Holiday rentals in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surfing l is our popular 3-hour surf clinic. So what will you be learning? This clinic was designed with the beginner in mind – we welcome complete newbies as well as people who have tried surfing on their own for a while and still need help. We will walk you through all the basics to get you started and catching waves! There will be a short land-lesson to start, and after that we'll head out to catch some waves. You'll get approximately 1:45-2 hours of "water time" in the 3-hour class. FAQ: Why are some of these class times SOOO early?! Answer: When it comes to surfing, mother nature sets a lot of the rules - that's what makes it such a unique sport. If we don't go on the right tide, we won't get any waves! While those early morning sessions might be hard to wake up for, they are also truly magical. Great surf conditions, no wind, no crowds - it is about as epic as it gets. If you make the commitment go early, we can promise you'll be rewarded with the experience of a lifetime!

Find out what you can eat in the woods! We'll hike in the lovely Santa Cruz mountains where I'll guide you on a beautiful, quiet 2.5-mile hike in the unique coastal oak & redwood forest. Together we'll learn the ancient ways of identifying edible and medicinal mushrooms, plants, roots, flowers, nuts and seeds (depending on the season). Along the way we'll discuss proper harvesting and preparation techniques while connecting to the beauty and abundance of our ecosystem. This experience is a fun, hands-on way to connect to what can feed, heal and harm us in the wild. You'll walk away with a whole new appreciation and understanding of nature! The hike is doable for all skill levels. See you on the trail! Other things to note: Secure your own transportation to Verve Coffee and we'll caravan to the hike start. Bring: layers (it can get chilly in the redwoods), water bottle and comfortable hiking shoes. Optional: hiking poles, camera, hat, sunglasses. COVID-19 protocols: this experience is COVID-safe, as we can maintain 6' distance outdoors the entire time, wear masks and still enjoy everything this experience has to offer. If you're concerned about specifics, please contact me here or at info@MountainSeaAdventures.com

We'll begin with an introduction to each other and the map of the park, then begin hiking on a well-used dirt road in the open sunshine. After about 20 minutes, we'll drop onto a single-track, heavily-forested trail where we most likely will not see other people. I'll stop frequently to point out various interesting flora and fauna; maybe we'll even see a banana slug! We'll take time to silently listen to the sounds of the forest and leave a hope, wish or prayer in a rock garden. Along the way you will learn how this redwood forest re-grew after being clear-cut in the mid 1800's to fuel lime kilns to extract lime out of limestone. We’ll cross several small streams - all spring fed - and visit a natural spring. I'll point out the different types of terrain and the types of plants that grow in each and I promise a few surprises along the way! Other things to note Dress in layers. Wear sturdy hiking boots and long pants with socks. There is no restroom anywhere in the park. Dogs on leash are welcome – please be prepared to clean up after your dog. If my dates/times do not work for you and you want a tour, please feel free to contact me and I'll work with you.

We'll meet in the zoom room and introduce ourselves and our dogs, A few icebreakers will tell me how to cater to your interests. You'll be in your kitchen, I'll be in mine. I'll guide you through the Nacho assembly, an easy and fun cooking activity for beginner or seasoned cooks, aimed at keeping it simple so we'll have time to play with our dogs. All ingredients should be prepped beforehand. Chips, cheese and salsa and you're good to go, but creativity is encouraged to "Create Your Own Nacho Adventure" (suggestions in "What to Bring") The ingredients are layered on a tray and put in the oven. The results are delicious and will become a family favorite. Your kids can learn to make them. Substitutions can be made easily for dietary restrictions. While the Nachos cook, we'll do a little Dog Show and Tell with our canines, taking turns giving them screen time. This is your chance to show us your tricks and tell us your dog stories. I may even share a few dog tunes on my ukulele! Come with a sense of humor, things could get chaotic in our Virtual Dog Park! We're all Dog Lovers at this party! When the Nachos are done, Voila! Dinner's ready. Time allowing we'll play some dog games and dance. Who let the dogs out? Woof! No dog? Come anyway. Download and print a mask, see link. These crazy times call for comfort. Let's bring it with comfort food and our beloved fur babies. Other things to note All ages, families and dogs are welcome. Choose your own ingredients,but make sure everything is prepped ahead: cheese grated, meat cooked, olives and veggies chopped, cans open, etc. Keeping it simple will give us more face time with our pooches. Flexibility is the name of the game.

In this class, we will explore the fun and very addicting technique of “dirty pours” and “flip cup” acrylic pours. The results look like marble, planets, or even underwater worlds when poured onto a surface. After a quick introduction, I will demo color mixing, pouring techniques, and the art of creating cells within your art piece. You will then make your own unique abstract painting. At the end of class, each student will have a 16 x 20 one-of-a-kind finished work of art to enjoy. The paint takes several days to dry, so be prepared to leave your piece at my house. After the session we will coordinate pickup times & shipping options. Come dressed for mess!