Seascape Resort: A Comfy Resort
on the Santa Cruz Coast that’s also Right for Families

By George & Ninette Medovoy, Editors

We were all wrong. All these years we've been saying the name of this coastal town the wrong way.

It's not Aptos as in 'toes.' It's Aptos as in 'toss the ball.'

And now that we have all the formalities out of the way ... we were in Aptos recently to see the Seascape Resort, whose 286 suites and villas are located on 45 acres of California coastal bluffs overlooking the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

The broad view across the grassy area and beyond to the ocean reminded us of places we've stayed in Hawaii. Somehow, it all had the same feel to it.

Guests at Seascape were a mix of couples and families with children.

In fact, it's been a long time since we've seen so many families - families seem to be passé these days in so many resort settings. But Seascape seemed to welcome families with children.

A typical two-story, one-bedroom suite comes with a kitchenette and
dining area, living room with fireplace and CD player, a patio area with an electric barbecue, and, upstairs, a comfortable bedroom with queen-sized bed overlooking the ocean, and even a hidden washer-dryer - all enough for an extended stay with or without the kids.

And downstairs the comfortable living room couch makes into a full-size sleeper.

Other accommodations include 284 luxury studios, one-bedroom suites and two-bedroom villas with private ocean-view balcony, fireplace, fully-equipped kitchenette, in-room coffee, voice mail messaging and modem ports, pay-per-view movies, and luxury bath amenities; deluxe studio suites with ocean views and king-sized bed; and two-bedroom villas, single and multiple-story, with ocean views, full kitchens and private decks.

The resort's newest area, called the south bluff, features 114 suites, a new pool and sun deck, large Jacuzzi, putting green, fire pit, wood fire pizza oven, and 2,000 square feet of meeting space.

Seascape's central lodge, designed in contemporary Mediterranean style, has a spacious lobby with free-standing circular fireplace and my favorite amenity - Sanderlings Restaurant, which serves fresh Monterey Bay seafood.

Menu highlights include Rack of Lamb stuffed with spinach, panchetta and fresh herbs; Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass; Rotisserie Roasted Duck with southwestern apple and cherry relish; and Monterey Bay Bouillabaisse.

Breakfast prices range from $6 to $11, brunch from $8 to $14, lunch from $8 to $13, and dinner from $15 to $22.

If you can take yourself away from all the comforts of your suite, we
recommend a leisurely walk down to the beach, past red-osier dogwood, arroyo willow and seaside daisies.

Meanwhile, resort activities for adults include tennis, an 18-hole golf
course, full-service spa, two pools with ocean views, and a complete workout facility.

Ah, what a life it is down here at Seascape. Even if you wanted to
rough it, you'd have a rough time trying. For instance? Well, there's the "Beach Fires to Go."

A guest attendant arrives at your suite with a cart full of wood and all
the fixings for s'mores - graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate bars and sticks for roasting. Then he'll drive you down to Seascape's private beach, build your fire ... and come back at an appointed time to put out the fire and take you back to your suite.

For more information, call 800-549-7375.

General rates: studio suite from $190 to $240, one-bedroom suite from $200 to $270, two-bedroom villa from $270 to $390.

What else to do in the area?
Choose from many interesting options. Try out the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, located on a mile-long stretch of beach; the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the largest saltwater aquariums in the world; Seascape Golf Club, a par 72, 6,029-yard course; the Seascape Sports Club with 11 championship tennis courts, a Junior Olympic lap pool, sand volleyball court, basketball, fitness center, aerobic and yoga classes; Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad, America's last steam-powered passenger railroad
with year-round passenger service in the heart of the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains; Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, the largest working wharf on the West Coast, which comes alive Sept. 18 with the "Shark Festival," including a live shark tank exhibit, educational shark information, and entertainment; the Forest of Nisene Marks, 10,000 acres of second-growth redwood trees near Aptos; and Mission Santa Cruz, the 12th mission founded by
the padres.

At Natural Bridges State Beach, more than 30,000 monarch butterflies occupy their annual winter home - a special grove of eucalyptus trees.

Natural Bridges is one of a few select sites along the California coast where the striking butterflies choose to "hibernate" until the following spring.

For more information on Santa Cruz-area events, contact the Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council at 831-425-1234.