SEASCAPE BEACH RESORT, APTOS
At first glance, the beige, low-rise buildings of Seascape Beach Resort in Aptos don’t appear to be the kind of hideaway a Hollywood couple like Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez would seek out, as they reportedly did in 2014. A brief detour off Highway 1 south of Santa Cruz, the resort’s 285 condo units and hotel suites were built in 1993 — after protracted planning battles with Santa Cruz County — in a style best described as ... nondescript. That’s because local builder Charles Holcomb wanted guests to focus on the impressive view of Monterey Bay from its 45 cliff-top acres, which include wide lawns, deep gullies and windsculpted groves. Those who do may well find themselves Beliebers in this understated oasis. Setting: Between a quiet suburban neighborhood and the sea. The resort owns about a mile of the beach below, between Rio del Mar and Manresa state beaches; hence its frequent bonfires and team-building exercises on the sand. Beachgoers can walk for miles, north to Capitola or south to Watsonville’s Pajaro River. The appeal: All things to all people. While the occasional pop star may appreciate the discreet locale, the resort also attracts numerous corporate retreats and weddings with generous meeting spaces and banquet facilities. Families cotton to the one-bedroom suites with kitchenettes or two-bedroom, town-house-style “villas” with full kitchens, not to mention the resort’s three pools, while couples favor the spa suites with whirlpools in the bedrooms or studios. Insider’s tips: Spice things up by ordering from Sanderlings chef Mario Garcia’s “Restless Palate” menu, which includes inventive twists on street tacos, seared seafood and burgers, among other items, or sample one of 50 tequilas at Palapas Restaurant and Cantina across the street. To receive discounted greens fees at 18-hole Seascape Golf Course, book a tee time through the hotel concierge. Good to know: The daily resort fee of $22 to $27 (depending on room size) covers high-speed Internet access, use of fitness facilities and lap pool at nearby Seascape Sports Club, some gratuities and shuttles around the resort, including to and from the beach. All units have fireplaces, but furnishings in the individually owned units may vary; most kitchens are due for renovations. High-season rates are Memorial Day through Labor Day, but late September and October often have the best beach weather.
Details: 1 Seascape Resort Drive, Aptos. (800) 929-7727, (831) 688-6800, www. seascaperesort.com. Spring rates, excluding resort fees and taxes, start at $259 weekend and $229 weekday for one-bedroom suites and studios; twobedroom villas start at $379 weekend, $349 weekday.