The trifecta of bliss, at least according to me, lies in Santa Cruz county (California). This perfect trio consists of Aptos, Soquel, and Capitola. These three beachy towns are unique and special in their own ways. They are perfectly positioned between Santa Cruz and Watsonville. They are all a short drive away from Monterey/Carmel (drive south on Highway 1) or the Bay Area (drive north on CA State Route 17). They are convenient, beautiful, and charming. Allow me to elaborate... 😉
Aptos
Cute, charming hillside town. A bit more "upscale" than the other areas that surround this small town- what I mean by that is there are more specialty and boutique shops than, say, Santa Cruz or Watsonville. It's just... A different vibe. Definitely worthy of your time- even if you're just driving through!
Nisene Marks Aptos is home to Nisene Marks State Park- take a walk through a redwood forest and capture all that nature has to offer. I suggest familiarizing yourself with the area beforehand; the park is tucked away behind a shopping center. One time, my hubby and I almost drove INTO the park! 😮
Aptos St. BBQ My mom's favorite BBQ place is here in Aptos. It's called Aptos St. BBQ and it's delicious! We love Aptos St. BBQ for their FANTASTIC ribs and live music (specific days only- see their website for more info)! They have a small parking lot on-site, but street parking can be tight, so please be careful! 😊
Glaum Egg Ranch This is the CUTEST stop for all ages! If you stop here, you have to watch the chicken show (IYKYK). The employees are all very kind; if you missed the show, ask and they can turn it on for you! The kids (and my mom) LOVE it here. 💕 They always choose some honey sticks for the ride home. Glaum offers fresh eggs, great prices, and a truly unforgettable experience!
The Farm Bakery This place has the best fruit tart!🍓 It's creamy, packed with seasonal fruit, and absolutely perfect! This used to be my birthday "cake" request when I was younger (I'm not big on sweets). I have the best memories at The Farm; my mom used to bring me here for a special treat when I was a kid. It was such a special memory for me- one that I now get to cherish with my own kids!
Marianne's Ice Cream Hands down the best ice cream you've ever tasted! Marianne's has two convenient locations: one in Aptos and the other in Santa Cruz (this one is the original location). At Marianne's, you'll find all of the traditional flavors, and some you've probably never tried before! My go-to flavors are usually either green tea or lavender. Grab a scoop (or two) and take a stroll down to the beach from this friendly Aptos location! PSST... They also sell hand-packed pints, quarts, and half-gallons of their delicious ice cream! 😉
Soquel
This tiny town is only 4.6 square miles! Don't blink, or you'll miss it! 😜 While this town may be small, it is full of life! Soquel Village offers many antique shops and cafes. Take a stroll through Soquel- you won't be sorry! If the kids get restless, take them to one of the parks!
Anna Jean Cummings County Park My kids call this park "Blue Ball Park" because of the brightly colored installations that are displayed. You'll see why when you get there. 😊😉 This park is fun for all ages because they have a big concrete slide- the ones us older people remember so fondly. You know, the ones that require you to sit on a square piece of cardboard... Take the kids here and let your own inner child be free!
Heart of Soquel Park This park (as the name implies) is centrally located in the heart of Soquel Village. They offer bocce ball courts, pedestrian trails, and even public art! We haven't personally visited this park yet, but it's on our list for next time!
The Bagelry When I'm craving a bagel, I stop here. They offer a huge variety of traditional, boiled bagels that have the perfect bite! They do have multiple locations, but I adore the vibes at the Soquel location. The buzz of friendly conversations and the heavenly aroma of fresh bagels is a fool-proof way to jumpstart my mornings! It can get busy during the morning rush, but it's worth the wait- trust me. My favorite? Lox deluxe on an everything bagel. 😋
Capitola
Capitola is our favorite town. Why? It offers the convenience of city living (close to restaurants and shopping), but with the added appeal of a casual, beachy town. Everyone is friendly, time melts away, and you can just... Breathe. It's my "happy place"; I feel most at-peace when I'm in Capitola. 💕
Pizza My Heart If you've been following me for a while, you may have heard me mention my kids' favorite pizza place- Pizza My Heart! Pizza My Heart offers generous slices as well as whole pizzas; perfect for families with different tastes. Everyone can get what they like! They also sell t-shirts (my hubby and daughter are working on collecting all of them) and a slice for under $10! My personal favorite is the Big Sur (roasted garlic, pepperoni, sausage, Portobello mushrooms, and green onion). Oh, I almost forgot to mention there's two locations in Capitola. The one we frequent is located on 41st Ave (right off Highway 1), but the other location is in Capitola Village (off the Esplanade).
Capitola Village, a.k.a. Capitola-by-the-Sea, this beachy area consists of brightly colored buildings, locally-owned shops, and great food! In Capitola Village, you'll find handmade jewelry, sweets & treats, and much more. With everything Capitola Village has to offer, it's the perfect place to find unique souvenirs or gifts! Be sure to check out the mural on the bridge- it's phenomenal! 😍
Capitola Mall Capitola Mall is our favorite place to kill time! They have fun shops, it's connected to a two-story Target, and there's even activity centers if your little ones have too much energy! 😉It has a small food court (with VERY limited options), but the mall itself is surrounded by plenty of other options if you're craving something else. We love visiting the Friends of the Capitola Library Bookstore, which is conveniently located inside the mall. It's a used bookstore, but it offers so much more! My kids love stopping by to check out some "new" books, puzzles, or games.
These are just some of the places my family enjoys- and I hope yours do, too! You may see some places that are familiar to you, but hopefully there's some new places for your family to check out!
Happy travels, friends! 😄