[Travel Saturdays] The Perfect Saturday in Santa Cruz

Last Saturday, Carrie and I continued our reunion in Santa Cruz following my trip to the city. Carrie and I first hit up Kelly's for some coffee, bagels and scones. Then Tawsh, Carrie and I went to the organic plant sale at the base of the UCSC campus, then headed to the arboretum to browse through some of the gorgeous plants. Of course, I gravitated straight toward the succulents :-). Then we met Grant, Jason, and Leah to hike through the Garden of Eden to the Watering Hole to meet Kat and her friends and headed to Kat's Redwood Pizzeria for a delicious early dinner. We ended the night at the Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery and downtown at the Catalyst. BTW our favorite beers at the SCMB were the pale ale and the IPA - yay organic beers!

This last picture was taken at the Brewery and I love it.

Directions to the Watering Hole: If heading from Santa Cruz, take the 9 up about 4 miles. After a hairpin turn (and there are a lot of these so look out!), you will see a parking lot next to a set of green gates with a small sign listing the park hours. Park at the lot and head left from the lot down the trail and follow it down to a little roundabout. Take a right here and you will hit the train tracks. Also go left at the train tracks. On the right you will see the river and about ten to fifteen minutes after this, you will be able to "hike" down to the watering hole - bring a bathing suit!

[Travel Saturdays] Santa Cruz Memories

I just recently reunited with my DLSR, which was sadly sitting in my room at home while I was in London. I found the photos from when Carrie visited me in Santa Cruz in January. We had a day of coffee at Lulus, thrifting in downtown and beaching. A gorgeous day with a gorgeous lady :-) Excited to see her in a couple of weeks - love you girl!

[Travel Saturdays] Looking Forward to Tomorrow in Santa Cruz

Photo by Eros Hoagland for The New York Times

In anticipation of our meet-up in Santa Cruz tomorrow, I'm sharing the NY Times' travel page for the city. The NY Times is one of my favorite places to look before I take a weekend trip somewhere. Yay for us being reunited after not seeing each other for a year and a half (can you believe that, Amber!?! Let's never do that again.).

[Travel Saturdays] Santa Cruz, California

This post is a bit of a misnomer. I didn't actually visit Santa Cruz, California once. Or twice. Or even three times. Over the past two years, I have been there a countless number of times to visit my bro and our amigos. And I have compiled a few of my fave places in the area:

Verve: Free wi-fi, plenty of outlets, good light and art. And the coffee is bomb. Expertly roasted and brewed. The best latte I've had in NorCal. 816 41st Ave.

Cole's BBQ: A little shack on the East Side. Great to sit outside on a warm day. Just order everything -- succulent meat bathed in BBQ sauce. Need I say more? 2590 Portola Dr.

Lillian's Italian Kitchen: New and crowded, but worth the wait. It can be a little noisy, but the food is stupendous. I would have to say some of the best Italian gnocchi I've ever had (and I've been to Italy.) Order the Gnocchi with the Cremini Mushrooms. If you're in for a long wait, grab a drink at the Crepe Place down the street. 1116 Soquel.

Pacific Ave: The main downtown street in Santa Cruz. Packed with independent bookstores, Lulu's (order the Bowl of Soul,) and the cutest vintage stores and boutiques known to man.

Love Dog: Got my first tattoo here. Experienced, efficient staff and pretty legit prices. Sure, Staircase is more famous, but the wait and cost just aren't worth it. 1115 Soquel.

Westcliff: I'm jealous that my bro lived a block away from this amazing street. It runs along the bluffs with beautiful ocean on one side and architectural gems on the other. I would usually do a morning run from Natural Bridges (the beach) to the Lighthouse. Beautiful sea air, hot surfers and a nice running path? Sign me up.

[Get Involved Tuesdays] UCSC Homeless Garden Project

Instead of ignoring the homeless problem in Santa Cruz, California, the Citizens Committee for the Homeless began the Homeless Garden Project in 1990 to provide transitional living assistance to homeless citizens. They created sustainable farming in a college town, capitalizing on student help through an internship opportunity through UC Santa Cruz. The farm is 2.5 acre property where homeless men and women are welcome to learn organic farming as part of a transitional living program. In exchange for working the farm, they receive hot meals. The organic produce is locally grown and sold at farmers’ markets and to local restaurants. In addition, the Homeless Garden Project offer job-training and employment, in the form of mock interviews and application review for individuals in need.

The job-training includes the Natural Bridges Farm, where workers learn to sow, cultivate, and harvest produce; the Homegrown Gardens, where workers learn horticultural skills and nursery operations (customer service, inventory, etc.;) and the Women’s Organic Flower Enterprise, which teaches flower-arranging and secures wholesale orders from local business.

The organization also provides trainees with information on housing, counseling, physical and mental health services.

I think this project was an effective way to help others by maximizing on local strengths (agriculture.) The success of this project makes me wonder if similar ideas could be implemented in other areas with different products/services.




photos courtesy of the Homeless Garden Project