🥾 Your Hike Needs More Crunchy Chaos 🌾

There’s a special kind of hunger that only hits about 45 minutes into a hike—somewhere between “wow, I love nature”and “did that squirrel just mock me?” That’s when your body, your spirit, and your rapidly dwindling blood sugar all agree: you need granola. Not just any granola—the right kind. The kind that gives you energy, keeps your legs moving, and doesn’t taste like regret compressed into a bar.

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Good thing Ava’s has you covered, you beautiful Mountain View trail goat. Whether you’re headed up the Dish, through Shoreline’s paths, or you’re just power-walking to escape a family picnic at Cuesta Park, snacks are non-negotiable.

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That’s why we’re proudly stocked with pre-made granolas from two brands that understand that good trail snacks should be equal parts delicious, filling, and emotionally supportive.

• Sweet Diane’s brings that California sunshine energy, with flavors like blueberry almond, protein crunch, and a perfectly balanced original recipe that’s practically begging to be eaten on a mountaintop—or, let’s be real, in the car on the way to the hike.
• Bob’s Red Mill, meanwhile, leans into hearty, classic, satisfyingly chunky granola. Whether it’s cranberry almond or apple blueberry, it’s the kind of snack that makes you feel like you could wrestle a bear, or at least argue with one.

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Feeling DIY? Ava’s bulk section has an almost disturbing amount of granola components. There are so many varieties of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, coconut, weird ancient grains that whisper in Latin… you'll be like a kid in a candy store, but an adult in a granola store. So same idea, just healthier and sadder.

Need some inspiration?

• ✨ The Civilized Crunch: Rolled oats, slivered almonds, dried cherries, sunflower seeds, maple syrup, a dash of cinnamon. You’ll feel like you’ve got a mortgage and a compost pile.
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• 🔥 The Spicy Nomad: Toasted oats, chili-dusted pepitas, dried mango, coconut flakes, honey. Sweet heat. Feels like surfing and hiking had a baby with great taste.
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• 👽 The “Wait, What’s in This?” Mix: Buckwheat oats, candied ginger, wasabi peas, freeze-dried strawberries, black sesame seeds, and a suspiciously delicious drizzle of sesame oil. Sounds weird. Tastes like you’re a flavor visionary who lives in a yurt and writes food poetry.

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So before you hit the trail, hit Ava’s Market on Castro Street. Our granola game is as strong as your calves after summiting Mission Peak. Come grab something delicious—and maybe a few extras for the squirrels. Just don’t make eye contact. They know what they did. 🐿️

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🌞 Don’t Hike Naked (Without Sunscreen, That Is)

Look, we’re not here to tell you how to live your life—but if you’re out hiking in the California sun without sunscreen, you may as well just write “crispy” on your forehead with a Sharpie and call it a day. Sun protection is not optional, especially on those bright, breezy trails where the UV rays sneak up on you like passive-aggressive trail mix thieves (you know who you are).

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Ava’s Market has your back—literally. We carry a great selection of natural sunscreens and bug repellents that won’t leave you smelling like a PVC factory or coated in weird chemicals that sound like rejected Star Wars characters. Instead, think plant-based, reef-safe, gentle-on-your-skin options that actually work, even when you’re sweaty, dusty, and wondering why you ever thought “just one more mile” was a good idea.

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Did you know? Ava’s isn’t just granola and apples—we also carry daily essentials like deodorant, toothpaste, soap, and even shampoo that are all organic, natural, and ready to grab-and-go. Perfect for tossing in your daypack before a hike or for emergency freshening-up after an overly enthusiastic sprint up Mission Peak.

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So remember: hydrate, protect your skin, swat the bugs politely, and swing by Ava’s for your pre-hike essentials. The sun may be unforgiving—but your skincare routine doesn’t have to be. 🌞🦟🧼

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Oops… You Screwed Up and Forgot. Again. 🥵

OK, so you messed up. You went on a glorious hike, felt the breeze, ignored our totally reasonable advice, and now your shoulders look like a tomato with abandonment issues. We told you to wear sunscreen. You didn’t listen. But unlike your ex or that one smug coworker who “just never burns,” Ava’s doesn’t judge.

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In fact, we’re here for you—with natural aloe gels, burn creams, soothing balms, and other skin-saving heroes made without weird chemicals or ingredients that sound like they’d turn you into a Marvel villain. These remedies are gentle, plant-based, and actually help, so you can get back to pretending you totally meant to get that intense farmer’s tan.

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Swing by after your sun-soaked adventure. Grab some sunburn relief, and—let’s be honest—you’re going to need a chocolate bar, maybe some ice cream, or possibly both. You kind of, almost, earned it just by surviving your own poor decisions. Ava’s has your back… even if it’s currently radiating heat like a forgotten baked potato. 🥵🍦🍫

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Blenheim Apricots: They're Here. They’re Glorious. 🍑

If you know, you know—Blenheim apricots are the royalty of the apricot world, and they’re finally in season right now, mid-July! Grown right here in California and organic as always, these sweet-tart beauties are delicate, juicy, and wildly flavorful. We just got a fresh batch at Ava’s, and they’re on sale for $5.99/lb—just for you (and, fine, everyone else who comes in).

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Blenheims originated at Blenheim Palace in England—birthplace of Winston Churchill, who, fun fact, reportedly had them shipped across the ocean during WWII because he knew what was up. They made their way to California in the 1880s, and for a while, ruled the apricot game. But because they’re so soft and delicate, they don’t ship well—which means big box stores pass them over in favor of bland, durable imposters. But not Ava’s. We’re not here for tasteless, textureless fruit-shaped objects. We’re here for real flavor.

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Blenheims burst with honeyed juice and a whisper of citrusy zip—like someone squeezed a flower, a peach, and a sunbeam into one glorious bite. And yes, they absolutely look like tiny, golden buttcheeks. Is that why we love them? No. (Okay, a little.) Come get yours before the season disappears faster than your SPF application. 🍑

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Upcoming Events​
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• Every Wednesday, 5-7pm — 🎵 Music on Castro​
  ​Enjoy live performances right in Downtown Mountain View! Come for the tunes, stay for the vibes, and don’t forget to swing by Ava’s to grab dinner from Poké Bowl or Simply Sabor, or just pick up a box of cookies to munch on while you vibe to the music like a very classy raccoon. 🎶🍪🦝
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• Every Friday, 6-7:30pm — 🎵 Concerts on the Plaza​
  ​Didn’t get your full music fix on Wednesday? Perfect—because Friday night, Concerts on the Plaza is bringing the beats that make lawn chairs bounce and dads attempt the moonwalk. 💃🕺 Stop by Ava’s first for a snack, a chilled drink, or a quick wine tasting to fuel your feet and unlock those secret dance moves.
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• Sat, July 19, 10am-Noon — 🎉 KidStock​
  ​Steps from Ava’s, KidStock is throwing down with live music, crafts, games, and a suspicious amount of bubbles. After your child has danced, screamed, and painted their knees (again), swing by Ava’s for snacks, hydration, or a reward system thinly disguised as lunch. And yes, Poke Bowl is right there too—because you deserve food that didn’t come from a plastic pouch.
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• Sun, July 20, 5:30-7:30pm (ish) — 🥂 Sparkle Tasting ✨​
  ​West Peak is rolling in from Santa Cruz with sparkling vodka, rum, and tequila cocktails that are light on sugar, big on sparkle, and perfect for sipping while silently judging every bicyclist who flies right down the middle of Castro St.
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• Thu, July 24, 5-7pm (ish) — 🍺🍎 Cider Tasting​
  ​Join us for a "Sincere Cider" tasting—where a former event‑promoter-turned-cider‑guru bottles crisp, dry apple elixirs blended with fancy French yeast and cheeky flavors like Pine‑Apple and Granada. Gluten-free AND vegan? Must be CA local!
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• Tue, Aug 5, 5:30-7:30pm — 🚓 National Night Out​
  ​Eat a free popsicle, high-five a firefighter, and pretend you understand how municipal government works 🧊🔥📋. When you’re done drawing weird stuff on public pavement in front of several cops nodding in approval, roll into Ava’s for groceries and gentle air conditioning.