Central Coast Archives

11 Things to do in Capitola, California (From a Local)

March 15, 2022May 17, 2021 by Mimi McFadden

From someone who grew up next to its colorful and sandy shores, these are the best things to do in Capitola, California. Only about 70 miles south of San Francisco, Capitola is a tucked-away seaside gem in Santa Cruz County. If you think the city of Santa Cruz is a cute beach town, Capitola is … Read more

12 Best Beaches in Santa Cruz, California (From a Local)

March 15, 2022March 26, 2021 by Mimi McFadden

A local’s guide to the best beaches in Santa Cruz, California, from the hidden to the most popular. Growing up in Santa Cruz, many of my earliest memories involved birthday parties, bonfires, volleyball conditioning, and sunsets on the beaches in Santa Cruz. I guess it’s to be expected if you grow up in a beach … Read more

12 Best Santa Cruz Hikes (From a Local Who Grew Up Hiking Them)

April 18, 2022March 20, 2021 by Mimi McFadden

From redwoods to coastal views, these are the best Santa Cruz hikes from a local who grew up hiking them. There’s a lot to love about Santa Cruz but perhaps one of the biggest draws to this coastal town is just how much nature there is to explore within the county. As someone who grew … Read more

Santa Cruz Wineries Guide: Wine Tasting in the Santa Cruz Mountains

March 15, 2022March 10, 2021 by Mimi McFadden

California wineries and vineyards, wine tasting in California

A full guide to the most beautiful Santa Cruz wineries and how to get the most out of wine tasting in the Santa Cruz Mountains. When you think of California wine regions, your first thought is probably Napa or Sonoma, but one of the most underrated wine regions in the state is actually nestled right … Read more

Pinnacles National Park Guide (What to Know Before You Go)

March 21, 2022February 4, 2021 by Mimi McFadden

Your guide to Pinnacles National Park, including what to see, which trails to hike, and what to know before you go. When I first planned a visit to Pinnacles National Park, I’m not sure what I was expecting. Mostly, I thought it would be a dry, almost desert-like landscape with spiraling red-tan pinnacles. Maybe it … Read more

Best Big Basin Hikes & Campgrounds | Big Basin Redwoods State Park

April 18, 2022July 13, 2020 by Mimi McFadden

best big basin hikes and campgrounds - big basin redwoods state park

Your complete guide to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. From the best Big Basin hikes to the best campgrounds and everything you should know before you go. Big Basin Redwoods State Park brings back fond memories from my childhood of hiking through the quiet redwood forest and being immersed in nature from a young age. … Read more

What to Do in Santa Cruz in Winter

February 4, 2022January 11, 2016 by Mimi McFadden

Santa Cruz isn’t just a summer beach town, it’s also a great location to explore during the winter. Discover what to do in Santa Cruz in winter. You can’t go wrong with the little beachside town of Santa Cruz. Up until now, I’ve mainly talked about what you can do in the warm months to … Read more

Postcard from Santa Barbara

June 30, 2021August 31, 2015 by Mimi McFadden

Santa Barbara stood out to us as we traveled up the coast. I’ve always thought of it as the demarcation line between northern and southern California, maybe not in terms of geography, but in how its a mix, a little bit of everything.

A photo essay through Santa Cruz

June 30, 2021June 20, 2015 by Mimi McFadden

It’s no surprise that I love a little beachside town called Santa Cruz. First of all, it’s where I grew up. Secondly, it’s a super laid back, chilled out, and beautiful place to explore – could it fit my personality any better? A couple of years ago I wrote this post on 6 free things to … Read more

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