We stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Capitola. I stayed there last year when my oldest son and I went on a trip and we decided to return. It's a decent hotel, much nicer than others in the area that will possibly be closer to the beach, but as a rule are not as pleasant. The beds were comfortable. The room was clean. Free breakfast is given every morning and there's a safe, locked parking area, which is a nice perk in this area. The only downside to the room itself was that the cleaning crew left the slider open and forgot to replenish our bath towels. We were lucky no one jumped into our room and stole anything, but thankfully, even being on the first floor, we were not at ground level, so getting in would have been tough for a thief. The hotel was a bit noisy and sound carried very well, but generally, things were quiet from 10PM-6AM, which was good enough for us.
One of our favorite locations in the area is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. This is one of the last classic seaside amusement parks on the west coast. My husband and I also happened to work there for a few years way back when we first met, so the area holds some personal connection for us as well. Going to the Boardwalk is free, but parking is $15 and rides can cost anywhere from about $3-$7, or you can get an unlimited ride wristband for a bit more, which makes sense if you plan on riding a lot of rides. There's also a huge arcade, indoor mini golf, a haunted house, and laser tag. Overall, it has a carnival type feel, but it also has some classic rides that have been around for over 100 years, like the carousel and the Giant Dipper, a classic wooden roller coaster.
We also visited another personal favorite, the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Located in Monterey, California, this aquarium is amazing. It's a bit pricey at $50 for adults and $30 for children, but well worth the money to see the amazing exhibits. Where else can you see fish larger than a toddler swimming in a gigantic multi-story display or watch otters swimming in their enclosure, then step outside and see them drifting in the wild literally right outside the door? All of my children really enjoyed this experience. As an extra perk, it's a great way to make a trip educational.
While in Monterey, we also stopped at Dennis the Menace Park. Close to the wharf, this area is a fun place to let your kids run. Fair warning though, it gets very crowded and is quite large. If you have more than one or two kids, it's hard to keep track of everyone. Still, it's one of the best parks I've ever been to and worth the side trip.
Speaking of educational, we also took a trip to the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, California. This museum is meant for children between ages 8 and 14, but my 4-year-olds enjoyed it, too. There are hands on exhibits on robotics, networks, the human body, and health. You can even simulate an earthquake to see how buildings, materials, and people respond to the shaking.
San Jose is a beautiful city with an odd juxtaposition of old and new. A stroll around the downtown area rounded off our trip. Some of the old buildings and modern art were gorgeous.
As for food recommendations, my number 1 choice is always Las Palmas in Santa Cruz. This is a pretty basic taco shop with tacos, burritos, enchiladas, rice, and beans, among other basic Mexican fair. Prices are also right. A bean and cheese burrito will only cost you about $4. Taco platters run around $9.
My other standard recommendation is Erik's Deli, which you can find in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Watsonville, and San Jose. This deli seems like any other typical place until you actually taste the sandwiches. Alfalfa sprouts come standard on most of the sandwiches, adding a little extra flare. The sandwiches aren't the most cost-effective, but definitely worth the $7-$10 per sandwich if you want something surprisingly good and unique compared to larger chain companies.
It was a great trip and I can't wait to go back again. Hopefully we'll make it next year. Our next big planned trip is Legoland in June. Can't wait!
