Wonderful Shops in Santa Cruz County.

Marianne's Ice Cream can be found at 1020 Ocean Street. If you have never been there you owe it to yourself to sample their home made high butterfat ice cream. For over 50 years Marianne's has been quietly inventing new and wonderful flavors (71 flavors at last count). Need some temptation? How about Cardamon Pistachio, Licorice, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough, Cantaloupe or Lychee? Their most popular flavor is 10-20, a blend of caramel ice cream, fudge swirl and crushed Oreos.

We love Marianne's for it's ice cream certainly, but we also love it because it hasn't changed in 50 years. Sam and his cadre of young employees operate much the way they did in 1958 when he took over the business. The place has a 1960's feel that isn't retro or hip, it's just the way it's always been. Looking for flavors you won't find elsewhere? Try the “Macapuno”, made from baby Hawaiian coconuts (the green ones before the husk forms) or the “California 17” named after the local twisting highway (Rocky Road with cashews instead of walnuts). Like bannanas? Then you must try their fresh bannana that tastes like a perfect ripe bannana. All Marianne's ice cream is made in Santa Cruz. You can find their packed quarts at selected grocery stores in town. Open late. (831) 458-1447.

If you like to watch birds you've come to the right place. Located in a small strip center on Soquel Avenue at Ocean Street is The Bird Feeder. Here is an entire store devoted to watching and identifying birds. You'll find feeders, food, books, binoculars, posters, and artwork all about birds.

McKenzie's Chocolates is at 1492 Soquel Avenue on the corner of Frederick Street. This retail kitchen is a must for the chocolate lover. These folks had the good sense to build glass walls in the production area so we can view the whole operation from the retail lobby. McKenzie's specializes in fancy metal molds (which can be seen stacked all around the kitchen) in the shape of shells, animals, cars, and even the Eiffel Tower.

On the west side of Santa Cruz in a small shopping complex anchored by Kelly's French Bakery. On the weekends Kelly's Bakery features musicians in the courtyard and a small farmers market sets up on Friday afternoons. There are a few other nice shops in this converted Brussels sprout packing warehouse including Pelican Ranch Winery.

While you're on the west side of town you might want to check out Santa Cruz' most famous chocolate-maker. Donnelly's Chocolates (888) 685-1871 are on the gourmet side of the chocolate spectrum and are shipped from Santa Cruz around the world. They have been served at U.S. Presidential inaugurations and are found in high-end retail stores. You can go right to the source in a tiny commercial storefront on Mission Street just south Bay Street. Have a couple of hours on a weekend? They have chocolate making classes on Saturdays and Sundays.

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