Meet a Local Archives - Visit Santa Cruz County

Work It: Rhiannon Sims, California State Parks Interpreter

As a California State Parks Interpreter, a redwood forest serves as Rhiannon Sims’ office. She manages interpretive projects, such as special event planning and wayside panel design, and media outreach for state parks in Santa Cruz County. Rhiannon brings the unique and extraordinary nature of local state parks and cultural history to visitors and locals by combining the best of traditional interpretative techniques with the latest innovative technology. There’s “downtime” too, like when she facilitates campfire programs under an old-growth redwood forest canopy – complete with s’mores!

We checked in with Rhiannon to find out more about her love of the outdoors.

Where did your interest in state parks begin?
I’ve always loved spending time outdoors and visiting historical sites. As a new transplant to Los Angeles in 2007, I signed up for volunteer training at Topanga State Park (I was interested in learning about the local plants and wildlife) but was encouraged to apply for a seasonal job at the end of the training.

What does a state park interpreter do?
A State Park Interpreter helps park visitors experience, understand, and appreciate our state parks more fully.

Describe your “typical” day as a state park interpreter.
It really depends on the season! In the summer, I get to lead guided hikes and host campfire programs where I talk about the nature and history of the park. During the rest of the year, I help administrate different interpretive programs, like Kids2Parks, a park access equity program for local Title I schools. I’m also currently involved in the renovation of the Big Basin Nature Museum, helping to design new exhibits. Interpreters do a little bit of a lot of things, and that’s the way I like it!

What do you hope a visitor’s experience at one of our state parks is like?
I hope they are inspired and refreshed by their visit and come away with a greater knowledge of why these natural and cultural sites have been preserved.

What was one of the more original questions about our state parks you’ve heard?
At Big Basin Redwoods State Park, someone once asked me if there have been any Bigfoot sightings.

Can you tell us about your uniform?
Well, there is a dress uniform and a field uniform that California State Park Interpreters wear. We wear many of the same uniform items as rangers, which are law enforcement officers, so I have what I need to do my job with me at all times. I never have a problem deciding what to wear for work this way!

What is so unique about our local state parks?
Santa Cruz’s local state parks are a diverse and amazing collection of California’s history and natural landscapes! We have the oldest State Park (Big Basin Redwoods) and also one of the newest: Castro Adobe State Historic Park. We draw visitors from across the globe and long-time locals because our state parks have something for everyone to enjoy.

When not working, how do you like to spend your time in Santa Cruz County?
Hiking in my local state park, of course. I also love to do dinner and a movie on Pacific Avenue or visit our local museums.

What is one thing not a lot of people know about you?
I’m learning to paint with watercolor.

If you didn’t work for California State Parks, what other career path do you see yourself on?
It’s hard to see myself anywhere else, but I’ve always thought I’d enjoy being a librarian or working in graphic design.

Special to Visit Santa Cruz

February 29, 2020

Heritage Tourism, Hiking, Meet a Local, Parks
Meet the Iconic Cars of Santa Cruz County

When it comes to iconic cars, all roads lead to Santa Cruz County. Cruise around town, and you’ll spot a variety of restored classics that will delight car buffs, gearheads, and Instagram husbands. Plus, beyond providing a fetching backdrop for social media pics, these timeless vehicles often offer a peek into the region’s cultural history. From surfboard-adorned Woodies to a delivery truck topped with a giant apple juice jug, here are seven spots to get revved up with classic autos.

Shadowbrook

With a mini tram that descends a scenic hillside overlooking Capitola Village to a dining room with babbling brook and mature trees sprouting through its dining room roof, Shadowbrook does everything on a grand scale. It’s little wonder that when the owners sought a car to shuttle diners to and from nearby hotels and homes—a solution to Capitola’s tight parking—they didn’t go with understated. The next time you’re craving classic menu items and cocktails, opt to arrive at the venerable restaurant in style via a green 1950 Dodge Meadowbrook or 1966 Yellow Checker Cab. The two restored taxis run every day during the busy summer season (Memorial Day – Labor Day) within a three-mile radius. Rides are complimentary, but tips are appreciated. Enthusiastic drivers often don newsboy caps and bow ties, and have become photography pros from snapping pics of dates, groups, and families. Just be sure to buckle up on the Checker Cab. It hides a souped-up V-8 Corvette engine under the hood!

Lester Estate Wines

One of the joys of visiting this famed Pleasant Valley vineyard is experiencing its serene, picturesque landscape. In addition to a tasting room which is open on select weekends throughout the year, guests can sign up for a safari-style tour of the rolling, oak and madrone-dotted property via a restored 1981 Land Rover Defender. The estate’s late owner, Dan Lester, was an avid international traveler and bon vivant, and the tour honors his spirit with a traditional South African sundowner, when wine and vittles are enjoyed atop a rugged vehicle in the countryside at sunset. At Lester Estates, guests are shuttled via the Land Rover to two scenic locations—a remote hillside overlooking the valley and a quiet meadow bounded by a redwood grove—where they sample wines paired with bites prepared by the winery’s resident chef. Safari tours are sold out for 2019, but guests are encouraged to check the website in spring 2020 for additional dates.

Bargetto Winery

Greeting guests to Bargetto’s Soquel winery and tasting room is a vintage truck which a reminder of the landmark winery’s legacy. Founded on the day Prohibition was repealed, December 5, 1933, Bargetto is the oldest winery in the region. The 1936 Dodge truck was purchased new by co-founder Giovanni “John” Bargetto, and was originally used to deliver wine to the surrounding area. And, file this under “they don’t make ‘em like they used to:” the workhorse kept on trucking into the 1970s, hauling pomace from grape pressings.

Photo courtesy of S. Martinelli’s & Co.

Martinelli’s

To commemorate their 150th anniversary in 2017, the beloved juice producer Martinelli’s restored the last of their original delivery trucks, a 1932 Ford Model B flatbed. During the Great Depression, the company truck—emblazoned with the company’s memorable slogan, “Drink Your Apple a Day”—would transport apples, and deliver bottles to local vendors. The truck would also make special appearances at fairs, swapping the flatbed’s container stakes for an oversized replica of a Martinelli’s jug. Today, the restored vehicle sports a new engine and fresh coat of paint, and can often be seen at local parades and events.

Woodies on the Wharf

Woodies on the Wharf is a beloved annual summer event that transforms the Santa Cruz Wharf into a waterfront expo for over 200 pristine, restored Woodies. What started as a casual meet-up between local Woody enthusiasts in 1994 has grown to become the largest event in Santa Cruz. Admission is free, and the public is invited to stroll a diverse collection of vintage, wood-paneled beauties while enjoying live music as well as fresh seafood from eateries that are just as classic as the sleek cars parked out front.

Garrick Ramirez

September 9, 2019

Arts + Culture, Family Fun, Meet a Local
SANTA CRUZ LIFESTYLES OF THE INSTA-FAMOUS: JACLYN BRIDGES OF QUEEN OF SUCCULENTS

A bubbly brunette with a background in fashion, Jaclyn Bridges of Queen of Succulents (@queenofsucculents) hated dirt when she received her very first succulent from a friend’s mom. “I wasn’t a plant person at all,” recalls Bridges. “I didn’t even like touching mushrooms at the grocery store.”

Succulents, though, were different. Her first succulent “looked like little roses” and Bridges decided to snap a photo of her new plant and post it on Instagram. This was April of 2016 and now, Bridges has over 124K followers and sells individual succulents and artistic succulent arrangements full-time. The fashionista turned succulent whisperer now gets her hands dirty on a daily basis and has turned her yard into a mini-succulent nursery.

On a warm, sunny October morning, Bridges showed me around DIG Gardens, a bohemian garden shop near downtown where she sources some of her succulents and gets artistic inspiration for her live custom arrangements. While exploring the lush nursery behind the shop, Bridges shared some pro-tips for growing healthy, happy succulents, where to find the best succulents in the county, and what she loves most about Santa Cruz.

How did you go from fashion to succulents?
My best friend brought succulents from his mom’s house in Escalon where I grew up. I knew nothing about plants. I’d never grown a tomato or sprouted a seed. I didn’t even enjoy touching dirt. But then I got these little succulents that looked like little roses. I decided to go on Instagram and look up #succulent. I found two girls doing a challenge where you post a different colored succulent every day of the week. I realized that I had all the colors but yellow right in my own backyard.

That challenge got me excited—it made me realize there was an entire community of succulent lovers. Within a few months I realized I really liked taking the succulent photos so I switched from fashion to succulents. My fashion account was Queen Mab so I became the ‘Queen of Succulents.’

Can you talk about how you use your Instagram following to raise money for worthy causes?
I like to use my platform to help others. I do a lot of auctions to raise money for people in our community. For example, Gloria is a really funny woman in the succulent community and when her husband became ill, the community was able to band together and raise over $10K in just two days! It blew my mind.

The reason I do what I do is because of the people that I’m helping. I’m currently creating a wooden California planter for an auction. The money will go to a ‘succulent sister’ in Hawaii who’s been diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s what brings me joy. I love to make arrangements that help others. I also try to support local businesses when I can. I buy my pumpkins from Rodoni Farms [to make succulent pumpkins] and source most of my succulents from local nurseries.

What’s your favorite succulent?
My favorite is the Echeveria. I also love the Pachyphyllum ovarium or lavender pebbles and anything with stripes.

Where are your favorite Santa Cruz succulent spots?
I love walking down Pleasure Point and through the neighborhoods. I’ve taken incredible photos of succulents at people’s houses. Near Capitola Village there’s a whole block full of succulents. I also like to visit Far West Nursery in Capitola and DIG Gardens is one of the most special places.

Can you share some pro tips for growing succulents?
I make my own soil. I get my pumice from @SexySucculents [on Instagram] and mix it with coconut husk shreds and any type of soil I can find. You can also start with cuttings—literally just stick it in the soil and wait.

The main thing is, you have to pay attention to the plant. If the soil is still wet, don’t water it even though it’s been two weeks. You only want to water the succulent when the soil is completely dry. You don’t need to water them that often but when you do, drench the soil. You don’t want to just sit there and mist it because that doesn’t get to the roots. You really want to soak it which is why you want good drainage.

What’s your favorite way to unwind here in Santa Cruz?
It’s not very unique but I love walking along East Cliff or West Cliff. No matter what kind of day you’re having it always gets better by walking in nature plus I get to “succulent stalk.”

Why did you choose to live in Santa Cruz?
I chose Santa Cruz because my dad grew up in Watsonville so we always came to visit family in this area multiple times a year. I was pulled in at a young age by the mystical redwoods next to the ocean and I loved downtown! The entire town has an energy that I just can’t get enough of. The beauty of Santa Cruz inspired me to spread it across the nation. So I do just that with my photos and actually selling succulents from our area.

Where to find Jaclyn and her inspiring world of succulents:
You can find Jaclyn’s hand-picked (and sometimes home-grown) succulents and gorgeous succulent arrangements online on her Etsy shop. And don’t forget to follow her on Instagram for daily photos, arrangement tutorials, succulent care tips, giveaways, and more.

(This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)

Molly Ressler

December 15, 2018

Meet a Local, Shop in Santa Cruz
WORK IT: ARTIST TAYLOR REINHOLD

Meet Taylor Reinhold, a talented, enterprising muralist and graphic artist who has galvanized a community of artists from all over the world via numerous street art-based ventures. He’s also the son of Ann Morhauser who founded the renowned glass studio, Annieglass. He jokes that he grew up watching glass break his whole life, but was also steeped in the skate and surf culture of Santa Cruz. In his twenties, he began selling graphic tees at local music festivals, which led to a screenprinting business and an artists collective dubbed the Made Fresh Crew. Reinhold recently moved his screenprinting shop, Natural Motion, into a 6,000-square-foot facility, which includes an airy gallery and retail space displaying street art-inspired works and apparel. We recently caught up with Reinhold to chat street art’s recent resurgence, community involvement, and the upcoming Open Studios event.

You’re the child of a prominent Santa Cruz artist whose pieces are on permanent display at the Smithsonian. What influence did that have on you as a child?

I grew up on an organic Meyer lemon and avocado farm with my dad – a farmer and surfer – and my mom, an artist. There was never any pressure to be a doctor or lawyer!

What inspires you and your art?

Both of my parents are from New Jersey, and as a kid, I would get inspired by the graffiti I’d see riding trains between Philly, Jersey, and New York. I also get inspiration from skateboarding, music, culture, and travel. I get excited to see new cities and people, and explore abandoned and forgotten places.

Has street art gained a wider recognition and acceptance?

Although it started in New York, street art has largely been stigmatized in the States as vandalism. It’s flipped the traditional art world on its head, changing the way people interact with art, bringing the gallery experience to the streets. Now, it’s become more mainstream. You see it reflected in Silicon Valley where everyone wants to have cool, bright art in their offices. I’ve been commissioned to do artworks at companies such as Comcast and LinkedIn.

Where else can we find your murals?

Locally, you’ll see my work at the Aqua Breeze Inn across from the Boardwalk, Cafe Gratitude downtown, the Watsonville courthouse, and the local business Plantronics. I also have murals all over South America, Southeast Asia, and Egypt.

Tell us about the Fresh Walls mural project that you helped launch.

We partner with agencies and nonprofits such as the Santa Cruz Arts Council, Clean Oceans International, and local public schools to create community-based murals focused on sustainability. We are currently fundraising for one of the largest murals in Santa Cruz County, a public 500-foot ocean-themed mural at Bay View Elementary that promotes a plastic-free marine sanctuary.

How would you describe the Santa Cruz art scene and the importance of events such as First Fridays and Open Studios?

Santa Cruz is one of the most creative places on the planet, full of colorful people and art lovers. The art scene is thriving here but we need more affordable, creative spaces for artists. With our new gallery, we’ll exhibit new and upcoming artists that don’t have regular access to exhibition space. We’ll feature First Friday art shows every other month that we refer to as Fresh Fridays. We’ll also participate in Open Studios, which has connected me to so many amazing local artists. I am so glad my mom dragged me to numerous studios at a young age and showed me that it is possible to survive as an artist.

You don’t seem content to hide away in a studio. What compels your community involvement?

I started my career working for non-profits and after-school programs teaching mural classes. I was inspired by my students and the lack of funding for art in public schools. I wanted to give back and create community-based mural projects that bring life into the streets and schools. The beauty of art, especially large-scale pieces such as murals, is that people from the community come right up to you and want to interact. It’s how I’ve been able to connect with people around the world. Getting more color on the walls and bringing more people together: that’s what I’m here for.

(This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)

Garrick Ramirez

August 22, 2018

Arts + Culture, Meet a Local

annieglass, annieglass craftbar, Art, artist, first friday, first friday art tour, Open Studios, santa cruz, santa cruz county, screenprinting, street art, taylor reinhold, Watsonville
WORK IT: SOMMELIER ALYSSA TWELKER

Photos by Garrick Ramirez

Meet Alyssa Twelker, one of a growing number of young individuals energizing the Santa Cruz wine scene. An early food and drink enthusiast, the Sunnyvale native went to work as private chef straight out of high school and celebrated her 21st birthday with a sommelier certification. Weeks later, she was in Santa Cruz working at Soif where she eventually became wine director. After tasting-and surfing-her way through Europe, she’s back in town behind the bar at the gorgeous new tasting room for Birichino. We recently sat down with Alyssa to chat wine and get answers to burning questions such as “Do we really need to sniff the cork?” and “What Star Wars character would make the best somm?”

How would you explain the role of a sommelier to a wine novice?

A sommelier is simply a fancy name for a wine steward, or a person who recommends and serves wine in a restaurant. They are knowledgeable about wines from around the world, food and wine pairings, and wine service.

For certification, did you stay up all night studying flashcards like they did in the movie “Somm?”

Yes, it was just like the movie; I was super stressed! After culinary school, I enrolled in a three-month wine course, but didn’t realize I would be applying to become a sommelier upon completion. On the first day of class, they said that they were going to turn us into wine snobs. I was skeptical, but soon I was caught up in wine’s rich history, culture, and attributes such as terroir. I love learning, and wine is great for that.

Who in the Star Wars galaxy would make the best somm?

Probably Princess Leia because, as a woman, she has more taste buds. Or Yoda. He’d kill at a blind tasting!

What’s the proper way to taste wine without looking like a pompous dork? Do we really need to sniff the cork?

You sniff the cork to check if the wine has been tainted. You want to make sure it doesn’t smell like wet cardboard. If you have a knowledgeable server, you can ask them to do it. To taste, start by swirling the wine to coat the glass and release the aromatics. Then, sniff, take a sip, swish it gently in your mouth, swallow, and just let it sit with you. You should take a moment to appreciate it.

Screw top or cork?

There is great tradition and service associated with a cork. But, since one bottle in every case might be corked, I say screw top. It’s more along the lines of Santa Cruz’s laid-back style anyway!

Tell us something you appreciate about Santa Cruz wines or the local wine scene.

The Santa Cruz Mountain AVA is one of the first to be elevation-based. It has a strong connection with its place, and you can taste it in the wines. Others have started to recognize the potential of the area, such as winemakers from Sonoma who have started buying local fruit. Plus, we’re starting to see a new movement of young Santa Cruz winemakers, such as Ryan Stirm and Megan Bell, who are doing cool things with lesser-known varietals and vineyards.

Where do you take your wine friends when they’re in town?

The wines and setting at Ridge Vineyards are amazing. You can see all the way to Oakland. An older vintage of their Monte Bello is the best California wine I’ve ever tasted. I also love Beauregard Vineyards, which is set in the redwoods within a former, historic saloon once owned by the guy who invented the pet rock. It has such good vibes, you could hang out all afternoon. I’d also pop into Bonny Doon in Davenport, which has fun wines and atmosphere. In South County, there are great places like Windy Oaks and Alfaro Family Vineyards. I love that Richard Alfaro is still experimenting with varietals such as his recent Grüner Veltliner. In downtown Santa Cruz, Birichino and Soif are my go-to places.

Okay, now your friends are wine’d out. Where do you go to show them your fave Santa Cruz spots?

I have a longboard and love surfing Cowells Beach or Pleasure Point. For non-surfers, it doesn’t get any better than a bike ride along West Cliff Drive. Afterward, we’d do Cat & Cloud for coffee, and Mutari for chocolate. For dinner, La Posta is my absolute favorite. I love chef Katherine Stern’s bright, seasonal dishes. The menu changes every week, but if the squid pasta is on the menu, definitely try it!

(This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)

Garrick Ramirez

August 8, 2018

Food & Drink, Meet a Local

beer & wine, birichino, santa cruz, santa cruz county, Santa Cruz Mountain AVA, santa cruz mountain wine, soif, sommelier, Wine, wine bar, wine tasting, winery
Work It: Meet Well Within Massage Therapist Karuna Gutowski

Photos by Molly Ressler

Karuna Gutowski starts her workday at 4:40pm with a 10-minute meditation. Her calm demeanor and smiling eyes put you immediately at ease and prove the effectiveness of her daily practice. Gutowski has been a massage practitioner at Well Within for eight years and when you visit the Japanese-inspired spa, it’s no mystery why someone would trade their desk job to work here.

Just steps away from the bustling energy of Lupulo Craft Beer House, where patrons (including Gutowski) go to relax with a locally brewed IPA, the Well Within offers a different way to unwind.

As soon as you pass beneath the entryway’s arbor, the soft burble of a fountain masks the sounds of the outside world, welcoming you to a zen sanctuary. Private rooms with hot tubs and saunas overlook a Japanese garden where visitors relax their minds and bodies before drifting back to real life, renewed, or before sinking deeper into serenity with a therapeutic massage from Gutowski or another certified practitioner.

We caught up with Gutowski on a quiet, foggy morning at Well Within to learn professional tips for the ultimate relaxation experience, massage pointers for amateurs (couples take note), and how to best unwind in Santa Cruz.

What type of massage do you specialize in?

I’ve been trained in a lot of different modalities but it really depends on what’s going on for the person. The basis of what I do is Swedish. I do some trigger point and a little cranial sacral to get the body relaxed. I also do Trager which involves rocking the body. When you’re face down and rock your entire body it helps to loosen the spine and it’s a way for the body to relax without me having to do it. I’m just facilitating. I also do Ayurvedic, polarity energy work (also known as Reiki). It’s all about being really present with the person.

You said you’ve been with Well Within for eight years. What’s kept you here?

The Well [Within] is a really great place to work. It’s well run and well supported. If I have any problems, I can talk to the owner. It’s the ideal place to work. It’s relaxing; people come here to relax. It’s a very special place.

What’s one massage tip you can give an amateur masseuse?

Make sure you’re relaxed. Don’t try to work on someone’s shoulders if you’re in an uncomfortable position. Use different body parts. If they have a tight knot in their shoulder, use your forearm. You don’t have to go in there with your thumbs. Don’t always go for the tightest place; work around it. See what else is going on because it’s all connected. Massage their head, feet or hands instead of just focusing on the neck and shoulders.

How can a guest get the most out of their Well Within experience?

Do a tub session first because that just sets you up for the massage. Instead of just walking off the street and jumping on the massage table, your body has already started to decompress.

When I come on my own, my favorite room is the Onsen – I like to put cold water in the tub and do a cold plunge after sitting in the sauna. If I’m coming with friends, I like room 3 because it’s spacious. It has a sauna, a hot tub, and two showers.

When you use the sauna, put water on the coals or tea tree oil which is very good for the lungs. If you’re having any kind of respiratory issues putting the tea tree oil on the coal bed is amazing.

Lastly, give yourself two to three hours to totally relax. Just getting in the tub and sauna and having a massage is transformative. It really is. It doesn’t just transform your mind but what it does for your body is amazing.

What’s your favorite way to unwind in Santa Cruz (besides a session at Well Within)?

I ride my bike along West Cliff. I also love Natural Bridges State Beach. The fact that we have the ocean plus access to it right from Downtown is incredible. I also paint and I dance. Dancing for me is not just a form of exercise but also a great way to relax and have a community.

Where do you take friends when they visit?

There’s a lot to do in Santa Cruz. I always take them to West Cliff and then Steamer Lane Supply to go have coffee. I love taking people to the MAH [Museum of Art & History] and Abbott Square. The Tannery Arts Center is also a great place to visit. I love the Radius Gallery. And of course, it’s always good to visit one of the local breweries.

Well Within is a great spot for a date night … Where would you recommend couples go after their spa treatment?

Lupulo Craft Beer House – they have really good food and it’s just a short walk away.

Well Within offers a variety of ways to relax and unwind for individuals, couples, and small groups. For a full list of their offerings, visit their website.

Karuna Gutowski is also an accomplished artist whose paintings and collages are regularly featured as part of First Friday Santa Cruz.

(This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)

Molly Ressler

June 4, 2018

Meet a Local

california coast, massage, massage therapy, onsen, santa cruz, santa cruz county, sauna, spa
Work It: Meet the Captain of Chardonnay Sailing Charters

All photos by Garrick Ramirez

Having sailed the far reaches of the globe, John Ribera chooses to hang his captain’s hat in Santa Cruz. As Head Captain for Chardonnay Sailing Charters, Ribera navigates the sea life-filled waters of Monterey Bay, offering guests a firsthand experience of our wondrous marine sanctuary. It’s little wonder the affable Ribera, a successful realtor by day refers to the Chardonnay as his fun job. We asked him about his twenty years helming the company’s two, iconic 70′ racing yachts, and what makes the Monterey Bay such a special place to sail.

You’re a full-time realtor and a longtime surfer. When did the sailing begin?

I’ve been sailing since I was ten. As a child, I would visit my Uncle Harry who had a boat in the Santa Cruz harbor, and he would take me out on the bay. After I got my captain’s license, he lured me to the Pacific Islands to sail from Guam to Hawaii. Since then, I’ve had sailing jobs that have taken me to New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Pacific Northwest. I always took my surfboard along on voyages, but at one point, I realized that the odds of me becoming a professional captain were probably better than being a pro surfer!

Describe the experience of being aboard one of the Chardonnay yachts.

What we do is offer you a taste of sailing, but instead of doing all the hard work required, you’re pampered with food, wine, and draft beer. Plus, our two yachts, both Santa Cruz ‘70 racing vessels built by world-renowned local boat designer Bill Lee, are like the Ferrari of sailboats. Our routes vary based on that day’s conditions. Sometimes we’ll cruise alongside the Boardwalk and wharf, then go in near Cowell Beach, before zipping past Steamer Lane and deeper out into the bay. Other times, we’ll sail north to the beautiful sheltered beach coves along the North Coast, or take a scenic loop down to Capitola. Every day is different!

You’ve sailed in many exotic, far-flung locales. What’s unique about Monterey Bay?

The Monterey Bay is amazing. The coolest thing about my job is sharing it with people, many of who are experiencing it for the first time. The bay is bursting with sea life. On any sail, you’re guaranteed to spot sea otters and sea lions. Oftentimes, you’ll see dolphins and whales. You’d think I’d be jaded by now, but seeing a whale is still magical. The coolest thing about our boat is that baitfish are drawn to its shadow, luring whales and offering guests up-close views!

The Chardonnay has a themed charter for nearly every interest and occasion. Name a few of your faves.

They’re all good, but I especially love the Taste of Santa Cruz sails when local restaurants cater the yacht. It’s a great way to discover and taste the wide variety of good food in Santa Cruz. Winemaker sails offer a similar experience when you can sample local wines and often chat with the winemakers themselves. I also love the island-style Aloha sail put on by Pono Hawaiian Grill, an excellent restaurant here in town.

When you’re not sailing, how do you like to spend time in Santa Cruz County?

I live on the Eastside, so I’m a Pleasure Point local. I’m not too far from The Hook surf break, so an ideal day for me is getting into a wetsuit, biking down to the beach, and sneaking in a good surf session!

***

Chardonnay Sailing Charters offers a wide variety of public and private charters including wedding and memorial sails. Additional information and an extensive list of their fun, themed public sails are available on their site.

(This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)

Garrick Ramirez

May 1, 2018

Attractions, Meet a Local, Outdoor + Wildlife, Sports & Recreation, Things to Do

Beach Boardwalk, Boardwalk, Capitola, captain, chardonnay III, chardonnay sailing charters, charters, cowell beach, Monterey Bay, Sailing, santa cruz, Santa Cruz Coast, santa cruz county, santa cruz harbor, steamer lane, Wharf
Make These Now: 3 Santa Cruz-Themed Cocktails
All Photos by Garrick Ramirez

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!

WEST CLIFF COCKTAIL

A spirit-forward salute to the Westside

We couldn’t consider a Santa Cruz cocktail without calling upon Venus Spirits. Situated four blocks from the shore, the Westside distiller embodies Santa Cruz with its aromatic craft spirits fashioned from local, organic ingredients. Owner Sean Venus has no doubt converted countless gin-detractors with his floral, mellow, and utterly delicious takes on the often polarizing spirit. Swing by the stylish Westside distillery and tasting room—designed by local firm Stripe Design—and sample a flight that might include the only “tequila” made in California. Stop by during Friday Happy Hour (5-7pm) and enjoy fresh, craft cocktails often made with local produce.

For a Santa Cruz cocktail, Sean created a clever homage to Santa Cruz County’s two craft distilleries—and their proximity to the West Cliff surf—blending his gently aged Venus Gin #2 with alembic brandy from Osocalis Distillery in Soquel (sold by co-owner Jeff Emery at his nearby Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard tasting room). A healthy splash of Cynar, an Italian artichoke liqueur, is a fun nod to the spiky flower that thrives along the Central Coast. The drink’s strong, complex flavor evokes the fragrance of the coast with botanicals of sage, fennel, and bay leaf from the gin combined with sweetness from the brandy. The Cynar adds a rich, slightly bitter note while citrus oil from an expressed lemon peel rounds out the drink. It’s a delicious sipper, herbaceous and spirituous.

West Cliff Cocktail
- 1 oz. Venus Gin #2
- 1 oz. Osocalis Rare Brandy
- ¾ oz. Cynar
- Lemon peel
Combine all ingredients in a stirring glass. Add ice, stir, and strain into a cocktail or coupe glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon, expressing its oils over the glass.

HIBISCUS FIELDS FOREVER COCKTAIL

Transcending the taqueria with a refreshing adult “jamaica”

Given the breathtaking vistas at Sanderlings—the signature eatery at Seascape Beach Resort—we’d be happy to sip water. Luckily, the resort’s bar director, Lindsay Eshelman, has more interesting things in mind. Her vibrant cocktail menu transcends humdrum resort staples with a playful mix of inventive drinks that prioritize flavor over fuss. For a Santa Cruz cocktail, Eshelman—who became endeared to Santa Cruz Country as a child after regularly vacationing with her family in Capitola—chose a luscious, burgundy-hued cocktail made from hibiscus flowers. She says, “I was inspired by jamaica,” that agua fresca staple of taquerias. “I wanted to figure out how to incorporate it in a cocktail, but initial attempts resulted in a watery drink,” she explains. “But then I thought to concentrate it and and it worked!”

Eshelman says the love goes into the hibiscus tea reduction which takes several hours to brew. “I feel this cocktail, with it’s Latin influence and our beloved local Venus Gin is uniquely Santa Cruz,” she says. The drink is bright and refreshing, with the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and sour. We recommend pairing it with the restaurant’s new Sope Tazos or Korean Pork Tacos and sunny patio overlooking Monterey Bay.

Hibiscus Fields Forever Cocktail
- 1.5 oz Venus Gin #1*
- 2 oz Hibiscus tea reduction**
- .5 oz House simple syrup**
- .5 oz Fresh-squeezed lime juice
*This recipe is actually three drinks in one. The bar at Sanderlings usually makes the cocktail with Venus Gin #1, but also subs in vodka or tequila for a distinctly different, yet equally delicious drink.

**To make the hibiscus tea reduction, add hibiscus flowers (found at most Mexican food markets) to a pot, cover with water, and heat, ensuring water stays below a boil. Simmer until liquid has reduced and is a deep burgundy color. Add sugar to taste.

***Combine equal parts sugar and water in a pot over gentle heat until sugar crystals have dissolved.

SURF MONKEY COCKTAIL

A delicious, farm-fresh riff on the Mojito

The Surf Monkey Cocktail was created for the former downtown restaurant, Assembly. Although Assembly has since closed and the hip eatery, Snap Taco has taken its place, this delicious and refreshing spin on a Mojito lives on.

For this Santa Cruz cocktail, they offered a cilantro-infused riff on the mojito, the traditionally mint-fueled rum drink. No stranger to our local farmers markets, cocktail creator, Zane Griffin turned to Route 1 Farms whose market stand teems with the fresh mint and cilantro that he used in his cocktail. “I think the drink’s delicate aromatics reflect Santa Cruz’s fresh, foggy coastal mornings.” Plus, mojitos are traditionally a sunny-day beach drink which speaks to the 29 miles of sandy shore in Santa Cruz County.

Cilantro Mojito
- 2 oz. Silver rum infused with cilantro & mint*
- 1 oz. Lime juice
- ¾ oz. Simple syrup**
- Fresh mint and cilantro
- Splash of soda water
- Dash of Angostura Bitters
Combine mint and cilantro leaves in a glass with a splash of soda water and muddle. Add remaining ingredients, shake, and strain into collins glass filled with crushed ice. Top with a few dashes of Angostura Bitters. Garnish with mint and cilantro leaves.

*To infuse rum with cilantro and mint, combine 12 ounces of rum with 6-12 sprigs of cilantro in a jar, and let steep for 1-2 days. When ready, fine strain through a tea strainer. Zane used Flor de Cana Extra Seco rum, but any silver or unaged rum will do.

**Combine equal parts sugar and water in a pot over a gentle heat, and stir until sugar crystals have dissolved.
Garrick Ramirez

April 10, 2018

Food & Drink, Meet a Local

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Santa Cruz Lifestyles of the Insta-Famous: Lili Arnold Studios

Photo by Molly (Lautamo) Ressler

From her sunny back deck or her cozy bedroom decorated with original prints and watercolors, Lili Arnold (@liliarnoldstudios) can make up to 50 block prints in one day. Cacti are her primary subject but she also has a series of marine-inspired prints, petroglyphs, celestial prints, and has plans to do a wildflower series in the future.

“Leaves and flowers and plants in general have so much intricacy and beauty,” says Lili. “It’s amazing the beauty that this world can create on its own.”

Over the last year and a half as a professional printmaker, Lili has organically grown her Instagram following to over 116K followers. She’s been featured in major media outlets like The Huffington Post, sells her art to buyers as far away as China, and has effectively turned her bedroom (and recently living room) into a working studio.

The desk in her bedroom has just enough space for painting and pulling the actual prints. A small metal shelving unit filled with a rainbow of inks, hand rollers, and other essential block printing supplies sits tucked behind the door. When it’s too wet outside, prints hang from clothespins on a piece of twine strung up in front of the mirror in the connecting master bath. “It does make it a little hard to use the sinks” Lili admits.

Photo by Molly (Lautamo) Ressler

On one of these wet afternoons that turns Lili’s bedroom into a cactus gallery, Lili welcomed me into her home on the Westside of Santa Cruz to watch her printing process and chat about her work. She’d chosen her favorite, the Protea Susara, although it’s actually an Australian shrub, not a cactus. At 15″ x 22″ it’s also one of her largest prints.

Donning an appropriately paint-splattered apron over her striped sweater and high-waisted jeans, Lili dipped brayers (little hand rollers) into green block printing ink to paint the Protea’s leaves. While she worked, Lili shared her favorite spot to recharge, why Santa Cruz is such an awesome community for artists, and the most challenging aspect of her work.

Photo by Molly (Lautamo) Ressler

Why cactus?

It wasn’t really intentional; actually, it was kind of a happy accident. I needed some form of creative release while I was still working full time, so I started gardening and print making on the weekends. I went to a nursery looking for plants and wandered into the cactus section. I found this one cactus that was blooming with vibrant magenta flowers and I just had to get it. After I got that cactus I started painting it and thought it might make a cool print because there’s so many cool textures. So, I made my first block print of a cactus and had such a blast doing it.

Photo by Molly (Lautamo) Ressler

It’s been about a year and a half of making cactus and I’m still not sick of it at all because there’s still so many to do. But I’m not blocking myself into just cactus. That just happens to be what’s exciting for me. There’s also so many exotic plants from around the world that have really drawn me in. I’ve already done one Protea but I want to do more. I also want to do Banksia-anything unusual and detailed, I love that.

@liliarnoldstudios

What role has Instagram played in your success?

Instagram has given me a way to share what I do with an audience that is always growing. It connects me with people all over the world. To be able to share my craft and make sales through that is key for my business. That’s how it all got started.

@liliarnoldstudios

What’s the furthest distance you’ve shipped your art?

This might not technically be the farthest but the most foreign order I got was from China. I had to translate Chinese characters to English for the address. The woman placed a really big order and then another a month later. So, I have a woman in China who is supporting my art! I ship orders all over Europe and Australia, a few to South America, but maybe 95% of the orders are in the U.S. I want to give everybody the chance to be able to get something if they want it.

Why have you chosen Santa Cruz as your home?

Santa Cruz gives me such a high quality of life every day. I wake up in the morning to a beautiful day surrounded by nature; I can drive or ride my bike a mile to a natural organic grocery store. I’m only a mile from Natural Bridges State Beach. I have all the things I love in one place.

Photo by Molly (Lautamo) Ressler

Most importantly though, the art community here is vibrant and strong. Artists, and the supporters of the artists in this town, create a really supportive network. No one is trying to step on each other’s toes to get ahead. It’s all mutually supportive and that feeling is hard to find in other places.

People always say it’s a dog eat dog world and I feel like that’s the opposite of Santa Cruz. Instead ‘it’s good job! Let’s collaborate!’ There’s so much positivity.

Where do you go in Santa Cruz for inspiration?

The UC Santa Cruz Arboretum is one of my favorites. They have such a variety of exotic plants but also just being in a quiet, beautiful place like that you get into this peaceful mindset and it starts to inspire creativity or just thinking outside of your day to day life. I also love going to the local nurseries and seeing what plants they have in the cactus and succulent section.

@liliarnoldstudios

Also, driving around Santa Cruz there are so many beautiful gardens. People really take pride in their gardens here compared to other places. There are a lot of tropical plants, desert plants, and drought-tolerant gardens which are right up my alley in terms of subject matter.

What’s the most challenging aspect of your work?

One of the challenges to printmaking specifically is that a lot of people don’t really know what printmaking is. If they just see the print in a shop they don’t know how it’s made or that it’s handmade. Educating people on the process changes their perspective. Educating how much work goes into it, but also that it’s something anyone could do at home. I hope to inspire people to want to try it.

Photo by Molly (Lautamo) Ressler

Where to find Lili’s prints

You can find Lili’s gorgeous prints on her website and at several Santa Cruz County stores including Dig Gardens and Home/Work in Santa Cruz, Traders of the Lost Arts in Boulder Creek, and The Closet Shopper and Art Inspired in Capitola Village. And don’t forget to follow her on Instagram !

Molly Ressler

March 5, 2018

Arts + Culture, Meet a Local

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Artist Jared Leake’s Santa Cruz

All Photos by Garrick Ramirez

One glance at Jared Leake’s surf-filled artwork and it’s clear the former East Coaster was lured west by endless summers and the California dream. “The warm climate, outdoor culture, and epic Pacific Ocean are what drew me out,” he says of his decision to move to California in 2011. Today, the Santa Cruz transplant makes the most of his adopted home through surfing, trekking local trails, and creating contemporary artwork that captures the good vibes and striking scenery of the local landscape in a new way. We asked him to share a little about his process, where he goes to get inspired, and where he finds the perfect pint of local brew.

A NEW VIEW OF THE SANTA CRUZ LANDSCAPE

Jared’s artwork takes two shapes, each a creative manipulation of his outdoor photography which features numerous Santa Cruz beaches. For his sleek, retro-tinged digital prints, he pulls individual aspects of a photo-soaring pelicans, a lifeguard station, a surfer dropping into a cresting wave-and embellishes them with multihued shapes and designs that call to mind classic surf posters. “I wanted to do something different with photography,” Jared explains. “By taking one element of a photo and putting it in a new context, it becomes the focus.”

His wood pieces apply the same concept but via a more tactile process. Using a photo transfer method and locally found wood-driftwood or old fence posts, for example-he imprints black-and-white images onto weathered fragments creating beautiful photographic sculptures.

Jared shares his artistic skills by teaching visual art and digital photography to high school students, fostering the next generation of local artists. A flourishing local art scene is part of what drew him to Santa Cruz. “There’s a large, diverse group of people who are creating art in Santa Cruz,” he says. Jared also points to the wealth of local art resources like First Friday-“Downtown is bumping!”-and The Tannery Arts Center which he recommends as a great spot for art classes.

JARED’S LOCAL RECOMMENDATIONS

When he’s not teaching high schoolers art or creating his own, Jared’s out in the surf and on the trails that fill his artwork. Here are some of his recommendations for where to soak up the local scenery and culture.

The Go-to Beach:
I love the big, beach feel of Manresa State Beach with its wide stretch of sand. It’s also a good, mellow spot to surf and have your own space. Closer to my house, I also catch waves at the Point and 26th Avenue Beach in Pleasure Point.

Favorite Hiking Spots:
I’m training for a marathon so I do a lot of trail running at the Forest of Nisene Marks. I’m also planning a multi-day backpacking trip at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Recently, another art teacher and I took a group of high school kids on a art-and-photography field trip to Big Basin and a few Davenport beaches, stopping for treats along the way. The raspberry croissants at Whale City Bakery are awesome!

Good Photography Spots:
In my neighborhood, I shoot surfers at the Point and Two Six (referring to 26th Avenue Beach). But I love going north toward Davenport. I pull over and scrambling down to beaches like Shark Fin Cove with its amazing formations.

Shark Fin Cove in Davenport

The Best Grub:
I go to Coffeetopia for bagels and coffee, Suda for fish tacos, and East End Gastropub for burgers and beer. I’m a big beer guy, so I’m frequently at Corralitos Brewery and Discretion. Uncle Dave’s Rye IPA is killer.

You can find Jared’s artwork at local shops including Artisans & Agency. His work is also available online at jaredleake.com. To discover the other resources and destinations that comprise our vibrant arts and culture scene, check out the listings on our site.

Garrick Ramirez

August 8, 2017

Arts + Culture, Meet a Local

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Remembering Surfing Pioneer Jack O’Neill

Earlier this year, Santa Cruz lost a beloved local legend. Jack O’Neill, the surf pioneer credited with developing the wetsuit and changing surfing forever, passed away on June 2, 2017 at age 94 in his home in Santa Cruz. With a full scraggly beard and black eye patch-the result of a surfing injury-the rakish O’Neill was a local icon, often seen cruising around town in his Jaguar and shouting out surfing tips to those surfing outside his cliffside house in Pleasure Point. Although best remembered for the international surf brand that bears his name, O’Neill was most proud of the Sea Odyssey program he founded to teach ocean stewardship to elementary students via sailing trips on the Monterey Bay.

Upon his passing, the O’Neill family shared the following message:

“Surrounded by family, Jack was as soulful and encouraging as always, reiterating his love for his family, appreciation for a life well lived, his hopes for his friends and the oceans he loved, all within the familiarity of his oceanfront home of over 50 years, with the famous waves of his beloved Pleasure Point beach lapping at his deck.”

THE FIRST “SURF SHOP”

A native Coloradan who fell in love with the beach during a brief childhood stint in Southern California, O’Neill eventually moved to Ocean Beach in San Francisco during the 1950s. It was here that he not only opened his first surf shop-in a garage along the oceanfront Great Highway-but coined the phrase itself, eventually receiving a trademark for the term “surf shop.” Soon after, he moved his family to Santa Cruz and opened his second surf shop on the site of the current Dream Inn (the hotel honored this legacy by rechristening their bar the Jack O’Neill Lounge and contributing to an onsite mural that depicts the mid-century surf shop).

During this time, O’Neill was tinkering with a neoprene garment that would allow him to stay in chilly Northern California waters longer so he could surf more. His friends scoffed, but his creation of the first wetsuit would go on to revolutionize surfing and help foster the surf craze that boomed in the 1960s. His wetsuits also helped launch the international surf brand that exists today. While the O’Neill brand was sold in 2007, the O’Neill wetsuit brand remains family-owned, as do four O’Neill surf shops, three of which are located in Santa Cruz County.

CLASSROOM ON THE BAY

In 1996, O’Neill founded the O’Neill Sea Odyssey, a non-profit program that imparts ocean stewardship to 4th – 6th grade students from schools throughout Central California. Students board O’Neill’s 65-foot catamaran and sail out on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary where they participate in hands-on lessons on marine habitats. The program has served 100,000 students to date, and O’Neill referred to it as his proudest achievement.

MEMORIAL PADDLE-OUT

On the morning of Sunday, July 9th, 2017, thousands gathered along the Monterey Bay to pay tribute to O’Neill with a memorial paddle-out, a beautiful surfing tradition where participants form a floating circle in the ocean to honor a fellow surfer or ocean enthusiast. Pleasure Point’s waterfront East Cliff Drive-the site of O’Neill’s waterfront residence-was filled with a lively mix of well wishers, children with tribute eye patches, and surfers balancing colorful boards atop their heads. The wooden fence surrounding O’Neill’s house was adorned with many momentos, flower leis, and makeshift altars.

After lining up to receive sprigs of white orchids, thousands of wetsuit-clad surfers bellied up on their boards and paddled out into the gentle surf while thousands of cliffside spectators looked on. To mark the start of the ceremony, a Coast Guard helicopter swooped overhead, and fellow surfers aboard the O’Neill catamaran began sharing stories about Jack via loudspeakers. Afterward, the waterborne surfers who formed a sprawling circle around O’Neill’s boat tossed orchids into the sea and began enthusiastically splashing the water. It was a touching display of community affection for the late O’Neill as boat horns blared and spectators back on land whooped cheers of support.

JACK O’NEILL DAY

In honor of O’Neill’s many contributions to surfing, the local community, and the wellbeing of oceans, The City of Santa Cruz declared July 9th to be “Jack O’Neill Day,” and redubbed the lot adjacent to his home Jack O’Neill Park.

As his family notes, “For nearly his entire life Jack lived by and for the world’s oceans, and worked tirelessly to promote public access to their many health, economic and environmental benefits. He was very concerned, for example, with the health of waters at area beaches.”

Today, visitors can explore those same waters that O’Neill devoted himself toward aboard the Team O’Neill catamaran which offers public cruises on the Monterey Bay (check the O’Neill Yacht Charters site for dates, times, and reservations). If you’d like to continue Jack O’Neill’s support of healthy oceans, the O’Neill family suggests that any memorial contributions can be sent to the O’Neill Sea Odyssey.

Garrick Ramirez

July 13, 2017

Arts + Culture, Beaches, Heritage Tourism, Meet a Local

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A NEW VIEW OF THE SANTA CRUZ LANDSCAPE

JARED’S LOCAL RECOMMENDATIONS

THE FIRST “SURF SHOP”

CLASSROOM ON THE BAY

MEMORIAL PADDLE-OUT

JACK O’NEILL DAY