A trip to Santa Cruz, Beach Boardwalk, CA (Full Guide)
SANTA CRUZ, BEACH BOARDWALK, CA.
My son has a January birthday. I know what you’re thinking; bummer for him to not only be celebrating in the dead of winter, but also to have Christmas so close to his birthday. Well actually, to have a birthday on the heals of Christmas can be good. As in, “Hey kid, sorry Santa didn’t bring you everything you wanted, but there’s always your birthday.” And as far as celebrating in the winter goes, hey this is California after all. You can find sun. Here’s where we found it: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. We could do it in a short weekend, no problem. My husband David gets the travel planning award for this one. He found the greatest little cottage to stay in; right on the beach, called The Ocean Echo Inn in Santa Cruz. It was plenty big even though we had an extra kid with us (my nine-year-old nephew), making us a party of five.
The cottages are like the little house concept; a full house only shrunken. Ours had two main spaces; a master bedroom, and a family room/kitchen area complete with a convertible sofa for the three kids. The bathroom was super small, and the kitchen was itty bitty; but so cute and clean it was worth it. We made a full egg and pancake breakfast and a dinner while we were there and it was just fine. There are also outdoor barbecues if needed. The weather could not have been better and the beach that’s viewable from the communal patio is literally RIGHT there. The little sandy cove feels very secluded since it’s quietly tucked behind a mostly residential neighborhood. Also, the inn is only a ten-minute drive to our main destination; Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. If you’ve never been there, it is worth the trip; like you are stepping back in time a century.
Since we were there in January, which is the off-season, half the park is closed; and wrist-bands are way cheaper; costing us $23 each. But that’s fine because what’s open is really the best part; including the world-famous Giant Dipper, the 90-year-old wooden roller coaster in America. We had an eight-year-old, a nine-year-old and a new ten-year-old and they all agreed it was the best possible place to spend a birthday. My nephew wants an exact replica of our day for his next birthday. There were very little lines, so the kids would get off a ride, run around back to the entrance and get right on it again. I was sure they were all three going to throw up on us, but they didn’t.
PUMPKIN PICKING IN GRASS VALLEY
If you live in the greater Sacramento area (or are just visiting) and want a fun place to go get your pumpkins without battling the crowds at Apple Hill, I highly recommend Bierwagen’s in Grass Valley. When my sister told me that’s where she wanted to take us this year to get pumpkins, I was very confused. I thought, “Why would they have a place for kids to pick pumpkins where they also sell beer out of a wagon?” Turns out “Bierwagen” is the last name of the family who owns the farm and it’s a really great pumpkin patch that my sister and her family have been going to for years with her in-laws.
The Rayner Family Christmas Card shot that resulted from our day at this scenic farm.
The pumpkin patch was a surprisingly quaint little farm nestled in the Sierra Foothills. It’s a bit of a trek if you live in the Valley but very easy to find, as it’s not far off of I80. It’s worth the drive if you’re looking for pumpkins that are actually growing out of the ground instead of lined-up in a parking lot. It doesn’t have the bounce houses and carnival rides like at some of the places they have nowadays — it’s more of throwback to the “real” pumpkin patches from when we were little — picture the one in “The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” — only with cute farm animals to pet and a corn maze.
They also had food there — which was great because we realized once we arrived that we were starving! They were selling hot dogs and hamburgers (which were very tasty) and homemade pies from a little booth. We had to wait awhile for our food because there were only two young ladies working; they seemed a little frazzled trying to ring people up and also make all the food — I think they were understaffed on that particular day but they were very sweet and apologetic about the wait. I saw several people waiting for these fried apple donut-type balls. I didn’t have one but they were made fresh right there and they smelled amazing. There is a restaurant across the street called the Happy Apple Kitchen, which my sister said the family also owns and that’s why they have such good apple baked goods.
My niece, Ava, proudly showing off her pumpkin. You can see my son in the background waiting to catch the football from my husband (It wasn’t really an appropriate place to be throwing a football — several times they almost hit other families who were strolling through the pumpkin patch minding their own business). Ava, at least, had her priorities straight! After all, we were here to get pumpkins.
Another thing I liked about this place was that it was just so beautiful and peaceful — it was far enough from the freeway to be very quiet and there was nature in every direction — ahh, it just puts you in a good mood to see the land the way God made it. There are orchards and rows of corn and pretty rolling hills full of pumpkins. There were also a few booths with crafts and gifts to buy. We don’t go for that sort of thing but we did buy a homemade apple pie on our way out because pie is something I don’t know how to make, so whenever I have the chance to get homemade pie, I jump at it! mmm- it was sooo good. My mouth is watering for some right now just thinking about it. Guess I’ll just have to wait until next year.
THE TWINS VISIT FORT BRAGG, CALIFORNIA
We had the pleasure of visiting Fort Bragg, California in February. Though it is not the most popular time of year to visit a beach town in Northern California, the kids, the dads, and we twins alike had a fabulous time!
Here are the highlights that we highly recommend in any season:
1. Cowlick’s Ice Cream Cafe which boasts mushroom ice cream and other unique gems!
2. Shopping Downtown. There are candy shops and toy stores for the kids, boutiques, kitchen shops, and antiques for the mommies, and even gaming stores for any daddies or teenagers who may accompany you.
3. The tide pools at MacKerricher StatePark. Wow! Just three miles north of Fort Bragg, you will find hiking trails, tide pools, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the area. Sometimes seal lions show up as well.
4. The Pudding Creek Bridge is amazing and has a fantastic beach behind it that the kids loved exploring.
5. Lastly, if you are into BBQ, The Q at 1064 S Main St. was mouth-watering. We ordered BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, onion rings, potato salad and cole slaw. We way over-ordered though, not realizing how large the sandwiches would be. Next time, we will split sandwiches or meals.
We hope you visit Fort Bragg on your next vacation, and by all means bring the kids!
Your Friend,
