Parking 808 Bay Ave in the Nob Hill parking lot near the back of the store. Nice easy walk. Good…read moretemperature because of clouds and shade because of the many many trees. I don't think it ever gets hot here. Looking good.

Rispin Mansion Capitola CA Sat 10/30/21…read more The Rispin Mansion in Capitola California is a historic mansion, registered on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. I've been at this site countless times over the years, oh how I regret not to have posted my previously taken photos, lost in the mists of time (and annals of my old laptops somewhere)! Wish I had a review written back in a day. And I'll tell you why, in a second. Around 75% of the Rispin Mansion had been destroyed by fire about 10 years ago. It was soon after the Capitola City Council approved a 55-year lease that would repair the grounds and turn it into a 25-room boutique hotel, back in May of 2009. The project was billed at $14 million, however, just before the construction started, a fire broke out. And now you know the rest of the story! So the grounds are fenced with the chicken wire and abandoned on the day of my today's visit on Saturday October 30, 2021. The building was constructed in 1921 by San Franciscan Henry Allen Rispin. It was built with four stories, 22 rooms, and over 7,100 square feet, on the grounds of what was called "Camp Capitola". Described as being "cursed," Rispin Mansion was first used as a real-estate showroom, and then, at various times, as a residence, a nunnery, a SWAT practice ground, and even as a ghost hunting site! Why is it on the National Register, what's historic about it? Well, I'm glad that you asked. It's because Henry Allen Rispin was one of the founding fathers of Capitola. He saw its large potential as a vacation spot and tourist attraction. Rispin owned or controlled most of the land in the new city of Capitola. During the Great Depression, he lost his fortune and had to sell the mansion. It went to his business partner Robert Hays Smith through foreclose, then got sold to the Oblates of St. Joseph and became a convent, until 1959. For many decades thereafter, Rispin Mansion stayed unoccupied, neglected, vandalized with graffiti, ghosted. That is until the city purchased the property in 1985 for mere $1.35 million and eventually placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. It attracts supernatural interest from the ghost hunters who visit the property during the middle of the night, to film the paranormal activities. So I thought it was most fitting to pen my review on Halloween 2021 to bring your attention to Rispin Mansion and its ghosts of the past. Cheers! Review #654 posted with 6 pictures on October 30, 2021 Rispin Mansion Capitola CA Sat 10/30/21 ® It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah It don't mean a thing all you got to do is sing doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah It makes no difference If it's sweet or hot Just give that rhythm Everything you've got Rispin Mansion Capitola CA Sat 10/30/21

Top of the stairs is near corner of Cliff Ave & Grand Ave and has quite a view. Set navigation…read moresoftware for 104 cliff Abe in capitola and it'll get you to top of stairs. DONT PARK HERE though. It's permit parking only. Park around the corner

Inevitably, these stairs are:…read more What you do after a long night in the Village. What you do after a few too many cupcakes (http://www.yelp.com/biz/sprinkles-cupcakes-palo-alto#hrid:F7yevLniXvWEebiGO8gBMg) What you do when you want to escape the parking nazis. But it will cost you in burn factor every time.

Location is secluded but it's at your Discretion, . Once you enter the parking lot entrance for the…read morestreet keep your eyes to the right and look for the tall red Barn wall, you can't miss the sign. We were kindly greeted by Rochelle who helped up with our desired libation. I loved the ambiance and am so happy the day was shiny and pleasant because we sat outside to take in the fresh air. Of course there's overflow seating here because they also have a plentiful menu and kitchen to cater to your culinary appitite. We ordered the Uncle David RIPA, which went don't smoothly, is all I can say. Take a load off, kick your feet up, and grab a book (they have a cute Book Nook inside) and relax and grab a bite and a brew. CHEERS!!

Quality/Quantity - Decided to try their $5 special which was good. Hola Lola, west coast IPA…read more No reds today, so we decided after one beer to go to Balefire Brewing; see other review. Food is also available, but we are going to Shadowbrook for dinner tonight. Atmosphere - Decent size location, well the outdoor space is huge. See pictures. Books and games were available, but we did not use them. Plenty of parking, but notice all the signs. So make sure you do NOT park in the wrong spots. Open 7 days a week from noon to 9pm. Live music, see website. Clean unisex restrooms. Wifi - See picture for password. Service - Counter service, overall good service. Got some free beer can stickers for my ski box. :) Thank you. Price - $6 + generous tip. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 2011 with your doors opening in 2013.

North Pier Capitola Wharf CA Sat 10/30/21…read more One fine day to enjoy the shore and immerse into the sounds of calm waters, gentle clouds, and blue skies. Watching waves breaking at an angle to the shoreline and generating long current, water moving onto the beach and then retreating, in a continuous cycle. As long as the waves hit the shoreline, we are fine! North Pier is next to Capitola Venetian Hotel & Capitola Beach Suites where relaxation meets the sea. Or so they say, if you found a parking spot LOL. There isn't anywhere to park on Wharf road, Stockton avenue, or in the downtown area - Capitola Village. You can park in the Upper Village on Capitola Ave, and walk down to the beach, it's a nice short stroll. Turn right to Stockton Ave, then cross the bridge over Soquel Creek, to Cliff Drive and Wharf Road. There's your North Pier! Enjoy! Cheers! Review #653 posted with 7 pictures on October 30, 2021 North Pier Capitola CA Sat 10/30/21 Well I never kept a dollar past sunset It always burned a hole in my pants Never made a school mama happy Never blew a second chance, oh no I need a love to keep me happy I need a love to keep me happy Baby, baby keep me happy Baby, baby keep me happy Capitola Wharf North Pier Sat 10/30/21

Quality/Quantity - Fun city, I actually enjoy it more than Santa Cruz now. But that might change…read moreif/when I have more little ones in my life. Of course, they are known for their beaches. Other things to do: Breweries, wineries, restaurants, etc. History, museums, parks, etc. Other things to do that I have less interest in: Art, etc. Only an hour to two from the Bay Area, depending on traffic. Nearby cities are: Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Los Gatos. Atmosphere - 1.68 square miles with 0.08 water. But also next to the ocean. 2024 population = 9456 (US Census). Cut and pasted from the internet, the current landmark with a recent facelift: "The Venetian Court sits on the beach just east of the pier and is on the Register of National Historic Places as "The first Condominium Beach Community in the United States, built in 1924." Service - Depends on what you do, eat, or drink. Price - Depends on what you do, eat, or drink. We did both local and tourist stuff on this visit. Overall prices are reasonable, slightly above average. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 1949.

Capitola is...fine. This review is specifically for the officer that does parking "enforcement". If…read moreyou park in the village, bring a ruler and make sure that you don't park 19 inches away from the curb or you will be ticketed. The officer will stop his chatting long enough to write you a ticket and then scurry away.

Can I review a Traffic Circle aka Roundabout? I'd like to. Actually I'd like to review the…read morecustomers of this traffic phenomenon. This brand new Traffic Circle / Roundabout down in the "flats" of Rio Del Mar (by State Beach near Pixies Deli) was a SUPERB addition to the local infrastructure. Roundabouts are awesome. They speed up traffic. Just ask any European. Brilliant. But apparently, the local folk in Aptos don't know what they are or how to use them. So, things are really messed up. I'm here to help. For those of you not having the pleasure of using a traffic circle aka roundabout), here are some tips on using traffic circles aka roundabouts: 1. Apparently, when some people approach something unfamiliar while driving - like a Roundabout- they speed up! Not good. As you approach a roundabout, slow down! And yield to traffic already in the traffic circles aka roundabouts. Don't just drive in! 2. Watch for pedestrians in the crosswalk that goes across the traffic circle aka roundabout. Yes, they still have right-of-way when in the traffic circle aka roundabout crosswalk. 3. Do not stop in the roundabout. That's enough to get you started. OMG - every time I come to this Roundabout I swear someone is gonna get killed. Unbelievable. Here are some more instructions on using these Traffic Circles aka Roundabouts: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/safety/roundabouts/

Took my mother here years ago; the restaurant has been consistently on-point (i.e. great food,…read morecustomer service, etc.) Always a must if you seldom visit Aptos Village.

Lovely restaurant with fabulous service. Homey and comfortable yet still a little fancy. Open…read morekitchen, high ceilings and an Italy-meets-France vibe. I loved it. Offerings were diverse and plentiful. Once again, I was struck with wanting all of the things. My server was accommodating with my request to taste two different white wines and two different reds throughout my meal. I opted for the Chardonnay to go with the special halibut crudo, which was outstandingly prepared. The fish itself was a bit on the fishy side (especially for halibut) but I don't fault the restaurant. The treatment of the fish was perfection. I'm a bit of a Caesar salad aficionado and considered skipping Mentone's mostly because I'd just enjoyed one the night before. But I just had to try it and I'm glad I did. It was certainly not traditional but it was very well made, even better with the added anchovies ~ although I did suffer some sticker shock when I got the bill and found that those little fish were $2 each. Ooof. Switched gears to some Pinot Noir and went for the ricotta sage browned butter ravioli, which were fabulous. I probably should have stopped there but ordered the tiramisu and it was a miss for me. Just way (way) too boozy and totally lacked balance, although it was pretty. All in all, a very nice experience ~ although very pricey for a single diner. Appetizer, salad (with the pricey little fishies), entree, dessert and two 5-ounce pours of wine left my wallet $185 lighter (with tax, tip and 4% kitchen wages surcharge). I know everything is very expensive these days, but whoa. Definitely a special occasion kind of place!

The Great Blue Heron Walkway is a work of art at Jose Avenue County Park, featuring two beautiful…read moregreat blue heron mosaic sculptures, created by Barbara Abbott and Sandra Whiting, made up of diverse pieces of random objects submitted by community members when it was built in 1999, including toy cars and seashells. Brief trails of oversized blue heron footprints are etched into the cement along the walkways inside the park, matching the sculptures on site, adding a nice touch to the artwork even if minimally noticeable and not as eye-catching as the great blue heron sculptures standing in the grass. I enjoyed checking it all out this past Friday, while spending the day in Santa Cruz.

So far so good! Cute…read morelittle place for a quick dinner as we just rolled into town for valentine's weekend. Love the ambiance and the starter bread with the garlic infused olive oil is a killer!!! My wife loved the lemon spritz and we had the truffle ravioli. Hot damn that was GOOD! We will certainly be coming back in the future for the full dinner experience. Service was also spot on with friendly faces and smiles galore.

Champagne AND spaghetti?! I am so happy you can order Caruso's at Vin Vivant. A match made in…read moreHeaven! The Caruso family is so nice and the food is just delicious, pure comfort food. The Gnocchi Al Forno is the best gnocchi I've ever had. Pillowy gnocchi in a hearty, garlicky marinara. It's like eating a WARM HUG. I also love the Fettuccine Vodka and Chicken Parmesan. The complimentary bread with roasted garlic oil is such a nice gift.