photo courtesy Rachel Endsley Santa Cruz County boasts some pretty spectacular farmer’s markets and the mountain town of Scotts Valley is no exception. Offering an abundant mix of fresh, organic vegetables and fruits, pasture-raised meats, artisan breads, and more, the market is a great way to support local farms and enjoy the healthiest and tastiest
Packed full of colorful vendor stands, Santa Cruz farmers markets can feel like a riot of vibrant flowers, fruits, and veggies. Yet, hidden behind each stack of romanesco broccoli is a local farm with a story to tell. One example is Live Earth Farm, a market mainstay that lures tote-wielding foodies with fresh organic produce. Get to know them better, and you’ll discover they offer a lot more than sweet berries and succulent tomatoes, including a dreamy countryside property with farm stand, kids camps, and seasonal U-pick events.
Everyone loves tasting the local cuisine when they visit somewhere new. Vacation, after all, is the perfect excuse to indulge and sample the variety of food and beverages a region is known for. With its rich soil and moderate climate, Santa Cruz County is an agricultural mecca with fertile fields of strawberries, tomatoes, artichokes, Brussels sprouts, vineyards, and apple orchards. It’s one thing to Yelp your way through each meal and snack break, but to truly savor each bite, you need to know the stories behind the food fueling your weekend adventure.
Nearly every aspect of Santa Cruz life-from the art that adorns local galleries to the vibrant dishes served up by local eateries-has been inspired by the region’s coastal splendor, classic surf culture, and verdant organic farms. Now we’re adding cocktails to the list. We asked three local cocktail pros to create a Santa Cruz cocktail, a drink that captures the region’s essence in a glass. While wine has terroir, bartenders have more poetic license, pulling from an assortment of spirits, juices, and aromatics. Below, we’ve shared their creations, plus each drink’s inspiration and recipe so that you can enjoy them at home!
Since opening in 2002, Soif has been our go-to spot for a globe-hopping wines, perfectly paired dishes, and a fetching, candle-lit atmosphere. Now, new chef Marshall Bishop promises to elevate the experience further. After working alongside superstar chefs such as Thomas Keller, Bishop is bringing some sparkle to the Santa Cruz food scene. In between his menu planning and dropping off bowls of complimentary spiced popcorn at diners’ tables, we sat down with Chef Bishop to chat food, Santa Cruz, and his method for creating recipes.