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Left coast people, I need some help.
Here's the deal...
I spend a lot of time in Monterey, Carmel, PG scuba diving and bike riding but I rarely get up to Santa Cruz. This time, my fam and the in-laws are going to New Brighton Beach near Santa Cruz for a week.
So what can two families do for a week in Santa Cruz and the local area. I know about the boardwalk (one day, max) and I have heard there are a lot of bike paths around there. Any thing else?
Thanks.

Roller coasters, Monterey Aquarium, winery tours (about 20 up there), ollallieberry pie?

Re the Boardwalk....do NOT go on the Giant Dipper after consuming large quantities of fried foods and adult beverages...

I'm a member at the aquarium, so we will hit that one day. I know there are a lot of wineries in the Santa Cruz mtns but I only how to get to one of them.
Is the boardwalk that great? I haven't been there in years.

scubamyk wrote:I'm a member at the aquarium, so we will hit that one day. I know there are a lot of wineries in the Santa Cruz mtns but I only how to get to one of them.
Is the boardwalk that great? I haven't been there in years.

I love the aquarium, I'm a member too.

I'm sure there's a map of the wineries...you just have to find one.

The only reason I went to the Boardwalk was because we were there for a free beach concert...decided we had to ride the dang rollercoaster right before it closed.

Here, this might help!


http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/santa_map.html

Natural Bridges State park is cool. The Monarch Butterflies arent there this time of year, tho. Nikki says for night life go to Margaritaville or Zeldas in Capitola. Nik grew up in San Jose and they spent a lot of weekends there. PM her (Jeepgirl) for more info.

WAY COOL!
BEG-Thanks for the map. That helps out a lot. The aquarium is great. We usually end up there about once a month. I don't know if you bike ride or not, but a great trip is to park out in PG then ride back to the aquarium on the bike/walk path. Easy, free parking and a different view of the town.

RWM-Natrual Bridges, is that above Santa Cruz? I have tried to find it before, but end up just driving around in circles. Margaritaville is cool, I've never been to Zelda's and I know the Ideal Bar has a great patio.

Thanks again for the ideas. I'll do a little more research on them.

Red white & blue beach north of Santa Cruz is a great beach

poolboy Bob wrote:Red white & blue beach north of Santa Cruz is a great beach

Hmmmm... methinks there is deviltry afoot in the likes of poolboy

scubamyk wrote:I'm a member at the aquarium, so we will hit that one day. I know there are a lot of wineries in the Santa Cruz mtns but I only how to get to one of them.
Is the boardwalk that great? I haven't been there in years.

That was one of the best aquariums I have been to in recent memory.

poolboy Bob wrote:Red white & blue beach north of Santa Cruz is a great beach

I will never forget the day that I took my kids to the RWB beach on the advice from a "friend". They are adults now, and still love to tease me about it!

If you get a chance go to Felton and the "Roaring Camp, Big Trees Rail Road"

Check out Stagnaros Fishing Charters http://www.stagnaros.com/ in Santa Cruz. As crazy as it sounds you can spend a day in Gilroy at the Prime Outlets or the new shopping center (Mimi's Cafe is located there) or depending on the time of year "The Gilroy Garlic Festival" http://www.gilroyvisitor.org/home.asp . Again I might have missed the point but north of Santa Cruz not too far away is the Mountain Winery http://www.mountainwinery.com/ . Just thought I'd throw that at you!!!!!!!!!

Brahmafear-
Thanks for the tip on the winery and the fishing. I'm going to try to get in some diving too.
We hit the outlets ("we" meaning I go because my wife goes) every time we head over. The garlic fest is sometime later in the summer I think.
I read (and received a pm from BEG) about Erik Pietsch playing in Modesto this weekend. Maybe that will be a good start to the trip.
Although I have never heard anything from Erik, I would love to meet some of the BN'ers around here.
I'm taking the mountain bikes over to SC so I can get away from the boardwalk for a while. Maybe make a stop at the Ideal Bar or some of the other local drinking establishments before meeting up with the in-laws.

El mojito wrote:If you get a chance go to Felton and the "Roaring Camp, Big Trees Rail Road"

Hey, I have heard of that but figured it was a "kids" thing to do.
Is that not the case?

And I also want to talk to you about the Island. PM me?

The bike path along West Cliff Drive ends up at Natural Bridges! If you head out towards Hwy 1 from there, a bike path continues north a few more miles to Wilder Ranch. It's a beautiful ride and there are some windswept, unpopulated beaches up there. I've never ridden my bike further than Wilder, but a few miles further north is the notorious ??????? Red, White & Blue Beach.......you'll know you're there when you see the rural mailbox painted those colors. Have fun and don't forget the sunblock !

So when are you coming here? Riva's is always a good choice for seafood on the wharf. PM me.....we can maybe meet for a Margarita or two and some oysters? Yum, yum!

Hey, nobody's mentioned the Mystery Spot yet! It's world renowned, just ask 'em!

If you're coming in July, there's the Wharf to Wharf run/walk. East Cliff Drive between Santa Cruz and Capitola gets closed to cars for the morning and about 40 bands play along the route.....so fun, but you gotta sign up soon! And starting mid-summer, there are free concerts every Friday night at the Boardwalk....schedule's not out yet. Dancing barefoot in the sand, one of my favorite things about living here.

Oh, parking tip! If you're driving to the Boardwalk on a holiday or a middle-of-the-summer weekend, there are some 12-hour meters around Front Street and Laurel that are usually unused. Pack light and carry your stuff on the river path (10-minute walk) all the way to the roller coaster or turn right when you get to Riverside Drive, walking past all those folks still in their cars. But be a good Parrothead and don't gloat! Have fun!

Oh, oh, forgot!

Sailing on the Chardonney. Wow! It's a 70' sloop that takes people out several times a week. Bring along a designated driver - the boat's owner also has a winery and they're pretty liberal with the libations. Like, your wineglass is rarely empty. Each weekend is catered by a different restaurant in the area.

For a free boat ride, there's a harbor boat that goes to several boat docks. It's free and runs on weekends during the summer. Catch it near the boat launch area adjacent to the Crow's Nest or across the channel near Aldo's. Have fun!

I am taking a new, special person in my life on the Chardonnay on Father's Day. Will you be my designated driver, Pepe?

scubamyk wrote:Brahmafear-
Thanks for the tip on the winery and the fishing. I'm going to try to get in some diving too.
We hit the outlets ("we" meaning I go because my wife goes) every time we head over. The garlic fest is sometime later in the summer I think.
I read (and received a pm from BEG) about Erik Pietsch playing in Modesto this weekend. Maybe that will be a good start to the trip.
Although I have never heard anything from Erik, I would love to meet some of the BN'ers around here.
I'm taking the mountain bikes over to SC so I can get away from the boardwalk for a while. Maybe make a stop at the Ideal Bar or some of the other local drinking establishments before meeting up with the in-laws.

I guess if I'd had noticed that you were from Oakdale I would have made my suggestions a little different!!! And if things work out I may be at the show in Modesto myself!!!