I fell in love with Santa Cruz after seeing the Lost Boys movie for the first time back in 1990. My older brother was supposed to be ‘baby-sitting’ me for the evening as my folks had gone out but my brother decided to phone a taxi and take me to his girlfriends house after my parents had left.
I was about 10 years old and wasn’t a fan of vampires but sat there and watched the movie…. And I never forgot it.
Since then, I must have watched the movie 100 times and watched many people on YouTube visit the film locations so Santa Cruz was my bucket list trip for many years.
A big draw for me was Grandpas house, which used to be the old Pogonip Golf Clubhouse, and I seen the building was looking pretty sad and knew I had to go visit before the building was knocked down or vanished for any other reason.
Anyway, I flew to Santa Cruz from Scotland last year and I can’t even begin to explain how excited I was.
My first night was a nightmare as I arrived at my hotel and the hotel was closed and I couldn’t get my room key not get a hold of anyone from the hotel to find out why the office was closed.
So I spent my first 4 hours in Santa Cruz waiting outside a locked hotel and it got dark quick and my phone was about to die so had to book another hotel and worry about this booking and my refund later.
Eventually got a room booked and got into bed around midnight, so I lost my first evening in Santa Cruz, when I was only visiting for a week.
At least I got well rested, as next day I got up and immediately decided to head out to Pogonip.
I dialled the address into my phone map and got on my way. I walked the river as far as I could in the heat, something I’m absolutely not used to here in Scotland 🙈😄, and stupidly left without taking water. I soon found out that iPhone map doesn’t show the correct location for the house but I got confirmation from a couple of county workers on the country road that takes you up to the old Golf Clubhouse that I was in fact on the right road. They were friendly and helpful which I was super grateful for.!
Another 10 minutes uphill and I was there. I had dreamt of being here for so long and it felt magical. It was perfect.
From there on in, the rest of my week was just awesome. The people, the town, the beer, the cocktails, the food, the beach, the boardwalk and the glorious weather ☀️😍
I also found out Scotland has strong historical connections to Santa Cruz when I was there. That was a pleasant surprise. 😊
I covered a lot of ground, or as much as I possibly could, when I was there but barely scratched the surface. I would so love to go back and would live there in a heartbeat if it was ever possible.
They say never meet your hero’s, and I kinda worried a little in…. What if Santa Cruz didn’t live up to a lifetime’s expectations??
Well Santa Cruz was everything I dreamt it would be and more. The special feeling I had there and the love for the place willl never leave me.
I have many photos but this is my first day.
