Although it resides proudly in Capitola, Shadowbrook Restaurant, in my view, embodies the vibe of Santa Cruz more than anything except the wharf and surfing. It’s funky and quirky. Located on a steep hillside alongside Soquel Creek, it is composed of at least five separate dining areas at different levels, each with its own personality; lush gardens and pathways; a tram between the restaurant and street level; and complimentary antique taxi service, if you live within three miles.

We were able to take the taxis both ways. There were no seat belts of course, but each driver traveled slowly: This service is basically a moving advertisement. I’m not a car person, so I’ve already forgotten the details, but perhaps you can discern these from the pictures. I think the model year of the green one was 1954 and the yellow one was 1962… As you can tell, when we left it was light out, and when we returned it was not.

Wandering through the gardens on the way down to the restaurant, you are surrounded by tall, lush plantings that give a feeling of enclosure and coziness, a feeling that extends into the dining areas, although some are high-ceilinged. From the tram platform at the street level though, there is a glimpse of Capitola beach.

People who live along the creek can arrive by boat. Casual diners can order pizza or sandwiches in the Rock Room. The rest of the rooms serve standard California cuisine and require reservations. We chose the Garden Room, which has a greenhouse feel, including an indoor tree rising through the roof. Other choices I remember are the Redwood Room and the Fireside Room. There is at least one more room, which extends over the creek.

The food is fine, but the focus of Shadowbrook, as you will have surmised, is the experience. It is the local go-to spot for occasion dining; most folks have been at least once, and remember it fondly. The staff members treat you as though this were your big night out, and are happy to help you celebrate.

In Santa Cruz, the funky is admired over the chic, which I like. There is really no celebrity culture here, either. I remember seeing Oliver Stone in the Blue Dragon in Boston one night. The restaurant denizens were abuzz; someone had heard he might be coming, and people were excitedly sharing the news in the (co-ed) bathroom line. Bostonians are too well-behaved to approach such a person, but I would venture no one missed him walking to his table.  In Santa Cruz, I feel this would be a non-event.