The Best of Santa Cruz: Fun Vacation Guide

How we got there

We live in the Central Valley so it's a quick and easy drive for us, under three hours.  However, if you need to fly to Santa Cruz you would want to fly into the Bay Area and then rent a car.

Where we stayed

We've been traveling to Santa Cruz for several years so it's become a Summer tradition for us.  However, up until last year we always STRUGGLED with where to stay.  Santa Cruz does not have a lot to offer in terms of hotels.  Most of them are below average or there is one classic hotel but it is quite expensive.  We've tried staying in the surrounding area and even across the bay to stay in a decent place.  Luckily, last year a brand new hotel opened right in the heart of Santa Cruz.  The Hyatt Place Santa Cruz is now our very favorite spot to stay.  The location is great and the facilities are wonderful.

The Excitement of Picking Out Your First American Girl

When Emily was young my mom and I decided that for her fifth birthday we would take her to American Girl to get her first doll.  We had the best time on her birthday trip we decided it would be a tradition and that one day we would do the same for Madi.  Madi is approaching her fifth birthday and our only free weekend was in April about a month before her actual birthday.  Both grandmas and Madi and I traveled down to LA for one night and had the best time celebrating our sassy girl.

Family Fun Getaway at Tenaya Lodge

We just returned from the BEST family weekend at Tenaya Lodge, which is the perfect family Winter getaway with a little flavor of everything to keep everyone entertained.  From Fresno it is a very easy drive, just over 1 hour from door to door.  We arrived Friday evening and were greeted with such a warm welcome.  It was such a special treat to have a bottle of wine awaiting us in our room along with a s'more kit.  After settling in we headed to dinner at Jackalope's Grill.  There are 4 restaurants on the property along with a deli for snacks and grab and go food.  Tenaya Lodge is a 4 Diamond resort but what stands out is the staff which is kind, friendly, warm and accommodating.  Our meal was delicious and the service was exceptional.  After dinner we headed down to the grand fire pit to roast marshmallows and chow down on s'mores.  It's quite the magical experience to roast mallows amongst the snow and under the stars.  Following our fun treat we changed to head to the indoor hot tub, which is one of the best amenities at Tenaya Lodge.  There is an outdoor pool and hot tub as well but they are closed for the Winter season.  There are not too many places where you can go swimming when it's snowing outside but Tenaya has that option for you.  We visited every day we were there and it was a highlight for the kids.  Right off of the indoor pool is a spectacular game room with video games, huge televisions, air hockey, pool tables and games.  We had every intention of coming to play at least a game of air hockey but there was so much to do we only peaked in to check it out.

Santa Cruz Vacation Guide

We've had an annual girls trip to Santa Cruz that we've been doing since Emily was 8 months old.  We always go to the beach and the Boardwalk but we've always struggled with where to stay.  We've tried places in Santa Cruz and Capitola and have never been really happy.  Last year we ended up staying in Monterey and driving over to the Boardwalk.  Since the Santa Cruz area was majorly lacking in hotels I was so excited to hear that a Hyatt was being built in town.  It wasn't open last Summer during our vacation but I knew exactly where to stay this year.

We just returned from our girls vacay and not only did we have a great time but we absolutely loved the Hyatt Place Santa Cruz.  The hotel is well appointed; modern and sleek.  The amenities were phenomenal including a complimentary breakfast, bar, snack shack, business center, gym and pool and jacuzzi spa.  The breakfast was extensive and delicious.  We loved taking advantage of it both mornings and not having to load up in the car to find a breakfast spot.  We also took advantage of the snack bar for treats for the pool.  Speaking of the pool, we splashed around both days.  The girls loved playing in the pool and spa and they had great lounge areas around the pool for my mom and I.  The fitness center was ample size and I was able to get workouts in both mornings.

Great amenities are one thing but the rooms need to excite as well and the rooms at Hyatt Place Santa Cruz did not disappoint.  The rooms were very spacious with two queen beds, sitting area with sofa sleeper, desk, mini fridge and large dresser and armoire.  The room was just perfect for all of us.  My mom and I got our own beds and the girls slept on the pull out couch.  The bathroom was equally nice but the counter space was lacking a little bit.