Oceana Inn Santa Cruz is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. Answer 11 of 17: We (myself & two young sons) are making our way up from LA to San Francisco next month & want to spend a night in either Monterey or Santa Cruz. That's coming a bit later in the form of Wallace's Weekender newsletter, which in addition to a boatload of recommendations for things to do around Santa Cruz County has an update on what Harbor High grad-turned-Hollywood A-lister Adam Scott has cooking these days. From $113.05 per night. Best Places to Stay on a California Coast Road Trip 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. But, despite its small size, choosing the best neighbourhood to stay in Santa Cruz can be a challenge. Santa Cruzs downtown district is also where youll find the local arts scene. HI-Santa Cruz Hostel is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. I would also use this term to describe the Haight Ashbury neighborhood generically. My website describes local beaches in further detail: http://www.montereypeninsula.info/guide/beaches.htm. Here youll find a vast array of independent boutiques, delicious restaurants, charming inns and lively bars. Another consideration is your overall plan - how many nights do you have for your drive down the coast? Walking distance from the famous pier but you can rent bikes form them as well. :) Report inappropriate content november_moon San Jose, California Destination Expert for California Level Contributor 24,101 posts 138 reviews 71 helpful votes 8. Do you own an awesome hostel, hotel or apartment? Seattle's most famous hotel, The Edgewater, is right along the waterfront, and a perfect way to relax before a long multi-day drive. Most major cities along the coast including San Francisco, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles have the presence of most hotel chains and it is easy to find a place to stay for all budgets. If you have a map, start at the San Lorenzo River and go south the the Yacht Harbor. Hi - I'm traveling to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip {25 Stops + 7 Day Guide} - California We saw the Hearst Castle. In Santa Cruz, I have it tentatively narrowed down to the Holiday Inn Express or the Best Western. Maybe that's why he's in love with the Andes, where you'll find him in the local cafs ordering the. One night in each is a lot of moving without covering much distance. 126 216 r/travel Join 8 days ago Santa Cruz is more beachy - lots of wide, sandy beaches, a good surf culture, historic seaside amusement park, eclectic downtown, etc. more. The Municipal Wharf is near the Boardwalk and Stagnaro Bros. takes boats out on the Bay for whale watching. 2. For Dead Doctors Don't Lie Use: 888-379-2552 You are coming in Sept and the fire is supposed to be out by August end. Santa Cruz does have a scenic ocean area like Monterey and Carmel. InterContinental The Clement Monterey (from USD 304) The oceanfront views from the InterContinental Clement Monterey will absolutely take your breath away. It is comprised of 16 modern rooms with an excellent array of amenities and features. It has a great central location and is within walking distance of bars, bistros and the beach. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center Vacations ; Carmel has a great little white sand beach and a European cottagey vibe with lots of boutique stores (it is a pretty unique little community), Pacific Grove has Victorian B and B's but other more casual lodging with coastal bluff walkways. Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market andditch the plastic. Don't stay at any with "Boardwalk" in the name.. We have interest in outdoor eating, swimming/lounging on the beach, live music and natures beauty (but we're not huge hikers or anything). Listen to live music at the Kuumbwa Jazz Centre. I think my kids would love it. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. And finally, Aptos is the best area in Santa Cruz to stay in for families because it has excellent beaches and outdoor activities as well as great dining, shopping and sightseeing. Part of the trip will include a trip up hwy 1. And it is farther from stuff. The best one is the Best Western Plus All Suites Inn, further down on Ocean Street. If you choose Santa Cruz, check rates at the Dream Inn or Sea and Sand. Take that one, as its beautiful and different from Highway 1. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63171840', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Cannery Row, have lunch then go back. Many have recommended that we visit Carmel Beach to see all of it's beauty and enjoy the beach. Should I drive hwy 1 that part of the journey? In this guide, weve looked at the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. It is world class. Big Sur Closed -- Should we stay in Santa Cruz or Monterey?? - Santa ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77293425', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Cruz will never live down the fact that the University was founded just before the 60's revolution", 50 years ago, by the way. Most travelers stop in Santa Cruz en route to Monterey, especially since it's only a few hours from SF and the next leg of your drive might make for a seriously long day IF you also want to include a stop in Monterey and/or Carmel. 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. Fun place! The downtown areass of Monterey and Carmel are nicer. When is your trip planned for? 1190 WARREN DR, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 - montereybayprop.com Top 7 Historic Hotels In Monterey, California | Trip101 It is especially good if this is your first time visiting. My plan now is to drive up from Pasadena to San Simeon via hwy 5 and then pick up hwy 1. In Santa Cruz, in addition to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, there is the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 7855 Monterra Oaks Rd, Monterey, CA 93940 - MLS ML81920539 - Coldwell It has pristine beaches and a laid back atmosphere, while also boasting incredible food, lively nightlife and lush natural surroundings. 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. Thank you for your input. It is one of the most . Where To Stay In Monterey, California: 15 Great | Trip101 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. How to get from Santa Cruz to Monterey by bus, taxi or car - Rome2rio Take a photo at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay for some great memories without a hefty price tag. :) Report inappropriate content november_moon San Jose, California Destination Expert for California Level Contributor 24,123 posts 138 reviews 71 helpful votes 8. Another excellent option is the Rio Vista Inn & Suites Santa Cruz. It offers easy access throughout the neighbourhood and is close to restaurants, the beach and bars. The apartment is very bright, furnished beautifully and offers so much comfort from a massive bed to a great living area. And yes, the water is cold. Twin Lakes Beach is a good one. 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. Capitola (12 answers) Best Boutique Hotels in Monterey. Would one be better than the other for dinner/accommodations? You could also visit nearby Carmel which is one of our favorite towns on the CA coast. The aquarium in Monterey is a big draw, and it is very good. Highway 1 Road Trip: Overnight stay in Monterey vs. Santa Cruz What is your lodging budget? The Rio Vista Inn is our favourite hotel in Santa Cruz. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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 concur with november moon. Monterey, Carmel or Santa Cruz - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums Is this true? Convenient private room is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. Th most breathtaking of Highway 1 is when you leave the Cambria area for the next 2hours. Is It Better To Stay In Santa Cruz Or Monterey? - TravelMagma A continental breakfast is also included in each reservation. Go for a hike through Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. The direct drive from Monterey to Santa Cruz is 43.5 mi (70 km), and should have a drive time of 49 mins in normal traffic. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-109323473', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco to Santa Cruz or Monterrey. The Ultimate Big Sur Day Trip Itinerary The room is spacious, with a comfy bed and has a private bathroom. One of the coolest places to stay in Santa Cruz, Capitola is packed with incredible things to see and explore. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Its always been a big hit with the kids in our family. 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. View details, map and photos of this residential lots property with 0 bedrooms and 0 total baths. Also, can any give me some input on hwy1 from LA up to San Simeon. Walk the tiny .6-mile-long . So its up to you what you want to do. Best Places To Stay In Monterey Bay - WhereToStayClub.com This historic motel in Santa Cruz is one of the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. My plan now is to drive up from Pasadena to San Simeon via hwy 5 and then pick up hwy 1. I was trying to give a VERY general description as to how the areas differ. (the aquarium sounds amazing). Enjoy delicious food and drinks at Red Restaurant and Bar. You also have the Boardwalk, which is a seaside amusement park - rides, including an historic wooden roller coaster, games, waffle cones. This charming hotel is one of our top picks for where to stay in Santa Cruz with kids if youre on a budget. This post has been removed at the author's request. You understand you can't drive the coast LA to SF, right? Which is exactly why I put together this guide to the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. In Santa Cruz, in addition to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, there is the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Now I'm hearing all of this great stuff about Monterey Bay also. Andril Fireplace Cottages Seven Gables Inn Carmel Cottage Inn Casa Munras Holiday Inn Express Monterey-Cannery Row Monterey Bay Inn. The Monterey Hotel (from USD 112) Come and experience full-blown comfort at The Monterey Hotel. Best deals for Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets? And conversely, if you choose to stay in Monterey, you can see SC on the way there. For Sale - 7855 Monterra Oaks Rd, Monterey, CA - $1,900,000. This is a much nicer route than I-5, which is really boring. I would also suggest a visit to the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The aquarium in Monterey is VERY worth going to. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? Henry Cowell is 15 minutes away. Poor second cousin (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? MUST READ: Where to Stay in Monterey (2022 Guide) - The Broke Backpacker Browse the tiny but interesting Aptos History Museum. Thanks! Theres also complimentary wifi. Its fun and your younger kids would probably love it. Comfort Inn - Watsonville CA Hotel - Book Today! We've also never been to Cali if that makes a difference. A couple, family w/kids, etc ? 4:02 pm King City (California) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:02 pm drive for about 50 minutes. What do you think? Monterey is more diverse and touristy and you can find more moderate lodging than Carmel. Yes, finding a room which would hold a family of 6 is definitely a problem. Enjoy a great selection of sweet and savoury dishes at the Crepe Place, a longstanding Santa Cruz favourite. A hub of activity and attractions, the Boardwalk is our best recommendation for where to stay in Santa Cruz for one night or if youre on a budget. Founded on June 3, 1770, it was the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico. If not, may I suggest another helping of Wallace Baine? We have two girls, 15 and 10 and are an active family and love adventure, the beach, amusement parks and nature. A lot of people try to do the drive with only 1 or maybe 2 overnights, so splitting the trip more or less evenly becomes important, but with your plan, that's not an issue. We watched it that morning and DS said it was his favorite gift. Edited: 01 June . Monterey has a temperate climate, with a short, intense rainy season. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63172993', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Nepenthe. I would choose one location and spend 2 nights. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. Shop for everything from souvenirs to fine art and pottery in Rio del Mar. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. Compare 580 hotels in Santa Cruz using 17,179 real guest reviews. Highway 1 through Santa Cruz has a lot of traffic in mornings and after 3. I am considering whale watching and hiking in the Henry Cowell Redwood park among other things. The Best Western is ideally located in Capitola, Santa Cruzs best neighbourhood for hipsters, trendsetters and cool kids. If you want to go a more scenic way along the CA Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway or the PCH), then plan that to take you about 2.25-2.5 hours. When we vacation, we hike, bike, kayak, surf, horse-back rideyou get the idea. This shabby-chic hotel is just steps from the beach, the Boardwalk, great restaurants and lively nightlife. Thanks SO much :). East of the city centre is the Midtown/Seabright neighbourhood. 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. Home [ksco.com] I find people to be friendly, generally. The Vagabond's House Hotel Abrego Tradewinds Carmel Spindrift Inn Cypress Inn Tickle Pink Inn. The outdoor area is shared with the other unit but offers a cute patio and a BBQ. Monterey is more coastal and less beachy. We saw the Hearst Castle. It is worth a half day plus to go to Monterey, see the acquarium, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Traffic is nothing like what you find in the big city (except during events like Car Week). There are some museums and movie theaters in the downtown area. What do you think? If looking at sea life excites you, you must visit the ocean-view decks to spot humpback whales. Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. Is Santa Cruz better than Monterey? - YourQuickInfo It is ideally located at the heart of the city and is a quick walk to the restaurants, attractions and bars of the Downtown, the Boardwalk and Midtown neighbourhoods. Not true. This article was written by travellers for travellers. Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor Drink fresh and handcrafted beers at the Seabright Brewery. Road Trip from Santa Barbara to San Francisco - LazyTrips My family of four is taking a 13 day trip to San Francisco (3 days), Yosemite (2 days) and down the coast ending in LA. Your email address will not be published. Morning Lookout: A local view of Iran uprising, UCSC's 'Grad Slam' and Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruises A humpback whale breaches in Monterey Bay. Browse the buzzing Sunday Art & Music at the Beach events throughout the summer. It has the most cultural attractions in Santa Cruz and loads of cool places to check out. Answer 11 of 15: Hi - I'm traveling to California early next August. A great way to access transportation options in Santa Cruz is to visit www.Cruz511.org. There is one near the Holiday Inn Express, which is on Ocean Street which leads into town and one at the Boardwalk. The Midtown/Seabright neighbourhood is packed with bustling bars and buzzing breweries where you can enjoy a laidback drink or two. I concur with november moon. Hwy 101 is nicely scenic though too. We took 101 from LA to Canbria and it was just a gorgeous drive..I wouldn't have imagined that. Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. Posted 2:23:02 AM. Listed below are the top historic hotels in Monterey, California, that you can scroll over and book now. Santa Cruzs Boardwalk neighbourhood is one of the liveliest and most vibrant districts in the city. It's a small, funky lil beach town with shops, casual restaurants & beach access. Should I: Stay at a hotel in Santa Cruz?. Is the aquarium in Monterey worth going to? Heres what people usually ask us about the areas of Santa Cruz and where to stay. Via: Where should I stop along the way? Make your voice heard as feds consider Chumash Heritage Marine We do not represent World Nomads. We arrive Monday afternoon and leave Saturday morning out of the San Francisco airport. What is the makeup of your party? It is our pick for the best neighbourhood to stay in Santa Cruz if youre visiting for the first time because it has plenty of cultural attractions; is packed with bars, restaurants and shops; and, allows for easy access throughout the city and the wider county. per night. The Municipal Wharf is near the Boardwalk and Stagnaro Bros. takes boats out on the Bay for whale watching. Santa Cruz is more of a beachy town with lots of wide, sandy beaches, the Boardwalk amusement park, an eclectic downtown, strong surfing culture. Answer 1 of 15: Hi - I'm traveling to California early next August. Both are good choices. There are loads of places that are great for family days out, and of course, the beach. 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). Rooms from $159/night, book on Booking.com or Hotels.com. 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. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Here are some of the main landmarks that you should not miss in Monterey, CA: Monterey Bay Aquarium in Cannery Row the Old Fishermans Wharf Monterey Museum of Art Monterey State Historic Park Have a nice time in Monterey, Eylul Best Hostel In Cannery Row: Hi Monterey BEST Things to See in Monterey, California | Weekend Travel Guide It's beautiful there and lots of things to see and do beyond the aquarium. Get excited here are our best recommendations for where to stay in Santa Cruz, California, USA. I would have a hard time finding stuff to . Theres also a laundry service and pool on-site. 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. Explore the streets, shops and bars of colourful Capitola Village. This property has five bedrooms with great features and stunning views. I second the idea of overnighting in Santa Barbara, perhaps taking in Solvang en route. 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. Santa Cruz is one of Californias best-kept secrets. 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. How do I get from San Jose to Santa Cruz without a car? - 2023