Places

Taqueria Los Gordos

October 16, 2019 by Seb Frey

Taqueria Los Gordos has been located in the Aptos Center Shopping Center for years, and has been serving up delicious taqueria fare to the hungry Aptos masses. Looking for a hot yummy carnitas burrito? A plate full of authentic Mexican street style tacos? Check!

And Taqueria Los Gordos is not just a favorite among Aptosians – witness the fact that they won the Good Times Magazine Best of Santa Cruz 2019! So if you’re looking to get a quick, tasty plate of Mexican food – and a healthy basket of chips, pico de gallo, and fresh salsa in Aptos – this is the spot!

Santa Cruz Monterey KOA

September 29, 2018 by Seb Frey

The Santa Cruz Monterey KOA is a special place. It’s one of the top-rated KOA’s in the nation, receiving an average of 4.5 stars on the KOA rating system from over 1,000 ratings. It was even featured on Episode 7 of Season 4 of the CBS reality series “Undercover Boss.”

There are a number of things that make this KOA a special place. To begin with, it’s located close enough to the beach that it’s easy to get to but doesn’t get too chilly from sea breezes. And it has a spacious swimming pool that is heated year-round, as there are many sunny and warm days throughout the year in Santa Cruz. There’s also a big hot tub next to the pool to keep you feeling warm and bubbly!

The campground offers a number of “Camping Cabins”, a few tent sites, and dozens of RV sites to choose from. There’s a large convenience store on site, selling all kinds of camping gear, food, beer and wine, and a lot of camping necessities you may have forgot to pack like marshmallow roasting sticks, firewood and the like. They offer free WiFi throughout the campground, and there’s a little train too that makes a circuit around the campground at no charge to vacationers.

The fun doesn’t stop there – they also have a mini golf course, gigantic jumping pillow for the kids to hop up and down on for hours, coconut palm climbing trees, outdoor cinema, vending machines, and a clubhouse with amusements for the children.

Whether you are coming in from out of town or a local looking for a great family “staycation”, the Santa Cruz / Monterey KOA is the place to go for fun and relaxation at an affordable price.

Santa Cruz Monterey KOA Photo Gallery

Epicenter Cycling

September 29, 2018 by Seb Frey

Epicenter Cycling in Aptos is the place to go for bicycles, accessories, and clothing in Aptos. It’s located in the Aptos Station shopping center, in Aptos Village, across from Aptos Village Park on the road to the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park.

I don’t know how the owners chose the name for Epicenter Cycling, but I’m speculating that it has something to do with the fact that the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake had its epicenter in the Forest of Nisene Marks, and that many bike riders who go riding in Nisene Marks purchase, rent, and have their bicycles serviced there at Epicenter Cycling.

The staff is friendly and helpful, offering expert suggestions and guidance for all levels of rider, from children to seniors. They are a Trek dealer, and so have a very wide selection of Trek bicycles. Trek also is the manufacturer of Electra bicycles. The Electra brand includes models that are beach cruisers rather than Trek’s traditional mountain bike offerings. They also offer a number of e-bikes, which is a growing market as consumers seek more environmentally friendly methods to get around town.

When you purchase any bike from Epicenter Cycling, they also offer free tune-ups for as long as you own the bike.

Epicenter Cycling Photo Gallery

Parish Publick House

August 29, 2018 by Seb Frey

For years, Aptos had an English style pub at the entrance to Aptos Village – the Britannia Arms. “The Brit” as it was known closed down in 2012 (although its Capitola location lives on), and was succeeded by asian-fusion Kauboi which lasted a couple of years before transforming into the Little Owl Kitchen, which ignominiously shuttered its doors after less than a year.

You wouldn’t say the location has been working like a charm – but now the site is occupied by the Parish Publick House, and it seems like it’s here to stay.

This is the second location for Parish – the first one is in downtown Santa Cruz. The same elements responsible for the success of the original location are at work in Aptos: good food, a full bar, and a rotating selection of locally brewed craft beers keeps the barstools, tables, and booths full most days of the week.

Nobody is going to mistake the food for haute cuisine – but they offer a solid selection of sandwiches, burgers, salads, and some “traditional favorites” like Shepherd’s Pie, Fish ‘n Chips, and Bangers and Mash.

Notably, they do keep the kitchen open until midnight seven days a week – which is pretty unusual for anywhere in Santa Cruz county, much less in Aptos. Also, they have a happy hour every day: Monday through Saturday (4 pm to 6 pm and 11 pm to Midnight) and Sunday (11 am to 6 pm and 11 pm to Midnight).

Parish Publick House Photo Gallery

Outside In Kids

April 23, 2018 by Seb Frey

Santa Cruz county is not known as a magnet for toy shops – and now with the closing of Toys ‘R’ Us, there are fewer places than ever to pick up toys in town. However, tucked away in the Aptos Center is Outside In Kids, a small but lovely toy shop with a good selection of quality toys for children of all ages. They eschew a lot of the super plasticky junk toys such as you’d have found at Toys R Us, and instead focus on higher quality, higher margin toys and books. If you’re looking for inexpensive gifts, this isn’t necessarily the shop for you – you’ll need to head to Target for that. But if you want to browse a good selection of carefully chosen merchandise for children, head on over and check out Outside In Kids. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by what they have to offer! Check out the photos in our photo gallery to get a feel for the place and the kind of items you’ll find there.

Outside In Kids Photo Gallery

Ace’s Flowers

April 23, 2018 by Seb Frey

Smack dab in the heart of the Aptos Center you’ll find Ace’s Flowers, who serves you with over 30 years of award winning floral design. They have a perfect Five Stars on Yelp after dozens of ratings, and were a Santa Cruz Sentinel’s Reader’s Choice in 2014 as well as being named Runner Up in the Good Times Best of Santa Cruz in both 2015 and 2016.

If you’re looking for flowers for any special occasion, this is the place to go. They do have a number of arrangements ready to go in their display case if you need to run in and grab something, but their forte is custom bouquets, vases, and arrangements. Their work is stunning, and the service impeccable! Go in and tell them what you need flowers for, and they’ll make great suggestions and create something perfect for the occasion right on the spot. You’d expect to pay a huge premium over what they charge at Safeway down the street, but their prices are really reasonable considering the quality and value they provide.

You can order flowers via their web site, and they even deliver locally (zip codes 95003, 95010, 95073, 95062, and some of 95076)! They’re open 10-5 Monday through Saturday, but they’re closed on Sunday.

If you’re looking for a truly exceptional florist right in your own back yard, look no further than Ace’s Flowers.

Klub Nico

April 17, 2017 by Seb Frey

Klub Nico was founded by Kelley A. Lehner in 2005, and has had a retail location in Aptos at the Deer Park Shopping Center since 2013. Klub Nico styles provide the modern woman with footwear that combines femininity, sophistication, style, and value. Klub Nico styles offer superior quality that brings together a blend of mixed materials, fresh silhouettes, and bold unexpected colors. The collection evolves every season to encapsulate new trends and classic styles. Beautifully crafted in Brazil, the Klub Nico line is comprised of heels, flats, sandals, booties, boots and sneakers that fit well and look great. The collection retails at major department stores, specialty boutiques, online fashion retailers, and at the Klub Nico boutique in Aptos.

Bella Vista Italian Kitchen and Bar – CLOSED

March 3, 2017 by Seb Frey

Bella Vista Italian Kitchen and Bar has CLOSED!

Bella Vista Italian Kitchen and Bar is the newest eatery in Aptos. It’s located in the famous Bayview Hotel, in Aptos Village. The Bayview Hotel has hosted a number of restaurants in recent years, but Bella Vista is under distinct ownership and management. It first opened its doors in late February 2017, and it quickly won accolades from many Aptosians looking for traditional and authentic Italian cuisine.

Bella Vista is the work of Jan Johnson, whose family built an Aptos beach home in the 1940’s. She’s owned and managed a number of restaurants over the years, and never thought she’d want to do it again…until she realized what an opportunity she had with the Bayview Hotel location. She had looked at a lot of locations in and around Aptos, but the allure of the Bayview won her over. According to her, “You just can’t replace the ambience of this location.”

The interior of the restaurant was completely refreshed for Bella Vista – it’s a transformation. The design is clean and classic 19th century; the feeling is warm and inviting, which is exactly how Johnson describes her reception by the local community. She attests that even competing restauranteurs in the area have been supportive.

The chef is a native of Italy, hailing from Napoli. He’s worked in restaurants throughout the world and all over California. He is dedicated to his craft; he hand-rolls the gnocchi and and rolls and stuffs the ravioli by hand too.

The wine list – featuring wines from Italy and California (mostly on the central coast) – was prepared by the head waiter Sandro, the former owner of Star Bene and Ristorante Da Mario in Saratoga. Bob Marsh, who runs the the local Birichino winery whose wines are featured, also helped with the wine list.

The restaurant has a Mugnaini wood-fired clay oven in the back yard, which they use for braising their own meats…and for making pizza as well. The pizza uses caputo flour from Italy, which gives their hand-tossed crust a very distinctive flavor.

They have live music every Friday night, and other musicians may drop by on other nights of the week to strike up a tune.

Bella Vista Italian Kitchen and Bar is a huge and very refreshing departure from recent restaurants located within the Bayview. It’s got all the makings of a great spot for date night. If you’re looking for something new and exciting to try in Aptos, take a step back in time and check out the new Bella Vista.

Bella Vista Italian Kitchen and Bar Photo Gallery

Garrett Jewelers in Aptos

January 2, 2017 by Seb Frey

Garrett Jewelers in the Seascape Village Shopping Center has been run by Yvonne and Jeff Garrett for over 18 years. Between the two of them, they have decades of experience in the jewelry business. They know quality jewelry when they see it, and that’s what you’ll find when you step inside Garrett Jewelers in Aptos.

The shop is unlike your typical mall jewelers – you won’t find carbon copy, cookie cutter jewelry here. Instead, you’ll find unique and distinctive pieces from renown jewelry designers both here locally in Santa Cruz county, and from around the world. Most of the items they sell simply can’t be found in any other jewelry store anywhere, because they are truly one of a kind.

They don’t just sell jewelry, either – consider them your local Aptos jewelry experts. Have a question about a piece’s value or authenticity? Need to have a gem stone set into a ring or necklace? Have a special piece of jewelry that needs repair? Need advice on what kind of jewelry you should get for that special someone? Then stop on by Garrett Jewelers in the Seascape Village Shopping Center and talk to Yvonne or Jeff. Make sure you tell them that you’re a local, and they’ll take extra good care of you.

See also: Garrett Jewelers Facebook Page

Garrett Jewelers Video

Valencia Hall and Post Office

December 13, 2016 by Seb Frey

The Valencia Hall and Post Office are all that remain of the once thriving community of Valencia. Built circa 1884 by Frederick A. Hihn for his Valencia logging mill workers and their families. Valencia Hall originally served as a community meeting place for dances, Sunday school, the Lyceum and Literary Society. In the 1920s ownership transferred to the Valencia Farm Bureau when it served as a gathering place for many community events. In 1976, after decades of neglect, the buildings became the property of the County of Santa Cruz. Today, it is on the National Register of Historic Places (#84001201) maintained and operated by the Santa Cruz County Parks Department as a party and wedding venue.

The buildings on the property were originally located a few dozen feet from their current location, but were moved across Bear Creek Road and Valencia Road to their current location in the late 1980s. Santa Cruz county purchased the parcel of land where the structures are currently situated in 1986.

Both structures are built to last, constructed out of old-growth redwood. Many of the double-hung windows are original; the glass has become wavy with age. The post office building has some original 1880s wallpaper along the ceiling, which is deteriorated and protected by plexiglass. The pot-belly stove in the building is said to be original as well. The kitchen and bathroom area in the Hall building are said to have been added in the 1920s.

If you wish to reserve Valencia Hall, you can do so by contacting the Santa Cruz County Parks Department. Your reservation will include:

The hall
Kitchen facilities
60 chairs
14 six-foot rectangular banquet tables
Up to 80 guests

On weekends, there is an eight hour minimum time to book the facility, including preparation and take-down. During the week and in winter, hourly rentals may be available. There is an additional fee for a sound permit ($250-$300 for 5 hours of music) and another fee for an alcohol permit if you wish (another $250-$300, for four hours of alcohol service). The property is fully wheelchair accessible, and there is parking for approximately 45 vehicles. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance, and set-up and clean-up are the responsibility of the party.