★ Spotlight 2027
Soquel
Soquel Village · Soquel Dr
Soquel is a small creekside town just inland from Capitola, where a walkable village of antique shops and cafes sits minutes from family wineries, a craft brewery and hillside parkland. Come for a slow afternoon of tasting rooms and patios, then wander out to open lawns and trails above town.
A Soquel Afternoon
- Start with a stroll and picnic on the lawns at Anna Jean Cummings County Park, taking in the vista point and open-space trails.
- Head to Bargetto Winery on North Main Street for an afternoon tasting beside Soquel Creek.
- Finish with a beer and an Italian bite in the beer garden at Discretion Brewing on 41st Avenue.
Eat & Drink
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Bargetto Winery
A family winery whose original tasting room overlooks Soquel Creek, pouring wines from a Santa Cruz Mountains tradition stretching back generations. Open daily in the afternoon, with a later Wednesday evening.
Local tip: Open late on Wednesdays, until 8 pm.
3535 N Main Street, Soquel, CA 95073
Website for Bargetto Winery (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Bargetto Winery (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
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Cafe Cruz
A long-running Soquel restaurant known for rotisserie chicken, fresh fish and a local-leaning wine list. Lunch, happy hour and dinner are served inside and on a heated patio, with a full bar.
- Outdoor seating
2621 41st Ave, Soquel, CA 95073
Website for Cafe Cruz (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Cafe Cruz (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
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Carpo's Restaurant
A Porter Street fixture since 1981 serving burgers, a salad bar and hand-made pies from local orchard fruit, with a shaded patio for draft beer. Relaxed and family friendly.
- Family-friendly
- Outdoor seating
2400 Porter Street, Soquel, CA 95073
Website for Carpo's Restaurant (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Carpo's Restaurant (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
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Discretion Brewing
Handcrafted beer pairs with an Italian menu at this taproom and open-air beer garden tucked off 41st Avenue. Families and dogs are welcome, making it an easy stop for a relaxed afternoon.
Local tip: Dogs are welcome in the beer garden.
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
- Outdoor seating
2703 41st Ave Ste A, Soquel, CA 95073
Website for Discretion Brewing (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Discretion Brewing (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
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Little Tampico
A creekside Mexican restaurant on South Main Street with patio seating, a front porch and mostly windows, so many tables look onto Soquel Creek. Open for lunch and dinner daily except Monday.
- Outdoor seating
2605 S Main Street, Soquel, CA 95073
Website for Little Tampico (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Little Tampico (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
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Soquel Vineyards
A small winery on Glen Haven Road in the hills above Soquel, pouring a guided flight of five current-vintage wines at the tasting bar or out on a spacious patio.
Local tip: The tasting room is open Friday noon to 4 pm and weekends 11 am to 4 pm, with last seating at 3:30.
- Outdoor seating
8063 Glen Haven Road, Soquel, CA 95073
Website for Soquel Vineyards (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Soquel Vineyards (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
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The Ugly Mug
A Soquel Village coffeehouse at Soquel Drive and Porter Street with a long history of open mics and acoustic shows. Check its events page for the current music schedule.
- Live music
4640 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA 95073
Website for The Ugly Mug (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to The Ugly Mug (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
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Treehouse
A locally owned dispensary on Soquel Drive with a drive-thru window, an art gallery that rotates local artists each quarter, and a consumption lounge. Monthly events include live music and community nights.
Local tip: Order online ahead for drive-thru pickup.
- Live music
3651 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA 95073
Website for Treehouse (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Treehouse (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
Parks, Beaches & Outdoors
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Anna Jean Cummings County Park
A county park on the former O'Neill Ranch hillside with a big lawn, playground, picnic pavilion, ball fields, open-space trails and a vista point. Public art and a little library add charm.
- Family-friendly
461 Old San Jose Road, Soquel, CA 95073
Website for Anna Jean Cummings County Park (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Anna Jean Cummings County Park (opens in a new tab) ↗
Checked
Spotlight 2027 edition. Places are checked against their own websites, most recently in November 2026. Hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Every business listed is locally owned.
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