Exchange Zones

Highly sought after Seabright location with panoramic 180 degree views of the Ocean, Boardwalk, San Lorenzo River and Downtown Santa Cruz. Literally steps to the sand (Seabright Beach has been voted “the best in Santa Cruz” year after year), the famous Beach Boardwalk, Ken Wormhoudt Skateboard Park and river pike paths. A short walk will take you to the Yacht Harbor, Municipal Wharf and Walton Lighthouse. There are many great restaurants in the neighborhood.

This contemporary luxury vacation home is newly remodeled with a lot of style, top-notch amenities, and unique artistic details. It features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and sleeps up to 9 people. A huge glass accordion door in the living area allows you to completely open up the front of the house facing the water, bringing the outside in. Step out onto a slate patio with a custom fountain. The kitchen may just inspire you to cook even though you’re on vacation.

Enjoy beautiful afternoons on the 1000 square foot ocean view deck watching the sunset, with a drink in hand of course. This home comes complete with luxury linens, plush towels and comfy furnishings.

Just a hop, skip and jump from 5-Star(fish) …

Santa Cruz Voted "Best Towns" by Outside Magazine

Seabright Beach voted "Best Beach in Santa Cruz" by Good Times Magazine and local residents

The 100-year-old Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk was voted the "best seaside park in North America" by The Los Angeles Times

El Palomar Margaritas have been voted "Best Margarita" in Santa Cruz multiple times.

Club Ed International Surf School and Camps was voted "best surf school in Santa Cruz" by the Good Times Readers Poll. Also, the Club Ed Surf School was featured on the Disney Channel.


Seabright Beach
There is a lot to do within walking distance of 5-Star(fish). One of the best beaches in California is right outside your doorstep. Seabright beach has been named the “best beach in Santa Cruz” year-after-year. Seabright Beach, called “Castle Beach” by locals, is a great family beach because of its easy access, flat stretches of white sand and gentle surf. You can swim, bodysurf, beach comb and picnic on the beach. Lifeguards are stationed on Seabright Beach during the summer season. Enjoy volleyball courts on the sand, and at night, fires are allowed on the beach. Did anyone say “S’mores.” It’s an easy ¾ mile walk on the beach to Walton Lighthouse (www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=836) and the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. (www.santacruzh arbor.org)

Vintage Postcard of Castle Beach (below) The Castle at Castle Beach (Seabright Beach), at the foot of Pilkington, Mott and Cypress Streets. The Castle was built as a bathhouse by James Pilkington in 1899-1900. When Conrad Scholl took over the business in 1918, the Castle became known as the Scholl-Mar Castle. In the 1940's, it was a restaurant called the Casa del Mar. By the 1950's and until it was demolished (March 24, 1967), the Castle was used as an art gallery.


The Seabright Neighborhood

5-Star(fish) is located in Seabright. The Seabright Neighborhood itself is an attraction. This area is a unique place to enjoy walks, bike rides or take in all the quaint beach cottages. Locals consider Seabright the most desirable neighborhood Santa Cruz to live in. Just steps from the house, is “The Point”, a wall of limestone between the San Lorenzo River and Seabright Beach. Walk out to the end and you’ll see a beautiful view of the Boardwalk, Seabright Beach, the Santa Cruz Wharf, the mountains and the two lighthouses here in Santa Cruz. Walk to the small shops and casual restaurants on Seabright Avenue.
View from “The Point” (Below) Looking back toward the Main Beach, the Boardwalk, San Lorenzo River and the Trestle Bridge. 5-Star(fish) is to the Right. Kids love to play in the shallow calm water where the San Lorenzo River and the Pacific meet.


Seabright Restaurants
You’ll find many great restaurants from fine dining to casual, a short walk from the house. A few of my favorite are listed below.
Seabright Brewery - www.seabrightbrewery.com - (831) 426-2739 (Corner of Seabright Ave and Murray. It becomes more of a bar at night, but during the day it’s a casual restaurant with a large outdoor patio perfect for kids. They brew their own beer. It’s pretty good.)
Seabright Bar & Lounge - (831) 425-2900
Engfer Pizza Works - www.engferpizzaworks.com - (831) 429-1856
La Posta - www.lapostarestaurant.com - (831) 457-2782 (Small storefront on Seabright Ave just North of Murray. Italian Fine Dining, but not so fancy that you can’t bring the kids.)
Linda's Seabreeze Cafe - www.seabreezecafe.com - (831) 427-9713 (In the same building as La Posta. This is the locals favorite breakfast spot.)
Real Thai Kitchen - (831) 427-255
Lavarock Internet Cafe - www.lavarockcafe.com - (831) 427-528
Betty Burgers - www.bettyburgers.com - (831) 423-8190 (Cute 50’s décor and great hamburgers, hot dogs and fries. Order at the counter, pick a table, and they’ll bring the food to you.)
Drunk Monkeys - www.mydrunkmonkeys.com - (831) 713-5195
Java Junction Coffee Roasting - www.javajunctioncoffee.com - (831) 423-5282
Aldo’s - aldos-cruz.com – (831) 426-3736‎ (Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner on the deck overlooking the Yacht Harbor. Casual American fare and a full-bar. It’s easy to forget how may Margaritas you have consumed. But, what the heck, you can walk home.)
Johnny’s Harborside - johnnysharborside.com - (831) 479-3430‎ (Casual seafood restaurant right on the Yacht Harbor.)

Crow's Nest Restaurant - www.crowsnest-santacruz.com - (831) 476-4560 (Across the harbor, on the beach, you’ll find a large fine dining steak & seafood restaurant with a large bar upstairs. It’s rustic and casual and they have a very reasonable Kids menu. I would recommend getting there for the sunset, the view is spectacular.)
El Palomar Restaurant - www.elpalomarcilantros.com - (831) 425-7575 (Right next to the Crow’s Nest, you’ll find the best Mexican food in Santa Cruz. Their Margaritas have been voted "Best Margarita" in Santa Cruz multiple times. Drink up, then stumble home.)
And, you’ll find 20+ more restaurants across the street at the Boardwalk! There is a full listing of area restaurants later in this book.

The Yacht Harbor (www.santacruzharbor.org)
The harbor is less than a ten-minute stroll from the house. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of more than a thousand sailboats and the Walton Lighthouse while having breakfast on the terrace at Aldo’s restaurant. There is so much to do at the Harbor - take a sunset cruise, go kayaking, go deep sea fishing, take sailing lessons, visit the Marine Sanctuary Center, watch the Wednesday night sailboat races when dozens of sailboats brighten the bay, circle the trail around the harbor on bicycles. During the high summer season, take the “Free Ride” water taxi and you’ll get to the Crow’s Nest restaurant and the many other businesses and activities on the east side of the Harbor.

Santa Cruz Boardwalk (www.beachboardwalk.com)
Bring you binoculars, because from 5-Star(fish) you can see your kids panicked faces as they ride The Giant Dipper. If your too busy sunning yourself, they can bring home a souvenir photo of their ride. My husband and I get a souvenir photo every year. (It’s fun to see the progression). You’ll find the Trestle Bridge to the Boardwalk, right across the street from the house. Walk, run or ride across the bridge (about 100 yards) and you’ll find yourself at one of the last beach side amusement parks in California. Don’t miss the 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster and the vintage 1911 Looff Carousel or the newest ride, the 125 foot tall Double Shot. Every Friday night the Boardwalk features free summer concerts. Some well-known bands perform two shows nightly. Check their website for concert schedule and other details.

Bowling, Arcade, Laser Tag, Mini Golf and endless fun… (http://beachboardwalk.com/01_attractions.html)
For hours of fun and entertainment, just walk over the Trestle Bridge right across the street from the house. You find all the healthy food you’d expect at an amusement park. Snack on Garlic Fries, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers Fried Chokes, Pizza, Nachos, Tacos, Chicken Nuggets, Funnel Cakes, Cotton Candy, Kettle Corn, Dip n’ Dots, Carmel Apples, Ice Cream, Malts & Sundae’s and Saltwater Taffy. It’s endless. Eat up, what the heck, you’re on vacation!

Pacific Edge Climbing Gym (www.pacificedgeclimbinggym.com)
Just 4 blocks from the house (about ½ mile) you’ll find one of the finest climbing gyms in the world! Kids and adults, ages 6 and up, can participate in free climbing clinics, take climbing lessons and climb the many 50 foot walls inside this enormous gym. No matter what your skill level, it’s a fun time. If you’re afraid of heights, don’t worry, they also offer Yoga and Pilates mat classes.

Ken Wormhoudt Skateboard Park (www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/pr/parksrec/parks/skatepark.html)
Just a 3-minute walk (or skate) down the street you’ll find a 15,000 square foot skateboard park featuring full pipe, two bowls with pool coping and tile, practice bowl and street course with steps, hubba ledges, wall-rides and metal rails. You’ll need to brush up on the Backside, Fakie, Goofy-Foot, Kingpin, Mongo-foot, Noseslide, Ollie, Shuv-it and the Laser flip, so you can converse with the locals. Open 9am to Sunset daily.

The Museum of Natural History and Tyrell Park
 (www.santacruzmuseums.org)
This small museum is just 3 blocks from the house. The museum is a gem for the children as there are “touch” exhibits that will teach them about our unique underwater geography we can’t see. The museum is part of Tyrell Park, a long narrow park that is bordered by Pilkington St. to the west and Brook St. to the east. There are great peek views of the Walton Lighthouse, Seabright Beach and the Monterey Bay from many points in the park. In front of the Museum is a big as life artist replica of a gray whale. Children love climbing on and playing around the whale exhibit. Bring your camera!

Seabright Avenue
Take a five-minute stroll to the lower Seabright. There you will find a small grocery store, many restaurants and a couple of coffee shops. Seabreeze Café, (AKA Linda’s, if you’re in the know), is the locals favorite breakfast spot. There’s always a wait, but it’s worth it. Yum! (www.seabreezecafe.com)

The Beach Train and Roaring Camp Railroad
Just yards from the house, board the Big Trees & Pacific vintage steam train for a 3-hour (roundtrip) ride through the redwoods up to Roaring Camp Railroad. After enjoying all the activities at Roaring Camp Railroad (www.roaringcamp.com) then return back to the Boardwalk. The Beach Trains travel through the Redwood Forests of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (www.santacruzstateparks.org/parks/henrycowell), down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel Trestle Bridge (the one across from the house!), and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. They make two roundtrips daily. Check the website for times and special events, like when Thomas the Train visits.

Santa Cruz City Wharf
 (www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/pr/wharf/surfcamtides.html)
The Santa Cruz Wharf is about a ¾ mile walk from the house just past the Boardwalk. It is lined with restaurants and shops. Built in 1914, the Wharf is a pretty place for a stroll and an up-close view of crabbers and bait fishermen. You can even attempt to catch your own dinner! Enjoy shopping at the many stores and fresh fish markets and family owned restaurants. The Wharf is the place to go for seafood with a view. Kids love to see the hundreds of noisy Sea Lions lounging around under the Wharf.

Within A Short drive from the house…
Natural Bridges State Park
On the north end of West Cliff Drive, a scenic, five mile drive, is (http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=541), named after the archways carved into the rock formations by ocean waves. The beach is popular with surfers, wind surfers, tide-pool trekkers, sunbathers, and fans of the 100,000 migrating monarch butterflies that roost in the nearby eucalyptus grove from late October through February. This beach is not as family friendly as Seabright Beach as you have to navigate the large cliffs to get down to the beach. You’ll find gigantic surf (not for the novice swimmer) and hundreds of surfers have taken staked out their spots. Instead of going for a swim, check out the Tide Pools and join a free docent lead tour. (www.thatsmypark.org/naturalBridges.php)

Monterey Bay
 National Marine Sanctuary and Seymore Marine Discovery Center
Santa Cruz is located on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (http://montereybay.noaa.gov/), one of the largest protected marine areas in the world. The Bay is home to 26 species of marine mammals, 96 species of seabirds, 345 species of fish, and 4 species of turtle. Watch otters, harbor seals and other sea life play in the waves as you walk the shoreline, or venture onto the Bay for a closer look. Check out an 87-foot blue whale skeleton, decorator crabs, eels and sea stars at the newly constructed Seymore Marine Discovery Center (www.santacruz.com/seymour-center). In addition to the center's exhibit galleries and aquariums, you'll enjoy superb views of the Bay. If you're visiting between December and April, don't forget to watch the coastline for migrating whales. West Cliff Drive is a good viewing point for spotting pods of whales en route between their winter calving grounds in Mexico and summer feeding grounds off Alaska.

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum (www.santacruzsurfingmuseum.org)
Housed in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum traces over 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz. Visitors to the museum will enjoy a spectacular view of Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay while overlooking Steamer Lane (www.shorelinesurf.com/steamerlane.htm), an internationally known surfing site. Museum displays include surf boards ranging from redwood "planks" to modern high-tech designs, early wetsuits, photographs showing Santa Cruz surfers and wave riding from the 1930s through today, continuous surf videos, and a gift shop with books, T-shirts, sweatshirts, posters, and more.

Downtown Santa Cruz (www.downtownsantacruz.com/)
A short walk from the house, downtown Santa Cruz is a “must see”. Pacific Avenue is the “Main Street” of Santa Cruz. Students, tourists, local people, hippies and surfers stroll along, drink coffee, shop and just hang out. You’ll find some of Santa Cruz’s most lively residents performing on the street. Look for Pink Richard in full make-up and wearing his pink tutu. (Usually near Starbucks.) The atmosphere is extremely peaceful and relaxed with many sidewalk coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants. Several book stores and independent movie theaters add to the sophisticated atmosphere. Major retailers like The Gap and Starbucks have settled in alongside surf shops, upscale boutiques, vintage clothing shops, antique stores, independent bookstores and a farmers' market (www.santacruzfarmersmarket.org), featuring organically grown produce. A walking tour will take you past public murals, sculptures, art-deco inspired buildings, and over a dozen galleries featuring work by local artists. For more art, visit the downtown Museum of Art and History (www.santacruzmah.org). If you like crafts or cooking, check out the classes at The Crafters’ Studio and The Culinary Center of Santa Cruz where kids are welcome! (http://thecraftersstudio.com or www.culinarycenterofsantacruz.com)

Wine
 Tasting (www.scmwa.com)
Visit the many boutique wineries the Santa Cruz Mountains, consistently recognized as a premium wine producing region. There are more than 65 wineries in the area, producing some superb pinot noirs, zinfandels, cabernets and estate-grown chardonnays. There are many events and wine festivals throughout the year. Check the link for dates. Shopper’s Corner on Soquel carries a good selection of local wines. After all, you have an ocean view deck to enjoy them on.