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

Sali del mercado y alla estuvieron las Girl Scouts a fuera de la puerta…read more The GS Force Squad: Wanna buy some GS cookies? Yours Truly: No, I have a mom who works at your Santa Clara office, I bought them from her daughter (which is true) -- 70 bucks later (5 orders 4 for friends and 1 for my little brother) The GS Force Squad: Okay *enter Tamale Lady* La Senora: Ay- Mija quisiera comprar tamales Yours Truly: Claro que si! Cuanto cuestan? La Senora: un dolar, doce por diez Yours Truly: Quisiera seis de queso, seis de pollo SOLD! Long story short-- Girls Scouts you may look cute and have a multi-million dollar industry, but you ain't got @#$# on the Tamale Lady selling fresh tamales from her van in the parking lot. I got the first batch and they are fresh out of the steamer. A perfect way to start my day...sun is shining, steam is coming up from my bag... The Tamales are still hot and I have two for breakfast with my tea and eggs. Gracias al Dios por la Senora! If you have NO IDEA WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT... It is like Katt Williams says... (this is rephrased and made PG) If you don't know, ask somebody who does... ask someone on the bus.... or ask a friend... if they should get it but don't-- they need to come back to their people..come back.. come back home!

Is this the lady that is usually on the westside? I worked over there about 5 years ago and someone…read morewould stop by and the tamale's were amazing. Trying to get in touch with her..anyone know how??

One of the best restaurant experiences I've had. I'm not even talking about the food although it…read morewas amazing! We arrived on a Sunday night maybe an hr before closing. Wait was 20 mins. After we got seated we quickly ordered. We had a mixture of lasagna, ravioli, and a sea bass lemon risotto. Food was incredible. But what I want to emphasize is the service. I mean WOW. From the moment I got there, everyone was super kind and welcoming. I didn't get her name, but the beautiful young lady who was all tatted, she made our experience so memorable. She came over constantly to check on my family and I. She made it so personable. This was our last dinner before heading home on our vacation and we hope to return. Thank you for the hospitality.

Walking into Lillian's, my first impression was its romantic, dimly lit atmosphere. The employees…read morewere attentive, informative about the menu, and made the whole experience feel welcoming. In my opinion, this is one of the better restaurants in Santa Cruz. Black Truffle Stuffed Gnocchi ($25): This dish was creamy and so delicious! The gnocchi was cooked perfectly, and the tomatoes gave it a fresh, nice touch. My only complaint is that the portion size is a bit on the smaller side. Sunday Gravy ($25): This dish included Italian sausage, spare ribs, beef, and pork, served with rigatoni pasta. I loved how meaty it was, yet it didn't feel heavy. Some pastas leave you feeling weighed down after eating, but not this one. It could have used a little more seasoning, but overall, it was a solid dish.

I visited this museum, in December of 2025. And it is almost Valentine's Day, 2026 so I am late to…read morerecord my experience, I understand that. But I rather take down the Christmas on Super Bowl weekend than wait to take the lights down near the 4th of July. I went to this place on my first trip to Santa Cruz. And I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this place, and its focus on Santa Cruz Culture. Thorough out my life, I have heard that Santa Cruz is known for crystals, and forest green. But on my trip here, I learned that Santa Cruz is also famous for surfer culture, As some of the pictures, demonstrate surf boards, like cups, hair styles, and volcanoes, come in a variety of lengths, shapes, colors and purpose. I also learned that surfing has its origins from Hawaii, and even though I did not know that, it totally makes sense. I will never be on a surf board, catching a big wave, while the breeze hits my face, and pelicans fly above, but by visiting this museum I learned the historical value of the surf movement that waved hello, initially, in Santa Cruz by way of Hawaii. My favorite room was that one that reflected the beach and ocean vibe of Santa Cruz in place. The room was colored in a deep blue that did not resemble clear waters, more like the deep blue that is found when the ocean seems to be infinite. I am not sure the exact shade of blue that the room was painted in, but I will call it calming serenity blue, which is a close cousin to royal blue. If popcorn yellow and burnt cocoa brown are colors than mine can be colored too, I do not need Crayola level authority to christen colors. The pictures in the room continued my trance into serenity. The paintings showed these peaceful seascapes, where sky and sea became partners in a waltz, not interwoven as one, but paired into slow movement that induces stillness upon the viewer. Other pictures showed a calm beach, where the shore water had white froth as it met the sand. In the background, there was a rock formation and behind the rock formation was a tranquil sky brighten by subtle hues of a descending sun. Even as I reviewed the pictures for this yelp, I found the paintings to be, in a phrase: rest in ocean and pastel candy colored strokes. The room also had a speaker that played the sounds of the ocean, quietly about a chair. I allowed myself to transport myself to a beach shore, to experience the colors of the sea breeze. The museum also tried to educate others on its place in USA farm produce history. One of the pictures discusses the migration pattern by stating, "Today Mexican men, women and children cross the border voluntarily- but at great risk of violence and rape." This is just my opinion, but this sentence, is too broad yet to specific at the same time to accurately paint a picture of the migration experience of many Mexicans and by extension other people who seek to come to America to fulfill their version of the American dream. The way it is written, again from my interpretation, implies that the choice to come to America is one that is a "voluntary" decision like skipping or going to the gym, or using a credit card for a jacket when it does not fit your means. Meaning, that the word voluntary may ignore the vast conditions that push others to migrate, other than personal choice. But this is just one Yelper's opinion, if that makes sense. In another, poster, which I clipped, explains how Santa Cruz goes alternative. The poster explains that "Santa Cruz became a cauldron of cultural experimentation, neighborhood activism, intellectual exploration and environmental protection in the 1960s and 1970s." I think that the word cauldron here is not the right choice because a cauldron most often then not, holds a witches brew. And, most witches brews that are mixed in a cauldron, are meant to produce a potion that results in some type of calamity or curse. I know I may be nitpicking, but if a museum is going to report history, they should be prepared for a response, as history should be reported with objective caution, not editorial perspective. A better word, again in my opinion, would be site, like Santa Cruz became a site of.... this gives objective reporting, as a posed to imagery that a word like cauldron produces. I think, and thus I write. Angela Davis, said, according to a poster, I also clipped, " I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change, I am changing the things I cannot accept." I also really enjoyed playing with Christmas train models for about 10 to 15 minutes. I was not transported into the Polar Express, but, it was fun to turn on cabooses and view their speed and stops through the tracks. It was a zen kind of moment. The museum also had a sculpture garden and a picture of a man in front of a giant redwood that made me want to find a giant tree and walk inside its tunnel. I guess, what I am trying to say is that this museum has a lot to see and ponder about. I was stirred, and calmed, by it.

What a great find while visiting downtown Santa Cruz with my girlfriend! Such a relaxing experience…read morevisiting this museum, it wasn't busy and the exhibits are very simple. You really get to learn about the history of Santa Cruz and the surrounding cities. It was three floors and wasn't a crazy big museum. I enjoyed it a lot and it was affordable to enjoy. Definitely can be a cool add to your itinerary for Santa Cruz. Bathrooms are a bit spooky though haha, they are super dim and is very ominous! Could barely go anymore once I walked in.

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

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.

I don't know why any one should whine about this delightful…read morerestaurant. The four of us had a large pear pizza, lasagne, a big salad, and an interesting apple pie dessert. When the pizza was served a bit on the cool side, the waiter heated it up and improved it a good thirty percent. True, the narrow aisles present a challenge to the busy waiters, but overall, the place is charming!

Had dinner here today with friends who wanted to check out my son's newish town (first year at…read moreUCSC).... Pros- flavors of each dish were quite tasty. We had six people in total and all together ordered the short rib ravioli, seafood stew, spaghetti and meatballs, roasted beets, French onion soup, potatoes with dip, a salad and a pizza. My favorite bite was the lasagna. The top had nicely melted and crispy cheese... very good! I also enjoyed the crispy potatoes with dip. The French onion soup didn't have a lot of color, but it still had a very distinct and tasty flavor. Outside of the food, the restaurant has a great outdoor area that's dog friendly! There is also a nice sized private parking lot. Oh, and if you pay in cash, there's a discount! Cons- I was craving spaghetti and meatballs, it just sounded so good to me! This was I think it's the first time I've ever ordered it at a restaurant (usually make it at home!) while I thought the dish had good flavor, I felt the pasta was slightly overcooked. It was not al dente... the meatballs also didn't have a lot of color, so that was disappointing. The seafood stew a friend ordered was small. She said it was good, but we overheard someone at a different table say that the stew used to be huge and it currently is not... Coloring... typically color equals flavor, so it was odd that several dishes had little coloring, but they did still taste good! Some things I didn't care as much for, but we all enjoyed the flavors of each dish...

We had a great time celebrating our anniversary with a sidecar wine tour. Michael showed us a fun…read moretime, and was an all around good dude to hangout with for a couple of hours. Highly recommended for a unique experience along the coast!

Can't go wrong with a scenic tour through Apple and olive orchards, in addition to Vineyards. We…read morepassed through redwood trees, saw incredible valley views, and the picnic was amazing.

Great food tour of Santa Cruz that is part history, part science and part food tasting. We really…read moreenjoyed the food at all six stops and the walking tour of the neighborhoods as well. Brion, our guide was very knowledgeable about Santa Cruz history, the restaurants we visited and even the processes used for making the ice cream and craft chocolate at a couple of the stops. This tour makes a great gift for birthdays or to celebrate other special occasions.

A++ Fantastic! Best…read moretour ever! Why have you not signed up yet?! I love, love, love the Santa Cruz Food Tour. In fact, I love it so much, I've gone 4 times- on the SAME tour. It's that good. And Brion, the owner/tour guide is seriously great. He's incredibly knowledgeable about the Santa Cruz area, the history behind it, and the local restaurants dined at during the tour. Here are some of the highlights you get on the tour: + Brion - totally awesome host! + Tons of history of the Santa Cruz area, the REAL facts behind the SC Mission, history of the railway system, facts about the beautiful architecture surrounding downtown, and much, much more! + Insanely great food at local restaurants - all restaurants Brion has picked on this tour have a story behind them, area local to the area, and are DELICIOUS One of the best things about this tour is that although I'm semi-local to Santa Cruz, I learned SO much I hadn't previously known about the areas and dined at places I never would have otherwise. This tour opens up new ways to enjoy the Santa Cruz area. Although it's the same tour each time I've attended, I've learned a little more about the area, tried something slightly different then I did before, and got to enjoy this fantastic experience with someone new each time. :) TIP: Book as early as possible because the tour dates fill up FAST.