A Perfect Weekend on California's Central Coast
From Santa Cruz to Monterey to Carrmel on the Pacific Coast
Mar 30, 2009
Start in Santa Cruz, at the northern tip of Monterey Bay. This seaside town draws tourists to its wide beaches, great surfing, redwood trails and its historic beach-side amusement park.
"Don't Miss' Things to Do in Santa Cruz: See Surfers, Eat at a Funky Cafe, Shop Downtown
Arrive in time to walk West Cliff Drive, where surfers ride the waves offshore. Stop at the tiny Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, which has old photos and a surfboard chomped by a shark. Have dinner on the Wharf at Gilda's, owned by an old Santa Cruz fishing family, and order sand dabs, a delicate local fish. Stay at the West Cliff Inn, a stunning B&B overlooking the beach. The next day have breakfast at Zachary's, a funky cafe downtown, and then walk the Boardwalk, which is free, and ride the historic Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster. Take a surfing lesson at Club Ed Surf and Windsurf School, right in front of the Santa Cruz Dream Inn, on Cowell Beach, near the Wharf. The charming downtown is nearby, with quirky shops and sidewalk eateries along Pacific Avenue, complete with sculptures and trees lit up at night. End with a hike at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, which has an easy loop trail anyone can manage.
Monterey Has Clipper Ship History, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Kayaking, Fisherman's Wharf
The drive south to Monterey takes just a little over an hour. Stop at Moss Landing for an Elkhorn Slough Safari on a pontoon boat, which passes sea otters floating on their backs, barking sea lions and shore birds poking along the estuary shoreline for food.
Monterey is rich with history, as all sailing ships bound for California were required to stop here to pay customs fees in the 1800s. Visit the Customs House and the other historic buildings and homes near it, then plan to spend some time in the Maritime Museum seeing a captain's cabin and ship models.Then rent a bike and roll along the pathway from Monterey to Pacific Grove and back, along the water. Spend the afternoon at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, located in a former sardine factory. It has a Splash Zone exhibit, touch tanks, tiny penguins, adorable sea otters, a new seahorse exhibit and a towering kelp forest. To see seals and sea lions from the water, rent a kayak at Monterey Bay Kayaks and paddle the coast. Have a seafood dish or a wood-fired pizza at Cafe Fina on the Fisherman's Wharf, either inside or by walking up to the take-out window. For dinner try Stokes Restaurant, a charming adobe with a wood fireplace and patio. Stay at the Spindrift Inn on Cannery Row,with its rooftop garden.
Carmel Offers Storybook Houses, a Dog- Friendly Attitude, Elegant Shops; a Beautiful Mission
If nearby Carmel looks like a page from a storybook, there's a reason. In the 1930s, Mary Comstock, who made Hotsy Totsy dolls, asked her husband Hugh to build her a charming fantasy shop in which to sell them. He did, the style caught on, and now there are many Comstock cottages with swooping shingled roofs, tiny leaded windows, and sloping comical lines. There are no street addresses in Carmel,. places are located by the closest cross street. Upscale shops offer cashmere sweaters and Coach handbags. Stay at Doris Day's Cypress Inn, an elegant white hotel on Lincoln. The inn is dog-firendly, even providing dog mats and biscuits, and offering a place indoors and out to have dinner where pets are welcome. Have lunch at the Grill on Ocean Avenue. For dinner try Casanova's, a romantic setting located in Charlie Chaplin's former home.Visit the beach at the end of Ocean Avenue at sunset, where everyone gathers to see the sun go down. Don't miss the Carmel Mission, just outside town, with its lovely Spanish architecture and gardens.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
