ABOUT US
Cody, the river otter moved to Santa Cruz in 2025. He had heard about Otter 841 stealing surfers' surfboards and he really wanted to give it a try. Cody may be a river otter but he really enjoys sunny Santa Cruz. He can usually be found riding some waves at Steamer Lane. Careful because he can be a little salty!
Rachael Smith's journey with Santa Cruz began at the tender age of 14 when her mother, Lorna Smith, took her on a memorable road trip from San Francisco down Highway 1 to San Diego. The coastal town instantly captured Rachael's heart, becoming one of her favorite destinations worldwide.
With 33 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Rachael has cultivated a diverse skill set. Starting as a bartender, she worked her way up through various roles, always maintaining at least two professions simultaneously.
This strategic approach allowed her to gain experience in different areas, preparing her for her ultimate goal of opening her own restaurant. Her professional background includes roles as a bookkeeper, legal secretary, and 25 years in multimedia advertising and marketing, enabling her to keep many operational costs in-house.
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Rachael's artistic talents extend beyond the culinary world. As a local Santa Cruz resident, she has showcased her computer graphic art in exhibitions and personally designed The Salty Otter's logo. While Cody the otter is AI-generated, Rachael invested considerable time creating the other elements, resulting in a complex design with over 50 layers carefully pieced together and blended.
Born and raised in Bermuda, Rachael's roots in the beverage industry run deep. Her father worked at Goslings, famous for their Black Seal Rum, from age 15 until his retirement. This family connection to the spirits industry would later inspire Rachael's business ventures.
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Rachael's entrepreneurial journey began with The Salty Seal Brewpub and Sports Bar on Cannery Row in Monterey. The name, inspired by a trip to Morro Bay and reminiscent of her Bermudan heritage, was initially intended for a Santa Cruz location. Unable to find a suitable space in Santa Cruz at the time, Rachael settled on the Monterey location, which she had visited years earlier with her mother. For five years, she ran The Salty Seal with business partner Jim McLennan while still aspiring to open a solo venture in Santa Cruz.
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The opportunity finally arose in February 2025 when the former 99 Bottles location at 110 Walnut Ave in Downtown Santa Cruz became available. After brief stints as Firefly Tavern, CT Lights and Lounge and then Tarros Mexican Restaurant, the business was put up for sale. Rachael seized the chance, acquiring the keys in late March 2025 and impressively opening The Salty Otter just four weeks later. A grand opening took place on May 9th. Meanwhile, The Salty Seal in Monterey was sold in July 2025 after a prolonged ten-month pending sale.
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Today, The Salty Otter Sports Grill continues to evolve and expand, aiming to establish itself as the premier entertainment destination in Downtown Santa Cruz. With Rachael's extensive experience, artistic flair, and passion for the hospitality industry, The Salty Otter is poised to become a beloved fixture in the Santa Cruz community. Rachael remembers sitting at 99 Bottles bar, years ago, and thinking she'd love to own it someday. Most customers remember 99 Bottles and are excited to see a similar business takeover, including the previous owner, Mia Bossie.
Hopefully the community continues to support the new establishment so that it won't disappear like so many other businesses around Downtown Santa Cruz. Prices are competitive. Happy hour is Mon-Fri from 3pm-6pm. Rent out the upstairs lounge. Watch sports on one of the many TVs. Even reserve a spot so you don't have to wonder where you are going to sit every NFL game! More information on the EVENT page.
As a brand new restaurant, we're constantly evolving our menu. We value customer feedback and encourage suggestions. If you don't see something you're craving, let us know! Your input helps shape our food and beverage offerings and ensures we're always serving up exactly what our community wants.
Your New Favorite Spot for All-Day Eats and Late Night Treats!