The Rio Del Mar beach in Aptos is eight miles South of Santa Cruz, a half hour from San Jose and less than an hour and a half from the San Francisco and Oakland airports over Highway 17 through the Santa Cruz Mountains. The local food focuses on dungeness crab, artichokes, sand dabs, Mexican food, Monterey Jack cheese, yummy local wine and Marianne's Ice Cream. The main activity is hang time. There are the beach activites: walking, swimming, surfing, fishing, tide pools. Pasatiempo is a world class Alister MacKenzie jewell just above Santa Cruz. The giant redwoods are nearby. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is one of the original California amusement parks. And Carmel, Monterey and Pebble Beach are 45 minutes South on Highway 1. The sleeping and napping are pure bliss.
Photography: Don Transeth.
Story
The Cement Boat is a 15 minute walk from the main beach. Walk it with a cup of coffee in the morning. Or take a go-cup down at sunset. It is a daily ritual.
Story
The Cement Boat is a 15 minute walk from the main beach. Walk it with a cup of coffee in the morning. Or take a go-cup down at sunset. It is a daily ritual.
Ride
The beach walks never get old.
The mornings are crisp under the cover of the fog bank which lifts in the late morning. The breeze comes up in the mid-afternoon and usually drops off at sunset.
Make your own tracks.
Ride
The beach walks never get old.
The mornings are crisp under the cover of the fog bank which lifts in the late morning. The breeze comes up in the mid-afternoon and usually drops off at sunset.
Make your own tracks.
Hike
Santa Cruz is known for consistent surf and a rich variety of waves. You can head to the West Side and test famous Steamer Lane or my East Side breaks at Pleasure Point. Be sure to check out our home beachbreak at Rio Del Mar and the beaches South like Manresa. Wetsuits recommended.
Hike
Santa Cruz is known for consistent surf and a rich variety of waves. You can head to the West Side and test famous Steamer Lane or my East Side breaks at Pleasure Point. Be sure to check out our home beachbreak at Rio Del Mar and the beaches South like Manresa. Wetsuits recommended.
End
The Cabin is three blocks up from the beach.
End
The Cabin is three blocks up from the beach.