| the 10 understated rooms feature free wi-fi, flat-screen tvs and dvd players; most have gas fireplaces. other freebies include parking, home-baked cookies, and afternoon wine and snacks. a hot breakfast buffet is served in a cozy dining room; breakfast in bed is offered for a fee. there's also a lounge & a wraparound veranda. check-in time: 4:00 pmcheck-out time: 11:00 am. upgraded rooms add whirlpool tubs, ocean-view patios and/or outdoor hot tubs. set on a bluff overlooking monterey bay, this elegant, victorian-style b&b dating back to 1877 is 3 minutes on foot from cowell beach and 6 minutes' walk from the santa cruz beach boardwalk
San Francisco International Airport 1 hr 8
Giant Dipper (8 min)
Iconic red & white wooden roller coaster dating to 1924 overlooking the beach & wharf. Seacliff State Beach (18 min)
Versatile state beach offers a variety of outdoor activities such as camping & hiking. The Mystery Spot (18 min)
Opened in 1941, this roadside landmark is a tilt-induced visual illusion with tours & a gift shop. Santa Cruz Wharf (13 min)
Beach shops, seafood restaurants, sea lions & fishing draw crowds to this landmark bayside pier. Main Beach (10 min)
Spacious beach with soft sand, waves & close proximity to the boardwalk, amusement rides & eateries. Lighthouse Field State Beach (17 min)
Iconic spot with a lighthouse offers a variety of vistas & pathways for dog walking & strolling. Wilder Ranch State Park (11 min)
Natural landscape with diverse activities including hiking trails, picnic areas & horseback riding. Natural Bridges State Beach (8 min)
Butterflies, park, and surfing Roaring Camp (20 min)
Family-friendly park offers train rides amid natural landscapes, seasonal routes & special events. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (6 min)
Amusement park offers a variety of games & rides right on a mile-long stretch of sandy beach. Steamer Lane (16 min)
Famous cliffside surfing spot since the 1930s, featuring a surfing museum inside a lighthouse. Capitola Beach (17 min)
Popular beach located in Capitola Village features gentle surf, swimming & volleyball & shops. Santa Cruz Surfing Museum (16 min)
Rotating exhibits on surfing culture & local history housed in a historic, preserved lighthouse. Santa Cruz Beach (7 min)
Popular beach features a boardwalk with numerous restaurants, amusement park rides & surf shops. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (13 min)
Featuring a variety of forested areas, this park offers camping, fishing, hiking & picnic spots. | 
