Bayview Hotel

Aptos

by DavoMac

Aptos is a small town along the central California coast, located between Santa Cruz and Monterrey. Has a lovely beach and down to earth locals. For nightlife, it's best to head 10km up the highway to Santa Cruz where the university crowd hangs out at the many bars, pubs and cafes downtown.

Aptos Has Better Beach Action Than Santa Cruz

by atufft

"Small Affluent Town Has Scenic Cliff Downtown"

Aptos isn't as well known as Santa Cruz, nor does it have the range of potential activities, but the beach action there is as good as it gets in along the north shore of the Monterey Bay. See the Seacliff and New Brighton Beach Things To Do tips for more details. The dramatic and steep streets leading to the beach are an attraction in themselves.

"Historic Wreck Palo Alto at the End of the Pier"

The Palo Alto was a ship brought from Oakland for the purpose of day cruises direct from the pier. Unfortunately, after only two years the business went bust, and the ship was left as a feature of the pier. Then after a storm surge cracked the hull in two, and the concrete ship sank where it was docked. Many young people recall the time when a person could amble onto the wreck, but due to safety concerns the wreck is now fenced off from the pier. It remains now a bird and fish santuary. See the Things To Do tip on the Pier and Palo Alto for more information and links for this historical sea treasure.

"New Brighton Beach between Aptos and Capitola"

One of the favorite state beaches in the area is New Brighton State Beach that lies between Capitola and Aptos Beach. The whole stretch is easy to walk and makes for good exercise. See the tips on this beach for more details. The beachside and hilltop mansions in this area are a scenic path in itself.

Aptos - only a stone's throw from Santa Cruz

by matthieuxjames

"A magical beach"

The last few times I've been to this beach, I've seen a family of dolphins playing in the water. When the waves would rush into the shore, the dolphins would take turns racing through the glassy tubes of water, and after making it through so quickly, would exuberantly launch themselves into the sky before splashing back down, so playfully. Sometimes the dolphins will play with swimmers here. This beach is not so easy to find, but that's what helps make it so special.

Aptos Birthday Celebrations

by Callavetta

"A January Sunset"

This past weekend my Mother celebrated her birthday, and with a true traveling spirit, she grabbed the opportunity to "go somewhere". She and my Dad spent several days in Aptos, strolling the beaches, driving among the redwoods, shopping the cute little shops of Capitola, and checking out what's changed in Santa Cruz. My daughter and I drove over to have dinner with them and caught this sunset with our first glass of wine.