Santa Cruz Woodies A Chapter of the National Woodie Club
The Santa Cruz Woodies Club launched its spring season with a scenic coastal drive, bringing together vintage Woodies for a route spanning Highway 1 and the Santa Cruz Mountains.
To accommodate members living across the region, the club organized two separate morning meeting points. The southern group which was comprised of 8 woodies gathered at Gateway Plaza in Santa Cruz, at the corner of River Street and Highway 1.
Meanwhile, members hailing from San Jose, the East Bay, and North of San Francisco met further up the coast at the Half Moon Bay Burger King, located at the junction of Highways 1 and 92. This second group totaled 11 woodies.
After morning greetings, both groups departed their respective meet-up points. They cruised along Highway 1 from opposite directions to meet at the picturesque and wonderfully quirky San Gregorio General Store.
A Step Back in Time
An iconic cultural and commercial hub, the San Gregorio General Store has anchored the San Mateo County coast since 1889. Located just a mile inland from San Gregorio State Beach, this historic landmark evolved from a 19th-century pioneer trading post into an eclectic gathering place.
Rebuilt in its current Spanish-style stucco design following a fire in 1932, the store passionately preserves its old-world charm. Inside, visitors are greeted by original bare wooden floors, a cozy wood-burning stove, and shelves packed with an eccentric mix of books, hardware, local crafts, and clothing. Today, it operates as a vibrant hybrid of a grocery store, saloon, and community center—famous for its weekend live acoustic music, friendly atmosphere, and legendary Bloody Mary’s.
Into the Redwoods
From San Gregorio, the combined caravan enjoyed a beautiful drive heading over to Skyline Boulevard, then south through the redwoods to Highway 9. The final destination was Scopazzi’sItalian Restaurant & Lounge in Boulder Creek.
A portion of this drive took the club down a narrow, winding, two-lane downhill grade. While the club had traveled this route several times in the past without incident, organizers explicitly warned members ahead of time to ensure their brakes were up to the task.
Due to a restaurant double-booking, lunch was delayed by nearly two hours. However, for a group this size, the delay proved to be a minor bump in the road. Members spent the free time sipping drinks, relaxing, and catching up with old friends.
A Testing Trek Home
After saying our goodbyes, we headed out for our respective journeys home. For the South, East, and North Bay drivers, the route home included Bear Creek Road, a narrow mountain pass with a steep descent connecting Boulder Creek to Highway 17.
The challenging terrain ultimately pushed one stock Woodie to its limits. Our intrepid drive-my-woodie-anywhere members Rich and Pat Wilson experienced complete brake fade on the curving, steep downhill run. Fortunately, after allowing the brakes to cool down, Rich and Patmade it home safely with no injuries and nothing more than a need for new brake shoes. It was a stark reminder of the demands placed on our classic stock Woodies during the club’s scenic tours.
If you have not already made plans, please join us for the 30th Anniversary of Woodies on the Wharf to be held Saturday June 27, 2026 at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. As part of our weekend celebration SCWC will be hosting the “Mahalo for the Memories – Surfside Social” on Friday evening June 26 at the Dream Inn overlooking Cowells Beach and the historic Municipal Wharf.
