
Travel Activity Blog Archive
![]() Steve
Anderson
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SIR 128
Travel Blog
Archive
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![]() Tan
Matosian
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128 Travel Blog- August 2019 (SANTA CRUZ/CAPITOLA)
It’s summer and who doesn’t like the smell of the ocean and the warmth of the beaches? If so, Santa Cruz is the place to be. My suggestion is to schedule a two-day trip and get a hotel room in Santa Cruz at the Dream Inn. A wonderful hotel with a good location overlooking the Pacific. It is a bit pricey but
worth it.
Your hotel is just walking minutes from the Santa Cruz Pier where you can see local fisherman and stop in at Stagnaro Bros. for a bowl of clam chowder or a light lunch. Don’t forget to tour the Boardwalk and consider some of the unique rides…my favorite is the Giant Dipper roller coaster built in 1924. It will take your breath away. Or just walk/sit and enjoy the people watching. Other close attractions are the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum and Steamers Lane where you can watch the locals surf the waves.
For dinner a must stop is the Crow’s Nest Restaurant at the entrance to the Santa Cruz yacht harbor for great views and delicious entries as well as your favorite adult beverage to cap off your first day.
On day two head over to Capitola by the sea, a short 20-minute drive and visit the quaint gift shops, boutiques and local art vendors. For lunch I recommend either Paradise Beach Grill or Margaritaville. Both have great menus, to say nothing of the views of the ocean from your table. If time permits, go to the Capitola Museum. It’s free and presents an interesting view of local history. If you can stay for dinner a local favorite is Shadowbrook on the river.
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128 Travel Blog- July 2019 Trip to Portugal Another opportunity to travel with your Sir buddies is here!
We are looking at a 2020 tour of Portugal. All Portugal for 10 days. This is the oldest civilized country in the world with centuries of history that goes back to way before America was founded. Can you imagine? We will fly from SFO to Lisbon, 3 nights, and from there to Porto to cruise the Douro River for 7 days. Many of you have shown some interest, so we are working with Alamo World Travel to make this happen. It is going to happen if we can identify a group that is willing to commit a year ahead (September 2020) and budget accordingly. The cost for this trip is in the $7-8k per person (depending on cabin choice), including flights. Remember, this will only happen if you have interest and commit. Call Alamo World Travel at (925) 837-8742 and tell Ilene, Mike or anyone who answers that you want to sign up for the SIRS 128 travel program with AMA to Portugal and they will take it from there.
If traveling with SIRS 128 isn’t your cup of tea, remember that the State SIRs website (www.sirs.org) has multiple opportunities to go hither and yon at almost any time of year. This is travel for couples or singles, with costs adjusted accordingly. So, if it’s river or ocean cruising, touring national parks, motor coaching to world renowned sites or hiking, biking and kayaking, you should be able to fill your travel bucket with SIRS. Want more information?
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128 Travel Blog- June 2019 State Capitol June is a good time to visit our State Capitol if you have not done so in a while. It is a little over a one-hour drive from the East Bay to the waters edge of the Sacrament River.
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128 Travel Blog- May 2019 Recommendation for trip with grandkids! Many of you are grandparents, so what kind of travel is best for you and your grandkids? In June, my wife and I are taking two of our grand boys (ages 13 and 14) on a Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel) trip to Southern California to experience a 7-day hands on film making adventure. If you are interested in such a travel program for various age levels where you learn and experience at the same time, try camping, exploring National Parks, crafting, fishing, horse-back riding, etc., by checking out the many programs at www.roadscholar.org. The programs are both national and international!
Meanwhile, if you haven’t already signed up for the American Cruise Line trip from Clarkson to Portland in October, 2019, there are a couple of cabins left. Contact Tan at tanmatosian@sbcglobal.net and remember, the deadline is June 1, 2019.
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128 Travel Blog- April 2019 Golden Gate Park in San Francisco This is the ideal month for a fun and easy day trip to
Any trip would not be complete without a visit to the world- famous Cliff House. My favorite is either the Crab or Shrimp Louie (make sure you make reservations as the restaurant is very popular). While there, also explore Sutro Baths and hike the land end trail. Enjoy nature’s beauty at its best!!
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128 Travel Blog- March 2019 Palm Springs I imagine that most of you have been to Palm Springs. But, for those of you who have not been South or for those of you who have not been there in sometime March is an ideal month to travel. The drive time is just under 7 hrs. or about 464 miles. The best way I have found is to fly into Ontario and then rent a car for an easy 1hr. drive. Here are some suggested recommendations:
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