Who doesn’t love the beach? Surf, sand, and sun. Crying babies and old men in speedos…it’s all part of the experience. I go to the beach to people watch as much as I go to relax. I need a break from crafting every once in a while. All that glitter gets intense!

Day trips aren’t the best trips, but they can be pretty fun. It’s nice to get out and do a little exploring in your favorite places every now and then. Or every weekend. Okay I’d settle for every day. The things I would do if I didn’t have a 9 to 5.

We recently moved from San Diego (ahhhhhhhmazing) to San Jose, California. We love our new digs too, but San Diego will forever be in our hearts. So whenever I can get away from the bustle of city life, I make my way to Capitola Beach. It’s a little slice of heaven. A quaint little downtown of shops, restaurants, and dessert stops make up a few square blocks, surrounded by the beautiful calm beach.One of the most popular Capitola destinations has to be Pizza My Heart, right on the beach (see above). The line is down the block, but it passes quickly. People seem to love to pick up a slice (or a whole pie) and eat it while enjoying the beach. Your whole visit to this beach will be filled with aromas from these pizzas, so come full if you don’t want to splurge! Ehhhh…one slice won’t hurt anyone. If you’re anything like me however, you’ll pick it up on your way home. No one wants to see this girl in a bikini shoving pizza in her face. With my luck I’d drop it in the sand anyway.

My favorite shop in Capitola is the Capitola Beach Company (see below). I have to stop in every time I visit, just to see if there’s something I can’t live without. Which is obviously everything. Last time I couldn’t help but to buy an adorable California hat that I now wear every weekend (shown below). If I find something that I love, I try to sneak it into the house so my husband doesn’t notice. He already thinks I have too much clothing for a single human. This coming from the man that has more golf clothes than Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods (combined).My favorite part of the day, by far, is just sitting in my beach chair with a book. It is such a relaxing way to spend the afternoon (or morning…or evening), that time seems to fly by. I wish I could spend every day this way…twenty-one years to go until we can retire!!If you’re up for a good drink after a day in the sun, there are plenty of restaurants that have patios with ocean-views. Take your choice, tip back a drink, and relax again before you have to return to your own reality, whatever that may be.