APTOS, CALIFORNIA
Aptos Village itself is just a tiny dot on the local map, but it's well worth the visit. The old Bayview Hotel anchors this quaint shopping district, comprised mainly of friendly little shops and restaurants. A visit to the Cafe Sparrow is a must. This French-inspired cafe is a local favorite for Sunday brunch or casual dinners. Just down the road in the Redwood Village, stock up on picnic supplies at the Piggy Market and Deli before heading into the Nisene Marks State Park for an afternoon exploring the forest. Don't miss their Piggy Champagne..inexpensive, but great.
Go west to Rio Del Mar Beach and you can find another great place to spend the day at the beach or dine at a really fine restaurant, the Bittersweet Bistro. Down on the beach, you'll certainly want to inspect the remains of the Palo Alto, an experimental ship constructed of concrete. It made just one short voyage back in 1919 before dropping anchor here to become a restaurant and dance hall. Today, only the pelicans, seagulls and fishermen occupy its once grand hull.
This is where you'll find people living in everything from rustic little mountain cabins in the redwoods to sprawling contemporary homes on the golf course. It follows that the sights of Aptos are equally diverse. Within a few minutes, you can go from the nature trails of a redwood forest to the relaxed elegance of Seascape Resort. Most likely, you'll meet the same people in both places. This is a spot where nature and modern life get along just fine together.
