. Event details can be found at http://www.capitolachamber.com/artwine.html

At the Museum of Art & History at the McPherson Center in Santa Cruz, Creativity Under the Influence happens on Thursday, September 29, 2011!  Beginning at 6:30 pm, learn proper pairings of pizza and wine or create under the influence and design your own. More information can be found at http://www.santacruzmah.org/future/2011/creativity-under-the-influence-september/

For a Do-it-Yourself way for visitors to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of the wine country lifestyle during California Wine Month, a spirited courtyard on the west side of Santa Cruz is a local favorite where wineries, shops and restaurants can be found.  Always brimming with something new to see or taste, this lively spot is home to Bonny Doon Vineyards and a number of tasting rooms that make up Surf City Vintners.  For a more rural experience, visitors can opt to taste wine along the Corralitos Wine Trail, an idyllic region in South County where four family-owned wineries are surrounded by redwood trees and apple orchards.   And for world-class wines with unparalleled views, the five wineries on the Summit Wine Trail are all within easy reach of one another.

An array of local restaurants offer wine and food pairings.  For the perfect blend of wine and cuisine, stop by Capitola’s Shadowbrook restaurant or Soif Wine Bar in Downtown Santa Cruz where sumptuous pairings of food and wine from around the world are presented in a hip, urban setting.  And Casablanca restaurant boasts one of the most extensive wine cellars in Santa Cruz County.  In Soquel Village, Bargetto Winery, one of the oldest family-run wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains, has been producing hand-crafted wine for nearly a century, including delicious Santa Cruz Mountain varietals.  And on the Santa Cruz Wharf, Vino Prima specializes in California wines, and offers twenty different wines to taste on a daily basis, paired with unparalleled views of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the gleaming blue Monterey Bay.

California is the leading destination for wine and food travel in the U.S., producing 90 percent of American wine. According to the Wine Institute, nearly 21 million local and out-of-state travelers visit California wine regions each year.   With the over 1,200 wineries throughout the state harvesting grapes in September, California is the fourth largest wine producer in the world and is responsible for $18.5 billion in retail sales in the U.S.

For more information on winetasting in Santa Cruz County, visit www.santacruz.org

More information:

Santa Cruz County Celebrates California Wine Month

http://www.santacruz.org/documents/wine-month-flyer2011.pdf

Winetasting in Santa Cruz County

http://www.santacruz.org/things/wine-tasting.php

California Travel & Tourism Commission – California Wine Month

http://www.visitcalifornia.com/winemonth#SAN_FRANCISCO_BAY_AREA__NAPA_VALLEY)

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A private, non-profit corporation, the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council (CVC) exists to enhance tourism and the economy by positioning Santa Cruz County as a visitor, conference and film destination. For more information, contact the CVC at 831-425-1234 or 800-833-3494.  Or visit CVC’s web site at www.santacruz.org.

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