California trip San Fran. and Santa Cruz
Oct 11th, 2002, 01:24 PM
#1
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California trip San Fran. and Santa Cruz
My family is taking an unexpected trip to California in 2 weeks. We will be staying a week in Santa Cruz with friends.
I'd love some suggestions on what to see in the Santa Cruz area. I'd love to see the redwoods. I'd also like some ideas for restaurants in the area.
In San Francisco I need ideas for restaurants and fun things for kids ages 10 and 8. Thank you.
I'd love some suggestions on what to see in the Santa Cruz area. I'd love to see the redwoods. I'd also like some ideas for restaurants in the area.
In San Francisco I need ideas for restaurants and fun things for kids ages 10 and 8. Thank you.
Oct 11th, 2002, 02:02 PM
#3
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The weather in both places is pretty nice right now, hopefully it will hold up for your visit. The end of Oct is generally when it starts to rain, but even then, the rain shouldn't be really heavy.
For Redwoods, I suggest Big Basin or Henry Cowell State Park. Since you have kids, you should consider going to Roaring Camp - it's a place in Felton, just up the hill from SC and right next to Henry Cowell. You can tour the redwoods on a narrow guage steam train.
I think the Boardwalk is still open on weekends, so that is something you could check out. Ride the Giant Dipper and have a dipped cone.
Check out the surfers along East and West Cliff drives.
Capitola Village is a nice place to spend an afternoon.
Then there is always Monterey - the Aquarium, cruises out on the bay, Cannery Row, etc.
For Redwoods, I suggest Big Basin or Henry Cowell State Park. Since you have kids, you should consider going to Roaring Camp - it's a place in Felton, just up the hill from SC and right next to Henry Cowell. You can tour the redwoods on a narrow guage steam train.
I think the Boardwalk is still open on weekends, so that is something you could check out. Ride the Giant Dipper and have a dipped cone.
Check out the surfers along East and West Cliff drives.
Capitola Village is a nice place to spend an afternoon.
Then there is always Monterey - the Aquarium, cruises out on the bay, Cannery Row, etc.
Oct 11th, 2002, 02:22 PM
#5
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Thank you so far for the ideas.
J our friends just bought a new home In Santa Cruz so that's why we are staying with them. We visited them there 2 years ago and loved it. We enjoyed Santa Cruz's uniqueness (sp?) and it's beauty. We were only there last time for 2 days so we are looking forward some more time there. BTW we ate some great restaurants there too.
I think we will for sure do the train ride in the redwoods,right up my 8 year old alley!
J our friends just bought a new home In Santa Cruz so that's why we are staying with them. We visited them there 2 years ago and loved it. We enjoyed Santa Cruz's uniqueness (sp?) and it's beauty. We were only there last time for 2 days so we are looking forward some more time there. BTW we ate some great restaurants there too.
I think we will for sure do the train ride in the redwoods,right up my 8 year old alley!
Oct 11th, 2002, 03:04 PM
#6
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Tracy, your friends will probably have recommendations for you, but our favorite restaurant in Santa Cruz is El Palomar in downtown. Awesome Mexican food and a beautiful place!
Up the coast past Half Moon Bay, your kids might really enjoy the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Amazing tide pools. Be sure to check on when the tide is out.
In SF, the zoo has just been redone and is really nice, but bring jackets just in case. You can dine at the Beach Chalet across from the beach, near Golden Gate park, and be sure to check out the WPA murals downstairs painted in 1936.
Up the coast past Half Moon Bay, your kids might really enjoy the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Amazing tide pools. Be sure to check on when the tide is out.
In SF, the zoo has just been redone and is really nice, but bring jackets just in case. You can dine at the Beach Chalet across from the beach, near Golden Gate park, and be sure to check out the WPA murals downstairs painted in 1936.
Oct 11th, 2002, 03:49 PM
#7
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I second J Correa's suggestion of Big Basin and Roaring Camp (www.roaringcamp.com). Your kids should also enjoy the Monterey Bay Aquarium (http://www.mbayaq.org/) About 30 miles from Santa Cruz, just over the "hill" in San Jose, the Tech Museum of Innovation (www.thetech.org) and the Children's Discovery Museum (www.cdm.org) are also great places to take the kids. Another great idea would be the Happy Hollow Park and Zoo (http://www.happyhollowparkandzoo.org) which is a petting zoo that also has rides for kids. It is located in Kelley Park south of Downtown.
Oct 11th, 2002, 03:56 PM
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Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Carmel are all very different places and appeal to different people. I have noticed that in general, those who really like Carmel aren't impressed with Santa Cruz and visa versa. Both have their pluses and negatives.
I agree with the recommendation for El Palomar in downtown - very good food. Pacific Ave is an interesting place all on it's own. Lots of folks down there who haven't realized that it's no longer 1967.
My favorite restaurant on the SC wharf is Stagnaros. It's near the end, great views, tasty food. The Stagnaro family has been around the area for generations. They also own Gilda's, which is also on the wharf. It's more of a coffee shop style restaurant.
Another good restaurant in SC is the Hind Quarter on Soquel Ave - it's a carnivour's paradise.
If you take a trip down to Monterey, you should stop in Moss Landing at Phil's Fish Market for some good clam chowder. I have driven down from San Jose for no other purpose than to go to Phil's.
I agree with the recommendation for El Palomar in downtown - very good food. Pacific Ave is an interesting place all on it's own. Lots of folks down there who haven't realized that it's no longer 1967.
My favorite restaurant on the SC wharf is Stagnaros. It's near the end, great views, tasty food. The Stagnaro family has been around the area for generations. They also own Gilda's, which is also on the wharf. It's more of a coffee shop style restaurant.
Another good restaurant in SC is the Hind Quarter on Soquel Ave - it's a carnivour's paradise.
If you take a trip down to Monterey, you should stop in Moss Landing at Phil's Fish Market for some good clam chowder. I have driven down from San Jose for no other purpose than to go to Phil's.
Oct 12th, 2002, 11:06 AM
#10
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Thanks again everyone.Californians sure are friendly! I think we may have eaten at the El Palomar last time we were there. Does it have a high tiled ceiling? The food there was great. I love Mexican food.
I don't usually take my kids out of school,but I think travel is a great learning experience and so do my childrens teachers. They will get work to do while we are gone and I'm going to have both of them do a report on what they learned on their trip to California. The Aquarium and the redwoods should provide them with some great learning opportunities. Thanks again!
I don't usually take my kids out of school,but I think travel is a great learning experience and so do my childrens teachers. They will get work to do while we are gone and I'm going to have both of them do a report on what they learned on their trip to California. The Aquarium and the redwoods should provide them with some great learning opportunities. Thanks again!
Oct 21st, 2002, 01:27 PM
#14
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I enjoy Pescadero,Duarte's for lunch, Norms market for hot bread and Straus milk & butter,the very old church and cemetery and the drive up the hill to the Memorial Redwood Park for a beautiful walk to the swimming hole and then drive by all those delightful flamingos,it always makes me laugh.
