Sunshine Wishes and Honeymoon Dreams

Summer in Santa Cruz is in full force. For those of you who've never visited California's central coast, there's a reason why local souvenir shops sell lots of fleece jackets. Instead of sunshine, blue skies, and warm beach days, we get what Mr. Hot Tea affectionately refers to as the fog monster. Here's a recent photo to reinforce the chill of a 60-degree summer:

{ The wool cap is a necessity, not just a fashion accessory }

The Teacup family vacation is regularly scheduled for late May or early June in hopes to avoid the fog monster for a little while. Unfortunately, W-Day planning and budgeting necessarily took priority over our annual summer sojourn. 

Dudes, we are suffering from cabin fever. First world problems, I know. We live in a place where millions of people visit annually, courtesy of the Beach Boardwalk.

{ Our evening view during a winter sunset }

Just as it is at any other destination, living here isn't the same as coming for a vacation getaway. We have been itching to book our honeymoon, and it's finally crossed off the wedding 'to-do' list!

Mr. Hot Tea and I agreed to a few parameters when deciding where to spend our first married adventure together. As with any vacation, HT needs good surf and I require relaxation on a sunny beach. We briefly discussed the possibility of a dream destination - Maldives.

{ paradise perfected } / Image via Maldives Tourism

A fleeting thought, Maldives will remain on our bucket list for now. Maybe for an anniversary trip, a new destination of this magnitude would send my analytical brain into immediate overload. I'd want to research, plan, re-plan, and do even more research to make sure we made every moment count. I have no extra energy to DIY my diet, let alone coordinate the details required for such an extravagant trip. We will get there, just not this year.

So what did we decide? Simplicity and familiarity won out in the end. We are going to . . . CABO!

{ Look, Mom! It's the Arch } / personal photo

Now, you may be thinking what I did the first time HT took me to there. One photo will say it all.

{ Spring Break, Cabo style } / Image via Destination 360

Not exactly the fit for a mellow 30-something and a laid-back 40-something, right? I agree. And that's why we stay closer to the sleepy town of San Jose del Cabo and away from the livelier nightlife of Cabo San Lucas.

Online tourist map via Playa Grande Resort

It's the first time we're using our vacation club points (read timeshare), which was a pure exercise in logistics coordination. In the end, we will spend 7 nights at the luxurious all-inclusive Dreams Los Cabos Golf Resort and Spa. Ahhhh, doesn't that sound relaxing?

We can't wait for W-Day because it means we are that much closer to the honeymoon. Warm water, sunshine, and waves all day. Cabo will be the perfect escape from the dreaded fog monster. I have to say, that was easy!

Image via Staples

Where to you plan to spend your honeymoon? Will it be a new adventure or somewhere comfortably familiar for you and your beloved? And any tips for Cabo, our resort, or nearby day trips?

p.s. Anyone else want to admit to owning an 'easy' button?!