Soquel

Visitors enjoy hiking, bicycling, picnicking, and horseback riding.

Welcome to Soquel

Quaint and community-oriented, this family-focused neighborhood is full of antique shops and wineries

Located between Capitola and Santa Cruz and dotted with antique stores, restaurants, and cozy cafes, Soquel is one of California’s hidden gems. Home to several wineries and the expansive Anna Jean Cummings Park, this 161-year-old, picturesque town features a hilly landscape and plenty of quiet spots for picnicking and mountain biking.

Look north, and you’ll see Soquel is draped in vineyards, which are surrounded by many scenic, two-lane roads that wind through the mountains and serve as an ideal starting point for self-guided wine tasting tours.

What to Love

• The antique shopping

• Plenty of picturesque landscapes

• Lots of wineries and cozy cafes

Local Lifestyle

Rural and laid-back, this quiet section of California is home to a population of oenophiles who like to take life one sip at a time. Residents here enjoy their wine and the solitude provided by Soquel’s surrounding vineyards.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Eateries and watering holes abound in Soquel. Local favorites include HOME, a charming, cozy cafe with a homey atmosphere serving New American plates that skew local; Beer Thirty Bottleshop and Pour House, a low-key, dog-friendly beer garden and eatery serving an array of pub grub, bottles, and local brews; and Michael’s on Main, a posh bar and eatery with a whimsical feel serving a New American menu of small plates and entrees.

Things to do

Antique shopping is the main draw of Soquel’s downtown. Here, you’ll find everything from vintage clothing and heirloom jewelry to books, photos, and early American furniture. Popular stores include Frank’s Antiques, Trader’s Emporium, Wisteria Antiques, and Design and Crawford Antiques.

Residents also frequent Anna Jean Cummings Park, locally known as "Blue Ball Park" due to the art installation of four giant, 8-foot wide balls that appear to be rolling down the coastal prairie terrace. The 95-acre property opened in the summer of 2001 and features an expansive lawn, picnic pavilion, playground, and restrooms. There are also natural turf baseball and softball diamonds and soccer fields, plus a walking and jogging path.

Wine tastings are a regular occurrence at Bargetto Winery, which also hosts weddings and private events and offers a wine club. At Soquel Vineyards, you’ll find plenty of Pinot Noir varietals and amazing views of Monterey Bay.

At Soquel Demonstration State Forest, which consists of some 2,681 acres, there is public access to the beauty of the coastal redwoods. The forest’s proximity to the metropolitan centers of San Francisco and Monterey Bay provides excellent opportunities for "hands-on" forestry education and outdoor recreation. Visitors enjoy hiking, bicycling, picnicking, and horseback riding.