Things to do on the Central Coast

Swanton Berry Farm

Strawberries! Oliliberries! Pie! Cobbler! Jam! Pick your own, or stop in for a treat, these are some of the best berries around. Plus, they are organic and use union labor!

Joseph M. Long Marine Laboratory

Check out the giant whale skeleton and touch some sea stars. Long Marine Lab is a research facility and center associated with UCSC, just 30 minutes from Costanoa

Año Nuevo State Park

Home to the world's largest elephant seal nesting ground, Año Nuevo State Park is a beautiful series of beaches along the coast. While the bulk of the elephant seal population visits in winter, the massive adult males (which can be up to 5,000 lbs) return in summer to molt, so some may still be around in the days leading up to the wedding.

Wine and Beer Tasting

Favorite local wineries include: Bonny Doon Winery (Bonny Doon, Tasting room in Davenport) Stoors Winery (Tasting room in Santa Cruz) Alfaro Winery (Cooralitos) Martin Ranch Winery Santa Cruz Mountains Winery Beer tasting: Highway 1 Brewing Company Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery (tasting room on Swift St in Santa Cruz)

California State Parks

Great hiking and Redwood Trees await you in nearby state parks including Big Basin or Henry Cowell, or check out the cliffs and sea bluffs at Ano Nuevo. Head further south towards Santa Cruz and you'll find Wilder Ranch, another state park and beach, as well as a homestead farm, mountain biking, and windsurfing. Really want a taste of Suzy's childhood: Look no further than Nisense Marks State Park, 45 minutes south of Costanoa in Aptos, CA. Redwood trees, banana slugs, and some beautiful creeks and water falls await you. Fun Fact: The epicenter of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake is also in Nisene Marks.

Taqueria Los Gordos

Suzy's Favorite Taqueria, home of all things delicious.

Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College

Saturday Mornings 8-12. Ranked one of the best farmers market's in the country, you'll also find everyone in Aptos and get to see the loc's* in their natural habitat. Make sure you check out the Aptos Farmers Market String Band! Suzy's Favorites: Honey Strawberries Breakfast Oysters from Tomales Bay *Loc's is Santa Cruz slang for Locals.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

This is a bit farther away--a little under 90 minutes from Costanoa with no traffic. However, Monterey has one of the best aquariums in the world, and absolutely worth the visit if you have the time and desire to roam. Stop at Phil's Fish Market & Eatery on the way for some delicious fresh fish! Note: traffic on Hwy 1 can be terrible, especially during rush hour during the summer, so plan accordingly.

Duarte's Tavern

One of the oldest restaurants in the area, serving their famous artichoke soup since 1894. A great spot for brunch, lunch, or dinner.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Got Kids? Love Arcades? Can't imagine a trip to the beach without a churro? Check out the boardwalk and wharf - and don't miss the Giant Dipper, a historic wooden roller coaster located in the center of the boardwalk.

Annieglass Retail Store

World-renowned glassmaker annieglass has their factory and store in Watsonville. This is a bit of a hike from Costanoa (could be as much as two hours with August traffic), but they have amazing glassware for sale, as well as pour-and-tour options for drinking wine and touring the factory.

Whale Watching (and other boat tours)

The Monterey Bay is renowned for its wildlife in the summer, and there are a variety of ways to see it. There are boats out of Santa Cruz, Monterey, Moss Landing, and elsewhere. You can often see dolphins, orcas, humpback whales, and, if you're lucky, maybe even a blue whale!

Santa Cruz Shakespeare

Phil's Fish Market & Eatery

Some of the most delicious seafood available in the Monterey Bay. A bit of a drive, but especially worth a visit if you’re heading down to the aquarium. Note that it can get extremely crowded on weekends during the summer, so arrive early and be prepared to wait in line. It’s a bit more manageable on weekdays.

Watsonville Strawberry Festival on the Monterey Bay

Dad's Luncheonette

This roadside luncheonette in a caboose is run by the former chef de cuisine at three-Michelin-star Saison, and specializes in burgers (including a vegetarian-friendly mushroom option). There is often a line, so go close to opening if you don't want to wait too long.