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.
Gourmet Grazing on the Green, one of Santa Cruz County’s premier tasting events, returns Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at Aptos Village Park. At this all-inclusive event, dozens of chefs, restaurants, catering companies and cottage food businesses share small bites, while local wineries and breweries offer unlimited tastes of wine and craft beer. This is a fundraiser for Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of those living with cancer in Santa Cruz County. Tickets are $99.
This weekend, 16 organic Santa Cruz County farms will open their doors for tours, u-picks, tastings and special events for the 12th annual Open Farm Tours. This year, the weekend is divided geographically, with tours at seven South County farms on Saturday and nine North County farms on Sunday. For $25, the Friends & Family pass allows entry for one car (up to five people) to every event on both days. The event is family-friendly, with many farms offering kids activities.
Best of Santa Cruz County food and drink events, Oct. 10-16
Here are some upcoming local food and drink events you might be interested in:
Friday, Oct. 10
- Open Farms, Open Table: A farm-to-table dinner with chef Jessica Yarr | 5 p.m. @ Pajaro Pastures
- 29th Annual Farm Dinner | 5:30 p.m. @ Land Trust of Santa Cruz County “Little Bee Barn”
- Vine to View Dinner Series – Orin Swift Winery | 6:30 p.m. @ Chaminade Resort & Spa
- Welcome Black BBQ | 2 p.m. @ Stevenson Knoll, UC Santa Cruz
Saturday, Oct. 11
- Aptos Farmers Market | 8 a.m. @ Cabrillo College
- Open Farm Tours | 11 a.m. @ South County farms
- Food Truck Saturday | Noon @ Capitola Mall, Old Sears building parking lot
- Grazing on the Green | Noon @ Aptos Village Park
- Pumpkin Day at the Rose Farm | 1 p.m. @ the Rose Farm
- Parker Presents Bill Oysterman Bubbles & Oysters | 1 p.m. @ MJA Vineyards Westside
- Oktoberfest | 2 p.m. @ Mission West Bar
- Teaching Kitchen Education Dinner: Sea-to-Table Exploration | 4:30 p.m. @ 1440 Multiversity | SOLD OUT
Sunday, Oct. 12
- Live Oak Farmers Market | 9 a.m. @ East Cliff Village Shopping Center
- Autumn Fest | 10 a.m. @ Companion Bakeshop Westside
- Brunch on the Farm | 10 a.m. @ Pajaro Pastures
- Open Farm Tours | 11 a.m. @ North County farms
- Boots ‘N Brews | 3 p.m. @ Murray Street & Seabright Avenue
Monday, Oct. 13
- Indigenous People’s Day | Noon @ Quarry Plaza, UC Santa Cruz
- Keg of Honor Mondays | Noon @ Discretion Brewing
Tuesday, Oct. 14
- Pumpkin Decorating Bonanza at Felton Farmers Market | 1:30 p.m. @ Felton Farmers Market
Wednesday, Oct. 15
- Halloween Cookie Party for Adults | 6 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill