PluperfectArson

I am going to be riding my bike up from Monterey to Santa Cruz tomorrow, was wondering if you all had any thoughts on where to go, which shops to visit, etc.

I have never been to Santa Cruz, and I have not really left Monterey since I moved here, so I wish to go for a decent bike ride.

I will be riding fixed, and I am only posting this here because I like you. :>

Leukybear 

Off the top of my head: the beach boardwalk; the mystery spot, SC wharf, UCSC, the surfing museum if you're into it.

More stuff here lol
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...alifornia.html

Capocaccia

Anywhere. That whole city is gorgeous. Check out some surf spots that's always good if the surf is right.

CamelDane

repping the 831!

If you feel like biking around UCSC is a great place to ride and possibly get some trails in on a fixie . it's kind of a mudfest on the trails at the moment though. Firefly Coffe House on Front St. serves the best soy chai's and where I usually hang out becuase i am hip as ****. I usually just ride around, its pretty sweet.

PluperfectArson

Yeah, I had to postpone my trip because I suck. I think I am going to arrange it for next weekend, then stay a day or two to actually check it out.

Thanks for the ideas on places to check out, though.

vw addict

sounds like a great place to avoid

coma061

I used to love Las Palmas as far as Mexican food goes, but last time I went there it was crap. Someone should go eat there and report back so I know if I should avoid them next time I'm in town! Pizza My Heart usually has some good pizza for a decent price. You can always check out the bridge rumored to be the one in Lost Boys.

CamelDane

naa Pergs downtown is the place to avoid which is full of hipster tards.

I will actually be Riding down to Monteray with 2 of my friends next weekend.

PluperfectArson

What are you all planning to do down here?

If you end up coming down, I'd be down to hang out and ride or something if I end up not going to Santa Cruz.

RunningPirate

Oh, don't say that! I was going to recommend Las Palmas myself until I read this.

Anyway, then, being that tacos are out, if you like Greek food Vasili's is outstanding!

coma061

Can't speak of their food now days, last time I was there was about a year ago. That was the only time I haven't enjoyed their food.

rustybrown

Pleasure point is one of the quintessential surf spots to check out...surfed it on my first west-coast excursion. Beach vibe with tons of coastline neighborhoods to ride. There's lots of activity and coves.

There's also a pier with activities and things to do. Fish tacos, of course.

Downtown. Campus. Nightlife. Enjoy.

Capocaccia

Funny, I surfed pleasure point as my first time to ever surf about 2 years ago with a buddy that goes to Santa Clara University. It is really nice there though.

rustybrown

Yeah, had fun, myself. Actually, just went to the first surf shop we saw entering SC heading south on the PCH. Bro at the shop gave us directions to Pleasure Point. "Bunch of non-locals, send 'em to Pleasure Point," he was probably thinking.

But it was a lot of fun, and quite the experience. Maybe 2-feet overhead, and I was one of the best guys in the water. Surreal for a boy from the East Coast.

Definitely a lot better than the beating that I received from Ocean Beach, SF a few days before the Pleasure Point experience. Mavericks was breaking while I was making the paddle. OBSF was huge and humbling.

Bro, Lax, bro.

Leukybear 

This^^^^^^ X1000; I even have my pizza my heart t shirt here in SD.

PluperfectArson

There is a Pizza My Heart here in Monterey, but there is a cute girl that works there.

I have never been to any other one, but I like their pizza quite a bit.

rustybrown

I bet she has the best pie in town.

hwdxbassist

go to the herb room and foodbin on mission street. They have everything you need if you like top quality food. afterwards head down to falafel of santa cruz to get an awesome lunch.

avner

one phrase. And it may be saying too much.

CamelDane

two of my friends were going to ride down there Saturday morning and camp out somewhere. do you have any recommended places to camp out? preferably free.

Not sure what we're going to do in Monteray, probably just lurk around.

Capocaccia

Look up national parks and triple A approved campgrounds. About 2 years ago my old roommate and I took 7 days to drive from mississippi to Lake Tahoe, CA where we spent the summer. We camped out 5 of the seven days on the road seeing everything we could along the way and never had an issue finding somewhere to sleep. I think the most we payed was like 5 or 10$ for a tent space for the night.

Heres a resource for you: https://www.explorer1.com/santacruz/camping.htm

Also, I dont know how it is in the rest of CA but when I lived in Tahoe people would camp anywhere really. If it was a national park, you could find people camping in it.

PluperfectArson

Hm, I have yet to go camping out here, but I know plenty of people who have, so I could ask around for you.

zoltani

There's a hike/bike site right in the middle of monterey, veteren's memorial park, pretty steep little climb to get up there.
https://www.monterey.org/rec/vetspark.html#Location
Watch out for the raccoons....secure all food!

not free, $5/person

i_am_you

Go to Zachary's on Pacific Ave for breakfast. That is the best spot for breakfast in town. You sit down. They are known for their potato pancakes, or something like that, but they serve regular stuff too. As for coffee, really any place is great (now that BadAss coffee closed, thank God). Santa Cruz loves their coffee. There is coffee everywhere. Santa Cruz loves coffee, surfing, dogs, and.. beer, we love beer.. ummmm.. music.. really all the parts of life that really matter in any meaningful way, we like. Santa Cruz rules.

BmoreDrew

Clam chowdaaa bowl..