Destination: Westside Santa Cruz

American Way, a publication of American Airlines and American Eagle, has a fun article about Santa Cruz in its August edition.

Called a “quirky town” by article author Elizabeth Limbach (but, hey, we’re proud of that, right?), Santa Cruz nevertheless comes across as a dream destination.

The focus of the article is on our fabulous wineries, which are becoming increasingly recognized by wine connoisseurs and winning competitions throughout the country and the world. For this article, Limbach zeroes in on the Westside, which she calls “a hip, urban wine haven.”

“Anyone interested in a funky, ego-free place to enjoy a plethora of mellow, European-style wines should get themselves to Santa Cruz fast, before word gets out and it’s overrun with oenophiles,” she writes.

She also recommends the Westside’s “memorable restaurants” (, El Salchichero), and “top-notch hotels” (, ) as well as .

“No trip to the Westside is complete, though,” Limbach writes, “without picking up a spread of gourmet goodies from neighboring New Leaf Community Market and heading to West Cliff Drive for a seaside picnic.”

The wineries mentioned in the article include , an “impressive tasting room” where you’re “transported into the Dooniverse.”

Of Silver Mountain Vineyards’ organic wines, she writes that “not only do these wines taste good, but they’re also good for the planet.”

Limbach notes that has been known for its pinot noir since 1975, and is also gaining recognition for the winery’s new sister label, Quinta Cruz.