The Mo-Da Trip to Santa Cruz

 When I was 14 or so, my family took a trip to Santa Cruz, where we hung out near the Natural Bridges State Beach (2531 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060).
At least there were bridges there then (as seen in the black-and-white picture my father took at the time). The "now" picture in color shows what happens in the formula ocean+time+solid rock.

My daughter and I stayed at the Davenport Roadhouse and Inn (1 Davenport Ave, Davenport, CA 95017--you can't miss it. It's an old stagecoach/Wells Fargo stop). The Inn is a cross between clean (accommodations) and funky (the old building itself). We ate a few meals in the restaurant on the first floor (breakfast, highly recommended!). A few miles to the south, Santa Cruz has a fantastic walkway that runs from Natural Bridges State Park all the way to the (not quite open yet) Boardwalk.

 

We cruised Capitola with it's gorgeous beach and candy-colored cabanas.

A trip down would not be complete without a number of stops. One of our favorites (both there and back) is Swanton Berry Farm on Highway 1, Davenport. Organic strawberries, pies and general conviviality.

Courtesy of Ano Nuevo State Park

A morning spent at Ano Nuevo State Park

(1 New Years Creek Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060), included a hike along the easy trails out to the breeding ground of northern Elephant seals, once hunted nearly to the point of extinction. Hikes during this time of year (molting season) require signing in for a free permit at the ranger station/shop. Though there's only one actual trail, the long hike is 100% worth it, because the farther beaches take you within 20 feet of dozens of these enormous creatures. Mature female Elephant seals weigh in between 1,200 -2,000 pounds (much smaller than the males--up to two-and-a-half tons--who populate the beach in December). What we saw were moms and pups--all bigger than your average Volkswagon.

Lunch at Duarte's Tavern (202 Stage Rd, Pescadero, CA 9406) was notable mainly for the spicy, lime-juiced cole slaw, in spite of Google map's listing of Duartes as "iconic" on it's map

I once spent the night in a dorm room at Pigeon Point Lighthouse, (210 Pigeon Point Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060) operated by Hosteling International. It's a typical HI set-up, with shared kitchen and bathrooms, but one thing that makes it special is the hot tub, which overlooks the ocean. Get there early in the day--you have to sign up for a time in the popular tub.

And on the way back, no trip south would be complete without a stop at Reppeto Florist and Nursery (12331 San Mateo Rd, [Hwy. 92], Half Moon Bay, CA 94019) for bouquets of cut flowers to bring home. The bunches sold (for really low prices, as you can see) are not large, but the variety is mind-blowing.