Nestled amongst the expansive fields of strawberries and rolling hills covered in apple orchards and vineyards is Watsonville, a city brimming with character, culture, and community spirit. At the heart of the bountiful Pajaro Valley in the southern part of Santa Cruz County, Watsonville’s stunning natural landscapes and agricultural history often provide inspiration for the art and cuisine that represent this vibrant and diverse community. Its exceptionally fresh bounty, impressive natural beauty, and thriving arts & community culture are three spectacular reasons to embark on a journey to explore all that the delightful destination of Watsonville has to offer!
BOUNTY
One of the most productive farming regions in the world, Watsonville is home to a rich agricultural history that remains prevalent today! Take a drive through the area’s countryside, winding past vast fields of strawberries, artichokes, apples, and lettuce. The coastal fog blankets these fields with much-needed moisture, aiding in the delicate balance that makes Santa Cruz County’s temperate climate the ideal locale for growing produce. Take some time to admire the abundant harvests that nourish the people of Santa Cruz County and the world beyond. Experience the ample bounty for yourself by exploring one of Watsonville’s U-Pick Farms! Make a day out of a visit to local-favorite Gizdich Ranch, where you can pick from whatever is in season, from strawberries and olallieberries to boysenberries and apples, before enjoying a sandwich or snack from their deli for a picturesque picnic. Don’t forget to grab some pie from their shop before you depart with your bounty! There are plenty of farms to choose from in Watsonville, such as Live Earth Farm, Crystal Bay Farm, and Clearview Orchards. After you’ve harvested your pick of the bounty, pay a visit to The Martinelli’s Company Store. Family-owned and operated since 1868, Martinelli’s has become a household name! Visit their tasting room for a free sampling of their gold-medal premium juices and sparkling ciders, including varieties that are harder to find at traditional grocery stores. Take home a bottle or two as a souvenir! Celebrate the area’s agricultural prowess by tasting the majestic bounty it has to offer for yourself!
NATURE
Watsonville is surrounded by a spectacular range of natural landscapes, from endless beaches to redwood forests and a picturesque lake. Take a long walk along the expansive shorelines at Manresa and Sunset State Beaches! Either location is perfect for a leisurely stroll, providing sweeping views of the seaside bluffs. Planning to spend the day at the coast? Spread out with a picnic blanket, set up a shade tent, and make sure you have your activities packed: boogie boarding, surfing, and kite flying are all popular at Manresa. Further south at Sunset State Beach, reserve a campground along the bluffs and wake up to magnificent views overlooking the Monterey Bay! If a lakeside retreat is more your pace, check out the scenery at Pinto Lake County Park. Launch a boat, go fishing, try your hand at disc-golf, play volleyball or baseball, or take a hike at this versatile outdoor park!
And although currently closed for a sustainable timber harvest, one of Santa Cruz County’s best-kept secrets is Byrne-Milliron Forest. This secluded spot encompasses several hiking trails under towering Coastal Redwoods. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Pajaro Valley and the Monterey Bay from the observation deck! The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County asks that all visitors to the Forest register before hiking and keep dogs on leashes. The forest is planned to reopen in 2025.
On the edge of the county is Mount Madonna County Park, a rejuvenating haven of redwood forest, oak woodland, and sun-strewn meadows: it’s an ideal setting for activities such as hiking, horseback riding, archery, camping, and more. In any of these natural locations, come prepared to pack your trash and leave no trace, which helps us to keep our natural spaces beautiful for all to enjoy!
COMMUNITY & ARTS
One of Watsonville’s most unique traits is the vibrant mix of cultures that come together to form the community, enriching the region with its multicultural tapestry of traditions, cuisines, and artistic expression. Nowhere is this better observed than in the Watsonville Center for the Arts, a collective made up of artistic and cultural groups that have come together to share classes, workshops, art exhibitions, festivals, and performances with the community. Another pivotal local pillar is the Watsonville Film Festival, a non-profit organization whose main goal is to uplift Latinx voices through the life-changing power of filmmaking. Beyond providing a stage where local Latinx filmmakers have agency over their own representation through stories that focus on issues relevant to the local community, Watsonville Film Festival also puts on several community events, holds classes, and provides grants and student scholarships to local teen filmmakers in order to increase accessibility and nurture young artists in the community. Furthering community involvement in the arts are several mural projects that have covered the city of Watsonville in vivacious color! One such mural project is Watsonville Brillante, led by conceptual artist and organizer Kathleen Crocetti. A variety of artists within the community have come together to design and create this patchwork of mosaics that represent different cultural threads of Watsonville’s people and history, transforming an ordinary parking garage into a spectacular quilt of imagery!
For over 40 years, artisan Annie Morhauser has been crafting glass masterpieces, adapting an ancient glassmaking style called “slumping” to make it her own. After forming Annieglass in 1983, she continued to hone her glassmaking technique and flair, and these handcrafted, sustainably-made creations have made Annie’s mark on the glassmaking world. Visit the Annieglass Studio & Company Store in Watsonville, where you can shop for iconic glassware, sign up for a workshop, and take a tour of the factory for a behind-the-scenes peek into how these unique designs are brought to life. It’s a destination well worth a stop!
The hyper-fresh bounty, incredible natural landscapes, and multicultural tapestry that inspire artistic expression and community-building in the area are three fantastic reasons to visit the charming city of Watsonville.