The wife and I are planning a surf trip from San Diego to Santa Cruz the 1st week in July.
We are bringing our 1.5 and 2.5 old groms with us. Anyone have any input on breaks and cool places to stay and see along the way.
Thanks,
gus
I would take Hwy 1 from Pismo to Monterey for sure. I was taught not to name spots, but there are books that will help. Tough to get camping spots this late in the game if that is your intent. Lots of fog, but beautiful when it lifts. Good luck. Mike
If you don’t yet have a place to stay in Santa Cruz, I highly recommend the Ocean Echo Inn. It’s on Johan’s Beach Drive off Portola near 17th Ave, just Google it. It’s got funky little cottages that are perfect for a young family like yours, with kitchenettes. Nothing fancy or hi-rise, and comparatively inexpensive. (More $ than camping, of course, but I’m sure all the campsites are long ago filled up.) Home away from home! There’s a sandy beach right out in front, and maybe part of the time your wife can do sandcastle fun with the kids while you go and surf one of the pointbreaks nearby. (In keeping with the etiquette on this board, I’ll not name those, but you probably know of them anyway! )
Great breakfasts and lunches nearby, at 41st and Portola: Cliff Cafe, Chill Out Cafe, Pleasure Pizza, and Rebecca’s Mighty Muffins. For a truly unique experience, try the Saturn Cafe near downtown! Great food and INTERESTING decor and table servers. I love, love, LOVE Santa Cruz and hope to spend some time there myself this summer, it’s been too long since I’ve been able to make that trip. Have fun! Val
stop and see the elephant seals on the beach at Piedras Blancas, just north of Hearst Castle (look for zebras grazing as you drive by), southern big sur, kids love them… the coastal redwoods in Santa Cruz are worth seeing , especially if the surf is flat… downtown Santa Cruz is pretty trippy, you can walk around there and be amused. The Boardwalk (amusement park on the beach in Santa Cruz) is fun for kids too, if maybe a bit run-down.
Taco Temple on Hwy 1 in Morro Bay is pretty good Mexican food if you’re not in a big hurry.
There is a well known point break about 3.5 hours drive north on your trip, and there are lots of big starfish on the rocks at low tide - fun for kids and grownups alike…
My kids love the Monterey Bay Aquarium. A bit pricey but really cool if you can squeeze it in.
If you’ve run over budget and want some free fun, in between Monterey and Santa Cruz, stop and slide down the sand dunes on the beach at Sand City. We bring a plastic toboggan but a heavy duty trash bag or cardboard would do?
Thanks for all the input fellas, sounds like fun.
Hopefully there is some camping available, I will find out this evening.
It’s a last minute trip before I make the jump from freelance to Corporate.
Take it easy
corporate devil
New Brighton State Beach is a pleasant walk to Capitola
Traveling with young kids is definitley an experience. Our longest trip so far has been from SD to Joshua Tree National Park (~2.5 to 3 hours). Our kids are 2.5 yrs and 5 months. I remember having to pull over to change two pooey diapers. I couldn’t find a trash can, and had to walk several blocks in a semi crowded area holding a soiled diaper in each hand.
My recommendation is to leave at night just before bedtime. Drink a bunch of coffee, and power your way to your destination while the kids are sleeping.
“We are bringing our 1.5 and 2.5 old groms with us.”
2.5 - 1.5 = 1 year diff.
Wow! You have been on an intense ride for a while now. You deserve a vacation.
Irish Twins
Ya, especially the wife. She has been out of the water for 3 years. Good call on the night drive.
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Thanks for the input
Give me a call when you get into the Monterey area. I won’t say where the spots are either…but I’ll show you.
There are camp sites here, first come, or the hostle, either are cheeper than the hotels around here. The barking seals you’ll hear wether your in a hotel or camping, Ha!
Les