Why I live in Santa Cruz, CA

Every now and then I get a serious itch to leave Santa Cruz. This itch becomes severe when I don’t get my big city fix. Up until today, I always thought of myself as a big city girl. I mean, I love big cities, the bigger the better! New York, London, Paris, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Rome, New Delhi… Urban exploration is a serious passion. I can wake up early and not return to my hotel until late, just meandering through the streets, letting the city take me where it will. Oddly, today, I couldn’t wait to get on my bike and head to the ocean, and Farmer’s Market, and cafe, wine tasting at Bonny Doon, and even gin tasting! And you all know how I feel about gin… The amazing thing is that I was able to do all of this via West Cliff Drive, the local promenade along the ocean that overlooks the Monterey Bay. West Cliff Drive is my highway!

Her is a list of the top ten reasons why I live here. This list serves two purposes, for me to read when the itch returns and as an advertisement to friends in big cities so when they get the itch for a fresh ocean air… and are interested in a house exchange!

1. West Cliff Drive. A mere mile from my house, always a good place to walk or ride my bike. Always always clears the head, brightens my eyes, puts color on my cheeks, and a smile on my face. And when I’m really together, I can harvest mussels for dinner while on said bike ride or walk.
2. My community. Besides absolutely fabulous landlords and incredibly kind friends, I am neighbors with the divine Susie Bright ( sexpert and personal consultant), Pim Te (blogger, baker, and shopper extraordinaire), and Randall Grahm. All express incredible kindness, affection, and sincere interests towards me, my projects and, more importantly, my daughter.
3. The weather! I have a year round kitchen garden, an amazing rose collection, and access to all the fruit trees in the neighborhood and, believe me, there are plenty!
4. Cameron Marks Boutique. A great shopping experience offered by my friend Vanessa Ambrose. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I have both the key and alarm code and have been known to work out all kinds of interesting trades for clothing and accessories! How much apricot chutney and lemon preserves can the poor girl eat? I hope, a lot!
5. Lulu Carpenters, boutique coffee house and roaster. Great coffee. cafe, and staff. This is my home away from home, the staff is always welcoming and they absolutely adore my daughter. It also happens to be where Stella learned to crawl, go up and down stairs, walk, and say Yirgacheffe, Papua New Guinea, macchiato, and pain au chocolate.
6. The butcher department at Shopper’s Corner. Shopper’s Corner is an amazing locally owned grocery store with an extensive wine collection and full butcher department. Did I mention that the butcher’s are extremely handsome, knowledgeable, and always happy to fulfill any requests.
7. Santa Cruz is a university town nestled between the ocean and the mountains, an excellent situation for a forager at heart. Mussels, sea urchins, boletes, chanterelles, trompettes du mort, miner’s lettuce, wild fennel along the bluffs, and berries, berries, berries… 
8. Year round Farmer’s Market. I am at most a 10 minute walk, and much shorter bike ride, from two amazing markets. I frequent Wednesdays and Saturdays, perfect frequency for veggies and fruits. And, by far, the best stand is Dirty Girl Farm. Best strawberries, haricort verts, beans, and selection of greens. All organic!
9. The pleasure of living in a small town is the quality of life. I have an open door policy, friends always stop by and I love it, as does my daughter. I can walk into any restaurant, or bar, and feel instantly at home because I am surrounded by friends in the kitchen, among the staff, and diners. A new definition to the family meal… And being in California, especially Northern California, means an open and friendly manner rule the day!
10. Lastly, except for a couple of very hot weeks in the Spring and Fall, the weather is such that I can wear boots year round. Love my Fryes…