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Santa Cruz in a Day


I convinced some friends of mine to take a mini vacation with me over the weekend. I wanted to stay a night or two but that wasn’t in the cards for them. So, we took a two hour drive to Santa Cruz California. I was reluctant at first because I myself LOVE driving up the night before, having a great dinner, staying in a fabulous hotel and waking up at my leisure in the destination of my choice. So the idea of driving 2 hours up and back in the same day on top of a long day of activities was kind of stressing me out. Oh and the memory of driving up hwy 17 with only two lanes and no shoulder as we approach that one part of the curvy road where the huge tress on each side of us reach up over the top of the cars hold hand and block out all the sun was still haunting me and didn’t help!
I decided to suck it up and be a good sport. So, I invited a good friend to share the drive with me. I am an early bird while he is a night owl so it was perfect. I drove in the morning while he slept in the back seat and on the way back he drove. I pre-bought all day ride passes at Costco, packed some snacks and drinks and picked some fruit off the tree.

The trip was very affordable I only spent $30 on gas, $12 parking, $27 on one all day ride pass and four attraction tickets for Chris (split the cost of Costco pack with my son’s friends mom), $ 22 on food on the boardwalk, and $20 at Safeway the night before. My friend took care of our breakfast, my dinner and a few ride tickets.
Santa Cruz Diner where The Guy ate

Waiting for our food and reading trivial pursuit cards @ table
Chris's surfs up omelette
So for a little over $100 we took a very mini-vacation with good friends, got lots of exercise, watched some adorable sea lions, ate at the Santa Cruz Diner and had a great time!!! Oh and to my surprise and satisfaction, HWY 17 had been widened and cleared so the trip was pleasant and vomit free. I will definitely head back to Santa Cruz very soon!! I just may consider doing another day trip to some other great place before school starts as well. Ideas anyone?
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