Ah, Santa Cruz - the sun, the sand, the 8 million people happily crammed together at the shore. Making the executive call that Santa Cruz falls under this metblog’s jurisdiction, here are some ideas for a weekend getaway for the surfer in us all.
A short ride south (take 280 from the City, if you like non-traffic, hop on 85 South and then 17 toward Santa Cruz) along a scenic and windy highway lies Santa Cruz - a hamlet of weirdos, tree-huggers, 420 celebraters, and college students all living in property costing around $800,000. Santa Cruz is the perfect California blend of redwood trees and endless beachfronts, upscale boutique shopping and thrift stores galore.
Downtown is easy to find, as is parking (several free lots and structures, ample meters) - just turn right off Ocean onto River Street (note all streets are some derivation of water like, uh, Water St., River St., Ocean St, etc). There’s good signage in this town - use it.
On hot, holiday weekends, you’re better off parking in the downtown area and then hoofing or cycling over to the waterfront - parking there is more expensive and less plentiful (it took us a good 30 minutes and 10 bucks to find a spot). Beach goers here are serious - there’s no shortage of shade structures, umbrellas, tents, coolers, hammocks, chairs, blankets, food, beer (technically prohibited, I’m sure) and sunscreen. The water’s too cold (for this SoCal-er), but it didn’t discourage 8000 or so kids from splashing away the afternoon. There are beaches away from the Boardwalk - locals areas, surfing nooks, better places, I’m sure . . . . .
The Boardwalk itself teems with people, most of them kids high on cotton candy, funnel cake, deep-fried twinkies, soda, and roller coasters. There are midway games, the sound of bells and cheers, rides for the timid and the adventurous and excellent people-watching spots.
Once you tire of the tourist fare, head back downtown (okay, there’ll be tourists there as well), and grab some dinner.
For sushi, no place beats Shogun. After that long day you deserve a Kirin and some sake and a Leftover Roll - plus as much sushi as you can consume. The fish is always fresh, the service efficient and friendly, and though the wait stretch a bit on weekends, it’s well worth it. I have and would drive to Santa Cruz just for Shogun.
If Mexican is more your thing, Jalapenos is the place to go. Massive burritos, perfectly crisped quesadillas, and sublimely seasoned meat at a reasonable price - hits the spot after a day in the sun.
Santa Cruz, of course, has a lot of natural, non-cullinary beauty as well. The campus of UC Santa Cruz alone is a great collection of all the area’s biomes. But that’s a post for a different time. For now - while the weekends are still hot and you’re not ready to let go of summer - head for the boardwalk and the beach.

Look, it’s a little fiberglass caveman in one of those peoplemover cars. Wtf?, you may ask. It’s Santa Cruz. Don’t ask so many questions.

And this guy? He’s umbrella guy. He talks very, very small steps up and down Pacific Avenue all day long, umbrella in hand, smiling blissfully as he goes. He doesn’t have much to say. Doesn’t seem to have much to do. But he’s having a ball not doing it. Gotta love this town.

Related posts:

1. No more free parking in San Jose? No!
2. All Aboard! This Saturday and Sunday
3. Santa Cruz Guerilla Open Air Theater
4. Sounds of the City: Bridge Humming
5. OMG it’s hot.