Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with Baby

One of the brightest, happiest little spots you can find =
the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk! Yes it’s busy and
crowded and sticky and hot and all a little crazy,
but it’s also full of color, treats, rides, and fun
memories. We like a lot of quieter, more local
beaches nearby…but once in a while it’s worth
stopping along the boardwalk to get a dose.
We are lucky to live less than an hour from here
and I have a feeling the boardwalk will be even
more fun once Reagan gets a little bit older to
go on rides. This time we just strolled along,
got one of the best lunches, walked the pier,
and grabbed ice cream…all while she napped! 
The Picnic Basket! ^^^
When in Santa Cruz…this place is a must for lunch.
Go for the Chicken Salad + Reuben sandwiches.
Also — any salad on their menu is amazing.

Chase is still talking about this one ^^
Chewiest toffee & oatmeal cookies ^^
The train passed by while we were having lunch on the patio ^^
Planning to take this soon (maybe even the ghost train in Oct!)
Back along the pier after the boardwalk…
There was a T-Bird car show on the pier with
classic 60’s music playing and every color of car..
Our last stop was the best of all…Penny Ice Creamery!
Everyone knows Marianne’s ice cream in Santa Cruz,
but this is the smaller & more gourmet option that we LOVE.
All of the flavors are made from scratch with local seasonal ingredients.
One burnt cinnamon cone, please!
.
And… the real reason to come ^^ any flavor can be topped with
toasted marshmallow fluff…so like a s’more on an ice cream cone.
AKA, heaven!
A day filled with blue skies, beach, good food, and ice cream is a
good day in our book! Can’t wait to come back with baby again and again.

xo