Tasting & Touring

Kathryn Kennedy Winery is closed to all visitors.

We can however help you find other great stops during your travels to the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Located south of San Francisco and west of Silicon Valley, this area has a long history of wine growing as well as stunning natural beauty.

Be forewarned; When planning your itinerary, it's advisable to limit your winery stops to 3 or 4. The windy mountain roads make it much more exhausting than touring in Napa.


There is a source of information I can wholeheartedly recommend, it's the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff is ready to assist you in making the best travel decisions. Details regarding winery events and local secrets is their specialty.

Other Wineries and their tasting room information is available at :  http://www.scmwa.com

While you’re visiting the Santa Cruz Mountains wine region be sure to look up some of these landmarks. All are reachable within two hours drive.

Big Basin State Park

This large forest lies at the center of the Santa Cruz Mountains and although the roads are twisted it can be reached easily from any starting point. You find an impressive preserve of “old growth redwoods” most of which are gigantic. Take a peaceful walk or just enjoy a traveler’s nap at the picnic tables. You’ll come away refreshed. Call ahead but you’ll reach the entrance by following HWY 9. Camping reservations: call 408.338.6132. or 831.338.8860 or online at: http://www.parks.ca.gov

Pinnacles National Monument

This is a personal favorite of mine but it’s a distance away to the south. Maybe if you’re going to Calera Winery or planning to use HWY 152 this would be a worthwhile diversion. Note: You don’t want the western entrance near Chalone Vineyards. Use the eastern entrance instead. This park is best avoided in mid-summer as it is an arid and hot area. Best time is early spring when it’s still cool and there are wild-flowers to be seen. Here you’ll find an oasis like setting with great trails and a wonderful cave for the whole family to explore on their own. You can almost get lost in the natural caverns. You need a flash light and an adventuresome spirit. Note: Winter run-off can close the caves, so call ahead.
http://www.nps.gov/pinn

Mount Diablo Lookout

Located near the city of Walnut Creek in Contra Costa County, this spot is on the way to a lot of places (even that other “wine country” to the north). Plan on 3 hours away from the freeway and you’ll get an unmatched perspective on the entire San Francisco Bay Region. The best time is a cool and breezy day to cut the smog. There are some nice single picnic tables on the way up this winding mountain road. At the top, on a good day, you can see from the Golden Gate all the way to the snow-caped Sierra Mountains. I always enjoy this trip.Call 510-837-2525.
 
Here’s a sample of the winemaker’s recommendation written for a traveler few months ago:

Towns to visit:

Los Gatos is Silicon Valley sheik, try eating at Forbes Mill steak house, Manressa or Kuletto’s all three are on the $$$ side, try Tapestry, Café Marcella or Los Gatos Brewing co. for a moderate cost dinner, and if you want to get local and less expensive try, the tiny Maki Yaki for good simple fish and outdoor seating, or Green Papaya for Vietnamese, Mexican is great at Andale’s, sit outside in the back, Hannigan’s Bar for warm food and a pint and they have just about everything at Willow Street Pizza, including a lively crowd and good outdoor seating.

Woodside is also a great town, very small and kind of “upper crust horse lover”, but the Roberts Market is a nice stop and great for stocking a picnic basket.

I love Santa Cruz.  Breakfast is their best meal, try Nancy’s near Sea Bright, The Silver Spur in Soquel, and maybe the best of all is Walnut Street Café,  I‘d wait for the outside tables if the sun is out.

After that meal a moderate walk along West Cliff Drive from the Municipal Wharf up the hill to the west and around the lighthouse is classic, you just might look down on surfers or otters.

Wine Shops:

Suave wine bar in Santa Cruz, Gene’s Fine Foods in Saratoga, Beltramo’s in Menlo Park and Uncorked in Saratoga, The Grapevine in Campbell, Vintage at Santana Row (also good for glitzy shopping) in western San Jose and last but not least Joseph George in Campbell.

Non Wine Tourist Stuff:

Big Basin State Park, Hwy 1 from Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay, stops at Pesscadero and San Gregorio,

Best secret beach, “Sandy Cove” near 17th street in Santa Cruz, or watch the wind surfers at Waddell Creek State Beach.  

Explore Half Moon Bay and Princeton by the Sea, eat fish at Mary’s ...shack just near the harbor. Or turkey sandwiches at Maverick’s Deli.

Drive Skyline blvd. (hwy 35) from Hwy 9 north to Hwy 92 lost of turns and trees but it does have great vista, very nice short hikes, and some interesting stops, like the hippyish Yerba Buena Native Plant Nursery, and fine dinning with view of city lights at Bella Vista Restaurant.