Santa Cruz is situated on central California’s Pacific surf paradise coastline south of San Francisco on the way to the Bay of Monterey. It’s something of a legend in name to any of you who have ever graced a surfboard, with world famous surf spots such as Steamer Lane.
Suggested listening whilst reading: Dick & The Deltones – Miserlou
Eccentric
Santa Cruz is right in the heart of laid back, eccentric ultra-liberal California and it feels like the place has been frozen in a 1950’s timewarp. The smell of marijuana perfumes the main strip Pacific Avenue, whilst police officers merrily stroll along moving along the towns massive homeless population.
In fact, I must dwell on this point as it they really caught my eye – Just to re-iterate. There are so so many homeless people in Santa Cruz, I could not believe it. However, they seem happy and highly sociable amongst each other. Many of them are in their 60s and I can’t help but feel from their attire and schizoaffective charms that they must be burnt out children of the California 60s? Not particularly interested in scrounging money, perpetually friendly and helpful.
My favourite quote of the day comes from one homeless man chatting to another who had scored himself a capuccino in one of the numerous coffee shops:
“I love your pirate hat sir, where did you get that from? I simply have to get me one of those”
And, in case you’re wondering. Yes, the other homeless man was sitting enjoying his capuccino in full Long John Silver attire.
Surf
Surfing at Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz
We saw some great surfers down at Steamer Lane. There is also a surf museum there, sadly not open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays – typical lazy Santa Cruz
Night
By night the street is lively with homeless people twanging out surf-dude rock on worse-for-wear guitars and puffing on their magic plants, perfectly juxtaposed next to UC students who study in this excellent college town. We met and chatted to a few in 99-bottles bar who re-assured us it’s a great place to live. I believe it!
99-bottles is worthy of a mention, it has 99 different ales. We went with Jordan and Amie our friends from The Cook islands who are following us around California. I made them sample Montana’s finest Moose Drool ale and some Fat Tire from Colorado – both old favourites of mine from back up in Big Sky.
Hangover shopping
Those ales gave us a murderous hangover so we relaxed in SC with some bagels in the main st and then looked around a few surf stores (great) and bought some 60s surf tunes for the car in an old record store.
Best coffee yet of the holiday had in The Bad Ass Coffee Company
Tags: california, hippy, homeless, pacific, santa cruz, steamer lane, surf, USA
October 20, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Hey guys
Good to know you guys are doing alright. (and the 4 sec drink movie is not floating around here). Go A’s!
G
October 21, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Hey Guillermo,
Good to hear you’re doing OK. We have the footage of your drink downing skills and it’s going to be on YouTube soon. You must tell us who your employer is so we can send it to them too.
Went to watch the soccer at Newcastle last night. Good fun but I missed my giant foam hand and corn dog.
Andrew
October 21, 2008 at 9:49 pm
On the contrary Guillermo,
Youtube: Guillermo downs a Guinness, rapidly
Here you are in full 4 second glory
Great to hear from you, and a fantastic night we all had drinking in that great little bar. You will see that I have given it a good write up!