Beyond the boardwalk
La Bahia Hotel & Spa (Santa Cruz)
GETAWAYS • Santa Cruz
When the new La Bahia Hotel & Spa in Santa Cruz opened last September, it was a big deal around town. The historic property, directly across the street from the equally historic Boardwalk, had been rundown and abandoned for decades. Prior to that, the La Bahia apartments had been inhabited by college students and international exchange workers who came to town every year to work the seasonal rides and concessions at the Boardwalk. It was known to locals as a far-from-fancy place.