It breaks down the best areas to stay in Santa Cruz by interest and budget, so youll know exactly where to stay based on what you want to do. Itinerary. At Pitney Bowes, we do the right thing, the right way. It has the most cultural attractions in Santa Cruz and loads of cool places to check out. 7.7 Good 206 reviews. 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-77278122', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Cruz is more of a classic CA beach town with a surf culture and an eclectic downtown. You might want to consider two adjoining rooms. The Monterey Hotel (from USD 112) Come and experience full-blown comfort at The Monterey Hotel. Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market andditch the plastic. . This nature-rich . Santa Cruz is the beach locals go to for sun and water activities. It is comprised of 16 modern rooms with an excellent array of amenities and features. Each room comes complete with a minibar, kitchenette and wireless internet access. In Santa Cruz, in addition to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, there is the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It seems like there are lots of mom and pop hotels. Guests can enjoy a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, laundry facilities, a golf course and a restaurant. If approved by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Association, the new sanctuary will provide the missing link in a chain of . Both are good choices, it really depends on the atmosphere that you want. When you're ready to start your road trip, head to Lands End then drive south along the coast. If you choose Santa Cruz, check rates at the Dream Inn or Sea and Sand. You'll enjoy a meal of shrimp, oysters and clam chowder after your day in the town or hunting for killer whales and dolphin pods while sailing the pacific. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. 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. Santa Cruz is more beachy - lots of wide, sandy beaches, a good surf culture, historic seaside amusement park, eclectic downtown, etc. It offers easy access throughout the neighbourhood and is close to restaurants, the beach and bars. Travel south from here and youll arrive in the busy and buzzing Boardwalk neighbourhood. All rights reserved. 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. It is a really vibrant and colourful area of Santa Barbara, and it reallys really unique. There is a popular surfing spot at Lighthouse Field. 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. For Sale - 7855 Monterra Oaks Rd, Monterey, CA - $1,900,000. On the first leg, we are trying to decide if we should sleep in Santa Cruz or Monterrey? This unit was designed and built by an architect who has a great eye for style and detail. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Monterey, California - The AZA-accredited Monterey Bay Aquarium is big on conservation. I will definitely check into the train ride. 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! This is also the best area in Santa Cruz to stay in for nightlife. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. It has great features, like a swimming pool and tennis courts, and each room is well-equipped with a private bathroom and a kitchenette. Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop! We watched it that morning and DS said it was his favorite gift. Carmel has two beaches, Carmel city beach and Carmel River Beach. 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. See Bixby Creek Bridge, hike McWay Falls, spend time at San Dollar Beach before reaching San Luis Obispo for the night. For things to see on the Monterey Peninsula see, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g580824-Activities-Monterey_Peninsula_California.html, Santa Cruz is focused more on the Boardwalk or to go see Henry Cowell Redwoods.it also has the ocean, surfing, and a winery section (not as nice as Carmel or Carmel Valley but enough wineries to enjoy in a ery short visit.). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63172030', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car ride. Would you recommend one? I concur with november moon. See the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row, visit the sandy beaches of Half Moon Bay, and take some time to explore Santa Cruz or Pebble Beach. 4:02 pm King City (California) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:02 pm drive for about 50 minutes. Monterey, which is further north of Big Sur, is located no more than 1-1.5 hours away from most of the attractions that we recommend seeing on a Big Sur itinerary. This colourful and European-esque neighbourhood is one of the coolest places to stay in Santa Cruz because it has great dining, pristine beaches and lots of things to see and do. Is the aquarium in Monterey worth going to? Browse the buzzing Sunday Art & Music at the Beach events throughout the summer. I would stay in Santa Cruz (or Capitola or Aptos) and then take a day trip or two to Monterey. Highway 1 is washed out and closed. ), Bougie-coffee lover and staunch enemy of coriander; TEFL-certified language teacher, linguist, and aspiring polyglot. Santa Cruz. They are adjacent. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Not true. 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. I always put up overflow family at the Holiday Inn Express during Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is located at the heart of Santa Cruz and is just a stones throw from great dining, shopping and nightlife options. You can pretty much expect all indoor attractions to be closed until conditions improve markedly. Theres also a large, fully-stocked kitchen. The price is $209 per night. 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. Escape the crowds at artsy and secluded Capitola Beach. 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. In this Santa Cruz neighbourhood guide, well look at the best places to stay based on what you want to do. It's a small, funky lil beach town with shops, casual restaurants & beach access. Santa Cruzs downtown district is also where youll find the local arts scene. This is a good one - heavily visited, but not as busy as the main beach. HI-Santa Cruz Hostel is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. I have the time but worry about the length of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There's this misconception that (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Id say Santa Cruz is aimed at a younger audience. Since (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Re: Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? For things to see on the Monterey Peninsula see https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g580824-Activities-Monterey_Peninsula_California.html Alternatively, you may use, Holiday Inn Express Monterey-Cannery Row, an IHG Hotel, InterContinental the Clement Monterey, an IHG Hotel. It is a great option for Santa Cruz accommodation because it has comfortable rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and free wifi. 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) The best one is the Best Western Plus All Suites Inn, further down on Ocean Street. For a vacation rental option, try this South Lake Union condo near the Space Needle ( from $160/night ). Sip drinks and enjoy cheap bars games at lively One Double Oh Seven Club. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Monterey has more wildlife-focused sites to visit. There are some museums and movie theaters in the downtown area. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Stay in Monterey or Carmel. I was trying to give a VERY general description as to how the areas differ. We stayed in Cambria overnight, it took about 4hours to get there. The Comfort Inn hotel in Watsonville, CA is near Capitola Beach, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay Aquarium offering free hot breakfast & more! Our Trip started in Santa Monica ending in SF. I live downtown and walk Pacific Avenue regularly. :). Our decision now is what to do with the THREE DAYS we have. It has a convenient location, comfortable beds, and a great range of amenities and features. In Santa Cruz, I have it tentatively narrowed down to the Holiday Inn Express or the Best Western. Answer 1 of 15: Hi - I'm traveling to California early next August. There are several Best Westerns in town. It is world class. 7. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. It is world class. I would have a hard time finding stuff to . Find quality homes and apartments for rent and property management in Santa Clara, San Jose, Monterey and elsewhere in coastal Central California. Get answers to your questions about Monterey, Monterey Peninsula Trip Report w/photos. Walking in Carmel reminded me of being in a European town with it's interesting storefronts, side streets and small nooks and crannies. Request additional information, schedule a showing, save to your property organizer. What is your next planned stop and how many days/nights total do you have for the coastal section of your trip? The Boardwalk is also our pick for the best neighbourhood in Santa Cruz to stay in if youre on a budget. I'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to SF. 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. Explore the streets, shops and bars of colourful Capitola Village. We have been to several large aquariums over the years just not that one. The 1960's "hippie" students I mentioned are now retired lawyers, doctors, university professors, heads of universities, involved in the genome project, and important members of communities all over California. We saw the Hearst Castle. 400 plus pictures, but I digress. Want more deetz on why we love itso damn much? The Rio Vista Inn is our favourite hotel in Santa Cruz. Are there a lot of must dos in Santa Cruz? This article was written by travellers for travellers. The most breathtaking part of the drive is through Big Sur, which is the stretch of coast between Cambria and Carmel. Go for a hike through Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. Pacific Grove is a really cute town right in between with bunches of Bed and Breakfasts. I think the decision really depends on what you want to do and see and your overall plan. I'd love to see that hippie vibe back in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Roaring Camp Railroads, the Santa Cruz Wharf, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and other . It has pristine beaches and a laid back atmosphere, while also boasting incredible food, lively nightlife and lush natural surroundings. I'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to SF. Henry Cowell is 15 minutes away. 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. 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 Hwy 101 is nicely scenic though too. Rooms from $159/night, book on Booking.com or Hotels.com. Both are great. I've just now been informed that the beach isn't really safe to swim in. 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. I think between (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? With over 14 state parks, wineries, museums, farmer's markets, surfing, shopping, and family fun activities, there are plenty of things to do. Here is a traveler article on Santa Cruz to help describe it. This delightful hotel is one of the best places in Santa Cruz to stay in because it has a great central location. Breakfast options. 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. Since you have plenty of time for the trip from SF to LA, distance isn't a factor. I know because I know a lot of them personally, I am always astounded when people still say that Santa Cruz has a 'hippie vibe."downtown. Note that nightlife is laregely confined to weekends in Santa Cruz. And it is farther from stuff. I concur with november moon. It will make traffic difficult in that area. My biggest problem is finding rooms that accommodate 6. Show more. Carmel Beach is beautiful for romantic walks and just enjoying the view, but the water is cold and rip currents are common. Monterey's 5 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in #1 Downtown - Where to stay in Monterey first time #2 Munras Avenue - Where to stay in Monterey on a budget #3 Cannery Row - Best area to stay in Monterey for nightlife #4 Pacific Grove - Coolest place to stay in Monterey #5 Cannery Row (FAMILY) - Best neighbourhood in Monterey for families Your decision sounds great! View details, map and photos of this residential lots property with 0 bedrooms and 0 total baths. We know about the road - we are going go around the long way to Paso Robles to miss the construction.. It will be warmer here, so if you want a beach day this is your place. However, don't expect warm water in Santa Cruz, either. World Nomads mission is to support and encourage travellers to explore their boundaries. On the first leg, we are trying to decide if we should sleep in Santa Cruz or Monterrey? In August they have Art & Jazz @ the beach on Sunday afternoons and Twilight Concerts on Wednesday evenings. Take the second exit out of the roundabout, and follow the signs to Pebble Beach. Have a fun trip! We took 101 from LA to Canbria and it was just a gorgeous drive..I wouldn't have imagined that. Its a great place to watch surfers. We were planning to stay in Monterey one night. Aptos is our top pick for families. Once you hit Ventura, then you'll be on the coast through Santa Barbara. Part of the trip will include a trip up hwy 1. The Rio Vista Inn is our favourite hotel in Santa Cruz. Also.. is Santa Cruz a better beach destination for those that actually want to spend a little time in the water? What do you think? This contemporary hotel has comfortable rooms with excellent features and amenities. 1. East of the city centre is the Midtown/Seabright neighbourhood. 1 big room with queen bed and a futon in the living room that turns into a bed. During the summer the surf on Carmel city beach is relatively tame, and people do play in the water, but not without some risk. This shabby-chic hotel is just steps from the beach, the Boardwalk, great restaurants and lively nightlife. 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. Should we. There may be homeless, but they are everywhere now. Downtown is quite historic - Monterey was the first capitol of CA and there are several buildings from that time in the Monterey Historic Park and through downtown. Try to help and people have to go on a rant. Required fields are marked *. 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.

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