FRIDAY
4 p.m. Check in
Coast Santa Cruz Hotel 175 West Cliff Drive 800-716-6199
The area's only beachfront hotel, located next to the Santa Cruz boardwalk and wharf. Doubles from $169.
7 p.m. Dinner
Mobo Sushi 105 South River St. 831-425-1700
Fresh, excellent fish and inventive rolls. Try the palate-tingling Corruptor Maki: unagi, basil, garlic, and macadamia nuts ($5.50). Dinner for two $40.
9:30 p.m. Hit the boardwalk
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach St. 831-423-5590 www.beachboardwalk.com
One of the last great coastal amusement parks. Admission free; prices vary for games and rides.
SATURDAY
8 a.m. Surf's up
Santa Cruz Surf School 322 Pacific Ave. 831-426-7072 www.santacruzsurfschool.org
$80 for one-hour private lesson.
Noon Chow down
Miramar Fish Grotto 45 Municipal Wharf 831-423-4441
A bucket of steamers ($12.95); lunch for two $30.
3 p.m. Afternoon paddle
Kayak Connection 413 Lake Ave. No. 4 831-479-1121 www.kayakconnection.com
Kayak rentals from $30 for four hours.
7 p.m. Dinner and drinks
El Palomar 1336 Pacific Ave. 831-425-7575
Dinner for two $50, with cocktails.
Sunday
11 a.m. Brunch
Zachary's 819 Pacific Ave. 831-427-0646
A popular spot with surfers and UC Santa Cruz students for affordable, stick-to-your-ribs cooking. Brunch for two $15.
1 p.m. Coastal walk
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum 701 West Cliff Drive 831-420-6289 www.santacruzsurfingmuseum.org 
