There’s nothing like heading to the beach for a mental health break, it need not be a long visit, just a whiff of the fresh sea breeze (I think they say it’s the negative ions that make you feel a bit heady), the pounding of the waves, clear blue skies, pure rejuvenation. For over a century, our family has headed to the Pacific for that regenerative lift.
Our great grandmother Hattey Teeter Putney in front of the Cliff House in 1904
Our great grandparents, Carl and Ida Holm, on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (wow, that’s a lot of clothing for the beach?!)
Our cousin Iris Murray Stebbins and friends enjoying the cooling waters of the Pacific in the 40’s
Cousin Edna Jorgensen in the sand at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The Sisters Blume and I needed to clear our heads one morning, so we took a quick morning trip to the “city” (that’s San Francisco in our neck of the woods), had a leisurely cup of coffee in the Italian neighborhood of North Beach, and then headed West to the beach (not the shore, that’s the other coast!), to one of my absolute favorite eats, The Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant. It’s located on Ocean Beach, where Golden Gate Park meets the Pacific, right down the hill from The Cliff House. There are beautiful tile mosaics and murals in the downstairs visitors center that were completed in 1936 as part of a federal works program. In the restaurant, the views of the ocean are incredible, and windows behind the bar open to the brewery.
Lexie had never experienced a beer taster, so we started with the Sample of Six Ales,
Warm Housemade Hummus with Grilled Pita, Cucumber & Mediterranean Olive Salad, and Brittany chose a Housemade Root Beer (designated driver!). This gave us time to review the menu, tough choices! The girls were eating light, a pound of Spicy Hot Wings with Tangy Sauce, Blue Cheese Dressing and Celery Hearts (we pounded a few down before I remembered to take a picture!),
a Chopped Hearts of Romaine salad,
and since I was at a brewery near the sea, I had to try their VFW Beer Battered Fish and Chips.
Everything was absolutely delicious, the view was awe-inspiring, and the beer soothed our spirits. Full and frefreshed, we were ready to head back to Livermore, reality and work, feeling 100% better!
Hope to see you at the beach! Nancy