Low Tide Local
The Soft Open
Edition #004 · April 23, 2026
Low Tide Local
Edition #004 · April 23, 2026
This week tips toward Saturday. Bookshop's open all day for Independent Bookstore Day, the Trail Running Film Festival is at the Rio, and a new surf shop on 41st is quietly open. Wildflowers are out along the bluffs.
Watsonville Gets a Takeout Taco Window from El Frijolito
Sergio Carrera and the Vega family — the crew behind the original El Frijolito on Alexander Street since 1985 — opened a takeout-only spot earlier this month at 1058 S. Green Valley Rd, in the shopping center off Highway 1. Hand-written menu, around 20 dishes, 12 meat options on the carne fries. Get the lengua. Monday through Saturday, 11 AM to 8 PM.
Capitola Won't Rebuild the Grand Avenue Pathway
The bluff path that fell into the bay last February isn't coming back. Council voted this week to skip the $200,000+ rebuild and put smaller money into street-end fixes — benches, parking. Public Works said grant funding was thin and there's no guarantee a new path wouldn't erode again. Community groups can still raise the money themselves.
★ = family-friendly
Far West Fungi: Myco Mixer · 2–5 PM · 224 Laurel St, Downtown · Free
The weekly mushroom-shop happy hour. Free bites, samples, cafe specials. Lion's mane growing kits in the back if you're curious.
★ Skypark Food Truck Friday · 5–8 PM · 361 Kings Village Rd, Scotts Valley · Free
The biggest food truck gathering in the county. Live music (Shady Rest Band this week), kids everywhere. Park up by the dog park.
Kuumbwa Jazz: A Change Is Gonna Come · 7–9 PM · 320 Cedar St, Downtown · $58–$89
Palaver Strings (Grammy-nominated ensemble) with tenor Nicholas Phan. A program of protest songs plus world premieres from UCSC composers. Tickets aren't cheap.
★ Independent Bookstore Day at Bookshop Santa Cruz · 10 AM–6 PM · 1540 Pacific Ave, Downtown · Free
National holiday for indie bookstores. Bookshop's been doing this for years — exclusive titles, prize wheel, the regulars all show up. Verve next door if you need coffee first.
★ Capitola Mall: Succulent & Bonsai Show · Sat 10 AM–5 PM, Sun 10 AM–4 PM · 1855 41st Ave, Capitola · Free
Local growers, judged competitions, real bonsai you can take home. Go early — the small ones disappear by lunch.
Rio Theatre: Trail Running Film Festival · 6–9 PM · 1205 Soquel Ave · $18–$23
Three hours of films from runners who go further than is reasonable. The Rio's bar is open.
Santa Cruz Baroque Festival: All Bach Violin Virtuoso Solo · 7:30–9:30 PM · 532 Center St, Downtown · Free–$50
Annual program of early music. This one's solo Bach in a small room.
★ SC Maker Studios Anniversary Party · 1–4 PM · 427a Swift St, Westside · Free
Live magic show, maker stations, crafts. Free Sunday afternoon for kids.
Sunny California — Pleasure Point
Sunny California has been around as a clothing label for years — Midtown Surf Shop has stocked it on Soquel Ave forever. Now it's the name on a real storefront on 41st, same ownership, same brands, same culture. It's a soft open right now — no signage out front, no announcement. The space is meant to be more than a shop: art exhibits, motorcycle exhibits, events, a podcast studio are all planned. Grand opening's early May.
Independent Bookstore Day at Bookshop Santa Cruz — Saturday, April 25
Bookshop's been doing Independent Bookstore Day for years and it always pulls a crowd. Exclusive titles, prize wheel, the regulars showing up. Open 10 to 6 at 1540 Pacific. Park on Cedar, grab a Verve cortado next door, and bring cash — the limited-run items go fast.
The stuff that's on every week — markets, music, standing plans.
Monday — Comedy Night at Abbott Square · 7–9 PM · 725 Front St, Downtown · Free
Bay Area comics rotate in. Find a table, order a drink, settle in.
Tuesday — Felton Farmers Market · 1:30–5:30 PM · 120 Russell Ave, Felton · Seasonal, opens May 5
Mountain market under the big trees. Runs through October 27.
Tuesday — Salsa Social at Abbott Square · 7–10 PM · 725 Front St, Downtown · Free
Salsa, cumbia, merengue, bachata. All levels.
Wednesday — Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers Market · 12:30–5 PM · Cedar & Church, Downtown
The big one. Show up around 3 when the crowds thin out.
Wednesday — Trivia at Front & Cooper · 6:30–8 PM · Abbott Square, 725 Front St, Downtown · Free
Hugging Porcupines hosts. Cocktails and prizes.
Friday — Watsonville Farmers Market · 2–9 PM · Peck & Union, Downtown Watsonville
The prepared food vendors are the move — come hungry.
Friday & Saturday — Live Band at Abbott Square · 7–10 PM · 725 Front St, Downtown · Free
Rotating lineup, open garden, no cover.
Saturday — Westside Farmers Market · 9 AM–1 PM · Mission St Ext & Western Dr
Runs rain or shine. The one with the coffee line.
Saturday — Aptos Farmers Market · 8 AM–Noon · Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Dr
Year-round, nearly 90 vendors. Park in the upper lots.
Saturday — Scotts Valley Farmers Market · 8 AM–Noon · Boys & Girls Club, 5060 Scotts Valley Dr · Seasonal, opens May 2
Runs through Nov 21.
Sunday — Live Oak Farmers Market · 9 AM–1 PM · 15th & East Cliff Dr
Quiet neighborhood version of the Downtown market. Go before brunch.
That's #004. If something's happening in Santa Cruz County that we should know about, tell us here or just reply to this email.
See you next Thursday.
— Low Tide Local