Santa Cruz boardwalk + COVID-19 = bad time?

March 12, 2020 5:07 PM

A couple weeks ago I reserved a hotel for two nights in Santa Cruz for this weekend so my 13-year-old son and I could check out the beach and boardwalk. #StayTheFuckHome?

We're both healthy and I've been explaining to him the importance of washing hands, not touching his face, etc. As of a few days ago the boardwalk was providing hand sanitizer, but I'm getting more and more concerned. Should I cancel the whole trip? Just nix the boardwalk and find other socially-distant activities? We live near Stockton so it's a bit of a drive to just sit in a hotel room.

posted by Arthur Vandelay to Travel & Transportation around Santa Cruz, CA (13 answers total)

Whenever I've gone to the beach in Santa Cruz (at Natural Bridges) there's been plenty of room to walk/sit away from other groups of people...if you think the beach itself would be fun without the boardwalk, I would think that part of it would be fine.
posted by pinochiette at 5:15 PM on March 12, 2020 [4 favorites]

Or maybe combine that with driving down into the top of Big Sur, since the drive itself is pretty fun.
posted by pinochiette at 5:15 PM on March 12, 2020 [1 favorite]

There are cases of C19 here in the county, none reported in the city itself as of today, though reports of some in Aptos nearby.
I'd be fine staying in a hotel here but because my wife is in an at-danger category I'd avoid the Boardwalk. However I think the risk is still really low.
The weather is very springlike here today, and the beaches are lovely, but rain showers are forecast for the weekend.
posted by anadem at 5:22 PM on March 12, 2020

Best answer: Personally, I’m of the opinion that we should all cancel unnecessary travel for the next several weeks. Not only to protect ourselves, but to protect others. The more people limit unnecessary travel, the safer everyone will be.
posted by ocherdraco at 6:24 PM on March 12, 2020 [23 favorites]

There are some nice hikes and okay beaches in the area, but the Boardwalk is closed.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 8:12 PM on March 12, 2020 [2 favorites]

Cancel, not for yourself but for others.
posted by spitbull at 8:28 PM on March 12, 2020 [2 favorites]

Boardwalk is closed. You *could* go hiking, e.g. Henry Cowell, Big Basin, Nisene Marks. You're still exposed at restaurants and hotels though. It's been raining the past couple of days, and forecast said rain last I looked.

This is the email they just sent:

Dear Boardwalk Guest,

After much deliberation, and out of an abundance of caution for the health and well-being of our valued employees and guests, we have decided to temporarily close the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Boardwalk Bowl and the Boardwalk's Cocoanut Grove event facility from March 13 through March 27, 2020.

We have not arrived at this decision lightly. We are following the recent guidelines put out by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) regarding mass gatherings during the current COVID‑19 situation.

We are confident this decision is in the best long-term interest of our employees and guests, and we thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
posted by dum spiro spero at 9:18 PM on March 12, 2020 [3 favorites]

You should stay home. Everyone should stay home. Don't go to the boardwalk, don't go to the beach, don't go to the hiking trail. Stay home.
posted by Justinian at 9:37 PM on March 12, 2020 [3 favorites]

the boardwalk is the least interesting thing in Santa Cruz - its being closed is no reason not to go.

You can take any number of fantastic outdoor walks in the general vicinity and I can't think of a good reason not to do so. Tidepooling at Natural Bridges, walking West Cliff, the botanical garden, Forest of Nisene Marks, up the highway to Ano Nuevo... you wouldn't need to be inside anywhere but to sleep at night. I'd go.
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:50 PM on March 12, 2020 [2 favorites]

I can think of a covid-19 reasons not to do so.
posted by Justinian at 9:54 PM on March 12, 2020 [3 favorites]

We’re staying home. Thanks for the input everyone.
posted by DakotaPaul at 10:20 PM on March 12, 2020 [4 favorites]

Where are you flying in? Just keep in mind that San Jose airport is one of two serving silicon valley, and so far Santa Clara Country has the highest incidence of cases in CA. Also, plenty of people who live in Santa Cruz work over the hill, so transmission risk between the two counties seems high to me (a person who does not live there anymore but is familiar with how people get around the area.)

I would stay home.
posted by Lawn Beaver at 11:25 AM on March 13, 2020

Unless they own a private plane, nobody flies from Stockton to Santa Cruz.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 3:23 PM on March 13, 2020 [1 favorite]