Santa Cruz Woodies A Chapter of the National Woodie Club
One of our very favorite events is Woodies at the Rock in Morro Bay. Those of you who participated undoubtedly will agree that this year’s 31st anniversary event was another well attended show. SCWC members from the North and South Bay Area started the weekend with a couple of us meeting up at McDonalds in Morgan Hill. We continued the caravan down to the Salinas In-and-Out Burger where we were joined by other club members from the Monterey Bay/Santa Cruz area. Driving down 101 on a cloudless sunny day we stopped for lunch in Paso Robles at the perennial club favorite, Su Casa Bar and Grill. After lunch we motored over to Cambria on Highway 46 where we checked in to the host hotel – The Bluebird Inn.
Many of our Ohana from the Santa Barbara Woodie Club joined us Friday afternoon where we enjoyed adult beverages and snacks on the patio. Dinner this year was “on your own”- so many of us booked reservations in small groups at local restaurants. Later that night, some folks gathered around the firepit at the Bluebird.
On Saturday morning we drove down to Morro Bay. The weather driving down the coast from Cambria was sublime with clear views of the Pacific Ocean for miles. We parked the Woodies at Wavelengths Surf Shop, and – after saying our good mornings and wiping down the cars – headed over to Dorn’s Original Breakers Café for a hearty breakfast overlooking Morro Bay Harbor and the picturesque Morro Rock.
Some of the group changed it up and ate at Carla’s Country Kitchen. After breakfast we broke off into small groups to enjoy the cars, shop and explore Morro Bay. By 2:30 PM the show was starting to wind down and we left Wavelengths to return to the Bluebird Inn or to explore the small town of Cayucas before getting ready for the annual Benson Family dinner.
We drove over to SCWC Treasurer Kathryn Benson’s beautiful home later in the evening where we enjoyed a great Italian themed dinner. The food was delicious! One of the highlights of the evening was the wonderful olallieberry cake from Linn’s Bakery that we had for dessert. After dinner our own club troubadour Bob Lopez along with the “Bob Lopez Singers” serenaded us with a medley of ‘60’s and ‘70’s musical hits. With the evening coming to a close we thanked our generous host, said our goodbyes, and drove off into the moonlit night back to the Bluebird Inn.
Sunday morning a paddle out was held at San Simeon State Beach in memory of long-time club member “Big Mick” Carolan who passed away this year. The “Go-Out” Surfers Celebration of Life was well attended, and was followed by brunch at the Benson’s home. Big Mick was a staple at Woodies on the Wharf and a giant presence in the lives of many of our club members. He will be sorely missed.
We hope to see many of you at our next SCW Club event which will be the Santa Cruz Downtown Holiday Parade on Saturday December 6, 2025 from 10:00 – 12:00 PM
Until then…see you down the road.