News

Write to the RTC on the Rail Corridor

April 27, 2020 by Seb Frey

The Coastal Rail Trail — Tell the RTC Your Thoughts on the Future of our Rail Corridor

The Regional Transportation Commission will soon decide if the Santa Cruz Rail Corridor will be used for passenger rail, or some kind of bus service. They are working on a Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis – but they are only looking at two alternatives – fixed rail and bus.

This web site has frequently made the case that the best use of the corridor isn’t for passenger rail. Many (most!) Aptos residents are likely also opposed to any capital-intensive, low-use projects envisioned in the corridor. Please write to the RTC today at transitcorridoraa@sccrtc.org or info@sccrtc.org or via their Contact Us web page.

Read a good book lately?

If you have some room on your reading list, I invite you to read my book Get It Sold! It's an easy read (just 110 pages!) and it tells you everything you need to know about selling your home quickly, easily, and at absolute peak pricing. I'll send it to you for free - no shipping charge either!

OK Send me a Copy!

Suggested Talking Points for a Message to the RTC

I’m writing to let you know that I OPPOSE the rail transit options and the bus option on the rail corridor. The rail options however are far worse than bus, because…

Rail transit will not move more people faster nor for less money than bus transit.
Rail transit is more NOT accessible, less comfortable, and louder for riders and neighbors. It also does not go where people need to go.
Rail transit will operate in a corridor creating additional traffic congestion in residential neighborhoods, so provides the least reliable service: NEVER on time any time.
Rail transit CANNOT be implemented sooner than bus transit, it will have NO IMPACT to be able to travel car-free, it WILL NOT lower our emissions, it WILL NOT fight global warming, and will have NO IMPACT to escape traffic congestion sooner.
Rail banking WORKS and absolutely protects 100% of the existing 32 mile rail corridor from easement threats. The Great Redwood Trail in Northern California is using rail banking for a distance 10 times longer than the Santa Cruz Corridor with not easement threats. The only threat here is from the extremists at the Friend of the Rail Trail.

Choosing rail transit means construction of the Coastal Rail Trail is ALREADY delayed and WILL NOT be completed within 10 years. Plans for the rail trail are shoddy and ridiculously expensive.

Bus Rapid Transit/Bus on Shoulder along Highway 1 offers South County riders the same access to improved public transportation as North County riders, RAIL transit does not. It would also clearly show single occupant vehicle drivers that there isa faster way to Santa Cruz.

Rail transit WILL NEVER double the use of public transportation county-wide. Please use SMART as an excellent example of Rail Transit Failure. You cannot get an entire county to accept the burden of financing public tranportation for 2% of the population.

Rail transit is THE MOST expensive to operate and maintain so, over time, rail transit will BANKRUPT SANTA CRUZ METRO.

Funding to implement passenger rail service is NOT REALISTICALLY identified in the State Rail Plan. With COVID-19, we will also be taking a massive hit to revenue in the county, making paying for such capital intensive projects even less feasible.

Tearing up the existing tracks to replace them with a road for buses or commuter rail would create environmental trauma such as TOXIC CLEANUP FROM DECADES OF PESTICIDES, GREASES and OTHER WASTER along with demolition waste, grading, miles of new pavement, and digging for storm drainage systems. This is minimized by replacing the tracks with an active transportation trail and keeping mass transit on the Highway 1 corridor where it belongs.

Rail provides the LEAST easiest access and minimal amount of bike storage per vehicle (rail 20 or more, most buses can only carry around 3). WE DON’T WANT A PLACE TO STORE OUR BIKES, WE WANT A PLACE TO SAFELY RIDE OUR BIKES!

It doesn’t matter if rail provides the access for wheelchairs if it is difficult to get to the locations to ride the train and to get to a final destination as the centuries old rail line does not pass through any current day employment area, government center or higher learning campus. Rail on a signle track cannot accommodate more people with personal mobility devices.

STOP WASTING OUR TIME WITH THESE STUDIES! STOP THE MADNESS OF RAIL AND THEIR SPECIAL INTERESTS AND BUILD A TRAIL ON THE CORRIDOR NOW!

What's YOUR Aptos House Value?

Aptos Home Prices — Find YOUR Home's Value!

Interested to know what your Aptos house is worth in today's real estate market? Then head over to SellForSure.com for an instant, on-line evaluation of your Aptos home's value.

Ultra-Premium Affordable Home Debuts in Aptos

January 29, 2020 by Seb Frey

The future of affordable housing is here, and it’s at the Aptos Pines Mobile Home Park. Local company Joy Line Homes is offering the home for sale, and it’s unlike anything you’ve likely ever seen in a mobile home park, anywhere. The home consists of 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,640 square feet and is currently listed at $639,000.

$639,000 might not sound very affordable, but for a brand new home of this size in Aptos, it would be almost impossible to imagine something like this selling for anything less than $900,000. Of course, Aptos Pines Mobile Home Park isn’t in a prime bay bluff neighborhood like, say, Rio del Mar – but it is a park where the you own the land, too. That keeps the HOA fee low (about $165/month) and provides significant appreciation in value over time.

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Every home in Aptos is unique, and finding just the right home can be like finding that needle in a haystack. Fortunately, now there's SantaCruz.RealEstate, featuring the best search engine for Aptos homes and real estate available online today!

Even at the asking price, many people prospective Aptos home buyers would consider it to be at least a relatively affordable home – but it is nothing like any affordable home most people have ever seen. It has a stunning design and feels almost like a luxury home – more so than all but some of the finest in Aptos.

The home boasts:

3,250sf deeded lot
Clean lines, high ceilings, open floor plan, and custom features throughout
Chef’s dream kitchen with quartz-slab waterfall countertops, expansive island with sink and eat-in bar, built-in gas cooktop, stainless steel appliances
Courtyard-style front deck
Generously sized master suite with a glass-walled bathroom, walk-in shower, and large walk-in closet
Office/Den/3rd bedroom with distinctive glass partition wall!

Catch Episode 50 of the Bay to Bay Podcast with special guest Ben West, founder of Joy Line Homes! Click here to have a listen

While $639,000 is obviously out of reach for many buyers, the price is due in large part to the cost of the land. Ben West, the home’s designer and founder of Joy Line Homes, says most homes he delivers end up costing around $150 per square foot, delivered, installed, and finished on-site. This is a dramatically lower cost than for “stick-built” homes, which often end up costing $350-$450 per square foot (excluding land, permitting, and other soft costs).

Santa Cruz County has recently relaxed restrictions on the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and in fact they have waived permit fees for accessory dwelling units. Many Aptos and Santa Cruz home owners are considering constructing a “granny flat” in the back yard. At $150 per square foot, a 640sf ADU should be able to be built for just over $100,000.

The way we build housing in California is changing, and it is exciting to see that a local company is out in the forefront, bringing innovative solutions to our address our acute housing crisis.

Click the Image Below to see the Listing Details

Joy Line Homes – The Pines Video Tour

Read a good book lately?

21 Eugenia Ave – Photo Slideshow Gallery

County Supervisor Candidates Forum to be held in Aptos

January 8, 2020 by Seb Frey

Come out and join your community at Cabrillo College on Wednesday, January 29th from 6:30-8:30pm to hear from candidates running for Santa Cruz County Supervisor. This will be your chance to ask and hear from them directly about the issues that matter most to our community.

All candidates running for County Supervisor in the 1st, 2nd, and 5th Districts are invited to attend and offer their perspective about how we can make Santa Cruz County a better place to live and work.

The forum will be moderated by Aptos resident and man-about-town Steve Bennet, the Santa Cruz Sentinel Advertising Director. Each candidate will be given the opportunity to make a brief opening statement before being asked about the most important issues facing our community. These include homelessness and housing, transportation and traffic, environmental protection, and the County’s budget. Members of the audience will also be given the chance to submit questions via 3×5 cards, which will be curated by the moderator.

This event is free and open for all to attend, and parking will be available on site at Cabrillo College. You do not need to RSVP to attend, but you are invited to register so they organizers can plan for seating. Use this link to register.

This is a great opportunity to hear from candidates who, if elected, will be able to positively impact the direction of our county. There is little disagreement in the community that we face many and growing challenges, very few of which are being successfully managed by the current Board of Supervisors. Your vote counts, and participating in our democracy by attending this event is something you can do to lend your will toward making a positive change.

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Cabrillo College Measure R on March 2020 Ballot

January 8, 2020 by Seb Frey

Vote Yes on Measure R for Cabrillo College

The Board of Trustees of Cabrillo College has put together a new bond measure to appear on the March 3, 2020 primary ballot. Ballot Measure R will seek to raise $274.1 million dollars to improve facilities at both the Aptos and Watsonville campuses.

County residents may recall that there was a larger, $310 million bond measure for Cabrillo in 2016 (Measure Q). This effort failed to win the minimum necessary 55% “Yes” to pass – it fell about 1% short. This time around, the Trustees have put together a plan that has better support among students and faculty, and it is hoped that in 2020, the community will lend enough to support to get the measure passed.

Read a good book lately?

Specifically, this money will be spent on the following projects:

$84 Million: New Science Building
$72.9 Million: Library Renovation and Secondary Effects
$60.7 Million: Major Renovation of 200 Building to Co-Locate All Student Services
$23 Million: Watsonville Public Safety Center
$17 Million: IT and Facilities Allocation
$11 Million: Building 350 – Reconfigure Instructional Classrooms for Larger Lecture Halls
$3 Million: Building 500, 600, 1600 Modernization – CA State Match –
$2.5 Million: Critical Needs (emergency fixes)

Less specifically, the money will be used to:

Upgrade training classrooms to prepare students for 21st-century careers
Prepare more students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities
Improve educational resources for returning veterans
Update classroom technology and science, engineering and math labs
Expand access to college classrooms for people with disabilities
Upgrade aging classrooms and replace outdated wiring and sewer lines
Establish a public safety training center in Watsonville to train local firefighters and police to serve our community

If it passes, Measure R would impose a district-wide, 30-year property tax of $19 per $100,000 of assessed value. It is important to note that because of Proposition 13, assessed value is often much less than market value. Property owners that purchased years ago may have an assessed value of, say, $300,000 but a market value of $850,000 – in this case, those property owners would be looking at a $57/year increase in property taxes. If, however, you paid $1,000,000 for a home last year in the district, the assessed value will be roughly the same – meaning you’d be paying an additional $190/year in taxes in that case.

What's YOUR Aptos House Value?

Interested to know what your Aptos house is worth in today's real estate market? Then head over to SellForSure.com for an instant, on-line evaluation of your Aptos home's value.

The Board of Trustees is optimistic that the 2020 Measure R will be successful when 2016 Measure Q failed. The 2016 effort was not well planned, whereas boosters of the 2020 measure say the plan for how the money will be spent has been very carefully considered to closely align with the needs of the student body and the community.

Cabrillo College has put together a dedicated Yes on R web site, and has additional information on the bond measure on their main site.

In the most recent episode of the Bay to Bay Podcast, host Seb Frey discusses what’s going on at Cabrillo College, and spends about half the episode discussing the ins and outs, whys and wherefores of the 2020 Bond Measure R. You can listen to that below:

https://baytobaypodcast.com/2020/01/08/episode-49-cabrillo-college-in-2020

See also:

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Discussion of the Anti-Chinese Movement in Late 19th Century Santa Cruz

January 4, 2020 by Seb Frey

Local author, historian, and professor Traci Bliss will discuss the anti-Chinese movement in Santa Cruz County during the late 19 th century. Bliss will share compelling stories of resilience and humanity from her forthcoming book Evergreen Cemetery of Santa Cruz (Arcadia History Press, May 2020.). This event will be held January 28, 2020 at the Soquel Congregational Church, Parrish Hall at 4951 Soquel Drive, Soquel 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.

This event is part of the Our Community Reads program hosted by the Friends of the Aptos Library. . This year’s selected book for Our Community Reads is Patriot Number One by Lauren Hilgers, which tells the true account of a couple who emigrate from Southeastern China to the U.S.

This is the first of thirteen events: films, discussion groups, art & culture, lectures and more that are offered by the Friends of the Aptos, La Selva and Capitola Libraries.All events are free and open to the public. Visit FriendsOfAptosLibrary.org to see the complete list of events, presenter information and details.

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Nutcracker Returns to Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater

November 20, 2019 by Seb Frey

The Santa Cruz City Ballet brings its production of the Nutcracker to Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater this December for the ninth year running! Kick off the Holidays with tradition and family fun. Add some sparkle to your season with the magical Nutcracker Ballet, a spectacular performance sure to delight and inspire. Gorgeous costumes, dazzling sets, and exquisite dancing!

Santa Cruz City Ballet @ International Academy of Dance will present the full length Nutcracker Ballet with local talent and guest artists from the Bay Area and beyond. What better way to bring in the season than with smiles, laughter, and joy?

There will be a total of four performances over two days – Saturday, December 14th and Sunday, December 15th, at 1:00 PM and again at 4:00 PM.

Tickets are available for purchase online using this link.

Children 2 and under sitting on your lap are free, all other tickets are $28, $35, or $40 apiece. There are discounts available for groups of 15 or more. More information is available on NutcrackerSantaCruz.com.

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Initiative Requiring Voter Approval for Santa Cruz Passenger Rail

November 18, 2019 by Seb Frey

Ballot Initiative to give the people the power to best spend transportation dollars

Ever since the Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC, or just RTC) acquired the Santa Cruz Branch Line Rail Corridor, there’s been a lot of debate surrounding just what the future of the corridor would be. The RTC is championing an extravagant vision of an active rail line built alongside a pedestrian and bicycle path, which a number of “feeder” trails leading into and out of different areas along the 32 mile length of the corridor. This plan is known as the Monterey Bay Scenic Sanctuary Trail (MBSST), and it’s won accolades and plaudits from many corners.

As much as the MBSST plan has been praised, it has likewise been heavily criticized by a large contingent of the public who feels that passenger rail service is not economically viable for a relatively small population base. There’s been a spirited debate online for a number of years between those seeking some kind of active rail transportation in the corridor, and those who prefer a “trail only” or “greenway” – which would be essentially a linear park with a wide multi-modal trail that would accommodate walkers, runners, cyclists, skateboards, and other personal transportation devices which may not yet have been invented.

As the RTC continues to advocate and plan for a “rail and trail” dual use in the corridor, opponents of the rail are organizing an initiative to be put before Santa Cruz county voters on the November 2020 ballot. The initiative will be titled “A MEASURE REQUIRING AN ELECTION TO APPROVE ANY CONTINUED OR FUTURE WORK FOR THE RAIL + TRAIL PROJECT.” Notice of this initiative was recently published in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, a formal requirement to begin the official process for getting the measure on the ballot.

If approved by voters, the initiative would:

Require a majority of voters (at least 51%) to approve the continuation of any work related to a “Rail + Trail” Project in a regular election;
Prohibit the RTC from taking any action that would authorize or permit the construction, studies, and/or continuation of a “Rail + Trail” project, or incurring any related debt or bonds, unless such election is held;
Suspend any work currently in progress or associated with the “Rail and Trail” project until such election is held;
Permit a “Trail Only” or “Greenway” project to proceed without any additional voter approval;
Supersede and override any and all other requirements under which the RTC is governed; and
Apply retroactively from the date the measure was found to have qualified for placement on the ballot.

A copy of the initiative can be downloaded using this link.

Those interested in helping gather signatures for the initiative are encouraged to contact Bill Smallman, who can be found hanging out on the Facebook group Rail AND/OR Trail Vote Group which he created for the purpose of facilitating this effort.

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony 2019 Fall Concert

November 5, 2019 by Seb Frey

The Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony, under the direction of Nathaniel Berman, will be giving its 2019 Fall Concert on Sunday, November 17th 2019 at 3 PM at the UCSC Music Recital Hall (402 McHenry Road on the UC Santa Cruz campus).

The acclaimed group will perform music by Malcolm Arnold, Aaron Copland, and Arturo Márquez, plus “Poem for Flute and Orchestra,” by Charles T. Griffes, featuring 16-year-old Hunter Bauman (pictured) on flute.

Also included: the world premiere of “Reflections of a 16-Year-Old Girl,” by Bay Area teen composer Miranda Yu. This promises to be a delightful and exceptional way to spend a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon! Children will be inspired to see other kids their age performing at such a high level. Adults will be amazed by the depth and beauty of the performance.

Homemade cookies and cakes for sale at intermission. FREE admission for students 18 and younger. Adults $15, Seniors $10, Students 19–24 $5. Tickets available online and at the door. Please support the arts in our community and plan to attend – and bring a friend! This is a terrific way to start the holiday season.

Meet the Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Fire Safe Council Presents Wildfire “Home Hardening” Events

October 8, 2019 by Seb Frey

The Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County invites county residents and building professionals to attend any one of six free presentations being held Oct. 22 – Nov. 9 that are designed to provide education about how to make your home better able to withstand wildfires. Attendees will learn best practices to improve personal and structure safety, as well as “do and don’t” guidelines for the critical five foot area immediately surrounding a home. The presentations are made possible through a partnership with CSAA Insurance Group.

Dates and locations include:

Tues., Oct. 22
2pm-4pm
Highland Park Senior Center
8500 Highway 9
Ben Lomond

Tues., Oct. 22
7pm-9pm
Santa Cruz Police Dept.
Community Room
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz

Sat., Oct. 26
10am-12pm
Watsonville Civic Center
Community Room
Watsonville

Sat., Oct. 26
2pm-4pm
Aptos Grange
255 Mar Vista Road
Aptos

Wed., Oct. 30
7pm-9pm
Loma Prieta School
23800 Summit Road
Los Gatos

Sat., Nov. 9
2pm-4pm
Corralitos Women’s Club
33 Browns Valley Road
Watsonville

RSVPs are encouraged at www.firesafesantacruz.org/home-hardening-events-2019

About the Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County

The mission of the Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County is to educate and mobilize the people of Santa Cruz County to protect their community, homes and environment from wildfire. Learn more at www.firesafesantacruz.org and www.facebook.com/firesafesantacruzcounty.

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Best Halloween Activities And Events for Santa Cruz 2019

October 8, 2019 by Seb Frey

It’s the time of year that the fog disappears, the days grow short and the nights grow cool. In other words, it’s October, when thoughts turn to pumpkin spiced lattes and the Halloween festivities that make for fun and memorable times with friends and family. We’ve compiled here a selection of the best Halloween events and activities in and around Santa Cruz for 2019.

BEST PUMPKIN PATCHES

Rodoni Pumpkin Patch

4444 Coast Rd,Santa Cruz, California 95060

(831) 426-0666

www.rodonifarms.com

https://www.facebook.com/Rodoni-Farms-Organic-Pumpkins-Produce-165513783535818/

Post Street Farm

122 Post St, Santa Cruz, California 95060

(831) 251-2946

Hours 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

The Great Pumpkin Patch (Soquel)

2125 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz 95065

(831) 479-4152

$5 per person hay rides, $5 cow train, $8 for the hamster ball things on the water. Very small pumpkins $5 each then the prices go up to $30 for the large ones.

9am-9pm

Crystal Bay Farms

40 Zils Rd, Watsonville, California 95076

The favorite of many with different activities for the family and look at the events they have during the month of October

Arata’s Pumpkin Farm

185 Verde Road, Half Moon Bay, CA

650-726-7548

About a 45 minute drive from Santa Cruz on Highway 1 in Half Moon Bay, Arata’s is open during the day with plenty of activities including hay rides, a petting zoo, and children’s train rides. But, for something different and a little scary (think older kids), try the hay maze and haunted barn at night! Be sure to visit Arata’s online for a full list of attractions and prices.

Usegi Farm

14485 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill, California 95046

Usegi Farm is a lot of fun, too. Corn maze, pumpkin cannons, tractor rides through a huge field of flowers, merry go round…our kids loved it when they were little.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Usegi-Farms-Pumpkin-Patch/226882774456891

Swank Farms in Hollister

It has a lot of fun activities: Pumpkin Patch, Photo Ops, Sunflowers, Delicious Food, Corn Maze and train. It’s opening day for our BRAND new Trail of Lights & Frights! The trail is a magical, lit up pathway through the woods, full of surprises! Bring the entire family out.

Open Fridays & Saturdays in October AND Halloween!

Lean more: www.swankfarms.com/trail-of-lights-and-frights

Find them on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/SwankFarms/

BEST EVENTS

Wilder Ranch State Park

Location: 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Heritage Harvest Festival

Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 11 AM – 3 PM

Expect historic tractors/engines, square dancing, hand cranked ice cream, living history demonstrations, children’s crafts & games, food for sale, apple tasting, and wagon rides.

Roaring Camp Railroads

Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party

Event dates: October 12-13, 19-20, 26-27
Train Departing Times: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1p, 2pm

Dress up for Halloween with favorites Thomas and Percy, for a 20-minute train ride, entertainment, and fun filled activities for the entire family. Your ticket includes a fun-filled day of activities: a train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine and Percy, Thomas & Friends themed entertainment, Storytelling and Video Viewing, Temporary Tattoos of Island of Sodor friends, and an Imagination Station with Arts & Crafts, a pumpkin patch and more. Guests will also can meet Sir Topham Hatt, the Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor.

Simpkins Family Swim Center

979 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95062

Floating pumpkin patch at Simpkins swim center

Date: Sunday, October 20, 2019 at 1 PM – 4 PM

Join us for our 4th annual Floating Pumpkin Patch Event on Sunday October 20th from 1 – 4 PM. Come swim with the pumpkins, ride the water slide, stand up paddle board in the deep end, and help raise money for learn-to-swim scholarships! There will be games and prizes for all who attend! Event entry fees = Adults $8; Children & Seniors $6; $5 per pumpkin & children 3 and under are free! For more information call the Swim Center at (831) 454-7960

Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange

1900 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95062

Glass Pumpkin Patch

Event: Oct 26 & 27 at 10 AM – 4PM

The Santa Cruz-Live Oak Glass Pumpkin Patch returns with golden leaves and autumn breezes!

For the annual Glass Pumpkin Patch sale! This year we have a Bumper Crop of beautiful hand-made glass pumpkins and gourds, in a gorgeous array of colors, in all sizes and for every budget. Chris Johnson has been busy in the hot shop creating amazing new designs for this much-loved event. No purchase required – all are welcome to come enjoy the beautiful art glass and autumn in the beautiful Grange Garden.

Capitola Village Halloween Parade

Date: October 27, 2019 @ 2 PM

Ghosts, goblins, boys and ghouls…join us for the annual Capitola Village Halloween Parade! Line up begins at 1:30pm in the Beach & Village Parking Lot above Capitola City Hall. Parade begins promptly at 2pm. Parade will head down Capitola Avenue, wind through Capitola Village to the Esplanade ending at Esplanade Park, where trick-or-treat bags, balloons, and refreshments will be waiting. New Leaf Community Market will be there with treats! Trick-or-treating at Capitola Village shops following parade.

Line up in the Beach & Village Parking Lot above Capitola City Hall at 1:30pm. Parade begins at 2pm. Parade will head down Capitola Avenue ending at Esplanade Park. Trick or Treat bags and refreshments at Esplanade Park.

Capitola Village Beach

Fourth annual SUP Gathering of the Sea Witches of Capitola

Date: Thursday, October 31, 2019 at 10 AM

Bring your boards and paddles. Informal paddle. Costume is required and knowledge of SUP also required. This year will be another fun SUP fest on the waters of Capitola Village. All costumed SUP Witches invited! Those needing to rent a board please contact Capitola Surf and Paddle at 831-435-6503. If they have enough interest they’ll open early to rent to those who need boards. So, if you need a board, contact them soon.

Read a good book lately?

Aptos Village

161 Aptos Village Way, Aptos, California

Aptos Community Halloween Parade

Date: October 31, 2019 Thursday, at 3 PM – 4 PM

We welcome children of all ages to join us at the 1st Annual Aptos Community Halloween parade in the new Aptos Village Green.

Show off your costume and parade around the village green and Stop into local businesses who will be participating in our Safe Halloween, before your trick-or-treat plans. in front of New Leaf Aptos.

https://www.facebook.com/events/527205078106415/

Crystal Bay Farms

Where: 40 Zils Rd, Watsonville, California 95076

Pumpkin Harvest Party Steven Graves Band & Doug Surfing Magician

Date: Sunday at 3 PM – 6 PM

Crystal bay farms for sure. Try and go on a weekend in October. Music, crafts fair purchase, and the best pumpkin patch around. Join the Steven Graves Band at the Crystal Bay Farms for a Pumpkin Patch Harvest Party with special guest Doug The Surfing Magician! There will be organic food and beer and crafts for the kids. DONATION ACCEPTED

https://www.facebook.com/events/750550615384477/

Farm Discovery at Live Earth

1275 Green Valley Rd, Watsonville, California 95076

Harvest Festival: Pumpkin Patch & Apples Bash

Date: October 19, 2019 at 10 AM – 3 PM

Fun on the Farm for the family! Tractor Rides, Apple Picking, Face Painting, Food, Ice Cream, Beer & Cider, Live Music & more

Agricultural History Project

2601 E Lake Ave, Watsonville, California 95076

2nd Saturday on the Farm – Halloween on the Farm

Date: October 12 Saturday at 11 AM – 3 PM

Bring your friends, family and neighbors and come on out to enjoy good old-fashioned fun! This month we will be celebrating Halloween on the Farm! Come in costume and Tractor or Treat with us! We will have pumpkin & gourd decorating, pumpkin games, crafts & a puppet show. This action-packed day is admission free, and donations are gladly accepted. It’s fun for the whole family!

https://www.facebook.com/events/2499149363634884/

What's YOUR Aptos House Value?

Interested to know what your Aptos house is worth in today's real estate market? Then head over to SellForSure.com for an instant, on-line evaluation of your Aptos home's value.

BEYOND SANTA CRUZ

49TH HALF MOON BAY ART & PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

Date: OCTOBER 19-20.

The World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor with a special display of gigantically enormous/heavyweight champion pumpkins, smashing entertainment with four stages of stellar live music, the home-spun Great Pumpkin Parade, boo-tiful harvest-inspired crafts, tasty Homestyle foods, premium wines, seasonal craft beer, pumpkin-infused ales, pumpkin-flavored artisanal cocktails, expert pumpkin carver Farmer Mike sculpting monster pumpkins into amazing one-of-a-kind masterpieces, photos with the gargantuan grand champion mega-gourd, pie-eating and costume contests, pumpkin carving for fun, the world’s largest mosaic pumpkin sculpture that measures 12-feet long, 11-feet high and weighs 10,000 pounds by artist Peter Hazel, the Xfinity Take 5 Lounge with giant screen TV, wet and wild waterballerz, ultra-thrilling bungee jump, Cornhole game area, Stay Cool Misting Tent, selfies and fun with the delightfully rotund, playful and mischievous Pumpkin Festival mascot “Gourdy”, and the Sunday-only “Made on the Coast” local artists block with art and live music, and the Sunday-only Great Pumpkin Run – 10k, 5k, Half Marathon and Kids’ Fun Run, plus sweet sponsor swag giveaways and samples. Festival admission is free. Pets are not allowed. Presented by the non-profit Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee which has raised several million dollars for community service organizations and civic improvements in its 49 year history.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2347876851948509/

46TH SAFEWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF

Date: OCTOBER 14

The Big Week launches with the World’s Greatest Gourd Growers and their titanic orbs doing battle in the 46th Annual SAFEWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF, the Super Bowl of weigh-offs, on Monday, October 14 (7 a.m., on the IDES Grounds, 735 Main Street, Half Moon Bay). Organizers are offering a hefty, world’s biggest top prize of $7 per pound and $30,000 in total prize money for a new world record entered at Half Moon Bay plus beefed up overall prize money going to the Top 20. Superstar grower Steve Daletas’ gorgeous and gargantuan 2,170-pound weigh-off champion mega-gourd obliterated a formidable field of heavyweight contenders in winning the 2018 Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Daletas is expected to return along with a host of accomplished, veteran growers to contend for the $30,000 world record prize. The Goliath grand champion mega-gourd, along with the top four heaviest weigh-off pumpkins, will be displayed at the Pumpkin Festival, October 19-20.

Santa Cruz KOA Spook-tacular

Every weekend in October, the Santa Cruz / Watsonville KOA has a “spook-tacular” Halloween celebration! Camping sites for this event are usually booked a year in advance, but you may be able to pay for a day pass to participate in the festivities.

See our special report on the Santa Cruz KOA Spook-tacular here.

News

Read a good book lately?

Suggested Talking Points for a Message to the RTC

What's YOUR Aptos House Value?

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Click the Image Below to see the Listing Details

Joy Line Homes – The Pines Video Tour

Read a good book lately?

21 Eugenia Ave – Photo Slideshow Gallery

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Read a good book lately?

What's YOUR Aptos House Value?

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Related Posts On AptosCommunityNews

Meet the Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

About the Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

BEST PUMPKIN PATCHES

Rodoni Pumpkin Patch

Post Street Farm

The Great Pumpkin Patch (Soquel)

Crystal Bay Farms

Arata’s Pumpkin Farm

Usegi Farm

Swank Farms in Hollister

BEST EVENTS

Wilder Ranch State Park

Roaring Camp Railroads

Simpkins Family Swim Center

Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange

Capitola Village Halloween Parade

Capitola Village Beach

Read a good book lately?

Aptos Village

Crystal Bay Farms

Farm Discovery at Live Earth

Agricultural History Project

What's YOUR Aptos House Value?

BEYOND SANTA CRUZ

49TH HALF MOON BAY ART & PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

46TH SAFEWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF

Santa Cruz KOA Spook-tacular

Looking for a Home in Aptos?