Emilie’s guidebook
Sightseeing
This is definitely one of the best hidden jewels that should be the highlight of your trip. It is the most beautiful redwood forest you can hope to see, with almost 10,000 acres of towering redwood trees, hills, valleys, streams and mountains. There aren’t any signs on the main road, so you would never know it is there. If you do nothing else, do this. Follow your GPS because there are no signs; it is only 10 minutes away.
272 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadThis is definitely one of the best hidden jewels that should be the highlight of your trip. It is the most beautiful redwood forest you can hope to see, with almost 10,000 acres of towering redwood trees, hills, valleys, streams and mountains. There aren’t any signs on the main road, so you would never know it is there. If you do nothing else, do this. Follow your GPS because there are no signs; it is only 10 minutes away.
We are known for our fabulous beaches and world famous surfing. Many of the beaches are state beaches, so they will charge you to come in (really they are just charging for parking). Rio Flats (the real name is Rio Del Mar beach) has free parking, so that is where the locals go. Drive back along Freedom to the freeway, and turn right onto Highway 1. Get off at the very next exit - Rio Del Mar Blvd and turn left. After the gas station it will Y - take the road to the right. That will soon go down a very steep hill and at the bottom of the hill is free parking and the beach. This is about 10-15 minutes away.
63 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Rio Del Mar State Beach
We are known for our fabulous beaches and world famous surfing. Many of the beaches are state beaches, so they will charge you to come in (really they are just charging for parking). Rio Flats (the real name is Rio Del Mar beach) has free parking, so that is where the locals go. Drive back along Freedom to the freeway, and turn right onto Highway 1. Get off at the very next exit - Rio Del Mar Blvd and turn left. After the gas station it will Y - take the road to the right. That will soon go down a very steep hill and at the bottom of the hill is free parking and the beach. This is about 10-15 minutes away.
Rio beach is not the place people go surfing - they go there to swim, walk their dog, or take a jog. If you want to surf, the best beaches are at The Point near Capitola. (However, the Surf Club at the school I teach at practice at Manresa beach in Aptos.) Get back on the freeway going north (right) and get off at Bay Ave., and turn left. Drive all the way down to the end - this is Capitola village (a wonderful place to visit, that we will mention soon). The beach there is a good place for beginners. Pleasure Point beach is one of the best for all sorts of surfing, and along all the beach between Capitola and Pleasure Point you will see lots of surfers. However, there is a reason O’Neill wetsuits were created here because it is very cold water!
167 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Capitola Beach Company
131 Monterey AveRio beach is not the place people go surfing - they go there to swim, walk their dog, or take a jog. If you want to surf, the best beaches are at The Point near Capitola. (However, the Surf Club at the school I teach at practice at Manresa beach in Aptos.) Get back on the freeway going north (right) and get off at Bay Ave., and turn left. Drive all the way down to the end - this is Capitola village (a wonderful place to visit, that we will mention soon). The beach there is a good place for beginners. Pleasure Point beach is one of the best for all sorts of surfing, and along all the beach between Capitola and Pleasure Point you will see lots of surfers. However, there is a reason O’Neill wetsuits were created here because it is very cold water!
Capitola Village (where Capitola beach is) is very quaint, full of great restaurants and cute shops. Definitely worth spending some time! See directions above in the beaches section.
151 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Capitola
Capitola Village (where Capitola beach is) is very quaint, full of great restaurants and cute shops. Definitely worth spending some time! See directions above in the beaches section.
This is in Santa Cruz. It has a natural bridge across the beach. But it also has Monarch Butterfly Preserve! You can look this up on your GPS.
261 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrThis is in Santa Cruz. It has a natural bridge across the beach. But it also has Monarch Butterfly Preserve! You can look this up on your GPS.
Monterey is 45 minutes away. We like to go there for an afternoon - there is a wonderful French pastry shop called The Paris Bakery. The aquarium is world famous! Driving just south of Monterey are lots of cool tide pools. Simon loves The 17 Mile Drive - one of the most scenic routes in the world.
118 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Monterey
Monterey is 45 minutes away. We like to go there for an afternoon - there is a wonderful French pastry shop called The Paris Bakery. The aquarium is world famous! Driving just south of Monterey are lots of cool tide pools. Simon loves The 17 Mile Drive - one of the most scenic routes in the world.
This is where to go to see the really big trees! It is 45 minutes north - follow your GPS. The drive there is a nice drive, and the park is beautiful.
230 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WayThis is where to go to see the really big trees! It is 45 minutes north - follow your GPS. The drive there is a nice drive, and the park is beautiful.
Food scene
This restaurant is owned by one of the local organic farms, so all the food was picked that morning! You cannot get fresher. The chef is superb - the food is excellent. This is a place we go to when we want to treat ourselves. Even the side vegetables are perfectly prepared and delicious! Everything is good. (Most meals are between $15 and $30.)
8 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
California Grill and Bar
40 Penny LnThis restaurant is owned by one of the local organic farms, so all the food was picked that morning! You cannot get fresher. The chef is superb - the food is excellent. This is a place we go to when we want to treat ourselves. Even the side vegetables are perfectly prepared and delicious! Everything is good. (Most meals are between $15 and $30.)
This is Simon’s favorite Mexican restaurant - he takes all of his guests here. Simon’s favorite dish is their Cilantro’s special that we share, but I have not had anything here I have not liked. The chips are better than any other Mexican restaurant. We go here often. (Most meals are between $15 and $30.)
15 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Cilantros
1934 Main StThis is Simon’s favorite Mexican restaurant - he takes all of his guests here. Simon’s favorite dish is their Cilantro’s special that we share, but I have not had anything here I have not liked. The chips are better than any other Mexican restaurant. We go here often. (Most meals are between $15 and $30.)
This is a newer restaurant that we have found, and we really like it. It has fabulous Japanese food and sushi. Most of the tables are outside, with a very nice environment. The food was delightful and very tasty.
21 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Akira Aptos
105 Post Office DrThis is a newer restaurant that we have found, and we really like it. It has fabulous Japanese food and sushi. Most of the tables are outside, with a very nice environment. The food was delightful and very tasty.
Their sausages are renown around here, and they ship throughout the country. The favorite is the Cheezy Bavarian. Stop by and get a lunch - a sausage in a bun like a hotdog, but so much better.
26 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Corralitos Market & Sausage Co
569 Corralitos RdTheir sausages are renown around here, and they ship throughout the country. The favorite is the Cheezy Bavarian. Stop by and get a lunch - a sausage in a bun like a hotdog, but so much better.
The pies are amazing! This is a fruit farm that has branched out. It is a really fun place to visit. They also have berry picking! It is a little drive but makes for a very fun afternoon.
46 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Gizdich Ranch
55 Peckham RdThe pies are amazing! This is a fruit farm that has branched out. It is a really fun place to visit. They also have berry picking! It is a little drive but makes for a very fun afternoon.