Mention Santa Cruz and folks will think of surfers, the Boardwalk, and ridiculous politics that make Berkeley and San Francisco appear sane. The surfers are still there, the Boardwalk is retro fun, and the politics have become more moderate. Nevertheless, there is more to Santa Cruz than the beaches and downtown.
The west side of Santa Cruz, formerly home to a Wrigley plant, light industry, and agricultural processing, is now becoming foodie central. Small businesses and gourmet foot shops have moved in, and is well worth a stop if you are passing through and do not want to nosh on Mission Street or Downtown.
In the Swift Street Courtyard,
Kelly’s French Bakery is one of the few pastry shops on the west coast that excels at making a real French macaron. Dark chocolate with orange and
apricot are winners. Besides the macarons, do not discount the homemade breads, cookies, and scones. The owner also recently opened an ice cream shop across the courtyard. Around the corner,
El Salchichero Butcher Shop sells ethically-raised and organic meats sourced from nearby farms, and its home-smoked beef jerky is well worth the tiny splurge. Nearby are winery showrooms where you can go tasting, as well as a microbrewery.
The center has been open a few years and has staying power. Other buildings on the west side, where local produce was once sorted, house businesses like
Iveta, which makes a mean scones and markets its mixes as well. Meanwhile, small tech firms and other entrepreneurs have moved into this side of Santa Cruz. A few blocks from the Mission Street section of Highway 1, this area is well worth a stop.
Move over, Berkeley. The new gourmet ghetto is in Santa Cruz!
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