A road trip to Santa Cruz is only a 5-hour trek from Los Angeles, and it’s worth it to see how the other half – the northern half -- of California lives. Good news – there’s a tasty margarita this far north, too.
Olitas is a Mexican restaurant on the wharf/pier with friendly bartenders, easy beach parking (something that counts to an Angeleno), large seafood versions of south-of-the-border fare, a view across the sea lion waters straight out to Steamer Lane and - did I already mention their frosty house margarita? It’s worth the long drive and all eight dollars.
Road trippers who seek adventure outside their metal box on wheels can find plenty of ways to work off the pile of vegetarian nachos in Santa Cruz – surfing and mountain biking.
See what other examiners are saying about Santa Cruz right now:
- Surf forecast for August 7 through 9 (San Jose Surfing Examiner)
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - free admission (Bay Area Getaways Examiner)
- Life's a beach - Flavors of Capitola-Santa Cruz (SF Culinary Travel Examiner)
Find Olitas Cantina & Grille near the end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, easy to locate by following signs around town to the beach or trusting your adventurous instinct for sniffing out the ocean. OlitasSantaCruz.com, (831) 458-9393, 49B Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Tip: Road trippers who take the more scenic route from L.A. to S.C. on Hwys. 101 and the 1 are in for gorgeous views and an added 2-3 hours in the car.
Soundtrack: Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Road Trippin.
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