San Francisco to Santa Cruz and a Mission or Two

NorCal's signature beach boardwalk and amusement park is beloved as much for the amount of fun it packs into its compact size as for its environmental stewardship. Even if you only stay for a short while, walk the length of the boardwalk, have a hot dog on a stick (it's practically obligatory), and ride the Giant Dipper at least once. The classic wooden coaster first opened in 1924.
Please check the schedule on the official website.

Want to eat like a local? This is your spot. I'm pretty sure the whole bowl craze started with Charlie Hong Kong, which opened in 1998. Many dishes are vegan, to which meaty or fishy options can be added. You can't go wrong with Charlie's Chow Mein or King Salmon teriyaki Rice Bowl. Ask for extra sauce; it's so good.

I am not a physicist so I cannot explain the gravitational anomalies that exist here. The tour is pure infotainment — campy, schticky, and punny. Just do it! Sign up for a tour and prepare to giggle. Added bonus: now you know why half the cars in California have a yellow Mystery Spot sticker on them. Get one!

It's probably too head-spinning for actual Santa Cruz surfers to spend time indoors anywhere but if you want to learn more about why the sport invented in Hawai'i remains so popular in California, spend a few minutes walking around here.

For a quieter Santa Cruz experience, head to the trees at a park that most locals don't even visit. There is a stunning grove of old growth coastal redwoods and underfoot, you might even spot some of the region's famous banana slugs; they are bright yellow but easy to miss among the leaf litter.

Rest your weary feet on the rail at the bar at Jack's. Quaff a glass of wine sourced from the nearby Santa Cruz hills before digging into a share plate of crab sliders.

A hotel located on the quiet side of Santa Cruz Beach, the boardwalk and many activities are within easy walking distance of the hotel. The team here can also organize SURF/SUP board lessons just steps from the Inn; a sail on the Chardonnay Sailing Yacht; picnic at Roaring Camp/Henry Cowell’s Redwoods State Park; biking along Santa Cruz’s waterfront on Dream Inn’s cruiser bikes; and/or a behind-the-scenes Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk tour. And the recently renovated Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge next door is a great spot for a sunset cocktail or a Dawn Patrol breakfast burrito.