Lazy summer days
Santa Cruz is just under a 1/2 hour from where we are staying in California. It's a bit of a curvy ride through the mountains, but when you arrive the air temperature is about 15 degrees cooler than the valley (which can get to 100F) and there are loads of beaches to explore.
One of our favourites is Seacliff, also known as the cement boat beach.
The cement boat is at the end of this pier (trust me).
We put down our beach towels by this log.
And watched the waves come in…
This one just missed my toes.
For dinner, we stopped by Aldo's in Santa Cruz harbour for calamari and fish and chips.
And relaxed as the fog seeped around the light house.
On the way home we stopped by Marianne's for fresh banana ice cream (photo credit: Beast and Bean).
We're back on British shores next week and will have to say good bye to our lazy summer days at the beach.
What have you been doing with your summer?
A Modern Mother | 28th Aug 09
Met — how wonderful! Makes it all worth it.
Tree — Yes!
Liz –Have fun!
Babies– You need to visit soon then
babieswhobrunch | 26th Aug 09
You’ve made me so wistful…. We have family just outside Santa Cruz. Haven’t been there for four years though….
Liz | 24th Aug 09
It’s years since I’ve been to Santa Cruz but seeing your lovely pics definitely makes me want to go back. We’re off to Chicago on Thursday and I hear the weather’s going to be terrible!
Treemama | 22nd Aug 09
looks like you’ve had a great summer!
Metropolitan Mum | 21st Aug 09
Being cold in the Southwest of France.
Enjoying the sun at home in London.
Sweating and melting in the heat in New York.
And the best thing this summer: getting to know our baby girl even better. She turns out to be such a sunny character. And we are head over heels in love.
A Modern Mother | 20th Aug 09
SPD– spreadsheet? I’m impressed.
SingleParentDad | 20th Aug 09
Cool photos, I very much enjoyed two weeks along that coast many years ago.
And as to what we’ve got up to, I’ll copy you in on my spreadsheet.
A Modern Mother | 20th Aug 09
MWA– sounds wonderful!
Iota– we did a lot of that too, perfect really.
Whislte–grab that sunshine while you can.
Chris–do it now!
Lisa–you’re so lucky to have it year round.
Nappy– LOVE the sprinklers
Geeky–like that image of Santa Cruz as a British seaside resort with sunshine!
geekymummy | 20th Aug 09
I love Santa Cruz. It seems to me a bit like a British seaside resort, somehow not like most of the unspoiled natural beaches in CA, with its boardwalk and pier, and toffee apples and candy floss, but transplanted to a place that actually has sunshine!
Sounds like you have had a lovely trip, safe travels home.
nappyvalleygirl | 19th Aug 09
I went to Santa Cruz about five years ago. It was December; we stayed in a motel just near the pier and you could hear the sealions barking at night. Lovely place.
We’ve been cooling off in the sprinklers in the park; the town pool; the beach and the airconditioned library.
Lisa | 19th Aug 09
Oh, just love your pictures! They pretty much sum up our summer vacation too. Those places are our usual hangout spots, year round, actually. Yum, Aldo’s . I love their fish sandwich.
Glad you are all having a great time!
Chris Norton | 19th Aug 09
That beach looks amazing – you have made me think I should book a holiday for the end of September. In fact, that’s it I am going to book one this weekend.
whistlejacket | 19th Aug 09
A lovely looking beach! We had our summer hols eary this year (March in the Canary Islands) so been at home for the past few months. We’ve done a few days out and the children have played lots in the garden. Hopefully out there in a minute as it’s warm and sunny today!
Iota | 19th Aug 09
Lazy hours at the neighborhood pool. Lazy for me, but very active for the kids – perfect combination!
Mwa | 18th Aug 09
My favourite summer activity was visiting fallen down castles in France this summer.