We saw the Hearst Castle. The aquarium in Monterey is a big draw, and it is very good. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I have the time but worry about the length of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Located in Santa Cruz, California, 10 minutes from Lighthouse Field State Beach, this hotel features an outdoor pool, a sauna, and bright, contemporary rooms with a 42-inch flat-screen TV. In addition, between Monterey and Santa Cruz, you should visit Elkhorn Slough, where you can either rent kayahs or take a 'safari' boat trip out into the slough to see the vast amount of sea life. When is your trip planned for? That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If live music is more your thing, Midtown is also where youll find a great selection of concert halls and karaoke parlours, open mic nights and street-side buskers. It offers easy access throughout the neighbourhood and is close to restaurants, the beach and bars. All amenities are in great condition, the beach is right around the corner and the living area is perfect to gather the whole family for dinner after a long and exciting day. Avila Beach is warm in that area. It is a great option for Santa Cruz accommodation because it has comfortable rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and free wifi. The beautiful interior design will make you feel comfortable and at home. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Theres also complimentary wifi. A couple, family w/kids, etc ? On I-5 from Pasadena, you'll have to go over the Grapevine, which is what I-5 is called where it goes through the mountains just north of the LA basin - every semi-truck in the Western US seems to go over this pass. You won't regret it. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Youre steps away from Boardwalk and the beach, as well as cafes, restaurants and other hot spots. At Pitney Bowes, we do the right thing, the right way. Continue on to Pacific Grove and stay at Asilomar (again) or. Rooms are well-equipped with a kitchenette and guests can enjoy on-demand movies and a spa bathtub. Traffic is nothing like what you find in the big city (except during events like Car Week). Carmel has two beaches, Carmel city beach and Carmel River Beach. Be sure and visit Capitola Village while in the Santa Cruz area. My website describes local beaches in further detail: http://www.montereypeninsula.info/guide/beaches.htm. It has a convenient location, comfortable beds, and a great range of amenities and features. Inspirational places to stay near beaches, redwood forests or in quaint seaside towns offer an array of choices when it comes to amenities and settings. Its a great place to watch surfers. Tucked throughout the neighbourhood are a good variety of galleries and shops that showcase the excellent works of local artists, musicians, actors and writers. Whether or not it is worth it for your family depends on your interests and what you would otherwise be doing with the time spent at the aquarium. See Bixby Creek Bridge, hike McWay Falls, spend time at San Dollar Beach before reaching San Luis Obispo for the night. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. Is Santa Cruz or Monterey more expensive? However, you do not have to choose where to stay based on the aquarium, as Santa Cruz and Monterey are only about 45 minutes apart. Listen to live music at the Kuumbwa Jazz Centre. . What is the most breathtaking part of hwy 1? Heres what people usually ask us about the areas of Santa Cruz and where to stay. Also.. is Santa Cruz a better beach destination for those that actually want to spend a little time in the water? There are loads of places that are great for family days out, and of course, the beach. Enjoy a great selection of sweet and savoury dishes at the Crepe Place, a longstanding Santa Cruz favourite. Both SC and Monterey have good options for dinner and good lodging. Also we are 25 & 26 and are not big wine drinkers. You understand you can't drive the coast LA to SF, right? That was sort of cool to see. In August they have Art & Jazz @ the beach on Sunday afternoons and Twilight Concerts on Wednesday evenings. Carmel Gate: The south gate into Pebble Beach, this entrance can be accessed by following San Antonio Avenue through Carmel-by-the-Sea. Best 3-Star/4-Star Hotels in Monterey. I concur with november moon. Monterey has a temperate climate, with a short, intense rainy season. Carmel is next to Monterey, which is a quaint upscale village with plenty of nice restaurants, boutiques, and tasting rooms. Your email address will not be published. Santa Cruz to Monterey drive - plan a road trip Spend a day basking on the sands of New Brighton State Beach. Part of the trip will include a trip up hwy 1. 17 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Santa Cruz Another good beach is Seacliff State Beach in Aptos. Pop by the La Selva Library, which regularly hosts family-friendly events. Splash, swim and play at Rio del Mar beach. Of course, Henry Cowell state park is closer to Santa Cruz, so SC would be more convenient for that. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Guests can enjoy a variety of on-site amenities, like a swimming pool and free wifi. I don't know Santa Cruz beaches well enough to speak with authority, but Monterey Peninsula area beaches aren't especially safe for swimming. Find your new favourite book at the legendary Bookshop Santa Cruz. This historic motel in Santa Cruz is one of the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. With over 14 state parks, wineries, museums, farmer's markets, surfing, shopping, and family fun activities, there are plenty of things to do. I do not recommend staying at a hotel right near the Boardwalk, but there are some good ones nearer the Municipal Wharf, specifically the joie d'vivre Dream Inn, the Seaview Inn, the West Cliff Inn (a Victorian Bed and Breakfast) and a couple more. We're adjacent to Watsonville Municipal Airport, just minutes from Sunset State Beach and nearby golf courses, wineries and wildlife preserves. The Ultimate 17-Mile Drive Itinerary - California This post has been removed at the author's request. Carmel Beach is beautiful for romantic walks and just enjoying the view, but the water is cold and rip currents are common. Answer 21 of 26: So with all the road and park closures in Big Sur we are considering cancelling our two night stay there in early March. Both are good choices, it really depends on the atmosphere that you want. In short, Santa Cruz is without a doubt one of Californias best-kept secrets. I think my kids would love it. Manresa isn't as good for swimming though. There is a good and informative visitor center and some great tide pools. There is a coastal recreation trail that runs through Monterey and Pacific Grove that is great for viewing the coastline and watching for sea mammals. The best one is the Best Western Plus All Suites Inn, further down on Ocean Street. It has large rooms with air conditioning, private bathroom and contemporary amenities. I can't tell you the length of time from Cambria to Santa Cruz as we stopped along the way for pics and had lunch at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Downtown Santa Cruz is the best neighbourhood in Santa Crus to stay in if youre visiting for the first time. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77281854', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Monterey has more going for it than Santa Cruz in terms of things to do as one can easily do Carmel, Pacific Grove, Carmel Valley, and Big Sur from there too. There are beaches, but the coastline is more rocky, which is beautiful and means that you have more opportunity to see sea animals. Required fields are marked *. It is located at the heart of Santa Cruz and is just a stones throw from great dining, shopping and nightlife options. The reviews on Tripadvisor are not encouraging. There is a coastal recreation trail that runs through Monterey and Pacific Grove that is great for viewing the coastline and watching for sea mammals. I have the time but worry about the length of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Rio Vista Inn is our favourite hotel in Santa Cruz. The seaside town of Santa Cruz is one of the coolest places in California. Santa Cruzs 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in, #1 Downtown Where to Stay in Santa Cruz for Your First Time, #2 The Boardwalk Where to Stay in Santa Cruz on a Budget, #3 Midtown Where to Stay in Santa Cruz for Nightlife, #4 Capitola Coolest Place to Stay in Santa Cruz, #5 Aptos Where to Stay in Santa Cruz for Families, FAQ about Finding a Place to Stay in Santa Cruz, Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Santa Cruz. Monterey is more coastal and less beachy. Stay in Santa Cruz or Monterrey? - Santa Cruz Forum - Tripadvisor Natural Bridges and other beach parks. The town has lots of motels which can sometimes help save on cost (depends when you go as summer is still high in this area as well). Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. With all of the educational institutions we have, it has an international feel to it, and many good restaurants. Spend another night closer to Santa Barbara. So its up to you what you want to do. Do check that the Boardwalk is open when you are there as the hours are starting to be shorter as schools are starting to go back into session. This is a much nicer route than I-5, which is really boring. Thanks all! On the first leg, we are trying to decide if we should sleep in Santa Cruz or Monterrey? Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. It'll be cheaper. Hwy 101 is nicely scenic though too. Santa Cruzs Boardwalk neighbourhood is one of the liveliest and most vibrant districts in the city. More posts you may like r/travel Join 9 days ago What are some unique activities that you think are worth traveling for? Thanks everyone for the tips and recommendations. You won't regret it. For Sale - 7855 Monterra Oaks Rd, Monterey, CA - $1,900,000. There is one near the Holiday Inn Express, which is on Ocean Street which leads into town and one at the Boardwalk. The outdoor area is shared with the other unit but offers a cute patio and a BBQ. Set in central California, Santa Cruz is the epitome of west coast cool. It has great features, like a swimming pool and tennis courts, and each room is well-equipped with a private bathroom and a kitchenette. Theres also an outdoor swimming pool and a Jacuzzi. 4:02 pm King City (California) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:02 pm drive for about 50 minutes. Or spend a night or two in both to maximize your time on the coast. You could easily spend 5-7 days in the Carmel/PG/Monterey/Big Sur area. 400 plus pictures, but I digress. Driving from LA to Monterey - First time - help. If youre not sure which is right for you, here is a quick recap of our favourite Santa Cruz accommodation options: HI-Santa Cruz Hostel is the best hostel in the city. Located at the north end of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is a relaxed and laid-back city known as a counterculture and artistic hub with a bohemian feel and youthful vibes. Both are stunningly beautiful, but the city beach is safer than the River beach. Is Santa Cruz safe? document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_3").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. I find people to be friendly, generally. If you want classic beach stuff - laying out, volleyball, playing in the waves, Santa Cruz is what you want. Don't know if your kids would be that interested in that, mine were 20 and 17 so it was different for us. Santa Cruz is more of a beachy town with lots of wide, sandy beaches, the Boardwalk amusement park, an eclectic downtown, strong surfing culture. Theres also an outdoor swimming pool and on-site parking. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads usingthis link. Have a fun trip! The Midtown/Seabright neighbourhood is packed with bustling bars and buzzing breweries where you can enjoy a laidback drink or two. Highway 1 through Santa Cruz has a lot of traffic in mornings and after 3. Your first stop should be the classic Californian beach town of Santa Cruz. From here, head up H-17 toward Felton for your first stop at Roaring Camp Railroads.Catch the steam train for an unforgettable ride through the magnificent redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains until you reach the end of the line at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. I think between (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Yall are great! Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf are touristy, but downtown isn't really - they are all close together though. Capitola (12 answers) Santa Cruz is one of Californias best-kept secrets. Should we. Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor Hi - I'm traveling to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? They won't hurt yu. It is ideally located at the heart of the city and is a quick walk to the restaurants, Santa Cruz attractions and bars of the Downtown, the Boardwalk and Midtown neighbourhoods. For things to see on the Monterey Peninsula see https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g580824-Activities-Monterey_Peninsula_California.html A great way to access transportation options in Santa Cruz is to visit www.Cruz511.org. Travel south from here and youll arrive in the busy and buzzing Boardwalk neighbourhood. Another consideration is your overall plan - how many nights do you have for your drive down the coast? But because it is farther out, it is great for beach combing because there aren't as many people - sometimes very few people. I've just now been informed that the beach isn't really safe to swim in. If approved by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Association, the new sanctuary will provide the missing link in a chain of . However, don't expect warm water in Santa Cruz, either. The Best Western is ideally located in Capitola, Santa Cruzs best neighbourhood for hipsters, trendsetters and cool kids. However, you do not have to choose where to stay based on the aquarium, as Santa Cruz and Monterey are only about 45 minutes apart. Its always been a big hit with the kids in our family. We were planning to stay in Monterey one night. Thanks SO much :). MUST READ: Where to Stay in Monterey (2022 Guide) - The Broke Backpacker Browse the incredible and creative exhibits at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History. Go for a hike through Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. It is only a few years old and is a very nice hotel. Nobody remembers that this was happening all over the country. We stayed in Cambria overnight, it took about 4hours to get there. This neighbourhood is also our best recommendation for where to stay in Santa Cruz with kids because it has a great variety of family-friendly fun, activities and adventures. Rooms are equipped with A/C and also feature hair dryers, showers and ceiling fans. Top Hotels in Santa Cruz, CA from $60 - Expedia Request additional information, schedule a showing, save to your property organizer. Here's hoping that warms you up a bit this brisk Thursday morning. Comfort Inn - Watsonville CA Hotel - Book Today! Earn free nights and get our Price Guarantee - booking has never been easier on Hotels.com! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63171502', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, an old fashioned, classy amusement park 101 years old, and a steam train, Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad, near Henry Cowell ,which makes trips up the hill through redwoods, as well as making trips into town to the Boardwalk.
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