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.
On Saturday afternoon, get a delicious sneak peek of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music at A Taste of the Festival at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County in Aptos. An afternoon of solo and chamber music performances by festival orchestra musicians includes wine tastings from local winemakers and special hors d’oeuvres from local tastemakers La Posta and Oswald Restaurant and chef David Graham of Geisha Japanese Restaurant And Tea House. Tickets are $120. Proceeds benefit the 2025 festival lineup.
This Sunday, sample Central Coast wines while exploring downtown Santa Cruz at the spring Wine Walk. Receive a glass at the check-in at Oswald Restaurant at 121 Soquel Ave., and wander at your own pace at 12 pouring locations along Pacific Avenue and nearby side streets. Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 day-of. Must be 21 or older.
Best of Santa Cruz County food and drink events, May 16-22
Here are some upcoming local food and drink events you might be interested in:
Friday, May 16
- Food Truck Friday – May | 5 p.m. @ Skypark
Saturday, May 17
- Berry U-Pick at the UCSC Farm | 9 a.m. @ CASFS Farm and Garden
- A Taste of the Festival | 2:30 p.m. @ Community Foundation Santa Cruz County | $120
Sunday, May 18
- GF Bakery Pop Up | 9 a.m. @ Verve Coffee Roasters 41st Avenue
- Backyard Series: Preserving Blueberries | 10 a.m. @ Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn | $15
- Pie for the People – Spring 2025 Pie Potluck | 1 p.m. @ Homeless Garden Project Farm Stand
- Wine Walk | 3 p.m. @ Downtown Santa Cruz | $39
Monday, May 19
- Monday Happy Hours | 3 p.m. @ Aptos Vineyard
Tuesday, May 20
- Taco & Trivia Tuesday | 7 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill
Wednesday, May 21
- Downtown Santa Cruz farmers market | 1 p.m. | Cedar Street & Lincoln Street