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SANTA CRUZThis funky surfer town has beachside bike routes,abundant running trails and farm-fresh dining.By Holly Bennett

While most famously known as a

surers paradise on the central Caliornia

coast, Santa Cruz holds equal appeal ortriathletes seeking picturesque training

spots and quirky, casual culture. Any-

thing and everything goes in this unky

city by the sea, with surers, sailors,

cycling acionados, 60s-era holdouts,

Silicon Valley escapees and beach-going

tourists mingling in the easy ocean-side

atmosphere.

Spend a ew hours on any o Santa

Cruzs numerous road ride routes and

youll travel along rugged beachside

clis and up through ancient redwoodorests, testing even the most skilled

cyclists climbing and descending skills. I

your ride includes coastal Highway 1, be

sure to stop at Davenports Whale City

Bakery, 9 miles north o Santa Cruzs

city limits (the city limits sign tradition-

ally spurs a nal sprint on group rides).

From December through April, catch a

glimpse o migrating gray whales as you

munch on a mun. Roadside ruit stands

will also tempt you with locally grown

Wilder Ranch State Park, home to the newXterra Pacic Championship race

Santa CruzShout-outS

If you want

Two-Wheeled LoveLcl vie SpkesmBicycles seves s cmmiyb cycliss ll levels.Spokesmanbicycles.com

Fat Tire Tech Supportae Bike Sp, cveielylced e wy Wilderc, specilies i ll igsMtB.Anotherbikeshop.com

Lap LanesSimpkis Fmily Swim Ceees dily dl fesswks less sced lpime.Scparks.com

Old-Timey Thrillsride e Gi Dippe, e BecBdwlks 1920s wde llecse.Beachboardwalk.com

Post-Training TreatsVisi Miis Cdies (lcis e Bdwlk, e Wd Pcifc ave.) is msslwe y, cdied pples e es.Mariniscandies.com

A Bike Industry JobS C d e sdige is lded wi cycligcmpies, icldig Gi,Specilied, S C Bicycles,Sidi, Clee, Lk d Pxis.

HeatHerFerguson

sims

The Giant Dipperrollercoaster, a SantaCruz icon

strawberries. Be sure to

pack cool-weather cycling

gear, as you can count on

some coastal og most

mornings.I o-road riding

tempts you, trails are

endless and adventure-

some. All ability levels will

enjoy a un, dirt-packed

playground in Wilder Ranch State Park

on the northwestern edge o town, home

to the new Xterra Pacic Championship

race. Wilder Ranch is equally suited or

trail running, with a network o hilly re

roads and technical single-track leading


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3/344 triathlete.com | Oob 2011

tour guide cOntinued

luxurious getaway, head to South County

and the Seascape Resort in Aptos, with

ocean-view suites and villas, golng greens

and Palapasone o the areas prime

venues or sunset margaritas and Mexican

ood. Aptos is home to Nisene Marks State

Park, another rich natural resource or

mile upon mile o orested trail run. Moun-

tain lions and wild boar also call this park

home, though youre more likely to spot

the University o Caliornia Santa Cruzs

vibrant yellow mascot, the banana slug.

The pivot point o Santa Cruzs eccentric

character is downtowns Pacic Garden

Mall, where you might be serenaded by a

street perormer, asked to sign a Green-

peace petition and brush shoulders with lo-

cal American Idol celebrity James Durbin

all within the space o the same block.

People watching and boutique shopping

abound, with eateries appealing to every

taste. El Palomar is the downtown cousin

to Palapas and a avorite local spot to

uel. Just o Pacic Avenue and not to be

missed are two truly Santa Cruz estab-

lishments: Red and 515 Kitchen and Cock-

tails. Both dimly

lit late-night joints

share a similar

magic-carpet-ride-

meets-cocktail-

lounge eel. The

menus eature

arm-to-table

resh ingredients

with delectable

small plates and

meals designed or

sharing.

Looping back

to the citys beloved west side, visit the

swank Swit St. Courtyard, anchored by

Kellys Bakery, a haven or sweet treats,

coee drinks and ample breakast and

lunch are. Dont dare leave without

sampling the deliciousand arguably

nutritiousdate bar. While away your

nal Santa Cruz aternoon at one o

Swit St. Courtyards several wine tast-

ing rooms where youll sample varietals

rom such acclaimed local vintners as

Sones Cellars, Bonny Doon Vineyards

and Pelican Ranch

Winery. I wine

over-indulgence

gets the best o you,

youre a mere mile

inland rom West

Cli Drive once

more, where a brisk

walk in the ocean

air will clear your

head in no time.Nisene Marks StatePark has more than

30 miles o trails

santa cruz, ca

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