When I was a kid, my mom and aunt would take my seven cousins and I to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk at least once every summer. Of course that tradition died down years ago when we all turned into teenagers, but I still reminisce those days like it was yesterday. I would ride the Giant Dipper numerous times and walk the boardwalk with a large corn dog in hand. Ahhh… to live like a kid again.
This past Memorial Day weekend, I took a trip down memory lane and drove down to Santa Cruz. But instead of staying in Santa Cruz all weekend, I decided to visit two neighboring cities as well: Davenport and Capitola. Both Capitola and Davenport is within a 20 minute from Santa Cruz, so I made Santa Cruz my home base.
Promptly at 8am Saturing morning, my friend and I made our way down south. After a 2 hour drive, we were in Santa Cruz. By noon, we were strolling the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
TRAVEL TIP: Stay at a hotel near the boardwalk and travel to the boardwalk by foot. The traffic and parking at the boardwalk gets INSANE. You’ll regret driving there.
Before getting on any rides, we wanted indulge in some carnival fare. And when I say carnival fare, I mean anything greasy and fried. Within the 4 hours we were there, we had devoured corn dogs, a churro sundae, tator twist (potato chips on a stick), and a deep fried PB&J sandwich. Out of everything that we ate, the fried PB&J sandwich was my favorite. The doughy outside was fried and fluffy, and the PB&J inside was warm and gooey. SO DELICIOUS.
TRAVEL TIP: Food on the boardwalk is surprisingly affordable. Each of our food item ranged from $4-8. I would pass on the churro sundae, but the corn dogs are not to be missed!
Afterwards, we made a run for the Giant Dipper, the oldest ride in the park. This historic ride has been on the boardwalk ever since it opened in 1924. It is the fifth oldest roller coaster in the US. You cannot go to the boardwalk without ride this iconic wooden roller coaster at least once. The current price for one ride is $7 which you pay with a card that you reload with points. You use this same card to also play arcade games throughout the park. After we rode the roller coast, we played a round of miniature golf in Neptune’s Kingdom. It’s changed a lot since I was a kid, but still a great game and one of my “must do’s” when I’m at the boardwalk.
Around 5pm, we left to Natural Bridges State Beach to catch the sunset. When driving to the beach, I suggest taking the scenic route along the bluff. You’ll pass several gorgeous beach houses. When we got to the beach, several photographers were already posted on the sand, with their tripod, ready to capture the iconic arch in the ocean during sunset. The sunset on the beach is just as beautiful as I’ve seen in photographs. The sky turns into shades of orange that dissolve into magenta, and then settles into a deep purple. It’s so gorgeous. And with the arch sitting in the ocean makes the scene so much more magical. After the sunset, we went to Downtown Santa Cruz for dinner and drinks.
TRAVEL TIP: For food and libations I recommend visiting Pacific Ave. in Downtown Santa Cruz. There you’ll find plenty of shops, bars and restaurants. I suggest grabbing some dinner at El Palomar for dinner and heading over to either Blue Lagoon or The Red Room for nightlife/drinks.
After lunch, we walked a few blocks over to the beach. Seems like everyone was thinking the same thing for MDW because the beach was packed! There was literally no spots available on the beach, so we found an open area on the lawn right beyond the sand. After sunbathing for an hour, we checked out the Capitola Venetian Hotel, which have rows of colorful beachfront villas.
TRAVEL TIP: Are you a fan of pizza? The first-ever Pizza My Heart is located in Capitola, right by the beach on The Esplanade. Definitely a favorite among locals and visitors.
When happy hour came around, we headed over to Shadowbrook for drinks and appetizers. Shadowbrook has been a local favorite in Capitola for over 50 years. The restaurant is known for it’s cable car that you take down to the dining area, which sits on the bank of a canal. This place is perfect for a romantic dinner.
On our final day in Santa Cruz County, we headed north to Davenport. Davenport is a real small town. According to the 2010 census, it’s home to 500 people! It may be small, but Davenport is home to a few natural gems that are larger than life. Because of Shark Fin Cove and Davenport Pier, Davenport has been a photographers’ haven. Both locations are extremely photogenic.
Right off Highway 1 is Shark Fin Cove. It’s a small beach that has a large rock formation near the shore. This triangular rock formation is reminiscent of a shark fin sprouting out of the open ocean, hence giving the location it’s renowned name. I’ve seen this location photographed several times, but to see it in person is an experience that not any photo can give you. The spring and summer season is especially a great time to visit Shark Fin Cove because the surrounding areas are blossoming with wild flowers. With all the bright colors and scenic views, it’s no wonder was this was a popular and known spot. Several people were out on the beach and enjoying the sun.
After roaming the beach for a couple hours, we made our final stop at Davenport Pier. Davenport Pier is a beach that is home to remnants of an abandoned pier. Unlike Shark Fin Cove, Davenport Pier is a place of peace and solitude. The pillars of a pier that once was still stands tall in the ocean. The first pillar is dressed in graffiti and has a makeshift swing that beach goers tend to take pictures on. This pier, which has been dismantled by nature over time, almost looks like man-made art.
TRAVEL TIP: To get down to Davenport Pier is extremely dangerous. Adjacent to the pier is a trail that goes at a direct incline. At an instant, you can slip and slide down the edge of the cliff. I recommend wearing sneakers and to not bring heavy items down to the beach (i.e. coolers, barbecues).
Santa Cruz County is one of my favorite road trips. With three gorgeous towns so close together, a lot can be seen within a weekend. And the commute is so short! The trip was very affordable. Aside from the beach boardwalk and the Airbnb you would have to rent, everything is free of cost. It’s also a great escape from the gloomy weather in San Francisco. The weather in Santa Cruz County is exceptional during the summer. Summer is not over yet so you still have time to go!
Really into cutout tops rn a
So glad we took a bottle of
#tbt to our stay at the @fr
Leave a Reply