Photo by jeff nissen from unsplash. The air in Northern California feels like a soft kiss on the cheek. Not hot and drippy like the East, or steamy like the South. This sweet kiss of lovely weather kicked off my recent excursion to the East Bay area to visit my longtime friend of ahem years. This time we decided to venture to Santa Cruz for a change.
This trip we were more interested in dusting off the stress of , and some self care. So we found good deal at the Chaminade Resort and Spa, just inland from Santa Cruz, and nestled on a hill overlooking the Monterey Bay. My treatment began with a pumpkin body scrub, after which I was wrapped up like a burrito in warm towels and blankets. Topped off with a heavenly massage, I could barely ooze my jello-like state back to the room.
We were so relaxed, we lost interest in checking out the trendy dining scene in Santa Cruz. We opted for the hotel restaurant, which much to our delight, was on a beautiful patio overlooking the hills and on to the Bay. We dined on appetizers, wine, appetizers and more wine for hours. Then we topped it off with an entree, because, why not? All the food was delicious and the night was still young.
We watched tiny sailboats racing in the harbor, as our server regaled us with stories of crewing the sailboat races in her youth. As the sun sank into the ocean, the patio came alive with table top fire pits and twinkly lights. So of course, we had to stay for dessert. No trip to Santa Cruz is complete without visiting the boardwalk and wharf.
We entered through the autumn graveyard of the famous Santa Cruz arcade. In October, kids had returned to school and parents to work. The games and rides now rested quietly, but still vibrated with echoes of summers past. Seals serenaded our walk down the pier, barking from their shady hiding places under the pylons.
