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. 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. I hear the beaches there are nice so we're considering Twin Lakes State Beach & Manresa. Breakfast options. Enjoy an awesome meal with a great view at Sanderlings Restaurant. It has pristine beaches and a laid back atmosphere, while also boasting incredible food, lively nightlife and lush natural surroundings. Should I drive hwy 1 that part of the journey? It's myself and my husband and we are going the first week in May. 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. It also extends on the other side of the harbor entrance. The aquarium in Monterey is a big draw, and it is very good. Continue travelling east along the coast to Capitola. 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. Theres also a large, fully-stocked kitchen. Monterey is more coastal and less beachy. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. Once you hit Ventura, then you'll be on the coast through Santa Barbara. 400 plus pictures, but I digress. It is a really vibrant and colourful area of Santa Barbara, and it reallys really unique. Natural Bridges State Beach is excellent. Capitola (12 answers) I always put up overflow family at the Holiday Inn Express during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Alternatively, you may use, Holiday Inn Express Monterey-Cannery Row, an IHG Hotel, InterContinental the Clement Monterey, an IHG Hotel. Your first stop should be the classic Californian beach town of Santa Cruz. Its always been a big hit with the kids in our family. 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. Santa Cruz is the beach locals go to for sun and water activities. Should we. Shop for everything from souvenirs to fine art and pottery in Rio del Mar. You can pretty much expect all indoor attractions to be closed until conditions improve markedly. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Mornings going north, afternoon going south. Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. Youll find plenty of bars, shops, restaurants, and the beach is within walking distance. Even if your kids don''t surf, it is fascinating to watch tht surfers from the bluff. Instead of staying "in Monterey" you might enjoy Carmel by the Sea or even Pacific Grove more as they are small towns by the water. Also, I'm thinking of staying at the Best Western in Morro Bay. Carmel Beach is beautiful for romantic walks and just enjoying the view, but the water is cold and rip currents are common. 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. Things to Do. 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. 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. I think Monterey probably has the edge for lodging and restaurants within walking distance to more lodging. They are located at opposite ends of the same bay, so the area for whale watching is pretty much the same from either town. Even if your kids don''t surf, it is fascinating to watch tht surfers from the bluff. 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. If looking at sea life excites you, you must visit the ocean-view decks to spot humpback whales. Santa Cruz is more of a beachy town with lots of wide, sandy beaches, the Boardwalk amusement park, an eclectic downtown, strong surfing culture. I would also use this term to describe the Haight Ashbury neighborhood generically. The ocean is cold but you can swim in it especially from Capitola south. Earn free nights and get our Price Guarantee - booking has never been easier on Hotels.com! I would have a hard time finding stuff to . And oftentimes good food in that range. 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. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You could also visit nearby Carmel which is one of our favorite towns on the CA coast. The reviews on Tripadvisor are not encouraging. 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. The beautiful interior design will make you feel comfortable and at home. What is your lodging budget? As a matter of fact I purchased the ProShow Gold DVD slideshow software and made a 35 min show with music and gave to my kids on Xmas. Its kind of a funky sort of place, a bit off-beat. :) Report inappropriate content november_moon San Jose, California Destination Expert for California Level Contributor 24,101 posts 138 reviews 71 helpful votes 8. Inside its quaint Victorian facade lie 69 well-appointed rooms, some of which are pet-friendly, too. (Click on California Coast June '11), Driving routes and options from SFO to Monterey. 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 Rooms from $159/night, book on Booking.com or Hotels.com. 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. I would also suggest a visit to the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Capitola is a beachside neighbourhood bursting with a European flair. It seems like there are lots of mom and pop hotels. 7. Carmel is next to Monterey, which is a quaint upscale village with plenty of nice restaurants, boutiques, and tasting rooms. Here's hoping that warms you up a bit this brisk Thursday morning. The most breathtaking part of the drive is through Big Sur, which is the stretch of coast between Cambria and Carmel. With the ages of your children, I highly suggest Santa Cruz, due to the amusement park right on the beach, the beach itself and the cute shops on the wharf. Catch a show at Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Check out the Mnin-Mokre, Voivodia de Santa Cruz, Polnia WinterCast. Aptos is a serene and stunning neighbourhood located just east of Santa Cruz. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Grab a drink, enjoy the incredible beaches and laid-back vibes. Dig into an amazing meal any time of day at Ideal Bar & Grill. There are loads of places that are great for family days out, and of course, the beach. Want to be featured in our list? You could also visit nearby Carmel which is one of our favorite towns on the CA coast. We took 101 from LA to Canbria and it was just a gorgeous drive..I wouldn't have imagined that. It is conveniently located near the Boardwalk and there are plenty of shops, restaurants and bars within walking distance. This is a much nicer route than I-5, which is really boring. As to which town, I prefer Santa Cruz, but I think Monterey has better restaurants. Go for a hike through Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-109324334', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Monterey Bay Aquarium. Monterey or Santa Cruz. 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. 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. 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. 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. Monterey Hotel Deals; Both are good choices. 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. 831-372 . 5:52 pm Paso Robles eat at Niner Wine Estates stay overnight at Summerwood Winery and Inn What do you think? Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Looking for a specific place to stay? Also we are 25 & 26 and are not big wine drinkers. The seaside town of Santa Cruz is one of the coolest places in California. 7855 Monterra Oaks is an exceptional 2.72 acre private homesite boasting unobstructed panoramic ocean views of Monterey Bay, city lights and the Santa Cruz mountains. The Monterey Hotel - Historic Victorian hotel in the heart of Monterey; Santa Cruz Ocean Pacific Hotel - A no-frills hotel with a fantastic location. And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. It's among the best places to stay in Monterey, CA. 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. When you're ready to start your road trip, head to Lands End then drive south along the coast. Santa Cruz. All rights reserved. Shop until you drop at the Pacific Garden Mall. I'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to. Then you head inland a bit, still scenic though, and meet back up with the coast later. We're adjacent to Watsonville Municipal Airport, just minutes from Sunset State Beach and nearby golf courses, wineries and wildlife preserves. We were planning to stay in Monterey one night. netllama 7 yr. ago The driving time between Monterrey & Santa Cruz is about an hour. Enjoy delicious food and drinks at Red Restaurant and Bar. Your email address will not be published. Listed below are the top historic hotels in Monterey, California, that you can scroll over and book now. Spend a day basking on the sands of New Brighton State Beach. 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. Highway 1 through Santa Cruz has a lot of traffic in mornings and after 3. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Hi - I'm traveling to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Again, thank you! More information. Its fun and your younger kids would probably love it. Take State Park Drive from Hwy 1. Be sure and visit Capitola Village while in the Santa Cruz area. A great way to access transportation options in Santa Cruz is to visit www.Cruz511.org. 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. Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. A continental breakfast is also included in each reservation. Wake up early and enjoy the beautiful view of the sea, beach and wharf right from your window. The Monerey Bay Aquarium is not to miss there. I have the time but worry about the length of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Would you recommend one? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41178035', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California beaches are hot and sunny all the time. It is a great option for Santa Cruz accommodation because it has comfortable rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and free wifi. ), Bougie-coffee lover and staunch enemy of coriander; TEFL-certified language teacher, linguist, and aspiring polyglot. We stayed in Cambria overnight, it took about 4hours to get there. The Comfort Inn is centrally located near the Boardwalk, one of the best areas to stay in Santa Cruz. 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. It seems like there are lots of mom and pop hotels. Its always been a big hit with the kids in our family. 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. This charming Inn is centrally located in Santa Cruz. Monterey is more coastal and less beachy. My boyfriend & I are planning a trip to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This historic motel in Santa Cruz is one of the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. I'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to SF. 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. We like the dining scene a lot more in Monterey-Carmel, but inexpensive eats are easier to find 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 really just depends on what you are looking for. We have interest in outdoor eating, swimming/lounging on the beach, live music and natures beauty (but we're not huge hikers or anything). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77302454', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Carmel is, they roll up the sidewalks at 6pm ;-) so if you want any kind of nightlife other than a nice dinner out and perhaps drinks at a quiet bar, Monterey or Santa Cruz will be a better choice. This stunning three-star property is ideally located in La Selva Beach. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The wharf and cannery row are more prominent in Monterey, and the aquarium is a big draw. Santa Cruzs downtown district is also where youll find the local arts scene. We were in CA last June and stayed in Santa Cruz, and visited the Aquarium. Hwy 101 is nicely scenic though too. I'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to. Situated south of Downtown, the Boardwalk spans the seaside and is home to buzzing attractions, busy restaurants, and cosy cafes. Answer 1 of 15: Hi - I'm traveling to California early next August. 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. IMO, Carmel/Pacific Grove is MUCH more attractive and interesting than Santa Cruz. Re: Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. Stay the night in Carmel or Monterey and leave early for Big Sur. In this guide, weve looked at the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. You won't regret it. Guests can enjoy a heated swimming pool, free wifi and a delicious daily breakfast. Monterey (Spanish: Monterrey; Ohlone: Aacistak) is a city located in Monterey County on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on California's Central Coast. 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) Poor second cousin (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Get complete property information, maps, street view, schools, walk score and more. Also.. is Santa Cruz a better beach destination for those that actually want to spend a little time in the water? This is a good one - heavily visited, but not as busy as the main beach. We watched it that morning and DS said it was his favorite gift. Then you head inland a bit, still scenic though, and meet back up with the coast later. There is a good and informative visitor center and some great tide pools. Monterey is more diverse and touristy and you can find more moderate lodging than Carmel. 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! This room allows you to have a great home while not having to empty your bank account completely. Is there a decent midprice one? I will definitely check into the train ride. Take that one, as its beautiful and different from Highway 1. With the ages of your children, I highly suggest Santa Cruz, due to the amusement park right on the beach, the beach itself and the cute shops on the wharf. It has 63 spacious rooms, free wifi and an outdoor pool. It is especially good if this is your first time visiting. Many have recommended that we visit Carmel Beach to see all of it's beauty and enjoy the beach. Your decision sounds great! On the first leg, we are trying to decide if we should sleep in Santa Cruz or Monterrey? Escape the crowds at artsy and secluded Capitola Beach. Nobody remembers that this was happening all over the country. Highway 1 is washed out and closed. The most breathtaking part of the drive is through Big Sur, which is the stretch of coast between Cambria and Carmel. You can usually see plenty of marine wildlife from shore, especially if you go along the coastal recreation trail, which runs for miles.

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should i stay in monterey or santa cruz?