Saturday, April 24, 2010

Hollins House


Mari and I had chosen Hollins House before for special dinner occasions so we were interested when the paper said they were now open for breakfast and lunch as well. Hollins House was the home of Marion Hollins, famous golfer and feminist. It sits above semi-private Pasatiempo, a historic Top 100 golf course designed in 1929 by Alister MacKenzie who also designed Augusta National where the Masters is played. I'm not a golfer so I'm not wowed by the history. But you get a sense of the decor; lots of black & white pictures of golf legends in a grand, old but still cozy home.

Hollins House was doing breakfast and lunch because the MacKenzie Bar & Grill in the Clubhouse next door was being remodeled. My dear old mother gave us a great travel tip years ago: for a great value have breakfast or lunch at a golf course. You get good food and service because you are indistinguishable from the golfers who just laid down $100's to play a round. You always get a great view of the manicured greens and fairways and at Hollins House you also get a great panoramic view of the Monterrey Bay!

It was a beautiful early Spring day when we sat down on wrought iron garden furniture on the stone patio outside. We didn't have a camera but the view was better than this one above from their website. There was no fog and we could make out details on the Santa Cruz wharf.

Enough of the ambiance. Mari ordered and actually finished the MacKenzie Black Angus Burger (8oz Patty with choice of Swiss, Pepper Jack or Cheddar Cheese) including the fries. I thought my Philly Cheese Steak (Shaved Creek Stone Farms Sirloin, Muenster Cheese Spread, Caramelized Onions & Pasilla Peppers on Cuban Roll) was great, but not authentic. Not nearly enough fat for a truly 'Philly' sandwich. But great nonetheless.

Service was very attentive, but not overbearing or rushed at all. We asked about the move to breakfast and lunch and learned that (by now) MacKenzie's is back in business and Hollins House will still do lunch going forward. That's good news.

Friday, April 23, 2010

This is My Blog on Santa Cruz

Welcome to my blog. I'm Steve, a computer marketing professional living in Santa Cruz, California. Why am I starting a blog about Santa Cruz? It might be because Santa Cruz was recently named the Number 2 Recreation City in the US by Relocate Amerca (http://RelocateAmercia.com). It might be that my wife and I raised our family here over the last 25 years. Or it might be that when driving home over the Highway 17 summit, the stale air of Silicon Valley quickly changes to cool, crisp, inviting ocean air.

We live on an acre in the Santa Cruz Mountains with a redwood forest in the back but close to a highway exit and thus just minutes away from all to see and do in Santa Cruz; beaches, parks, restaurants, shops, wineries, and lots of outdoor recreation.

If you hear 'Santa Cruz' you might think surfing and you'd be right. But I don't surf. The Bay is cold. But Santa Cruz weather is the best. When its hot inland we have the cool ocean breeze. When its cold elsewhere, we have the moderating influence of the sea. Forget your winter coat but bring lots of layered clothing.

Wife Mari disagrees with me on Santa Cruz weather. She likes hot sun every day. So we have a second home in Las Vegas. But we have friends in both places and our favorite places to eat, activities to do, and things to see as well. Here I will be blogging about our familiar local Santa Cruz favorites as well as new discoveries and surprises.

Have a look around. You may also be interested in my other blog about Las Vegas (http://StevesLasVegas.blogspot.com). And you might like our websites on Scott's Guest House (http://www.scottsguesthouse.com) and Maris Las Vegas Getaway (http://www.marislasvegasgetaway.com).