Voltaire once said, “Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.”

It is no wonder that we enjoy food, after all, the options are endless and the flavors can take your taste buds on an adventure. The shoreline of Santa Cruz offers many events hosted by local farmers that will please the palate.

Pop up Breakfasts

popupmini1 If you are looking for a fresh outdoor breakfast, then Pop-Up Breakfasts may be for you! The Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets are hosting six breakfasts throughout the summer and fall. The outdoor breakfasts are in the bright and cheerful spaces of the Westside and Scotts Valley Markets. Sit down at a long table among friends and farmers to enjoy the multi-course meal while local chefs serve you sensational mixes of simple cuisine. Not only will you leave satisfied, but you may find that you become well-informed on local growing practices that will leave you truly inspired.
Tickets are $30-$32 and sell out quickly. Registration begins at 9:30 am and eating commences at 10 am. Diners are requested to provide their own plate and cutlery, with everything else being provided. Menus and Tickets are available here.

Love Apple Farms

6a00d8346ffdca53ef017d4327411f970c-350wi Love Apple Farms, a gardening and cooking educational center nestled in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains, is a foodie’s oasis. With a farm known for their heirloom tomatoes and a restaurant that rivals most, visitors have the opportunity to experience the bounty of the land. Love Apple Farms hosts a variety of cooking and gardening classes. that require advance registration as they fill up quickly.
If you are looking to enjoy a farm fresh meal amidst the spectacular garden beds, Love Apple Farms holds farm dinners on their glorious property. This four course meal is served family style at the farm table. As you enjoy the delicious meal, take in the beautiful blue sky and the view of Monterey Bay off in the distance. Reservations are a must for this unforgettable meal.

A Taste of Santa Cruz November 14, 2013

Screen shot 2013-06-05 at 3.47.20 PM The 9th Annual ‘Taste of Santa Cruz’ is sure to be successful once again. A fundraising event for the Santa Cruz County Association of REALTORS Housing Foundation, the event features over 30 of the best local restaurants, wineries, and breweries. Between tasting the delicious food and sipping on wine, there will be a silent auction which offers selections from local artisans and vendors. This event will be held November 14, 2013 from 5:30 to 9 pm at Coconut Grove
400 Beach Street
Santa Cruz, CA
For a complete list of participants and to purchase tickets, visit the Taste of Santa Cruz’s website.

Santa Cruz is a wonderful ocean-front city with an array of things to do. If you are visiting for only a short period of time, read how Chelsea and her family experienced much of Santa Cruz in just 24 hours.

Food is about so much more that providing nutrition for the body; it is about creating a sense of community and feeding the soul. Santa Cruz promises to satisfy both the pleasure and the necessity of food.