Santa Cruz, California is located within the northern coastal waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary – a habitat for one of the most active ocean ecosystems on the planet.

This area is also home to a passionate community of people dedicated to protecting, preserving, and educating about the California coastline and cold-water marine environment. In 1996, wetsuit innovator and surfer Jack O’Neill founded the O’Neill Sea Odyssey (OSO). This one-of-a-kind program is conducted on board a 65-foot catamaran and is designed to give 4th-6th grade students a hands-on, land/sea learning experience of marine biology, watershed ecology, and navigation techniques.

Jack O’Neill teaching aboard the sea odyssey in the late 90s.

The award-winning program has had a remarkably positive impact on youth and is steering towards reaching 100,000 students in 2018.

At the helm is Executive Director Dan Haifley, a recipient of the 2011 Ocean Hero Award from Save Our Shores, and a dynamic advocate for ocean conservation and environmental education throughout California. In addition to leading the OSO team, he is recognized for his work in establishing the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, promoting 26 California local ordinances regarding offshore oil, and publishing a weekly ocean column in the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

In the following interview, Dan shares his perspective about the value of OSO, and how it benefits the community, surrounding ocean and beyond.

Why is this environmental program important now more than ever?

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O’Neill Sea Odyssey’s program uses math and science lessons to result in environmental stewardship outcomes. The ocean covers 72% of earth’s surface, supplies half its oxygen, creates weather and is a major food source and economic engine, yet it is a sensitive, living habitat vulnerable to pollution. A recent study found that 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic inhabit the ocean. It is under greater stress as it absorbs excess carbon from the atmosphere, increasing sediment loads from rivers that flow to the ocean worldwide, and as we turn to it to help feed a growing population. Giving students the tools to think critically and solve problems such as these is a key component of what O’Neill Sea Odyssey does.

What makes traveling and learning on the Team O’Neill catamaran such a unique experience?

Most students who attend our program have never been on the ocean before. Being in an exciting new environment to teach students science concepts rooted in that environment has a lasting impact, which our annual outcomes analysis and a long-term study of our program confirms. Now that the program is more than 20 years old, I’m hearing from people who attended in elementary school and remember it vividly and talk about how it informs their daily professional, family, and social lives.

What are some of the positive ways you’ve seen the O’Neill Sea Odyssey’s program impacting youth?

Beyond our annual evaluation and the long-term study of our program, which measured its impact 5-7 years after the experience, there are stories. Here is one. Andres Salgado, a former OSO Amesti student returned 14 years later now as a 6th-grade teacher to bring his own class: “Well it’s the first time on a boat for many, some of them haven’t even been to the beach! The kids remember these lessons better because it’s a different environment, they get to see things in person, not in front of textbook or computer screen.”

What are a few of your favorite facts about the Monterey Bay ocean and marine life?

I love the fact that California sea otters look like they have an easy life but, in fact, they work 24 hours a day managing the kelp forest habitat, which in turn protects our coast from erosion and absorbs excess carbon, to prevent further acidification of ocean water. So, in fact, they are working hard for us. And oh, by the way, female sea otters do raise young ones, a big job in and of itself.

How do you see the Sea Odyssey program evolving in the future?

We will continue to improve the curriculum, especially now since we distribute it as classroom curriculum nationally, and we get feedback from schools around the country. We’ll continue to find ways to engage inland schools, right now we have a virtual program, and we can do more. After all, all rivers and creeks and storm drains flow to the ocean, including those in Oklahoma.

Find out more information about the program visit O’NeillSeaOdyssey.Org

The post O’Neill Sea Odyssey – Classroom on a Catamaran appeared first on Bizarre Bay.

No matter how many times a Volkswagen bus travels, changes ownership, or transforms, it always seems to fulfill its original purpose – inspiring adventure and celebration with great people.

Anthony Alcala and his wife Jenna have taken the timeless culture of a VW bus to the next level by transforming their vintage camper van into a traveling photo booth and creating The Booth Bus in 2014. The business draws upon their friendly approach and appreciation for a classic California lifestyle – slow-paced road trips, surf treks, and starlit camping.

By incorporating a top notch photo booth into their old-school van, the Alcalas offer a picture-perfect blend of nostalgia and modernity that magnetizes people of all ages. The Booth Bus now features two beautifully enhanced buses – Georgia and Ginger, that travel locally and beyond, spreading joy and immortalizing good times wherever they roll as only VW’s can do.

Read on for an interview with Anthony to hear about creating a business with vintage VW buses and experiencing “Life in the Right Lane”.

What inspired you to launch the Booth Bus?

Launching The Booth Bus was created by a series of coincidences that collided together. I’ve always been attracted to vintage vehicles and wanted to own a mid 60’s or 70′ VW Bus. I was in my mid thirties and never made the leap to purchase one. I was attracted to their stylish look and the allure of owning a vehicle that was designed specifically for travel and adventure had always sparked my interest. My wife Jenna and life travel partner encouraged me to buy one before it was too late (kids, mortgages, etc).

After purchasing our bus Georgia, we began using it for camping and going on local expeditions. VW buses are slow moving vehicles so using them requires a more zen-like approach to traveling than one is accustomed to in a modern car. A VW Bus is air-cooled, meaning they are cooled-off by the air passing-by as you drive along the road. This engineering aspect requires a slower approach to travel, sometimes you have to pull over and let the bus cool after climbing a big hill. It’s a forced chill-out and we loved it. It was more adventurous and required a slower operating speed when going somewhere. There’s a beauty to operating slower, you discover more time to think, notice things that were easily overlooked once beforehand. We call it Life In The Right Lane.

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This new slowing-down became a catalyst that fueled a deeper desire to do something more artistic and upbeat with my career. One day while my wife and I were driving home from a Southern California road trip in the bus, we had an ah-hah moment. We had been kicking around ideas and dreaming out-loud on how we could share the sense of adventure and state-of-mind that comes with driving and owning a VW bus. And then it hit us – how about a photo booth bus? We have always loved photography and particularly photo booths. They’re a fun medium that evokes silliness, light-heartedness, and are memory creators. Similarly, a VW bus is a relic of a past-time when society operated slower, a metaphor for charting new paths, travel, free love, and adventure.

We were really jazzed on this concept. On that Fourth of July, we hosted an impromptu BBQ and decided to offer our proto-type photo bus to our neighbors and friends. The design wasn’t complete or what it is today but it was functional. The feedback from everyone was overwhelmingly positive. We were encouraged and motivated to go for it. And so the Booth Bus was born…

Tell us the story behind your two buses – Georgia and Ginger?

Georgia is a 1970 Westfalia Camper and we purchased her from a family in Laguna Beach. Georgia was manufactured in Germany of course but was initially imported and lived most of her life in the state of Georgia during the 70’s by her first owner and eventually made her way to Southern California. Jenna’s grandmother was named Georgia. She was a classic glamorous 1950’s beauty. Impressed with the bus’ beauty, we decided to name our bus Georgia for her stateside roots and in honor of Jenna’s grandmother.

We are also the proud owners of Ginger, a 1966 Split Window Kombi. We purchased her in Lomita from the original owner named Tony. He was a real salt-of-the-earth type of fellow and actually used to work at the Long Beach Harbor off-loading VW buses being imported directly from Germany. Tony took meticulous care of Ginger and she was his primary vehicle for many years. He traveled up and down the west coast with Ginger, including long road trips to Mexico and Canada.

We have taken many camping trips, road trips, and day trips with both of our buses. We’ve only stayed in California with our gals and our most favorite trips are the 2-3 day camping, surf excursions in Big Sur.

What do you like about these particular models – what makes them so classic and fun for people?

In my humble opinion, the Camper is the ultimate VW Bus model. Georgia is a Westfalia camper. There was other types of camper models manufactured such as the Rivera and the Sundial. However, the Westfalia model became the most popular camper kit style and and the name Westfalia commonly represents any type of VW Bus camper. From our experience, people who grew-up in and around VW buses, camping and spending time outdoors is the most common nostalgic memory that makes people smile and reminds them of the good times spent with their loved ones.

Our other Bus Ginger is a Kombi. The Kombi model is a basic VW Bus, a passenger van without the camper kit inside. This model type also brings back many memories for folks. Not so much for the camping stories but reminds people of the long road-trips with friends, the family outings, and the endless customizing that people did with VW buses. The Kombi is easy to personalize. The middle and back seats are easy to remove and voila, you have a big open cabin to customize to your liking.

How did you renovate the van from camper to photo booth?

Turning the bus into a photo booth proved harder than we had initially thought and it took way longer than we anticipated. As a classic car enthusiast, I love keeping things stock if and when possible. So our goal from the outset was to minimize altering the bus if at all possible. With that in mind, we were able to engineer our photo booth setup so that it is completely removable without disrupting the interior or exterior of the buses. Our photo booth kiosk is hand-crafted and custom made out of wood, we have professional lighting inside the bus to ensure we capture gorgeous imagery and state of the art technology operate the booth.

What has been one of your most epic events with the Booth Bus?

One of our most epic events was being the main attraction for an engagement proposal. We set up the bus at the end of a quiet ocean bluff. The plan was this young fellow was taking his girlfriend out to dinner at the Shadowbrook restaurant and along the way he would “accidentally” get lost and make a wrong turn down a small quiet road where they would be met by an abandoned beautiful photo bus on the bluff open just for them two. Inside the bus is where he would propose. The whole lead up to the proposal was very heart-pounding! Let’s face it, you can only propose properly once to your future wife. We felt very responsible for the entire thing to go-off without a hitch. And it did! She said yes

Find out more at TheBoothBus.com

The post Interview with The Booth Bus: Northern California’s Vintage Volkswagen Photo Booth appeared first on Bizarre Bay.

Whether you travel by foot, bike, or car, a road trip through the redwood Forest of Nisene Marks should be on your bucket list.

Located just off the Pacific Ocean coast and a short cruise through Aptos, California, this magnificent old-growth redwood forest spreads from the sea level town inland and up steep mountains elevating several thousand feet high. The wild landscape of Nisene Marks State Park features the unparalleled beauty of northern California nature – 10,000 acres of ancient redwood groves, weathered canyons, waterfalls and fern-laced creeks make this environment appear prehistoric and perfect for exploring.

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Nisene Marks is home to hundreds of diverse plant and animal species, and hosts countless amounts of awestruck visitors every day for hiking, biking, picnicking, and camping. Since 1992, the task of preserving the ever-evolving habitat and protecting the people who traverse its 30 miles of trails has been in the hands of a local, all-volunteer organization – the Advocates for the Forest of Nisene Marks. 

The Advocates educate the public about the forest’s unique history and ecology, and engage volunteers in projects that keep the park trails and roads maintained and safe to navigate. Through collaborations, projects, and the Nisene Marks Volunteer Trail Crew, the organization helps make it possible for the forest to continue to thrive and improve. In 2017, the non-profit was awarded “Organization of the Year” by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce, in honor of the dedicated Advocate members who keep Nisene Marks protected and road-trip worthy every year, rain or shine.

Hats off to the organization, now celebrating its 25th Anniversary, and represented in the following interview by Advocates Ambassador John Fuchs, President Allison Livingston, and Director Melanie Dominguez.

What are some of the projects the Advocates have been a part of over the years?

For the past 25 years, we have helped maintain and repair the Park’s trails, bridges and even the ‘out-buildings’. We do this through our hard-working volunteers. Once a month, we head out onto the trails to brush-back, remove obstructions, maintain drainage, and grade the trail surfaces as necessary. We also install and remove the seasonal bridges over Aptos Creek, each Spring and Fall.

Additionally, we act as a ‘liaison’ to State Parks advocating for the wants and needs of the Park users. In that role, we have been supportive in the development of the General Plan, installation of Margaret’s bridge, the creation of the ADA trail to the Wagoneer Overlook, benches at Santa Rosalia, Interpretive Panels and Dust Abatement on the Fire Road – to name just a few.

Through the generosity of the community, we raise money to fund these projects and many others. And those green maps that you pick up at the Kiosk – that’s us. We also work collaboratively with Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and serve on their Nisene Committee to pursue even larger projects.

By the end of this year alone, all 3 bridges will have been replaced on the Bridge Creek trail along with the bridge at the bottom of the West Ridge trail. That’s two great organizations taking care of this big, beautiful redwood forest.

Aside from taking care of the park with the Advocates, what are some of the ways you enjoy Nisene Marks?

John Fuchs: Personally, I enjoy hiking and mountain biking in the Park, and learning about it’s history. I enjoy taking out-of-town friends and family into the Park. I’m also a member of an organization called Trips for Kids Santa Cruz. We take underprivileged kids mountain biking, and this is one of our favorite destinations. The kids love the redwoods and the creeks.

Please share why this organization is vital to preserving this area’s unique environment?

John Fuchs: The budget for California’s beautiful network of State Parks is insufficient to maintain the Parks in their current condition, much less make needed improvements or expand the Parks. State Parks increasingly rely on private organizations like ours and others to help.

What are a few of the lesser known facts about Nisene Marks that visitors might like to be aware of?

Allison Livingston: One unexpected thing in the spring, usually March, is the blossoming of the Fat Solomon Seal flower which smells like Hawaii— Depending on the rain fall, some of the best hikes for the November through February would be Five Finger Falls, Bridge Creek, or the Westridge Trail to see the waterfalls. February through April the hikes with the wildflowers are wonderful, such as Oak Ridge Trail, the Westridge Trail, and the Buggy Trail. [For the summer]

John Fuchs: The epicenter of the 1989 quake is on the Aptos Creek Trail…and further up that trail if the bridge is up is a hidden lagoon. There’s also White’s Lagoon on the Big Slide Trail. I also love the Big Stump area (sadly it was formerly the Big Trees area). All the trails in the lower section of the park are fun to walk in early winter as they travel close to Aptos creek. The Old Growth Loop Trail is especially fun in the summer months and is easily accessible from the entrance station. Summer months are also a good time to explore the park’s upper trail past the Porter Picnic Area.

Melanie Dominguez: Bikers can enjoy the Fire Road all year round unless there’s significant rain. The Lower Split Stuff Trails are fun on a cross bike or mountain bike, otherwise riding up and over to Soquel Demonstration Forest is great for the expert/experienced rider. No trails should ever be ridden in the rain though, as it ruins the trail and increases errosion.

How can the community contribute or participate in activities to protect and maintain Nisene Marks State Park?

John Fuchs: We need trail work volunteers for our monthly trailwork days. We need volunteers to serve on our Board of Directors, especially an IT and/or marketing person. We rely on donations to fund our efforts in the park. The community can learn more by visiting our Website or Facebook page.

Photos credited to the Advocates of the Forest of Nisene Marks.

The post Road Trip through the Redwoods: Nisene Marks Advocates Make Exploration Easy appeared first on Bizarre Bay.

If there is one vehicle that has stood the test of time and remained synonymous with friends, freedom, and adventure, it’s the enduringly iconic Volkswagen bus.

It may have started as a simple mode of local transportation, but over the years, it has become a ubiquitous feature of road trips, rallies and festivals; coastline cruises, wilderness campouts, and intrepid odysseys around the world. The people who drive them, live in them, and are associated with them seem as uniquely cool and charismatic as the VW bus itself. Their journeys symbolize what many of us strive for – a counterculture lifestyle, breaking from conformity, and embracing unconventionality.

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Cue the Bus Trippers. This group of fun-loving adventurers experience the spontaneous freedom and serendipitous jaunts that come from life on the road in a classic relic. Launched by Jeremy Leonard of Santa Cruz, California, Bus Trippers is a welcoming community of people who share a passion for traveling aboard split window, aircooled Volkswagen buses of the 1960s and 70s. Their stories and snapshots capture the spirit of exploration in off-road places, and remind us of the value of a slower pace and simpler life, with or without an itinerary.

Both Jeremy and his wife Sarah have connections with Volkswagens that link back to their childhoods. Now, they’re keeping the tradition of travel in a home-on-wheels going with their son Jaylen. Together, they’ve trekked with vintage VW buses as far south as Mexico and as far north as Alaska. Bus Trippers documents the buses they’ve owned over the years, chronicles tales of their intrepid travels, and celebrates the friends they roll with and the fellow nomads they meet along the way.

Anyone who’s spent some time or has always dreamed of adventuring with a VW bus will appreciate travel in what Jeremy calls the “Swiss Army Knife of vehicles”. The weathered machines the Bus Trippers renovate and navigate may be considered antique collector’s items, but their extensive rambles away from the homefront, and the self-sufficiency and fun their journeys represent, prove the longstanding versatility and cult status of the VW bus. Despite age, the well-engineered, utilitarian design, and opportunity for adaptation and personalization make cruising around town or across the country in these old, quirky vehicles comfortable, reliable, and eye-catching.

Read on for an interview with Jeremy Leonard, and let the swashbuckling adventures of Bus Trippers inspire you to take time to explore by way of the back roads and connect with likeminded people along the way.

Jeremy, tell us about your connection to VW buses. How did it all begin?

In 1973, my parents had a 1968 Westy Camper. My mom pulled into the driveway, didn’t set the parking brake fully, and the bus began to roll as she stepped out. She being 8 months pregnant, used all of her strength to jump back into the bus and yank on the parking brake. She immediately felt funny, and I was born in the morning the next day. Over the years we toured all over the country in various VW buses. My parents would load up the camping gear, and we were on the road nearly every weekend.

What inspired you to launch Bus Trippers – what was the vision and who is the community?

I launched Bus Trippers with a good friend of mine named Greg Urrutia. He’s a life long VW enthusiast, and a top -notch mechanic. Originally the idea was to document our road trip to Alaska, and we named our Facebook page the “Alaska Bus Trip.” We had a Baja Bus Trip page to document our various trips to Mexico. Then we realized that it was silly to have a different bus page for every adventure, so came up with Bus Trippers!

What is your favorite year VW to restore and travel in? What makes this model so classic?

I am currently getting a 1967 21 Window Bus back on the road after lying dormant for 20 years. It’s such a beautiful car to drive! The sun windows, and the rag top make it beautiful. Everywhere we go people wave and smile. Every time we stop people want to come up and talk about the bus. They’re classic, and people are nostalgic to go back to when times were simpler.

Tell us about one of your most epic adventures! 

The most stand out adventure was our trip to Alaska. My wife Sarah, son Jaylen and I drove up to anchorage via the Alaska Highway. The scenery was incredible. We camped by rivers, slept out under the stars, and met a ton of great people along the way. Sarah and Jaylen had to get back to school, so my friend Greg flew into Anchorage, and we continued north to a small community in Canada called Inuvik. It’s as far north on the Dempster highway that you can drive on dirt. There’s an ice road that continues north in the winter months only. Inuvik is at the end of a 1000 mile long dirt road out and back.

What advice would you give someone wanting to experience the VW bus lifestyle, either through restoration, ownership, planning trips, etc?

Get out there and meet people with buses. Go to shows. See if it’s really for you. You have to be somewhat mechanically inclined to drive a 50 year old vehicle of any kind, air-cooled VWs are simple machines and easy to learn. Find your local VW Club, join up. Go to meetings and be involved.

Follow Bus Trippers on Facebook or at  BusTrippers.com
Photos credited to Jeremy Leonard.

The post Iconic Adventures with Volkswagen Bus Trippers appeared first on Bizarre Bay.

California’s oldest seaside resort is warming up for an exciting eco-friendly winter event with the installation of iSKATE Capitola – Santa Cruz County’s first synthetic ice skating rink.

iSKATE provides an open-air rink located in front of the stage at Capitola Village’s Esplanade Park. From December 15, 2017 through January 7, 2018, visitors and locals can lace up their ice skates and look out over the beautiful Capitola Beach and Monterey Bay as they glide around the seaside skating rink.

The rink highlights Capitola’s celebrated traditions of community spirit, seasonal events, and innovative approaches. Corrie Sid, owner of the Capitola Hotel, is one among many locals working to bring attention to the Village’s unique history and culture through new opportunities. Built in 1933, the old Capitola Roller Rink once stood on the property where the Capitola Hotel is now located. Through iSKATE, Sid and other inspired members of the community honor that pastime by introducing a similar experience with contemporary features.

Unlike most conventional ice rinks that are known to result in high water waste and energy costs, the iSKATE rink is consciously designed to give visitors the same feeling as skating on real ice without the risk of harm to people or the environment. This 30 by 40 feet outdoor skating rink is made of synthetic ice. The material is constructed of interlocking panels of a high-tech plastic polymer that is treated with a water based food grade propylene glycol commonly used in food products.

Since it was established as a resort town in the early 1900s, Capitola has continued to offer year-round events that have people flocking to the Village to experience all things new and nostalgic. The Village is enchanting every season, but perhaps most magical in winter when the shops, restaurants, and houses light up with decorations and it transforms into a festive beachside North Pole.

iSKATE Capitola holds up to 40 skaters per session and runs three skating sessions per day Monday through Sunday, from 10am to 12noon, 2pm to 4pm, and 6pm to 8pm. Admission and skate time are on a first come first serve basis.

Admission is $10 and ice skate rentals are $5 or you are welcome to bring your own. Tickets are available at the ice rink ticket booth or purchase tickets in advance HERE.

The post Skate by the Sea on the Capitola Ice Rink appeared first on Bizarre Bay.

Wine enthusiasts, this one is for you! On November 18th, 2017,  pack a picnic and plan an adventure throughout the coastlines, hills, forests, valleys, and vineyards of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

In 1993, the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association (SCMWA) introduced Passport Celebration Days. Since then, the annual events continue to be a popular tradition for wine lovers, who can look forward to sipping at Celebration Days four times a year.

Article sponsored by Castagnola Deli and Cafe

On the third Saturday of January, April, July, and November, the Santa Cruz wine growing community comes together to raise glasses and say “cheers” to the families, farmers, and vintners of this legendary wine region. With the purchase of a “Wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains Passport”, visitors can join in by journeying around to participating wineries and enjoying special Celebration Day offers, treats, and tastes of delicious local wine in idyllic settings.

For more than 100 years, the exceptional winegrowing conditions of the Santa Cruz Mountains have put this stunning environment on the vino map for its distinguished winemakers, world-class wineries, innovative techniques and high quality flavors. With ideal and diverse natural influences from marine climates and elevated mountain terrains, winemakers have crafted wines that are renowned throughout California and the world. Now’s your chance to drink the fruits of their labor.

The November 18th Passport Celebration Day event invites the public to over 50 tasting rooms throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains. This is a great opportunity to visit some of the wineries generally closed that only open their doors to the public on Passport Days. The adventure welcomes visitors to discover unique tasting rooms, meet artisan winemakers, explore the colorful mountain region, enjoy vineyard picnics, experience live music, and – to top it off – record it all with a commemorative stamp in their passport from each winery. Salut!

The SCMWA passports are valid for two years and are not limited to Celebration Days. Wine enthusiasts can visit participating wineries any day throughout the year, and open wineries will accept passports on non-passport days during their regular business hours. Passports are $65 and can be purchased at any Participating Winery.

Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Passport Days
November 18th, 2017, 12pm-5pm

The post Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Passport Days appeared first on Bizarre Bay.

Beyond these gates is an opportunity to escape the modern world and travel back in time. The Capitola Hotel invites guests to a nostalgic experience of classic hospitality and local history at its best.

Ever since the Village by the Sea was developed into a beachside resort in the late 1800s people have flocked to Capitola, lured time after time by the beauty of the Monterey Bay coast, welcoming community, and relaxing, one-of-a-kind accommodations.

To cater to the crowds, Capitola hotels have been at the center of action from the beginning. When the Village was established as a resort in 1894, the Hotel Capitola (otherwise known as the “Grand Capitola”) was built to be the hotspot of the village. Located at the end of the Esplanade along the beach, the “Grand Capitola” featured 300 rooms, a restaurant, a ballroom, and a Victorian style of architecture known as “The Rambles”, that inspired similar building designs throughout the Village. In 1929, however, everything in the hotel was auctioned off with the onset of the Great Depression, and the same year a fire burned the “Grand Capitola” to the ground.

Article sponsored by Castagnola Deli and Cafe

Flash forward to present day. The Esplanade now features a newly revived Capitola Hotel – not far from where the “Grand Hotel” once stood, within easy walking distance to the waves, and again at the center of Village activity. The more intimate 10-room boutique hotel is currently in the expert hands of owners Jeff and Corrie Sid, who bought it in 2015 and are transforming it to be the new “heart of Capitola.”

Over the years, the Capitola Hotel has been an integral part of the Village’s evolution. The building is located on a property that was residential until 1945. In the 1950s, the upper half was developed into a hotel, while the lower half morphed from liquor store to dress shop to garden store to hotel retail shop. Now, the building is established as a refined and fully developed hotel, offering the elegant traditions that made a stay at the “Grand Capitola” so popular in years past.

The Sids have created a generous and luxurious environment that treats guests to a fusion of contemporary and historic elements. In collaboration with previous owners and the Capitola Museum, the Sids are updating the beach themed decor to include historic photos of old Capitola from the late 1800s to present day. The casual, cozy, and friendly atmosphere reflects the style of family-run businesses that has made the Village so welcoming to visitors over the years. Guests can relive the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future – in addition to the courtyard and 10 rooms, the lobby has more recently been developed to also serve as a meeting and event space.

Plan your time travels, book a room, or reserve the lobby at Capitolahotel.com

Photos credited to John Todd and Christina Leung.

The post The Capitola Hotel: A Time Travel Experience appeared first on Bizarre Bay.

Capitola Mermaid Race Series

Every fall, Capitola hosts a mass of mermaids participating in one of the best all women triathlons and duathlons on the West Coast.

The Title Nine Mermaid Race Series returns to the little city by the sea this weekend – head to Capitola on Saturday, October 7, 2017 to watch mermaids in action as they swim, bike and run across the finish line.

The T9 Mermaid Tri and Du Capitola offers race participants a fun and competitive ocean swim around the Capitola wharf, a bike course that climbs into the coastal redwoods, and a run on the ocean bluff overlooking Capitola Village.

A Capitola mermaid racing on wheels

In 2004, the athletic organization, Title Nine, facilitated their first triathlon and duathlon event designed specifically for women, called The Mermaid. Since then, they have continued to expand their fitness event series to encourage women from all backgrounds to seek out adventure and live healthy lifestyles. The exhilirating event welcomes participants of all ages and levels. In addition to the adult races, there is also a Mermaid Beach Dash that gives young competitors the chance to test out their land and sea legs as well.

Whether you’re a race participant or cheering bystander, the Mermaid Series is yet another great opportunity to experience Capitola’s vibrant community and environment. The race course features stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, close proximity to Capitola’s shops, galleries, and restaurants, and a chance to mingle with inspiring mermaids!

An image by Mermaid Series founder, Carlo Facchino.

Triathlon
7:20 a.m. – Mighty Mermaid Triathlon – All ages, Mighty Relay, Mighty Athena
8:00 a.m. – Sprint Tri – Family and Friends
8:15 a.m. – Sprint Tri – 29 & Under, Sprint Relay, Sprint Athena
8:20 a.m. – Sprint Tri – 30 to 39
8:25 a.m. – Sprint Tri – 40 & Over

Duathlon
8:15 a.m. – Duathlon – All Ages

Mermaid Beach Dash
10:30 a.m. – Ages 6 – 12.

T9 Mermaid Tri & Du Capitola
International Tri, Sprint Tri, Sprint Du
Saturday, October 7th 2017

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Big Sur Landslide

Article by: Fleur Williams, originally posted at LocalSantaCruz.com

Jassen Todorov’s artistry onstage and in the air spotlights the best of northern California’s classical music and diverse natural beauty.

Based in the Bay Area, Todorov is recognized worldwide for his award-winning music and photography. His photos are as bold, harmonious, and stirring as his violin music, revealing his dedication to consistent work, creative refinement, and adrenaline-charged adventure.

North of Ano Nuevo

His musical education began in his native Bulgaria (where he is now considered one of the country’s most prized musicians), and brought him to the Idyllwild Arts Academy in California. Todorov’s background is decorated with full scholarships at top music conservatories, numerous awards from national and international competitions, and an extensive repertoire. The prominent musician is currently a Professor of Violin at San Francisco State University, and actively teaches and performs throughout Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Australia.

San Francisco

His achievements in music are matched by his highly respected photography. Through his experience as a pilot and flight instructor, Todorov developed a specialty in aerial photography. Beginning with magnificent local images of northern California landscapes, coastlines, and cities, his portfolio has been expanding to include remarkable birds-eye views of renowned and remote parts of the world. His long list of prize-winning work has been featured in prestigious international publications including National Geographic, the Guardian, Telegraph, Time, Los Angeles Times, and Wired.

Read on for words from Jassen Todorov, and learn more about his passion for bringing music to life, exploring the skies, and capturing iconic images of the land below.

Local Santa Cruz: How did you become involved with your art, starting with the violin and classical music?

Jassen Todorov

Jassen Todorov: I grew up in a family of musicians. My father is a violin professor, and after graduating from the music conservatory, my mother worked as a sound engineer for the Bulgarian National TV. My parents always had friends over who were artists or musicians, so I grew up in an environment where creativity and concerts were held in the highest regard. During the 1980s, I had the opportunity to attend specialized music and art schools with likeminded people. It was competitive to attend and remain in those schools, but I gained from that system. I was 11 when I had my first soloist debut with an orchestra. Very few survive that competitive world. You need perseverance and energy, and I was inspired by my parents’ hard work and success.

What brought you to California?

I moved to southern California in 1992 to study music where I was exposed to a high level of mentoring and orchestra playing. Bulgaria was going through some dark times and high inflation after the fall of communism, so the ability to receive a full scholarship and come to the U.S. at the time was really a gift. The first tour I did with the orchestra several months after I arrived in California was in San Francisco. I completely fell in love with the city. Although I have lived and worked in other states, I am happiest in California, and have been living in San Francisco for the past 15 years.

What inspired you to become an aerial photographer?

While I was studying for my doctorate in music in 2002, I started taking flying lessons to travel and learn more and balance my work. I also wanted a “Plan B” in case I couldn’t get a job as a musician. After I trained for my pilot’s license and became a flight instructor, I wanted to capture some of the magical moments of flying. At first I carried a point and shoot camera. Eventually, I invested in a better camera offering options like more megapixels, better resolution, and a bigger lens. Now I use a Nikon D810, which makes a big difference, especially for aerial photography. I’m thankful for the technology making it possible to capture details that sometimes the human eye alone cannot. I’d look at my pictures after flying and relive the beautiful moments over again. In 2014, I took my first big trip with my Piper Warrior 4-seater plane, across mountains, valleys, and national parks from California to Wyoming. After that trip, I started selling pictures and little by little started receiving awards. I realized I had stumbled upon something by accident.

South of Half Moon Bay

How has living in northern California influenced your creative work?

In terms of music, it has taken me a long time to get to where I’m at with it, so right now I’m really enjoying it. Living in the Bay Area has connected me to wonderful people and helped me grow artistically. I’ve collaborated with dancers and visual artists. I’m always interested in movement and patterns in both music and nature. There are patterns in each landscape and even in the diverse construction of people that are reminiscent of music and that inspire my photographs. With the photography, it’s still relatively new, so there’s a lot of discovery in it for me. There are many places I want to photograph, but even though I have flown across the country and explored internationally, I keep coming back to California. It is so photogenic and has it all – incredible mountains, glaciers, rivers, deserts and coastlines. There are even places, like the California craters, that from above look unearthly like the moon or Mars. Also, you can fly almost 365 days out of the year here. We are very fortunate in that way and it’s one of my favorite places to be.

Santa Cruz Ocean

Follow Jassen Todorov on Facebook, Instagram and National Geographic’s YourShot.

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Whale sighting. Photo credit: Santa Cruz Whale Watching

If you have a hankering for close encounters with mysterious marine creatures of the deep blue Pacific Ocean – the northern California coast is the place to be.

A handful of companies along the bay areas of Santa Cruz and Monterey offer year-round adventure cruises where passengers can experience astonishing sea life from just a splash away. Whale-watching boat rides are a great way to catch common sightings of gray whales and humpbacks whales, along with the occasional orca and blue whale.

The following companies are a few to consider the next time you’re ready to brave the waters of our Bizarre Bay. Depending on the season and species, each cruise provides opportunities to spot something magnificent moving just below (or above) the water’s surface.

Whale tail…or massive mermaid? Photo credit: Santa Cruz Whale Watching

Santa Cruz Whale Watching – Stagnaro Charter Boats

The Santa Cruz Whale Watching boat, Velocity, smoothly and safely transports guests to animals just off the shores of Monterey to Moss Landing and points further North. Their cruises offer visibility of seven different species of whales and seven different species of dolphin and porpoise year-round. The humpback whale is usually seen just out of Santa Cruz from April through November. Then each year over 20,000 Gray Whales pass through the waters off of Monterey Bay. In addition to the whales, the many creatures passengers commonly observe are sea lions, seals, otters, and nearly one hundred different species of endemic and migratory sea birds. Passengers might also catch a glimpse of sea turtles, jellyfish, sunfish (mola mola) and the occasional shark.

Whale tail. Photo credit: Chardonnay Sailing Charters

Chardonnay Whale Charter – Santa Cruz

The Chardonnay Sailing Charters have been providing exhilarating sailing experiences with first class services since 1984. The company’s Whale Charter provides the public with comfortable topside seating to view the wildlife of the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary from a different perspective. Guests are taken on ocean cruises off the Santa Cruz shore in a beautiful, top-of-the-line sailboat, the Chardonnay II. This boat was custom built by the celebrated yacht designer, Bill Lee, one of the founders of the Santa Cruz School of Boatbuilding and the designer of many famous racing yachts. Since 1991, the Chardonnay II has been a major icon in the Santa Cruz community for locals and tourists. Join this company on fast and fun expeditions in search of whales (and on some of their cruises, wine!)

Whale, dolphin and sea lion. Photo credit: Sanctuary Cruises.

Sanctuary Cruises – Moss Landing

If you want to have less impact on energy consumption and air, land, and ocean ecosystems, hop aboard the fuel-efficient Sanctuary Cruises – the only sustainable charter boat on the Monterey Bay. The company uses 99% clean-burning biodiesel in their engines instead of petroleum diesel, and burns less fuel than any other boat on the bay. Their biodiesel is made in Central California entirely from recycled waste vegetable oil collected from local restaurants. No oil is imported and no fossil fuels are burned when you go on a whale watching tour with this company. Their eco-friendly tours leave from a harbor aptly nicknamed the “Moss Landing Whale Park”. Marine biologists on board provide engaging facts about the canyon waters close to shore that are teeming with whales, dolphins, orcas, sea otters, sea lions and birds.

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