There are no "hippies". Rooms from $159/night, book on Booking.com or Hotels.com. These are our 3 favourite hotels in Santa Cruz: Rio Vista Inn & Suites Comfort Inn Boardwalk Hyatt Place Santa Cruz. It is comprised of 16 modern rooms with an excellent array of amenities and features. Watch Sunsets of the Monterey Bay From a Hilltop Villa Theres also an outdoor swimming pool and a Jacuzzi. It offers easy access to shops, restaurants and bars, and is close to the beach. With all of the educational institutions we have, it has an international feel to it, and many good restaurants. As you look for lodging for your trip, please come back and let us know what you find, so that we can give you advice on locations. It is centrally located and within walking distance of the beach. I am considering whale watching and hiking in the Henry Cowell Redwood park among other things. Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. My home beach is Seabright, which is just over the river. I think between (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41998478', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');West Cliff Drive. Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor Edited to add that near Henry Cowell state park is Roaring Camp Railroad, which is a narrow gauge steam train that takes people on rides through the redwoods. I will definitely check into the train ride. In Santa Cruz County, the fun only begins at the beach. It has great features, like a swimming pool and tennis courts, and each room is well-equipped with a private bathroom and a kitchenette. It was incredible. Also, I'm thinking of staying at the Best Western in Morro Bay. Like Kibblesmom said, they are only 45 minutes apart. This hotel has 49 cosy, clean and comfortable rooms. You didn't ask this, but because San Simeon and Morro Bay are so close to Paso Robles and then not all that far from Pismo Beach, I'd probably opt for 2 nights in either Paso Robles or Pismo Beach instead of a single night each in Paso, San Simeon/Morro Bay, and Pismo Beach. The aquarium in Monterey is VERY worth going to. Santa Cruz is just a 45-minute drive from the historic waterfront town of Monterey and is situated alongside the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, one of the largest marine sanctuaries in the United States.This protected ocean environment extends for 276 miles along the coastline and provides habitat for 36 . Your laptop deserves a proper pack, and we know a good few! Kickstart your day with a filling and delicious breakfast at Zeldas. It seems like there are lots of mom and pop hotels. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63172993', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Nepenthe. Yes, finding a room which would hold a family of 6 is definitely a problem. Forecasts the expected snowfall amount, snow accumulation, and with snowfall radar. 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 - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. It also offers easy access to the beach as well as many of Santa Cruzs most famous attractions and landmarks. The Santa Cruz area includes the towns of Santa Cruz, Aptos, Capitola, and Soquel. :) Report inappropriate content november_moon San Jose, California Destination Expert for California Level Contributor 24,123 posts 138 reviews 71 helpful votes 8. Home [ksco.com] Monterey (Spanish: Monterrey; Ohlone: Aacistak) is a city located in Monterey County on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on California's Central Coast. The aquarium in Monterey is VERY worth going to. The Comfort Inn is centrally located near the Boardwalk, one of the best areas to stay in Santa Cruz. Its fun and your younger kids would probably love it. Breakfast options. Where To Stay In Monterey, California: 15 Great | Trip101 Alternatively, you may use, Holiday Inn Express Monterey-Cannery Row, an IHG Hotel, InterContinental the Clement Monterey, an IHG Hotel. Monterey is more coastal than beachy, if that makes sense. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. You might want to consider two adjoining rooms. The Ultimate 17-Mile Drive Itinerary - California 1 big room with queen bed and a futon in the living room that turns into a bed. $209. 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. In this guide, weve looked at the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. In Santa Cruz, in addition to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, there is the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? So since it sounds like you are heading on your trip at the end of August, please be aware that there is the Soberanes fire burning in Big Sur and it is not expected to be fully contained until the end of the month. Its kind of a funky sort of place, a bit off-beat. It has large rooms with air conditioning, private bathroom and contemporary amenities. Natural Bridges State Beach is excellent. Rooms come complete with A/C and include refrigerators. There are some museums and movie theaters in the downtown area. Get excited here are our best recommendations for where to stay in Santa Cruz, California, USA. Even better, a night stay comes with free use of one of the motel's beach bikes. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Since (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Municipal Wharf is near the Boardwalk and Stagnaro Bros. takes boats out on the Bay for whale watching. Just as close to everything. As you look for lodging for your trip, please come back and let us know what you find, so that we can give you advice on locations. (the aquarium sounds amazing). Pop by the La Selva Library, which regularly hosts family-friendly events. I live downtown and walk Pacific Avenue regularly. Carmel Beach is beautiful for romantic walks and just enjoying the view, but the water is cold and rip currents are common. Walking distance from the famous pier but you can rent bikes form them as well. If not, may I suggest another helping of Wallace Baine? This charming hotel is an excellent place to make your base in Capitola because there are plenty of shopping, dining and nightlife options nearby. I would stay in Santa Cruz (or Capitola or Aptos) and then take a day trip or two to Monterey. IMO, Carmel/Pacific Grove is MUCH more attractive and interesting than Santa Cruz. Places to Stay - Visit Santa Cruz County Its a great place to watch surfers. But, despite its small size, choosing the best neighbourhood to stay in Santa Cruz can be a challenge. If you choose Santa Cruz, check rates at the Dream Inn or Sea and Sand. Carmel has two beaches, Carmel city beach and Carmel River Beach. Do you own an awesome hostel, hotel or apartment? The Monerey Bay Aquarium is not to miss there. We saw the Hearst Castle. Also, I'm thinking of staying at the Best Western in Morro Bay. It has pristine beaches and a laid back atmosphere, while also boasting incredible food, lively nightlife and lush natural surroundings. Stay in Santa Cruz or Monterrey? - Santa Cruz Forum It is especially good if this is your first time visiting. It is only a few years old and is a very nice hotel. Princess or sanctuary cruises (Whale watching). 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. Highway 1 through Santa Cruz has a lot of traffic in mornings and after 3. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. As a member of our team, you can too.We haveSee this and similar jobs on LinkedIn. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Don't stay at any with "Boardwalk" in the name.. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. You understand you can't drive the coast LA to SF, right? 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. The Rio Vista Inn is our favourite hotel in Santa Cruz. We also love seeing wildlife. The earliest known filming took place in Monterey in 1897, compared to Santa Cruz's first foray into film in 1915. Which is exactly why I put together this guide to the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. We stayed in Cambria overnight, it took about 4hours to get there. I concur with november moon. Thank you so much for the advice, I think my kids will probably be ready for more beach and less scenery so we will stay in Santa Cruz. These are some top choices for places to stay: Monterey: Pacific Inn Monterey (Budget), The Stevenson Monterey (Mid-Range), Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa (Luxury) & Beachside House (Private Rental) Walking in Carmel reminded me of being in a European town with it's interesting storefronts, side streets and small nooks and crannies. Right now, It's all a bit overwhelming so if anyone could help me figure out what's best I would really really appreciate it! I would have a hard time finding stuff to . 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. Earn free nights and get our Price Guarantee - booking has never been easier on Hotels.com! My boyfriend & I are planning a trip to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We are pretty active so we like hiking and kayaking, but we also like to stay in nice accommodations at the end of the night with good food and a nice glass of wine. Email [emailprotected] to find out how. Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf are touristy, but downtown isn't really - they are all close together though. Located in the best position, you wont have to walk far to the main hotspots youll definitely enjoy your time at this place. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thanks SO much :). For Dead Doctors Don't Lie Use: 888-379-2552 We were in CA last June and stayed in Santa Cruz, and visited the Aquarium. All rights reserved. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? You could also visit nearby Carmel which is one of our favorite towns on the CA coast. Thank you for your input. The price is $209 per night. In Santa Cruz, you can travel from the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to the Redwoods without a car. I would choose one location and spend 2 nights. Catch a show at Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. There is a popular surfing spot at Lighthouse Field. How to get from Santa Cruz to Monterey by bus, taxi or car - Rome2rio The other difference between the areas you mention is that Carmel is higher-end real estate. 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. Feast on mouthwatering pub fare at 99 Bottles Restaurant & Pub. Don't know if your kids would be that interested in that, mine were 20 and 17 so it was different for us. This excellent three-star hotel is set in central Midtown, one of the best places in Santa Cruz to stay for nightlife. Dig into an amazing meal any time of day at Ideal Bar & Grill. From a hotel on the beach, to a quaint inn or bed and breakfast, to a vacation rental for the family or a rustic campground, you can rest easy in Santa Cruz County. Reserve now, pay when you stay. Avila Beach is warm in that area. . Day 1: Arrive in Santa Cruz and Overnight Day 2: Walk to Aptos 11 miles / 18 km Day 3: Walk to Moss Landing 13 miles / 22 km Day 4: Walk to Marina 7 miles / 11 km Day 5: Walk to Monterey 11 miles / 19 km Day 6: Onward Travel. If you like to stay at a motel and do the Boardwalk, Santa Cruz is more your liking stay there. It is the bordering town to Monterey. Obviously the true hippies have moved on but the areas still have a bit of that feel and try and remain colorful as opposed to going mainstream. Re: Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? Surf City Inn & Suites is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. Satisfy your sweet tooth with delicious salt-water taffy. If approved by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Association, the new sanctuary will provide the missing link in a chain of . Grab a drink at the Asti, an old-school dive bar. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better room in a better location than at the Wayfarer (12 E. Montecito St., 805/845-1000, dorm beds $50-90, private rooms $200-300). We arrive Monday afternoon and leave Saturday morning out of the San Francisco airport. Best Places to Stay on a California Coast Road Trip Enjoy delicious food and drinks at Red Restaurant and Bar. See the ruins of the S.S. Palo Alto Concrete Ship. More posts you may like r/travel Join 9 days ago What are some unique activities that you think are worth traveling for? Want to be featured in our list? Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor The good news: Santa Cruz and the Monterey Peninsula are only 45 minutes apart, so you can stay in one and easily visit the other. Thank you so much for the advice, I think my kids will probably be ready for more beach and less scenery so we will stay in Santa Cruz. Our home offers a view of the entire Monterey Bay and sits atop a hilltop with lots of privacy. If you can, stop there for a bite to eat. I've just now been informed that the beach isn't really safe to swim in. Flora Vista Inn is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. Both are good choices, it really depends on the atmosphere that you want. Monterey is 8.8\% less expensive than Santa Cruz. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Best Places To Stay In Monterey Bay - WhereToStayClub.com Henry Cowell is 15 minutes away. It has 63 spacious rooms, free wifi and an outdoor pool. Yall are great! Take that one, as its beautiful and different from Highway 1. Downtown is a large neighbourhood located in central Santa Cruz. :). Looking for a specific place to stay? 831-372 . I'll also say that Monterey is nice if you're traveling with kids because of the Aquarium and the really cool Dennis the Menace playground, both of which we visited with our then 18-month-old son. Monterey Tourism Monterey Hotels Monterey Guest House Monterey Holiday Homes Monterey Holiday Packages Monterey Flights . Don't stay at any with "Boardwalk" in the name.. It also extends on the other side of the harbor entrance. 7.7 Good 206 reviews. Monterey has a great bike path. Santa Cruz has a hippie vibe downtown. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Monterey or Carmel to Big Sur The best place to stay if embarking upon a Big Sur day trip is Carmel or Monterey. Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor There are beaches, but the coastline is more rocky, which is beautiful and means that you have more opportunity to see sea animals. Santa Cruz Day Trip | Day Trips from San Jose | Visit San Jose Its kind of a funky sort of place, a bit off-beat. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63172030', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car ride. Aptos is our top pick for families. It is comprised of 16 modern rooms with an excellent array of amenities and features. The most breathtaking part of the drive is through Big Sur, which is the stretch of coast between Cambria and Carmel. You might want to consider two adjoining rooms. Hwy 101 is nicely scenic though too. Spend another night closer to Santa Barbara. We took 101 from LA to Canbria and it was just a gorgeous drive..I wouldn't have imagined that. We were planning to stay in Monterey one night. Of course, Henry Cowell state park is closer to Santa Cruz, so SC would be more convenient for that. Santa Cruzs downtown district is also where youll find the local arts scene. They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Is Santa Cruz safe? Instead, buy an eSIM! Our top pick for where to stay in Santa Cruz for nightlife, this area is bursting with bars, restaurants and clubs where you can enjoy plenty of after-dark fun. The Comfort Inn hotel in Watsonville, CA is near Capitola Beach, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay Aquarium offering free hot breakfast & more! Its always been a big hit with the kids in our family. Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Monterey are adjacent to one another.Santa Cruz would be further north. It is an artsy neighbourhood located to the east of the city centre and is well-known for its colourful and vibrant buildings along with its great restaurants and artisanal shops. The downtown area of Santa Cruz is a bit funky but fun., I did see a person who was a street person once there with a backpacking cat. Enjoy an awesome meal with a great view at Sanderlings Restaurant. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Do you enjoy luxury or more budget-oriented accommodations? Thanks everyone for the tips and recommendations. 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. Is the aquarium in Monterey worth going to? Is Monterey safer? Why is Santa Cruz warmer than Monterey? Traffic is nothing like what you find in the big city (except during events like Car Week). It's possible to stay anywhere in the area and get to everything else fairly fast. Santa Cruz vs Monterrey/Carmel First Timer. Please help! :) Mornings going north, afternoon going south. Browse the incredible and creative exhibits at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History. We know about the road - we are going go around the long way to Paso Robles to miss the construction.. Monterey is more coastal and less beachy. Monterey or Santa Cruz - Monterey Message Board - Tripadvisor Either on your way to Big Sur, part of your day in Big Sur or on your way to 101. I have lived through this, having moved here in 1970 and been involved in the University and I am very tired of hearing Santa Cruz described as having a "hippie vibe", C'mon, you guys. 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. Should we. How do I get from San Jose to Santa Cruz without a car? - 2023 Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor Top 7 Historic Hotels In Monterey, California | Trip101 The great whites should be in their summer residence in Aptos by then, they usually show up in April, and if that interests you they can be seen from the sand or there are boat tours. I would hang around Morro Bay for some water activity and marine mammal observation. Top Hotels in Santa Cruz, CA from $60 - Expedia Guests can enjoy a heated swimming pool, free wifi and a delicious daily breakfast. I don't know Santa Cruz beaches well enough to speak with authority, but Monterey Peninsula area beaches aren't especially safe for swimming. 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. Answer 1 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. It has a great central location and is close to restaurants, shops, the beach and more. Set at the heart of the city, this hotel is a short walk to great dining, nightlife, shopping and sightseeing options. Request additional information, schedule a showing, save to your property organizer. Environmental activist Dan Haifley argues that Monterey Bay residents should care about and support the potential designation of tribally nominated Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, covering waters off San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties. There is a good and informative visitor center and some great tide pools. Seattle's most famous hotel, The Edgewater, is right along the waterfront, and a perfect way to relax before a long multi-day drive. Even if your kids don''t surf, it is fascinating to watch tht surfers from the bluff. I hesitate to recommend either based on "must-sees" since that is such a personal decision. Monterey has a temperate climate, with a short, intense rainy season. 400 plus pictures, but I digress. My plan now is to drive up from Pasadena to San Simeon via hwy 5 and then pick up hwy 1. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. This charming Inn is centrally located in Santa Cruz. 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. Like Kibblesmom said, they are only 45 minutes apart. 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. Exclusive Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Vacation Deals
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