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        <title>Santa Cruz Real Estate News &amp; Information</title>
        <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/2023-12/</link>
        <description>Lifestyle, community, day trips, restaurants, real estate, home improvements, and more. Discover what makes Santa Cruz County such a great place to live. Presented by My Santa Cruz Real Estate.</description>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/day-trip-whale-watching-around-santa-cruz-monterey-bay.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/day-trip-whale-watching-around-santa-cruz-monterey-bay.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Day Trip: Whale Watching Around Santa Cruz &amp; Monterey Bay</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



Situated along the coast of Monterey Bay, the city of Santa Cruz is recognized for its exceptional location, with San Jose and Silicon Valley to the north, and mountain ranges around all three sides. With its many amenities and attractions, it's no wonder why this area is an especially desirable one to buy a home.


 


With its prime location on the water comes one of the best attractions in the area: whale watching. Of course, when it comes to spotting whales in their natural habitat, anyone will tell you that a lot of it is luck. 


 


It’s possible to see whales in this area all year around (although different species are more common during certain seasons). For all those interested, here are a few whale watching basics. 


 





What Can I See?


The wildlife that one can see out on the water really depends on the time of year. As an overview, the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay area see a variety of different large marine species, most notably—but not limited to—humpback whales, orcas, gray whales, and dolphins.


 


The peak times for seeing these creatures differs from animal to animal, although some can be seen year-round. For humpback whales, many cite the months of March through to November (and sometimes even early December) as the best viewing times. Humpback whales are a particular favorite for whale watchers because not only are they frequently spotted, but they are also quite friendly, breaching and jumping quite often.


 


On the other hand, gray whale migration begins around December and leads into the early spring, up to May. Time your whale watching venture on what you’d like to (or hope to) see.


 


In order to best increase your chances, adventurous whale watchers are best recommended to try their luck during the spring and the autumn months, as this is where many of the whale migrations overlap—specifically orcas and humpback whales. 


Where Can I Go?


While a lot of this is luck, this also depends on you. Some people have boasted that they’ve seen whales and/or dolphins from West Cliff in Santa Cruz, Capitola, or Seacliff State Beach (up on the cliffside) in Aptos. Of course, if remaining on land, many would recommend taking along binoculars for optimal viewing. However, this is not always necessary.


 


Davenport is another popular destination for casual whale watching. At around 20 minutes north of Santa Cruz, this coastal community has three main beaches: Davenport Beach, Shark Fin Cove, and Bonny Doon Beach. With gorgeous cliffs that overlook the water, this location (with your binoculars in hand) is an incredible destination for wildlife watching in general.


 


If one intends on taking a boat out on the water to try and view these creatures up close, then two of the best places around Monterey Bay are Monterey City and Moss Landing. Best accessible by car, Moss Landing is about a 30-minute drive south from Santa Cruz, while Monterey is about 50 minutes. Moss Landing is accessible by public transit, but the commute is quite a bit longer. 


 


Moss Landing is famed for its whale watching, having both lookout points on the shoreline and a  number of tours that take off from the harbor. Monterey is quite similar, and the city is home to the famed Old Fisherman's Wharf and Coast Guard Pier, which provide some exceptional views of the water.  


 


For those who want to get more up close, there are a number of whale watching tour services around the bay. 


 





Who Can Take Me?


Anyone taking a day trip down from Santa Cruz can choose from a variety of professional whale watching tours and services. For most areas, there are physical locations that one can visit in order to book a trip, generally on the pier or wharf, but tours can also be found online. Whether you’re looking to book in advance or just spontaneously deciding to go out on the water, there are options for both.


 


While not extensive, there following are some of the most popular whale watching tours:






Sea Goddess Whale Watching, Blue Ocean Whale Watching, Oceanic Expeditions Whale Watch, Sanctuary Cruises all take off from Moss Landing






Princess Monterey Whale Watching, Discovery Whale Watch, Monterey Bay Whale Watch depart from Monterey






Stagnaro Charter Boats (for fishing or whale watching) is based in Santa Cruz






Additional advice for winter viewing: the weather can be difficult and can sometimes cause seasickness (especially if the boat is small). It is advised that you book and prepare in advance, with medicine on-hand or taken before departure. 


 


With a home in Santa Cruz, you can experience exciting day trips just like this all year-round. To begin your home search, contact Lauren Spencer today. 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 22 Dec 2023 12:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/seasonal-home-decor-ideas-to-brighten-your-home-for-the-holidays.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/seasonal-home-decor-ideas-to-brighten-your-home-for-the-holidays.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Seasonal Home Decor Ideas To Brighten Your Home For The Holidays</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



There are many ways to celebrate the holidays here in Santa Cruz. With exciting events happening each week of December, it’s fun to get out and about and enjoy the city. But many of us also love the simpler things: staying at home and spending time with family and friends. 



Decorating is, of course, quite personal, with some people who aren’t that into it and others that are very into it. Regardless, the process can get a bit tiring, especially for those of us who live busy lives. Beyond the standard tree (for those who celebrate), here are a few easy home decor ideas that will brighten up your home this holiday season.


Blankets, Throw Pillows, and Small Knick Knacks


Perhaps one of the more obvious ones on this list, changing out your throw blankets and pillows is a cost-effective option that really makes an impact. While perhaps difficult to store—depending on your home—these accent pieces are a quick way to switch up the color palette and textures in your home. Adding festive colors and warmer fabrics can instantly make a room feel more welcoming.



A lot of us associate the holiday season with words like cozy and homey, so candles, small ornaments, and on-theme centerpieces are pretty standard for the savvy seasonal decorator. If you're planning on inviting company over, there are a few things that are important to consider: first, that your decorations aren’t impacting mobility or in the way of foot traffic (i.e. staircase decorations), and second, that strong scents (i.e. candles) can be aggravating to some. 



If you’re looking to stay on trend, bows are exceptionally popular this year, so adding these (which can be purchased or easily DIY’d) can be a smart way to integrate new styles without breaking the bank.


 





Garlands, Wreaths, &amp; Hanging Decorations


By now, you’ve probably seen the viral garland DIY trick: that is, wrapping a holiday garland around a tension rod and then hanging it up in a doorway or entrance way, creating a beautiful floating effect. 



Garlands and other hanging decorations seem to be very popular this year, something that had kind of died down for a while—perhaps because they were considered quite excessive and bold There are ways to tone down a wreath, garland, or other hanging decoration, keeping in mind that pine isn’t always the only option; you can think outside of the box Similarly, adding lights and ornaments take these to the next level. 


Branching Out &amp; A Touch Of California Charm


Bathrooms, bedrooms, and other rooms around the house can also be decorated, and are kind of overlooked during the holiday season in favor of the “main room”, so to speak. 



Branching out your seasonal decor to other rooms is completely up to you and how festive you’re feeling; if you want to contain the holiday joy to one area (typically the living room), then that’s also completely fine But otherwise, adding little touches around the house can really add something special—especially garlands in the hallways. 



Additionally, adding a bit of California flair can be a great way to embrace the holiday spirit, even if the weather outside isn’t the snowy wonderland of movies and television shows. This can be custom or handmade ornaments (such as using orange slices and cinnamon—popular around the world) or other seasonal decorations. For the handmade feel that isn’t truly handmade, many stores do offer paper crafts and decorations (such as IKEA, although the nearest brick-and-mortar location is in East Palo Alto).


 





Flowers &amp; Plants


When it comes to the holiday season, most don’t really think about flowers first, as is the nature of the season. Despite that, flowers and other assorted plants are a great way to liven up your interior space. Poinsettias are a popular choice for their festive red and green colors, as well as winterberries/holly and the traditional mistletoe. As an alternative to these plants, roses, lilies, ivy, and paperwhites are also beautiful choices to spruce up your space. 



Some plants are toxic (namely holly and lilies) so be advised if you have pets or small children. Fake plants might also be a great option here, with the added bonus of being able to bring it back year after year. Great quality fake flowers and plants are an investment, and can be used for many different occasions year-round.



Discover the beauty of the Santa Cruz area—365 days a year. Find your dream home today with Lauren Spencer. Click to contact for more information.

 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/local-holiday-shopping-santa-cruz.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/local-holiday-shopping-santa-cruz.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Local Holiday Shopping, Santa Cruz</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



As December rolls around—and with it some cooler weather—the festive season is just beginning. While some of us have already done our holiday shopping, most of us are just getting started. 



The Santa Cruz downtown area is recognized for its local shops and boutiques, although a lot of beloved locations have unfortunately closed down permanently post-pandemic. Regardless, for those searching for local gifts this holiday season, Santa Cruz always has you covered. The following businesses have both brick and mortar stores, as well as websites to purchase your holiday gifts online.


Botanic + Luxe 


110 Cooper Street, Suite 100F, Santa Cruz



Botanic and Luxe (stylized as Botanic + Luxe) is a small homegoods and gift shop. The store is women-owned, started by two best friends in 2016. They carry a variety of products that make for perfect holiday gifts for friends, new homeowners, or someone special, such as bath and body, jewelry and apparel, home decor and art prints, and more. 



They do also have a selection of products for mom and the baby, so this might be worthwhile checking out if this is someone on your list. As well, Botanic and Luxe have gift boxes with a selection of goods—a great option, at a range of price points. Visit their website here.


Toque Blanche


1527 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz



Continuing on with excellent gifts for homeowners, Toque Blanche is located right downtown. With the motto, “Cooking tools for the home chef”, Toque Blanche stocks utensils and high-quality cookware from notable brands, small appliances and accessories, cookbooks, and more. You could find the perfect gift here for the person who loves to cook, and simultaneously an excellent gift for one who might just be starting out. 



Toque Blanche also offers gift sets, professional gift wrapping (for a fee), and gift cards. Plus, they have a gift guide featured on their website with different price categories. Visit their website here.


Childish Santa Cruz


1122 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz and 1127 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz


 


Switching gears slightly, those searching for gifts for kids only need to make one stop. With the tagline “kid tested, parent approved”, Childish is an independent toy store with two locations in the city. They emphasize colorful, intuitive toys to boost creativity and development, often eco-friendly and sustainable. They also stock locally-made products, which helps support the Santa Cruz community. 



Childish has great options for babies (blocks, stuffed animals), kids (puzzles, art supplies, bicycles and outdoor toys), and even teens (collectors items, board games). Visit their website here.


Streetlight Records


939 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz



For alternative (and even mainstream) teens and adults who love music, Streetlight Records is a major music store located downtown. While their bread and butter is music (especially vinyl/LPs), they also stock DVDs (both movies and television), video games, and CDs, as well as offer trade-ins. 



While this may be a risky gift (you’ll have to know exactly what the person wants), gift cards also available for purchase if you're unsure. Visit their website here.


Bookshop Santa Cruz


1520 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz



For the avid reader, or the aspiring one Bookshop Santa Cruz is a downtown staple, and well-loved by the community. The perfect holiday gift for those all ages can be found at a bookstore—but it’s important to know the person’s tastes, of course.



Not sure what to get? Bookshop Santa Cruz has a section on their site highlighting their best recommendations for the holidays, but they also have gift cards and small gifts (such as apparel and merch). Gift wrapping is available at a small fee. Visit their website here.



Sockshop &amp; Shoe Company


1515 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz



Who doesn’t appreciate a good pair of socks? Sockshop &amp; Shoe Company specializes in—evidently—shoes and socks, all at their convenient, downtown location. While shoes might not be the best gift option, their funky socks are a great stocking stuffer... and a future conversation piece



Sockshop &amp; Shoe Company has sections for men, women, and kids. Designs range from more practical options to out-of-the-box designs. Visit their website here. 


 


Want to make Santa Cruz, CA home? Contact an expert realtor today. With 35+ years of experience, Lauren Spencer can help you find the Santa Cruz home of your dreams.

 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 08 Dec 2023 12:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
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