Granada
Thirty minutes drive from Santa Cruz. This is a very modern city but with a wealth of historic buildings and architecture. The World Heritage site of the Alhambra Palace sits above the city, and is a must see for any visitor. There is also Granada Cathedral, the Capilla Real and the winding Moorish streets of the Albacin quarter behind the 16th century Plaza Nueva.
Granada is also home to the interactive science park which is a wonderful experience for children and adults alike. They regularly hold guest exhibitions, the most recent of which was about the Titanic which our two children (8 and 10 years) said was the most interesting thing they had ever seen.
Seville
Two hours drive from Santa Cruz. Rightly claimed as the most romantic city in Spain, Seville is a dazzing and vibrant city, and holds a wealth of attractions for the visitor.The moors have left their legacy upon it with the stunning decorative architecture of the Alcazar Palace, the huge gothic cathedral bristles with Inca gold and holds the tomb of Colombus.
From the grand sights of the Maestranza Bullring, the Giralda tower, and the Plaza de Espana, to the whitewashed romance of the bario Santa Cruz, with it's flower filled alleys and courtyard bars, Seville has more than enough for a day trip.
Enjoy open top bus tours to get your bearings around the city, boat trips along the river or for the more adventurous visit Isla Magica theme park. Plenty of rollercoasters, water rides and shows to amuse the kids, and thankfully at a fraction of the cost of normal UK cost.
Cordoba
Two hours drive from Santa Cruz. Deep in the heart of Andalucia, Cordoba is a bustling city built around a stunning medieval heart. The World Heritage site of the Mezquita leads into the whitewashed maze of the Jewish quarter which is a great place to find a quiet tapas bar to escape the midday heat.
The Palace of the Christian Kings, and the Medina Azahara both have dazzling ornamental gardens and patios, and there is a full itinary of festivals and events throughout the year, from flamenco to blues and ballet.
Coastal resorts
The more popular beach resorts of Malaga, Torremolinos, Benidorm, and Fuenguirola are between an hour and a quarter to an hour and three quarters drive away. Lesser known resorts such as Almunecar, Nerja, Torre del Mar, and El Morche are just about an hour away.
In winter months you could be skiing on the Sierra Nevada in the morning and then be on the beach and enjoying seafood at a quayside restaurant just over an hour or so later.