"During moments of uncertainty go to the beach, enjoy the sunshine, the ocean breeze and just keep pedaling."
Following a brief respite from the record-breaking month of bad air quality from the raging wildfires of Napa Valley, eye-burning smoke began to waft into the South Bay again, raising the Air Quality Index to over 150 or three times normal level. So Bill and I decided to head over the hill to Santa Cruz where the air was cleaner, the temperature was 10 degrees cooler and the show-stopping vistas are a welcome sight. The coastal breezes were awesome, people were out enjoying the beaches and outdoor eateries.
We began our ride on Natural Bridges State Beach to the waterfront promenade on West Cliff Drive past the scenic overlooks and beach coves. We rode out to the Santa Cruz Wharf to visit the sea lions lounging and cuddling up with one another on the lower decks. And, of course, there were beautiful views of the ocean and boardwalk. We rode to Lighthouse Point, and the 40-Ft. Walton Lighthouse. We stopped at Pleasure Point, a surfing mecca, to watch the surfers doing what they love before continuing on to Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and the Santa Cruz Harbor which straddles the city limits which runs down the center of Arana Gulch. We rode on the upper and lower harbor, and continued to Capitola, before heading back to the Steamer Land Supply restaurant, on West Cliff Drive near the surf museum, on Lighthouse Field State Beach, a great place for small bites. We enjoyed fresh fish tacos before riding back to load up our bikes and head back home, feeling completely rejuvenated.
