"Crabface," as he's called by the Santa Cruz locals, share a photo with us on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
Once a year, between November and March, some of the biggest names in surfing descend upon Half Moon Bay to ride the world’s best big waves. During the winter, California’s northern Pacific Ocean waves routinely reach from 25 feet to over five stories high. Surf lover or not, the San Francisco to the Central Coast is a haven for nature lovers and thrill-seekers. As you head south on San Francisco from Highway 1 the Cabrillo highway, sloping hills turn into green bluffs scattered with coastal pines that overlook the Pacific shore pull over into Pescadero State Beach and Natural Preserve to explore the tide pools that teem with sea anemone and crabs or watch kite surfers brave the high winds and pounding surf.
Ready to catch some waves? Walk up to Club Ed’s trailer on Cowell Beach and learn from locals on how to surf or paddle board. Or if you prefer to admire the surf from the comfort of a yacht, join the Chardonnay II on sunset sails or watch gray whales pass through the Monterey Bay on their migration from Mexico to Alaska each February through April.
After your beach adventures, enjoy tasty tapas and wine at Soif and treat your taste buds to the wild fennel or rose petal organic artisan ice creams at The Penny Ice Creamery.
Head to the other side of the bay to Monterey and Carmel and explore marine life up close or the secret lives of seahorses at the Monterey Bay Aquarium or peruse the over 100 art galleries and boutique shops in the upscale village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
