At a sprightly 60, I’d always assumed that so-called “seniors cruises” were still many (many) years ahead of me, picturing long arduous days of deck-chair naps, shuffleboard and early-bird dinners.

Santa Cruz's Mike Baxter, 56, has taken part in some amazing fishing conquests over the course of his decades-long career as an charter captain.

Don’t care about the Big Game on Feb. 8? Enjoy the lack of crowds at these hiking trails, stores, neighborhoods and more.