3 Best Bars in Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, The Bay Area

Many baseball fans make the trip to Los Gatos just to visit this brewery owned by former MLB infielder Kevin Youkilis. However, the brewery deserves many accolades in its own right for producing some of the top beers in the South Bay, such as the hops-packed Greek God of Hops, a double IPA that riffs on Youkilis’s nickname in the book Moneyball. At this family-friendly brewpub, everyone can enjoy refined pub grub with or without the house beers.

This gorgeous property is centered around the summer concert series at its beautiful amphitheater. Many notable musicians, often popular singers and groups from past decades, make a stop here. The winery was built by the iconic Paul Masson (one of the true pioneers of California wine in the late 19th century and early 20th century) and tastings are held each weekend.

A throwback atmosphere meets the modern craft cocktail movement at this excellent “tavern” that shows how much the concept of one has evolved. Cocktails might include a unique housemade tonic for a standout gin and tonic or a tiki drink incorporating aged rum, mango, and rooibos.