We love road trips. However, not everyone feels the same way because of a phrase too many of us hear from our children, “I have to pee.”
You have eight hours to go and you just started driving and already someone has to go. About this time your probably thinking that this was a bad idea and that a eight hour road trip will turn into a twelve hour road trip.
I’m here to tell you that by stopping every two hours for 15 minutes, you’ll get to your destination as a sane mama.
First make sure that EVERYONE. I mean EVERYONE uses the restroom at home before you walk out the door. Even if they just did thirty minutes earlier.
Make sure that your car has a full tank of gas in it. My husband fills up the tank the day before we hit the road so we can save time. We usually stop and get two things done: fill up the tank and use the restroom or stop to eat and use the restroom. When we stop we strongly encourage EVERYONE to use the bathroom even if they don’t think they need to. Always have snacks and food with you and don’t let your children buy things at the gas station. Once you let them they will start using the restroom excuse just to get candy or chips from the gas station. Your goal is to make less stops along the way and not more.
Now there will be that occasional stop because someone really has to go even if you stop every two hours but if you plan right you will get to your destination in no time.
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Here you can learn about marine life. We learned that swell sharks sleep during the day and that they lay shark egg cases. These egg cases look like black rectangle envelopes. We got to see one which was so cool. You can actually see the embryo inside the egg case. We also got to go on an outdoor tour where we saw both Blue and Gray Whale skeletons. Afterwards we went into the research center and here we got to watch dolphins who live in an outdoor enclosure. This is a truly informative location and unlike other places the Seymour Marine Discovery Center exists for the purpose of presenting marine research to the general public.
Located at 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Wharf House Restaurant
I love restaurants that are located on a fishermen wharf because while my husband and son fish and crab, the girls and I are able to get indoors, stay warm, and eat. These type of restaurants always have a killer view.
Now I ordered the baby spinach and blue cheese salad and even though I love salads this one I wasn’t able to finish because the dressing was too strong and I wasn’t able to enjoy it. I guess next time I need to always ask for dressing to be on the side, this way I can add a little bit at a time. They offer lots of different sea food items such as crab sandwich, fried prawns, fish tacos, clam chowder, clams, and more. If you don’t like seafood you’ll still find options for you like pesto chicken linguine or chicken Carciofi.
Located at 1400 Wharf Rd, Capitola, CA 95010.
Capitola Historical Museum
This museum is located right next to a old hotel. You’ll notice the community bathhouse which is in a separate facility. Inside of the museum you’ll find a lot of photographs that showcase what the city used to look like and the cities history.
Did you know that Capitola was known as “Camp Capitola” and at first these tents were spread out and people stayed in them?
We learned that Capitola once had a sugar factory where they made beet sugar.
There is quite a bit of interesting things to learn here but we don’t want to share it all on here and ruin your fun.
Located at 410 Capitola Ave, Capitola, CA 95010.
New Brighton State Beach Camping
New Brighton State Beach Campground is a campground with a view. Some of the campsites have the view of the ocean. You have to book in advance to ensure that you actually get one of those spots.. Before spending the night here we walked over to the beach which is a short distance away. When we got back we had easy access to water to wash dishes with. Bathrooms and showers were close to our site. We always tend to pick a campsite that is close to the restroom. With four children someone is bound to want to use the restroom in the middle of the night. My husband always gets up and makes sure all of the children get safely to and from the bathroom at night. Every campsite had a picnic table and fire pit.
Capitola Wharf
We decided to try out fishing and crabbing on Capitola Wharf. My husband and son didn’t have much luck though. My husband caught a bullhead sculpin. Peter caught two bullhead sculpin and a fish which we couldn’t identify. While my husband and son fished, the girls and I went down to the beach. Here they have beautifully colored Venetian Village cottages. It is quite busy and you’ll find people playing volleyball.
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