Cupertino

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

We got settled in by late afternoon and decided we'd like to go see the ocean. We ended up going to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. I thought it was a pretty cool place, although a little "tourist-ish", but you gotta do those things on vacation right?

The drive from Cupertino to Santa Cruz was only about 35 miles but half of the way was on a road that filled with sharp curves. It was a really pretty route but not very relaxing for the driver (aka: Me). When we got to Santa Cruz we parked at the Warf and walked down to the beach from there. Where the boardwalk begins there was a little place on the corner where a bunch of people were salsa dancing and spectators standing around scoping them out. I thought this was kinda cute although a tad bit strange. Everyone seemed to find it completely normal though, so I'm guessing it's something that happens there on a daily basis.

The boardwalk itself is basically a theme park with carnival rides stretching down the length of the beach. There were little shops along the way and a ton of food vendors. We didn't get anything to eat there but we did break down and ride the "Glider Express". It's along the same idea as a hang glider where you lay on yoru stomach and the ride takes you around in a circle while dipping/diving. I've never gone hang gliding but that ride was SWEET...definitely the most fun I've had here so far :o) Mom actually really enjoyed it too after I had to about break her arm to get her to go with me.