We had some business in the morning in Scotts Valley and then headed over to the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz for the afternoon. Very crowded! I could not believe that were NO waves in the ocean. We were all commenting about it. We were so glad we didn't take our surfboards.

We ended up on the wharf which was REALLY crowded also and rather dirty with lots of pigeon feathers all over the shops. Ick!

We decided on Stagnaro's for dinner, since our meal at Gilbert's last time was horrible. The meal was mediocre to say the least BUT my SAND DABS were excellent and the hit of the day!

From now on when we're in the Santa Cruz area, we want to try the Crow's Nest.

Today, my son & hubby were called back to the area to help someone and they just called and said they were dining at the Bittersweet Bistro in Aptos. I recommended that they go there for a nice dinner. They were both very pleased with their experience there.

I'm learning that there aren't many really nice choices for excellent food in this area. Really different than the Carmel/Monterey area that I adore.

Shopping on the wharf was fun, got some great fudge and touristy goodies then headed back home. I opted out of the trip back today! ***kim***

I wondered where you ended up since you hadn't posted about Pismo! No waves here either... we saw a sailboat out this morning and I thought, "I hope their motor is on good working condition!" Absolutlely calm for as far as we could see off of Shell Beach.

There were also a lot of sailboats at Santa Cruz, which was really pretty to watch. When we were up at Huntington Lake a couple of weekends ago, we met the pro Regatta team and they were from Santa Cruz and said they loved sailing on the ocean, also.

I was picturing huge waves, and being tossed to and fro! Ha! My daughter had been to the Boardwalk just the day before, so we didn't do the rides. ***kim***

We were in the same area this weekend -just a little further south, Manressa State Beach - camping Friday and Saturday. Campgrounds are booked by reservations and are "walk-in". We have camped there before and knew to take a small wagon to haul the equipment to the campsites. It's nice once you are settled into your site to have no traffic driving through. My grandson (10) learned to boogie board on what he called "killer waves" and there were surfers where we were. Weather was great - cloudy in the am and clearning in the afternoon. Beautiful days at the beach.

My husband purchased ANOTHER surfboard yesterday, we now have seven for our clan. This one is gorgeous, and the best one yet. We are still at a loss as to where to go on this CA coast for some nice waves to use these boards.

Probably will wait until our next Oregon Coast trip or go to Malibu, there are good waves there, yes??? FIL just took his RV home from Malibu, so we would have to find lodging and it's a little too far for a day trip.

We did do DL in one day last June! LOL ***kim***

There were quite a number of surfers at Manressa Beach when we were there this weekend. I'm not sure where you are at exactly, but from your earlier post, it sounded like you were close enough to Santa Cruz for a day trip. There is also quite a lot of surfing in Half Moon Bay south of San Francisco.

Too bad there weren't any waves when you were in Santa Cruz. Usually Santa Cruz has exellent waves - they don't hold surf competitions there for nothing - LOL. Must have been a slack tide or something while you were there. We were in Monterey on Saturday and the water looked very calm.

It would probably be a good idea to check the tides before you plan to go out so you can time things right. Also, you should check which beaches allow boards to be used. Several in the Santa Cruz area, including the Boardwalk, Cowell, and Castle are strictly swimming beaches. It's probably the same in other areas as well, you know, to keep the swimmers and the surfers from getting in each other's way.

Where are the surf competitions held, JCorrea? ***kim***

There usually aren't waves during the summer months, unless we get a southern swell from a hurricane that makes it a little further up. Most of our contest are held in the winter months when the swell is more predictable. The contest are held at Steamer's Lane and some smaller contests are held at The Point or the Capitola Jetty.
Too bad you seem to have such bad luck with our local restaurants. We have so many amazing restaurants in the Santa Cruz area that it takes us at least a half hour to decide where to go.

Kimamom, Just saw your reply about Gilbert's restaurant. He has one on Fishermans Wharf in Monterey which is just as terrible!!

No more Santa Cruz wharf meals. We enjoy Cafe Fina and Domenic's in Monterey. They also serve very good sand dabs. I know it was a weekend in August, which is probably the busiest time for tourists there, but pigeon feathers and flies are unacceptable.

Aptos is very a nice place and the Bittersweet Bistro got high marks from my husband. I also want to try Sanderlings at the Seascape Resort where we almost stayed for the night.

Viamar, which restaurants do you recommend in Santa Cruz? Is the Crow's Nest one of your favorites? We like REALLY fresh seafood! Price is no object. I'd love some suggestions from locals! I've heard good things about a place in Capitola, but can't recall the name right now...Shadowbrook maybe? ***kim***

Kim,

We have had dinner at Shadowbrook twice in the last month. Our food, service and atmosphere have been wonderful. Make sure when you make your reservation to request a table overlooking the creek.

Sounds like my kind of place! What's good to order here, do they have a website? ***kim***

Kim,

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

We enjoyed Shadowbrook too, about a year and a half ago. Nice atmosphere, busy, live music, rustic setting, and the food was quite good.

We really love Costa Brava, on Pacific Ave, downtown SC. It's a South American type place, with a few Mexican dishes thrown in. They give you awesome ciabatta bread to start and the drinks are really good. Everything we get is very tasty and well prepared; I especially love the Xinxim chicken (cilantro and coconut milk). Get something that comes with the delicious rice or even better, the yucca fries, which melt in your mouth!

love
roxy

Both places sound really good! How far is Half Moon Bay from SC? The Ritz there sounds like a nice place to stay next time we're in the area. ***kim***

The Crow's Nest is good. I prefer to go there during the winter when they have great mid-week specials. The Shadowbrook is one of the most beautiful restaurants that I know of, but the food can be hit or miss.
If you like Mexican food try El Palomar on Pacific Ave. also downtown is Clouds Downtown near Pacific. They have the best seared ahi and awesome martinis. Soif is a nice wine bar with a tapas menu.
Vasilli's on Mission for Greek food. For steaks the Hindquarter on Soquel Ave.
For seafood Cafe Rio in Aptos or Phil's in Moss Landing. Another great restaurant in Aptos is Cafe Sparrow, they serve French Country cuisine.
BTW the Ritz in Half Moon Bay hardly ever has any sun, so if you're coming for sunshine I wouldn't count on it.

Thanks for all the tips, I wish we had this list with us on Sat. My husband and son really enjoyed the Bittersweet Bistro in Aptos the next day. ***kim***

Downtown Santa Cruz has some great places to eat - I second Soif, El Palomar, and Clouds - but would like to recomend Oswalds and Gabriella Cafe. Both excellent.

Then on the westside of town is Omei on Mission St - the best Chinese food around! And there is also Al Dente on Seabright for a wild Italian meal (don't go if you like quiet or quick service - go for the fun!)...

I'm learning that there aren't many really nice choices for excellent food in this area.

If you continue to go to touristy places like the Wharf & Crow's Nest, you'll continue to be disappointed.

I personally feel that Palomar is way over-rated too unless you go to the $1 Taco bar in the back.

Here are some places that I've been that you might like:

Higher Scale:
Theos
Casablanca
Pearl Alley Bistro
Star Bene (Italian)
Shadowbrook
HindQuarter (Steak house)

Lower Scale:
Jack's Burgers
Vaisili's Greek
Falafel Hut or Falafel House
Almost any tacqueria (Tacos Mareno is very popular but I think it's pretty average)

Sushi:
Naka
Pink Godzilla
Takara Tiki
Takara Capitola

North of Santa Cruz:
Duartes Pescadero

South of Santa Cruz:
Phils Fish Market Moss Landing

Kimamom, you went to the Boardwalk, and you don't even mention THE funnel cake??? Now this is a personal offense, girl, let's take it outside!