Monterey/ Pacific Grove
In less than a two and a half hour drive from Turlock, you could be in the historical towns of Monterey and Pacific Grove. Pacific Grove the “Last American Hometown” is right next to Monterey. During spring break there are countless things to do in both towns. Visiting one of the thirteen different beaches is a must! Asilomar Beach is a beautiful white sand beach loved by surfers and a perfect spot to watch the sun set or rise. If you’re looking for a more family friendly beach I recommend El Estero Park with a sand volleyball court next to Dennis the Menace Park.
Throughout both towns are bike paths where you can ride just about anywhere. If you want to rent a bicycle, Bay Bikes has the best deals. They offer a wide selection including tandems, cruisers, mountain bikes and other choices for only $7-$16 and hour. If you have not yet seen the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row, you won’t want to miss this attraction with many interesting sea creatures and souvenirs’ to adore. Every Friday there is a farmers market that features crafts, face painting, food and even a Bob Marley store.
“Beatles, Beatles, Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Beatles, Crosby Stills and Nash, Beatles, Beatles, Beatles, Beatles, and other Rock Collectibles fill the colorful walls of the Ice Cream Shoppe. Multiple rare copies of LP’s, rock posters, collectible figures, and much more awaits your eyes as your taste buds find new moments of happiness with the ice cream treats!” says the Ice Cream Shoppe’s website. This is one of the must see places in Pacific Grove–especially if you’re crazy about music!
Cannery Row has much to offer as well. There’s shopping, dining, the Steinbeck Plaza and the Spirit of Monterey wax museum. Also Fisherman’s Wharf is a very popular tourist spot. If it’s seafood you crave, you won’t be disappointed with the world famous clam chowder and other incredible fish dishes you will find on the Wharf. Just follow the amazing aroma to one of many great restaurants you find there, and enjoy the spectacular ocean views as you dine. And if you are feeling adventurous, treat yourself to a whale watching expedition or any one of the boat rides offered for a truly memorable experience. Only seven minutes away from Cannery Row is the Del Monte Shopping Center Outdoor Mall. It includes a Macys, movie theatre, Pizza My Heart, P.F. Chang’s, Chipotle, and many other great stores for your shopping convenience.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is well known for the Beach Boardwalk, and Mystery Spot, but there is so much more to this cool city! There are museums, numerous beaches, great places to shop, eat, and lots of interesting sights to see.
Santa Cruz is known for their love and passion of surfing–that’s why they have the first ever surfing museum in the world! Over 100 years of surfing history, with surfboards going all the way back to the 1930’s. It also has a little gift shop of apparel and souvenirs’ to take home. If you’re into art and history The Museum of Art & History at the McPherson Center is the place to go. There are 28 museums in Santa Cruz County take a look at http://www.santacruzmah.org/uploads/museumsbrochure.pdf to see if any interest you.
Ever wanted to learn how to surf? Well here’s your chance there are multiple schools to choose from in Santa Cruz. Club-Ed.com offers many different locations and the surfing teachers are great. When it comes to learning to surf, says Ed Guzman, “there are three critical elements. Good wave conditions, good equipment, and good instruction.”
Don’t leave Santa Cruz without stopping at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk! The amusement park offers thrills, food, and fun, all next to a great beach along the coastline. For over one hundred years the boardwalk has been a very popular place for locals and visitors. With rollercoaster rides, carnival games, food and laser tag you can’t go wrong for a more suitable family fun place.
If you’re into music stores and retro shops like I am, then downtown Santa Cruz is the place for you. I love the diversity of people, shops and food. You’ll find hippies and homeless, tourists and locals all mixed in throughout the blocks. Old School Shoes sells a selection of the coolest sneakers–Adidas, Converse, Vans and other selections too. Shoe painting classes are also available every Saturday from 2:30-5:30 so you can give your sneakers a custom look. You can find many boutiques, restaurants, and two movie theaters also. Once you’ve enjoyed the ‘fun and sun’ in Santa Cruz, you will want to come back often!
San Francisco
You know the name–you’ve seen it on multiple television shows and movies. The Gold Rush began here. It’s one of the most visited places in California. Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, the SF Giants, street performers, Cable Cars, Fisherman’s Warf, and the famous China Town all await you in the city of San Francisco.
Chinatown San Francisco is the largest Chinatown in North America and also the largest Chinese community outside of Asia. Founded back in 1848 Chinatown San Francisco has continued to keep there language, temples, customs, and culture the same. Restaurants, markets, street vendors, and temples all line up the streets of the oriental community. “A cultural, historical and culinary walking tour of San Francisco’s Chinatown you will forever remember.” allaboutchinatown.com offers tours with a luncheon and teaches you all about its history.
The 54th San Francisco International Film Festival is being held April 21-May 5. You can be a part of the longest running film festival, featuring 150 films and live events with over 100 filmmakers and an audience of more than 80,000 people. Also buy a ticket to watch a ball game at the AT&T Park, and see the 2010 World Series winners the San Francisco Giants play.
Take a boat or ferry out to the middle of the bay to Alcatraz Island and learn about the history of the prison system that used to be there. Also hear the story of how a group of inmates almost escaped the impossible. Some of the most notorious criminals in history spent time in “the Rock.” Now a home to birds, rare flowers, plants and marine life Alcatraz has over a million tourist visits each year.
With street vendors, souvenir stores, seafood restaurants, and ocean scenery, Fisherman’s Wharf is located on The Embarcadero and Taylor Street. You can listen to the bark of the sea lions that rest on the docks below, or tour the city on the last operating cable car system. Fisherman’s Wharf offers a variety of things to do including visiting the famous Pier 39, Aquarium of the Bay, Ghirardelli Square, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum and the AT&T Ball Park.
People come from all over the world to enjoy a shopping spree in the United States’ third largest shopping area. From Saks 5th Avenue, to the funky little shops of the Haight-Ashbury, shopping in the City gives a whole new meaning to the term “shop till you drop”. After a day of shopping, treat yourself to dinner and a show at one of the fine restaurants and four theatres you’ll find downtown. Or take a drive down Lombard Street, or be really adventurous and walk across the 4,200 foot long suspension span of the amazing Golden Gate Bridge—the National landmark to SF and the USA completed in 1937.
If it’s a photo op you’re looking for, drive up to Twin Peaks and catch the sun as it begins to set. Then, as day turns to night, give yourself a few moments to observe the beauty of the City coming alive at night. The light show will be a highlight of your visit, and best of all…it’s free!
I hope that this article inspires you to start planning now to have the best Spring Break (and summer) ever. There are good reasons why thousands of people from around the world come to visit the beautiful California Coast each year—I hope the information I have shared with you convinces you to become one of them!