Down by the sea

The central coast of California is, as previously reported many times, beautiful.  Unfortunately Monterey, where we're spending 4th July weekend with the southern ex-Haas contingent, sits permanently under a bank of sea fog.  The higher the temperature is, the more fog appears.  "The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco," Mark Twain apparently said, because he'd never visited Monterey.

Which is a shame, because if he'd taken the Pacific Coast Highway down here he would have passed through Santa Cruz.  This is the real California - beaches, boardwalks, bars.  And lots of sunshine.  I'd been to the Mystery Spot here before but never ventured down to the seafront, which is dominated by the Beach Boardwalk theme park.

Hannah and I stuck to the park's sedate Skyglider, while Amanda and Jack took their lives in their hands on the 1924-built wooden Giant Dipper.  It also turns out that Claire is an adrenalin junkie, asking to go on the mini-roller coaster and loving it (Vince looked a lot more scared in the official pic than his daughter).

After the parents and kids went home the rest of us sought out some ice cream.  Turns out that Santa Cruz has the best ice cream in Northern California at Marianne's.  It was certainly the busiest ice cream shop, with a ticket system to deal with the line out the door.  But our waiting time was well spent trying to decide from the 60+ flavours on offer (cardamom pistachio?  Lavender?  Cinnamon caramel?)  Although we still crumbled under the stress of being asked "what would you like?" when our number was called.  Luckily you can have unlimited free samples.

What's the perfect way to start the day?

Breakfast made by Jack!

Quickly followed by Lava Flows in Santa Cruz.

Claire entertains.

Ladies on the beach.

Hmmm.  This guy has apparently announced that he is running for President in 2012.

I want to go on that one!

Up and away on the Skyglider.

Looking down at the beach.

Looking down at the people.

But even up here, business never takes a holiday.  Hannah checks on crude oil prices.

Yum.

Artillery office Vince sees if his skills are still up to scratch.

Walking home through the Santa Cruz surf.

Later, trying to make decisions under pressure.  The MBA never prepared them for this.

Hannah, happy with her choice of Heaven and Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough.

Start with a Hawaiian cocktail, end with a Hawaiian cocktail.  Jack enjoys his double Zombie at the fabulous Hula's Island Grill.