Here, find a curated list of the best food and drink events in Santa Cruz County for the coming week. At the top, I share my picks of unmissable local happenings.
The final pop-up brunch at the farmers market on Santa Cruz’s Westside is this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Guest chef Rodrigo Serna of Seabright’s La Posta will prepare a four-course feast featuring peak-season summer produce, cheese and meat from market vendors and nearby farms. Tickets are $80 to $150 on a sliding scale, and include beverages from local makers and vintners. Proceeds from the brunch support Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets’ educational programs.
On Thursday, downtown Santa Cruz is rolling out a new six-week series of weekly block parties. The Downtown Santa Cruz Sunset Market takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. in the parking lot next to the Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ downtown branch – aka Lot 16 – and features a night market of local artisans, farmers and businesses, food vendors and downtown restaurants, and live music. It’s free to enter.
Best of Santa Cruz County food and drink events, Aug. 8-14
Here are some upcoming local food and drink events you might be interested in:
Friday, Aug. 8
- Watsonville Farmers Market | 2 p.m. @ Downtown Watsonville
- Capitola: Food Truck Fridays | 4 p.m. @ Monterey Avenue Park
- Midtown Santa Cruz: Friday Summer Block Parties | 5 p.m. @ Midtown Block Party Lot
- Vine to View Dinner Series: Orin Swift Cellars & Winery | 5:30 p.m. @ Chaminade Resort & Spa
Saturday, Aug. 9
- Aptos Farmers Market | 8 a.m. @ Cabrillo College
- Farmers Market Pop-Up Brunch with Rodrigo Serna | 9 a.m. @ Westside Farmers Market
- Scotts Valley: Farmers Market | 9 a.m. @ Joe and Linda Alberti Clubhouse
- Wine & Déjeuner d’Ouvrier *French Worker’s Lunch* at Roberts Ranch | 11 a.m. @ Roberts Ranch Vineyards
Sunday, Aug. 10
- Sunday Morning Breakfast | 8 a.m. @ Market Street Senior Center
- Sunday Brunch Buffet | 9 a.m. @ Chaminade
- Live Oak Farmers Market | 9 a.m. @ East Cliff Shopping Center
Monday, Aug. 11
- Game Night August edition | 5 p.m. @ Aptos Vineyard Tasting Room
Tuesday, Aug. 12
- Board Game Playtesting at People’s Coffee | 6 p.m. @ People’s Coffee
Wednesday, Aug. 13
- Bricks & Beers at Steel Bonnet | 5 p.m. @ Steel Bonnet Brewing Company
Thursday, Aug. 14
- Weekly Farmstand | Noon @ Cowell Ranch Hay Barn
- Downtown Santa Cruz Sunset Market | 5 p.m. @ Lot 16 and Church Street between Cedar and Center Street
- Dinner & Auction | 5 p.m. @ Scopazzi’s
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