local getaways

Exploring Santa Cruz

By Casey Gillespie

When it comes to beachy summer getaways, Santa Cruz is the stuff childhood memories are made of. Twenty-nine miles of beaches packed with surfers waiting to catch the perfect swell, a walkable downtown area rife with eateries and quirky shops, and, of course, the iconic boardwalk with a 100-year-old seaside amusement park. Outdoorsy types will love Santa Cruz’s 14 state parks and all that Monterey Bay has to offer. While you are in town, make time for a stroll down the wharf’s pier (at 2,745 feet, it’s the longest in the U.S.) and enjoy the classic beachside gift shops, fresh seafood restaurants and cafes — the kids will love the barking sea lions. Here are a few ideas to kick your family getaway off right.

Capitola Village

Capitola Village

A short drive from the heart of Santa Cruz, Capitola is known for its colorful waterfront buildings and quintessential seaside vibe, and it is a must visit. Stroll along the waterfront, stopping for snacks, a little shopping and a dip in the sea. There are tons of beachfront restaurants and bars to choose from, so be sure and grab a seat (and drink) for golden hour.

Dream Inn

175 W. CLIFF DRIVE www.dreaminnsantacruz.com

Located right on the beach in the heart of Santa Cruz, this is the place to be if you want to be in the middle of it all: midcentury-inspired decor, family-focused pool area and an air of playfulness that kids will love. The on-site eatery, Jack O’Neill, has live music in the evenings and huge windows with fantastic views of the beach and pier.

Dream Inn

Santa Cruz boardwalk

Roaring Camp

5401 GRAHAM HILL ROAD, FELTON www.roaringcamp.com

Choose from the Redwood Forest Steam Train (75 minutes) or the Santa Cruz Beach Train (3 hours) and then sit back, relax and take in the sites. Both trips offer a look into Santa Cruz’s storied past as well as a peek at what life was like around the turn of the 20th century. If you are looking for something extra special, book a seat for the Moonlight Dinner Party on August 13.

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

1305 E. CLIFF DRIVE www.santacruzmuseum.org

Located above Seabright Beach (once known as Castle Beach), the museum explores the evolution of plant, animal and human life stretching from the bay to the top of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Don’t miss the Remembering Castle Beach exhibit, on display until August 21.

FOR THE ADULTS

When you need a break from the kids’ pool, saltwater taffy and boogie boarding, these sophisticated spots offer a quiet reprieve.

Abbott Square Market

705 FRONT STREET www.abbottsquaremarket.com

Anchored by the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, the bustling area offers plenty to do. Pop into the museum for your culture fix, enjoy the interactive public art outside and then grab a bite and a cocktail at one of the cafes in the square. Want to hear live music? This is the place — check the website’s calendar to see who’s playing.

Avanti

1917 MISSION STREET www.avantisantacruz.com

When you need a parents’ night out on the town book a dinner reservation here (takeout is also available).

A Powerful Partnership for our Patients.

At MarinHealth®, we go above and beyond to provide our community with the best possible care. Sometimes, that means going beyond our existing service area to form powerful alliances that allow us to offer our patients highly specialized care, close to home.

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Our Maternity Care program is renowned for outstanding expertise, advanced technology, and seamless collaboration between MarinHealth and UCSF Health specialists, when needed. Our alliance supplements our exceptional offering by providing patients access to world-class specialists in complicated and high-risk pregnancies, advanced screening, diagnostic testing, and maternal-fetal genetics.

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We follow UCSF Health’s proven academic protocols in caring for fragile babies in our 7-bed Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU.) Specialists from UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals’ neonatology team are available 24/7 for on-site consultation.

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Our satellite location of the UCSF Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes provides outpatient education and support for young North Bay patients.

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MarinHealth has the only comprehensive Vascular Medicine program in Marin County. UCSF Health vascular surgeons dedicated to the Marin community work collaboratively with MarinHealth interventional radiology and cardiology specialists to perform innovative multidisciplinary procedures.

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UCSF Health neurosurgeons provide exceptional expertise for spine and brain surgery on both an emergency and elective basis at MarinHealth Medical Center.

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UCSF Health brings academic and clinical expertise to MarinHealth’s robust Orthopedic and Sports Medicine programs. Our comprehensive program now includes expertise in general sports medicine, arthritis, primary and revision total joint surgery of the hip, knee, and shoulder, hand surgery, as well as nonoperative spine procedures.

Primary & Specialty Care Clinics

MarinHealth has convenient clinics throughout the North Bay that are part of UCSF Health. With expert primary care providers and specialists like cardiologists, gastroenterologists, urologists and more.

Avanti

Seymour Marine Discovery Center

100 MCALLISTER WAY www.seymourcenter.ucsc.edu Both kids and adults will love the unique opportunity to visit a working marine laboratory. See the largest blue whale skeleton in the world, pet the sharks and other sea creatures in the touch tanks, observe the aquarium teeming with life from the bay, and so much more.

The Penny Ice Creamery

913 CEDAR STREET www.thepennyicecreamery.com No beach vacation is complete without enjoying a scoop (or two) of ice cream in the afternoon sun. We love this shop because everything is made in-house from organic dairy and sustainably grown products. The open kitchen offers a front-row look at how the small-batch, seasonal flavors are made. Yum! The farm-to-table eatery offers California cuisine at its finest — organic, sustainable and pastureraised. Order anything on the menu, it’s all delicious.

Big Basin Tasting Room

525 PACIFIC AVENUE www.bigbasinvineyards.com

The recently opened spot features a taste of the organic, mountain-grown wines this winery is known for — at the beach. Grab a seat outside and try a flight, a glass or a bottle paired with locally sourced bites. It’s located right in the heart of downtown and walkable from the many nearby accommodations.

Flower Bar

912 CEDAR STREET www.flowerbarsantacruz.com

This coffee shop meets wine bar meets flower shop is a little slice of heaven. Whether you are looking for a latte and croissant or a glass of wine and a gourmet sandwich, this is your go-to. And while the bouquet of flowers is optional, the truffles are not — grab some to go.

O’Neill Yacht Charters

275 LAKE AVENUE www.oneillyachtcharters.com What is a beach holiday without getting out on the water? O’Neill’s offers public and private charters and a variety of packages depending on whether you prefer a day or evening sail. There are even wine tasting and local beer sampling sails. Kids are welcome, too.