Aptos between xmas and new years
 

My brother (and his family from Pacifica) and I (and my family from Maryland) will be renting a house in Aptos for three nights after christmas. Here's a list of stuff to do compiled from earlier postings by mlgb and other Foderites: Biking and hiking Nicene Marks, Big Basin and Henry Cowell State Parks; going on long walks at the beach (favorites are Asilomar, Sea Cliff, Manresa, Sunset, Zmudokski, New Brighton); renting a kayak at Kayak Connection at Moss Landing; going on the roller coaster at the wharf at Santa Cruz; eating at Cafe Sparrow in Aptos, Michaels in Soquel, and Gayles Bakery in Capitola.

So, whatchathink? Which beach? Anyplace our teenagers/twenty-somethings would like especially (like maybe separate hikes, beach walks, restaurants, cool movie theater)? What have I left out or put in that I shouldn't? Maybe we should go to a winery. Or drive to Big Sur. Or Carmel. Or Monterey.

Thanks for your suggestions.

You are correct about adding to the list Carmel, Pacific Grove, Monterey and a drive to Big Sur. Those, IMHO, should be near the top of your list.

I any of your choice are good, but you may have to just wait and see what the weather is. It could be nice and nippy or very rainy. I would have an outdoor and indoor plan.

Santa Cruz Boardwalk may have special winter/holiday hours. We spent our summer vacations at Seacliff, so I am partial to that area. Also, the monarch butterflies will be wintering, hopefully, in Pacific Grove. So PG/Monterey is worth a visit.

Good luck,

MY

Biking in the redwoods tends to be be cold and damp that time of year. For jut a walk, Cowell would probably be your best bet. I'd take a pass on Manresa, Sunset & Zmudokski, but Seacliff & New Brighton (along with Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz) should be fine. I'd also
recommend the walk along the beach from Asilomar to Pacific Grove. For restaurants, try Cafe Cruz (Soquel), the Hindquarter (Santa Cruz) along with Gayle's & Sparrow. I believe the Boardwalk may be closed that time of year.

Thanks. Pacific Grove and the butterflies are now on the list. The list is pretty heavy on the outdoors. We'll dress warmly. Layers. A day trip to Pieffer Beach sounds like fun too. I'm looking forward to the trip.

Sorry pewang, I missed your post. We'll plan on Cowell, beaches at Seacliff and New Brighton, Lighthouse Point in SC, Asilomar in PG, and look for your restaurant suggestions too. Boy, it's fun getting all these suggestions. We'll feel like insiders, real Californians.

Point Lobos State Park is always a highlight of our trips to that area. An incredibly scenic place only a short drive from Asilomar/Pacific Grove.

Thanks shrondi for reminding us about Point Lobos---how could I have forgotten to mention it. It is a definite must see and must hike the trails. It needs to go to the top of the list.

The list is amended. Thanks!

For a splurge, try the Shadowbrook Restaurant in Capitola

http://www.shadowbrook-capitola.com/

We like to sit on the bottommost floor, right next to the creek.

Thanks. This would be a good place for us to go to when we send the kids out for pizza. They'll never know.

BTW for your twentysomething kids, there is a vibrant live music scene in Santa Cruz. When in Aptos, pick up the weekly free entertainment newspaper to see who's playing and where. Also, if they want to experience a flashback to the '60s, they would enjoy a stroll down Pacific Ave in Santa Cruz. (Maybe you would enjoy a flashback also?) Also a walk along Cliff Drive is a great place to watch surfers.
Have fun!

Pfeiffer Beach is fabulous, but I don't know that I would plan a "day trip" between Xmas and New Year's - more like an "hour trip". The water at Pfeiffer is bitter cold even in summer (we were there Labor Day weekend and the most we did was dip a toe), and it's not a calm swimming beach anytime. You go to look and take a walk, but it's small. I would visit on your way between Capitola and Big Sur (going or coming). Here's a link to some pictures I took with my cell phone, along with directions (it's impossible to see from the main road).

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...t-part-way.cfm

sf7307, we've seen Pfeiffer Beach from the overlook and your recent report made another visit at beach level attractive, but we'll not plan a swim. Montereybob, we'll find out who's playing in Santa Cruz. Now, if I can just talk my two families into doing all this stuff...

Hi santamonica, I'm a long time Aptosian so hopefully I can help you out. You have a lot planned for only 3 nights, but you will be at the mercy of our quirky weather so nature might narrow it down for you.
I've spent the week between New Year and Christmas working on my tan and I've spent it cuddle up on the couch watching movies and drinking wine. If you do get good weather Pt. Lobos is wonderful and the whales are everywhere.
Are you renting at the beach? Taking a walk from Rio to Seascape is one our favorite beach walks.
Got to go...I'll be back with more!

The house is a 5 minute walk from Rio del Mar...

Hi santamonica,

I've been looking over some of the suggestions. If you're only going to visit for 3 nights, a trip to areas like Pfeiffer/Big Sur can eat up almost an entire say. Many of the parks, this time of the year, can get quite damp and the trails can be somewhat muddy--Pt. Lobos included. They're spectatular in the spring, fall and summertime, but winter is often different. For your short visit, there's probably enough to do in Aptos-Santa Cruz (I've lived in Aptos for 40 years).
Two other places worth mentioning are Natural Bridges State Park & the Monterey Aquarium.

Just 2 cents worth.

Yes, go to Point Lobos when it hasn't rained for 3 or more days so the trails won't be muddy. I agree with the recommendation for the Monterey Aquarium ---it's another must do. And don't forget Carmel-by-the-Sea village.

Well, we've got plenty of time to plan. It will be hard to get two families with teenagers moving so keeping it simple and local makes sense. Also, I can get up early and go hiking/biking near the house, or to the bakery, so I won't be too impatient and annoying.

Definitely send the teenagers/twentysomethings to downtown Santa Cruz. We always liked Capitola Village too.

Hi santamonica, as for walks to a bakery, depending where you are, there is a nice bakery on Soquel Dr. called Heathers. It's in Aptos Center at the State Park Dr. exit. Also Surf City Coffee at Soquel Dr. and Rio del Mar Blvd. has some good morning stuff.
I suggest you stock your rental at Delux Foods in Deer Park Center on Rio del Mar Blvd. It's a little more expensive then Safeway, but our Safeway is just awful. You don't want to waste time in there.
You asked about movie theaters. There is a theater in Aptos at Rancho del Mar shopping center. They show good movies and have great popcorn, but they are in need of a remodel. Downtown Santa Cruz has the Del Mar Theater which is just beautiful and they show many of the same movies that they show in Aptos.
My favorite restaurant is Manuel's in Seacliff on Center Street. They've been in the same location for over 40 years and have a loyal following. 4 generations of my family have been eating there so trust me it's good! Plan on making reservations even on a week night.
For a quick lunch you might try Pixie Plaza in Rio del Mar. They are located across from the beach tucked behind a traffic circle that seems to confuse people for some reason. Pixie's has freshly made sandwiches, salads, breakfast burritos etc.
If you're looking for pizza try Pizza 1 next door to Manuel's on Center St. They have traditional as well as gourmet pizza.
As far as Downtown Santa Cruz ( Pacific Ave.) goes, be a little careful sending your teens there. I hate to say it, but as of late it's getting bad there. The era of it being a 60s flashback is gone and now a lot of the transients are younger runaways with hard drug habits. Just last night there was a stabbing at 7:30 pm in a parking garage. I don't like letting my daughter go downtown too often and if I do only during the day or very early in the evening. It's too bad because there are many great restaurants and shops on Pacific Ave. The city council just outlawed smoking on Pacific Ave. so hopefully it will get better soon.
If you do go to Pacific Ave. some good restaurants are: El Palomar for Mexican, Aqua Bleu for sushi and California cuisine, Hula's for "Hawaiian" and Pizza My Heart for pizza.
For cocktails & appetizers The Red upstairs at the old Santa Cruz Hotel has great drinks with a really nice atmosphere. The whole place is red with velvet couches gathered around low tables and fireplaces. They have a wonderful happy hour from 4 to 7.
Whew...ask away if you need anymore ideas.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. We'll be careful. And I'll check weather and travel time to Pacific Grove and other places down the coast before I try to talk folks into a big trip. Is Henry Cowell nicer than Nicene Marks? Are both about same distance from Rio del Mar? Thanks so much for bakery, movie, grocery, and restaurant advice.

Henry Cowell and Nisene are both nice. Henry Cowell has bigger redwoods because most of Nisene's are second growth, meaning most of the old growth was logged. Nisene is more rustic and wild, Henry Cowell has a visitors center and nice smooth trails. Nisene is more for hiking or mountain biking.
Nisene is in Aptos so it is much closer to where you are staying. The entrance to Nisene is pretty much across the street and from Cafe Sparrow. Henry Cowell is about 20 minutes or so away depending on traffic. Henry Cowell is huge and there are several entrances. The best entrance, the one near the interpretive trail and visitors center, is off of Highway 9.

Here's great website for info on our State Parks: www.santacruzstateparks.org

I wanted to point out that the Beach Boardwalk was closed when we were there in September. I don't know the hours but perhaps they only run a Memorial Day to Labor Day season?

It was a shame because I was looking forward to going on the rollercoasters as well.

The Boardwalk will be open between Christmas and New Years, 12 to 5. During the rainy season they are only open select weekends, but the arcade is usually open everyday.

Well, we're on the way home now, on Virgin America, with free wi-fi. I don't think three nights in Aptos is quite enough for a trip report. But I wanted to thank all of you who gave me good advice.

We didn't get to do as much as we could have. Two families, four teens. Tough group to move. Plus my sister in law on crutches. VRBO house on Sprekles off the beach.

We walked out on the pier to see the cement ship which looked like what it is. One morning we went to Gayles Bakery in Capitola, which is quite a place. Christopher Buns and Schnekens. We went to the boardwalk in Santa Cruz and walked through the haunted house and watched volleyball and ate at a taquequeria (sp) which was fun.

And we went kayaking on the slough (which is pronounced slew) at Moss Landing which was really fun. Sea otters and sea lions and very strong currents. Sorta like skiing, it might be more fun once it's over. Strong currents. Sea otters look a lot like dogs from the shoulders up, for all you loony dog people.

We tried to go to Sparrow Cafe but too late for lunch. Did get to Pizza One. Good. And we saw Up in the Air in Aptos. And Avatar in Pacifica. Which really is just like Titanic, in a way.

And we hiked in the Presidio and the headlands just south of Pacifica. Unbelievable Pacific views. It's a big ocean, you know. With waves that roll in for quite a distance and build and slowly crest, curl and collapse. Like lifetimes in minature. [That phrase is from the sunday's NYT "the lives they lived" about a famous athlete. But I stole it.]

Anyway, thanks gor all the suggestions. It was a fun trip!