Santa Cruz is a vibrant mecca for wine tasting. There are more than a dozen vintners in this city. An urban renewal project has turned former warehouse space into a hip, trendy destination that also includes Kelly’s French Bakery, the New Leaf organic market, and some darling little shops. All are in renovated warehouse spaces on Ingalls and Swift Streets, clustered within an easily walkable couple of blocks on the westside of town off of Hwy. 1 near UC Santa Cruz; and Storrs Winery is nearby in the Old Sash Mill.

On Wednesday afternoon, after lunch, around 2:00pm, the shuttle will drop people who would like to join our social activity, wine tasting, at Swift Street. We arranged 3 wineries for wine tasting. Odonata Wine ($5 tasting fee), Equinox Cellars ($5 tasting fee)and Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard ($5 tasting fee).

After wine tasting, you may go back to your hotel in town by bus (You may get on Bus Route 3 on Fair Ave. near the intersection of it and Mission St., ride to Metro center and then walk to your hotel) or by walking.

Walking Option 1: 2.9 miles, along the beautiful West Cliff Dr. If you choose to walk, you will pass the Lighthouse Field, a focus point of street musicians and performers; and Boardwalk, where they will have a free movie on Wednesday night,free bands on the beach on Friday night and much more.

Walking Option 2: 1.7 miles, not through West Cliff Dr., a short cut to Boardwalk, the Wharf and the beach.

Walking map from Boardwalk to your hotel (about 25 minutes walk.)

If you want to walk only segment of the walking tour, Santa Cruz Yellow Cab taxi service is available by calling 831 423 1234.

For those of you who may want to have dinner there, the nearby Bonny Doon Vineyard has a gourmet restaurant called Le Cigare Volant (reservations encouraged).

Please be aware of our coastal summer weather climate that often changes quite dramatically throughout the day.