Travel
Road Trip to Santa Cruz
The Cliffs at the Beach in Santa Cruz is a wonderful beach to sit back, relax, and have a picnic. There are a few picnic benches there and a barbecue grill available.
Beach Side Fun: Roller Coasters, Sand, Surf, Butterflies, Trains, Organic Farms, and Redwoods
Dawn Bonner
With twenty-nine miles of beach, nearby redwood forests and surrounding organic farms, it is easy to find something to enjoy in Santa Cruz, Calif. Even the drive to Santa Cruz is pleasurable when taking the coastal route following Highway1/Cabrillo. The views are breathtaking, and there are a few must stops on the way if you are driving from the San Francisco or San Jose area and their airports.
On the Road
At the southern edge of Pacifica Beach is a Taco Bell, sitting beside the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This beach is a surfer’s haven and is a great first stop to get your feet in the sand. Wade in the ocean, watch the surfers ride the waves, take a walk, and stretch your legs. If you didn’t bring your board, you can stop in town a bit up the road and rent boards. See the photographs of this paradise in the slide show below.
Gazo’s Grill
Are you a lover of great garlic fries? A bit farther down Cabrillo on the left-hand side of the road is Gazo’s Grill. They make some great garlic fries. It is a diner with a selection of sandwiches, soups, and steaks on its menu. Even delicious, whipped cream-topped hot chocolate to warm up if the ocean breeze is a bit brisk.
Army Navy Store
A few blocks south of Gazo’s Grill is an Army Navy store with new and vintage items; such as authentic wool pea coats, sweaters, and hats. It is also a fun place to pick up unusual souvenirs. You never know what you will find in stock.
Dayle Dunn Gallery
Half Moon Bay is home to a fabulous art gallery. The Dayle Dunn Gallery carries sculptures, ceramics, glass, and exotic wood furniture pieces. The building was designed specifically for displaying art and is a true show-stopper. This is my personal pick for favorite art galleries. It is a wonderful place to purchase special memories of your trip down the coast. Here you will find unique, one-of-a-kind dish ware, signed by the artist, and amazing carved home accent pieces. Plus, they will pack and ship for you. This two-story art gallery has a treasure-trove of collectibles which definitely adds the WOW factor in your home. They carry many items from local artists. Even the small furniture items are hand band and absolutely exquisite. Location is 337 Mirada Road at Miramar Beach in Half Moon Bay, Calif. Phone number is 650.726.7667. See the interactive map below to get to the gallery.
There is a tiny road that takes you to the gallery and this is the only thing between you and the ocean. Don’t miss the opportunity to sit on the rocks, scan for crabs, and start deep breathing the fresh sea air. By the time you arrive in Santa Cruz, you will already be relaxed, well-fed, transfixed by the beauty of the West Coast views, and will have forgotten any pressures you may have carried with you. Click on the map for a bird’s eye view, and/or to get directions from your location to The Dayle Dunn Gallery.
Footnote Added from Editor: I am sorry to say, since the publishing of this article, the Dayle Dunn Gallery has closed this space and is now a virtual store only. The good news is that everyone can see their lovely offerings online. Another piece of good news is, this spot on the road is an absolutely lovely place to take a breather and stretch, even if they aren’t there anymore. See the interactive map below so you can find this quaint and lovely spot in the road. This little area is inspiring.
Organic Farms
The Santa Cruz county line is the beginning of a huge organic farming region. In fact, 168 certified organic farms have created a co-op called Country Crossroads. These farms allow visitors to pick their own produce and you can find great buys and delicious food items specially prepared with the fresh fruits and vegetables. September and October harvests consist of apples, corn, figs, grapes, pears, pumpkins, raspberries, tomatoes, and walnuts. Bring your own containers and fill them up for a snack later at the beach.
| The butterflies winter in Santa Cruz,the Monarchs cluster in mid-October toabout January at Natural Bridges State Park.
Learn about Natural Bridges, the beach and the Monarchs in this travel story Photographer Dawn Bonner |
Natural Bridges State Park
Santa Cruz Natural Bridges State Park is world renown because it is a migration point for Monarch butterflies. At the peak of the season you can literally see thousands of butterflies at the beach. The season begins around mid-October and continues to about January.
There is an incredible natural arch that forms a bridge. It is an awesome structure sculpted by the ocean. There are multiple forms of marine life: otters, seals and birds. Natural Bridges Beach is great for windsurfing, surfing, and whale watching.
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Just a mile or two from Natural Bridges is the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, which is the only amusement park right on the coast, and the first amusement park built in California. Beach volleyball, body surfing, carnival rides and video arcades are available here. The 12 acres of rides, food vendors and games of chance at the Boardwalk pretty much guarantee a good time.
Stake your claim beachside, catch some rays, go play a few games, swim, hit the red and white roller coaster with its 70-foot drop and then… do it all over again. Do bring jackets, or sweaters because when the sun starts getting low, it gets chilly at the beach. You can feel the Santa Cruz mountain air.
| Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a fun place for adults, teens, and the little ones. It is right on the beach with rides, arcades, carnival food, and restaurants. Plus, the beach volleyball courts are right beside the boardwalk, too.
Photographer Dawn Bonner Weather
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Surf Shop Rentals
You can rent pretty much everything at the local surf shops—bicycles, boogie boards and surf boards—enabling you to travel light and check out some new gear during your visit. You can also hire a pro to teach you how to surf and use the boogie boards, as well as scuba, snorkel, and deep sea fish.
Speaking of surf shops, this is a great place to expand your bathing suit wardrobe. They have the best selection of swimwear in every style imaginable. An annual suit shopping spree in Santa Cruz is a must do for the fashion-conscious water enthusiast.
Sailing
For sailing aficionados, Santa Cruz is a wonderful place because of the continuous winds. If you would like to learn how to sail, there are a couple of sailing schools at Santa Cruz Beach. Or, you can charter a sailboat for a pleasurable day at sea.
Train to the Redwoods
Right beside the huge carousel at the Boardwalk is where you can catch the Big Tree & Pacific Train to the Henry Cowell Redwood State Park. This forest is untouched, giving you the opportunity to see what it was like 200 years ago. There are hiking trails and streams in the park which, by the way, is a great place to fish for salmon and steelheads in the winter.
What to Wear
When visiting Santa Cruz, it is good to layer clothing as the weather changes throughout the day. It is always windy and that wind is cold in the morning hours, and again in the late afternoon. At night, even during the hot August nights, a jacket is recommended–otherwise it will be uncomfortable, especially if you are going on the rides.
Do bring your swimsuits, windbreakers, shorts, slacks, and cotton knit tops for evening. About 5 P.M. in the evening on–you can feel the mountain air coming down and combined with the humidity of the sea air, it has a bite to it. Even in the summer months.
This is just the tip of the iceberg of things to do while in captivating Santa Cruz. Many artists live in and around Santa Cruz, so it is rich with galleries, museums and art. There is handmade pottery, dishes, clothing, paintings, ceramics, and more.
Santa Cruz is a great place to stay and play with the wide variety of things to do. It is a wonderful destination for couples, families, family reunions, and a cozy gathering spot for friends to play and visit.
Sidebar Note of Caution
There is a seedy side to Santa Cruz, yet it is fairly safe. Three children and a single mother would make a great target, but we do stay aware of what is going on around us and have never experienced an unpleasant incident in our numerous visits to the Boardwalk.
Where to Stay
Though not the poshest hotel in town, but the most convenient in going to the beach and the Boardwalk is Carousel Hotel. The hotel is a half block from the ocean with straight access to the seaside. It makes it easier to carry picnic baskets, beach towels and chairs, clothes, and food (all minimum good stay essentials).
It is fairly clean, although you can see the deterioration from the sea breezes that come through that place. The hotel offers free off-street, gated parking for patrons of the hotel which is another major convenience.
Call well in advance to ensure the availability of a room. There are several other hotels to offer a selection. Try to stay on the beaten path, as some of the hotels are flea bags. You may also choose to stay at an elegant hotel in Santa Cruz, if so, there are a couple of hotels to satisfy your tastes.
There are some lovely hotels right on the ocean. Exquisite five-star hotels and a bit out of town are other wonderful options. All of the hotels, whether aged or posh, are pricey. And, again, all book up fast, so call ahead. If you plan on visiting in the busy summer, you will need to make reservations several months in advance.
SultanJanuary 12, 2013 at 9:20 am
Also, of note. If you’ve always waentd to learn to play the Musical Saw, you might consider attending Musical Saw Class at the . September 17-19, 2010. That is a wonderful folk arts school covering all sorts of arts, not just music. And held in a beautiful setting.