The Attire.

The wedding party will be wearing semi-formal attire. Weather in the Santa Cruz area in October is typically mild, clear, and sunny. Our ceremony will be on a bluff overlooking the ocean, though, so if you run a bit cold we recommend bringing a light jacket to help keep you comfortable in the Pacific Ocean breeze. 

The Schedule.

Friday 10.13

Friday evening, at 7:00pm we'll gather for a welcome party bonfire on the beach where we’ll roast marshmallows (and Steph and Logan). The beach is a ten minute walk downhill from the front desk of Seascape resort, but guests of the hotel can also catch a golf cart ride down to the party. We'll have coffee, hot chocolate, and a no host bar available. 

saturday 10.14

Saturday morning, take advantage of the beautiful Monterey Bay. We’ve laid out some of our favorite things to do below, but make sure you’re back by 4:00pm when the wedding festivities begin. Following the ceremony, we'll celebrate with a reception at the resort's Grand Ballroom and an afterparty downstairs at Sanderlings Bar.  

Sunday 10.15

On Sunday morning, there's no host brunch available at Sanderlings restaurant at the resort. We'll make an appearance at 10:30am, before driving over to Santa Cruz for a day at the beach.  Everyone's invited to join us on the beach in front of the Dream Inn, where we'll hang out until happy hour opens at the Ideal Bar and Grill. 

Hike

The area is filled with beautiful mountain views. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a local favorite.

Ride  

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a classic amusement park with incredible views of the ocean. Don’t miss the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster from 1924 or hand-carved carousel that dates back to 1911.

Golf

Seascape Golf Club is steps away from the wedding site and has beautiful views of the coast.

Wander  

Downtown Santa Cruz has bohemian shops, eclectic street performers, and one of our favorite bookstores. you can head south of santa cruz on west cliff drive until you reach capitola village, a quaint seaside town with one of the oldest vacation retreats on the pacific coast. 

Eat

Most important: we pizza snobs fully endorse Pizza my heart in capitola. 

Our favorite foodie day in the Santa Cruz area includes: breakfast at The Dolphin, lunch at The Crow’s Nest, and Cafe Brazil for an Acai Bowl. All the ingredients for an incredible beach picnic are at Gayle’s.

For a bite near seascape resort, try the paninis and burritos at The palm deli. georgians, check out aptos St bbq and let us know how it compares to back home. 

Walk

West Cliff Drive is a 3-mile walking and biking path along the pacific where you can Enjoy beautiful views, wildlife, and surfers. Start your walk at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf and head past the iconic Santa Cruz Dream Inn to watch some of the best surfers in the world catch a wave at world-renown Steamer Lane. Stop in for a little surfing history at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum or watch for whales and dolphins at Lighthouse Point. West Cliff Drive ends at Natural Bridges State Beach, winter home of the Monarch butterfly. Turn around and head back, for a hike that covers almost 6 miles round-trip.

Drink

The bay area is known for great craft breweries and local wineries. If you're looking for beer, try Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing (it has great root beer on draft!) or Discretion Brewing. anybody flying in early from san francisco should stop by Anchor Steam's tasting room, which makes our favorite "california lager."

beer thirty is the maid of honor's favorite spot and has a killer local draft list and outdoor space. 

For excellent california wine, stop by the historic testarossa winery is steph's hometown of Los Gatos. this novitiate winery has been operating since the late 1800's and specializes in Chardonnay and pinot noir. the kents pretty much keep them in business and recommend The doctor's pinot noir.

for great wine near the wedding venue, There is a great district of tasting rooms in downtown santa cruz at Surf city vintners. steph's parents recommend the petite sirah at Sonnes cellars there. 

Surf

The Pacific Ocean stays chilly all year round, but you can pop by Capitola Beach Company for wetsuits, surf/paddle boards and some ocean air. This bit of the Bay is where we got engaged.