And it is farther from stuff. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77301030', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Cruz! When is your trip planned for? Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Also, I'm thinking of staying at the Best Western in Morro Bay. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. I'd love to see that hippie vibe back in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? To find warm water beaches in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? And let us not overlook Ostrichland in Buellton. Capitola (12 answers) 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. But, despite its small size, choosing the best neighbourhood to stay in Santa Cruz can be a challenge. There are no "hippies". 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. Aptos is our top pick for families. My biggest problem is finding rooms that accommodate 6. Youre connected. In short, Santa Cruz is without a doubt one of Californias best-kept secrets. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63172030', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car ride. We watched it that morning and DS said it was his favorite gift. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77279322', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Monterey and Santa Cruz are only 45 minutes apart, you can easily stay in one and visit the other, if you wish. Its always been a big hit with the kids in our family. It is only a few years old and is a very nice hotel. :) Can anyone help me figure out what is the best way to plan this?? 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. The aquarium in Monterey is a big draw, and it is very good. Thanks everyone for the tips and recommendations. Driving from LA to Monterey - First time - help. 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. If you do choose to spend the night in Santa Cruz, then you can see Monterey on your way to Big Sur. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. Our decision now is what to do with the THREE DAYS we have. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41178810', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California you have to be south of Point Conception, which is just north of Santa Barbara. The very next year there were bare feet and jeans and long hair and granny dresses. Sip seaside cocktails at Bay Bar and Grill. It is worth a half day plus to go to Monterey, see the acquarium, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Splash, swim and play at Rio del Mar beach. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. 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. The other difference between the areas you mention is that Carmel is higher-end real estate. Are there a lot of must dos in Santa Cruz? Keep in mind that as beautiful as (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Be aware that the hosts live next door with their well-behaved dog (previous guests loved him). Monterey. It is only a few years old and is a very nice hotel. The room is spacious, with a comfy bed and has a private bathroom. 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. Spend another night closer to Santa Barbara. This hotel has 49 cosy, clean and comfortable rooms. The first class of the University of Santa Cruz campus in 1965 appeared in chinos and skirts and cashmere sweaters. I would also suggest a visit to the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? What do you think? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. Have a fun trip! One of the coolest places to stay in Santa Cruz, Capitola is packed with incredible things to see and explore. 1 big room with queen bed and a futon in the living room that turns into a bed. Monterey or Santa Cruz. Seattle's most famous hotel, The Edgewater, is right along the waterfront, and a perfect way to relax before a long multi-day drive. Browse the buzzing Sunday Art & Music at the Beach events throughout the summer. Santa Cruz is more beachy - lots of wide, sandy beaches, a good surf culture, historic seaside amusement park, eclectic downtown, etc. Also, I'm thinking of staying at the Best Western in Morro Bay. Wake up early and enjoy the beautiful view of the sea, beach and wharf right from your window. You could also visit nearby Carmel which is one of our favorite towns on the CA coast. It was incredible. 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 Santa Cruzs Boardwalk neighbourhood is one of the liveliest and most vibrant districts in the city. 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. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? It has a eucalyptus grove where Monarch butterflies stay over the winter when they are migrating. 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. We have been to several large aquariums over the years just not that one. As a member of our team, you can too.We haveSee this and similar jobs on LinkedIn. Youll find plenty of bars, shops, restaurants, and the beach is within walking distance. 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. 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. We know about the road - we are going go around the long way to Paso Robles to miss the construction.. On the first leg, we are trying to decide if we should sleep in Santa Cruz or Monterrey? The Monerey Bay Aquarium is not to miss there. Listen to live music at the Kuumbwa Jazz Centre. Downtown is a large neighbourhood located in central Santa Cruz. Browse the tiny but interesting Aptos History Museum. I would take Hwy 101 north to San Luis Obispo and pick up Hwy 1 there. 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. For Sale - 7855 Monterra Oaks Rd, Monterey, CA - $1,900,000. Monterey is more coastal and less beachy. You might want to consider two adjoining rooms. There may be homeless, but they are everywhere now. What is the makeup of your party? Id say Santa Cruz is aimed at a younger audience. Our Trip started in Santa Monica ending in SF. Want to be featured in our list? Our decision now is what to do with the THREE DAYS we have. Pop by the La Selva Library, which regularly hosts family-friendly events. We also like pit stops - a couple things we were looking at to pit stop are Hearst Castle, Madonna Inn. They won't hurt yu. Visiting the coolest area of Santa Cruz requires staying at an even cooler place. I hesitate to recommend either based on "must-sees" since that is such a personal decision. Should we. Mar 5 - Mar 6. . We saw the Hearst Castle. It's among the best places to stay in Monterey, CA. What is your next planned stop and how many days/nights total do you have for the coastal section of your trip? Both areas have a lot to do. Also, can any give me some input on hwy1 from LA up to San Simeon. Most hotels are fully refundable. In Santa Cruz, you can travel from the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to the Redwoods without a car. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Monterey is more coastal than beachy, if that makes sense. It's a small, funky lil beach town with shops, casual restaurants & beach access. Walking distance from the famous pier but you can rent bikes form them as well. 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. Explore the streets, shops and bars of colourful Capitola Village. For Dead Doctors Don't Lie Use: 888-379-2552 Visitors to Santa Cruz particularly seem to like the entertainment choices and beaches, which are great ways to discover the local area. It offers easy access to shops, restaurants and bars, and is close to the beach. It seems like there are lots of mom and pop hotels. In Santa Cruz, in addition to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, there is the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Still not sure which of Santa Cruzs best neighbourhoods is right for you? Since you have plenty of time for the trip from SF to LA, distance isn't a factor. So its up to you what you want to do. Santa Cruz is more beachy - lots of wide, sandy beaches, a good surf culture, historic seaside amusement park, eclectic downtown, etc. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77282033', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Monterey/Carmel area. 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. The Santa Cruz area includes the towns of Santa Cruz, Aptos, Capitola, and Soquel. The Monerey Bay Aquarium is not to miss there. I was trying to give a VERY general description as to how the areas differ. 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. Pacific Grove is a really cute town right in between with bunches of Bed and Breakfasts. More than 200 films have been shot in Monterey County, and it's now home to HBO's acclaimed Big Little Lies. Thanks! What is the most breathtaking part of hwy 1? Dine on delicious dishes at 100 Mile Meals, a concept restaurant that only uses local goods. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. This is a much nicer route than I-5, which is really boring. If you have a map, start at the San Lorenzo River and go south the the Yacht Harbor. Grab a drink at the Asti, an old-school dive bar. netllama 7 yr. ago The driving time between Monterrey & Santa Cruz is about an hour. Both SC and Monterey have good options for dinner and good lodging. And it is farther from stuff. Want more deetz on why we love itso damn much? We really appreciate & are super excited about our adventure! 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We have been to several large aquariums over the years just not that one. Visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Roaring Camp Railroads, the Santa Cruz Wharf, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and other . Like Kibblesmom said, they are only 45 minutes apart. There is one near the Holiday Inn Express, which is on Ocean Street which leads into town and one at the Boardwalk. Feast on fresh and delicious seafood and more at Stagnaro Bros. Go for a stroll along the Santa Cruz Wharf and spot local wildlife like sea lions, whales, birds and more. Enjoy a great selection of sweet and savoury dishes at the Crepe Place, a longstanding Santa Cruz favourite. I always put up overflow family at the Holiday Inn Express during Thanksgiving and Christmas. And conversely, if you choose to stay in Monterey, you can see SC on the way there. The reviews on Tripadvisor are not encouraging. If youre still not sure where to stay in Santa Cruz, consider checking out these amazing treehouses in California! Manresa isn't as good for swimming though. The city of Santa Cruz boasts a string of sandy beaches and a historic wharf. Highway 1 Gate: This 17-Mile Drive entrance is off of exit 399A. This is north of the Boardwalk area. We were in CA last June and stayed in Santa Cruz, and visited the Aquarium. Satisfy your sweet tooth with delicious salt-water taffy. We arrive Monday afternoon and leave Saturday morning out of the San Francisco airport. Shop for everything from souvenirs to fine art and pottery in Rio del Mar. It's possible to stay anywhere in the area and get to everything else fairly fast. Santa Cruz is more of a classic CA beach town with a surf culture and an eclectic downtown. I would have a hard time finding stuff to . In Santa Cruz, in addition to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, there is the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I would chose whichever town seems like the best fit for what you want to do and see. 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 . I've just now been informed that the beach isn't really safe to swim in. The Best Western in Aptos is one of our best recommendation for where to stay in Santa Cruz for families. 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. It is comprised of 16 modern rooms with an excellent array of amenities and features. So whether youre looking to relax, surf, eat or party, Santa Cruz is a city that has something amazing for travellers of all ages, styles and even budgets. Here youll find a vast array of independent boutiques, delicious restaurants, charming inns and lively bars. We also love seeing wildlife. The best one is the Best Western Plus All Suites Inn, further down on Ocean Street. That was sort of cool to see. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? Rooms from $159/night, book on Booking.com or Hotels.com. Part of the trip will include a trip up hwy 1. Our Trip started in Santa Monica ending in SF. This contemporary hotel has comfortable rooms with excellent features and amenities. As to which town, I prefer Santa Cruz, but I think Monterey has better restaurants. If approved by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Association, the new sanctuary will provide the missing link in a chain of . Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California - Located deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains, it is California's oldest state park. There are several Best Westerns in town. Also.. is Santa Cruz a better beach destination for those that actually want to spend a little time in the water? Hwy 101 is nicely scenic though too. Thanks SO much :). 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). The Municipal Wharf is near the Boardwalk and Stagnaro Bros. takes boats out on the Bay for whale watching. Set in central California, Santa Cruz is the epitome of west coast cool. However, don't expect warm water in Santa Cruz, either. Oceana Inn Santa Cruz is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. 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. Even if your kids don''t surf, it is fascinating to watch tht surfers from the bluff. I have the time but worry about the length of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There are no modern hippies. It'll be cheaper. With over 14 state parks, wineries, museums, farmer's markets, surfing, shopping, and family fun activities, there are plenty of things to do. Another consideration is your overall plan - how many nights do you have for your drive down the coast? $209. Is the aquarium in Monterey worth going to? We saw the Hearst Castle. No matter where you are in the neighbourhood, youll find yourself surrounded by great tunes. See Bixby Creek Bridge, hike McWay Falls, spend time at San Dollar Beach before reaching San Luis Obispo for the night. The Municipal Wharf is near the Boardwalk and Stagnaro Bros. takes boats out on the Bay for whale watching. Earn free nights and get our Price Guarantee - booking has never been easier on Hotels.com! You won't regret it. Santa Cruz and its neighboring towns stretch along 6 miles at the northern edge of the Monterey Bay. Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop! We are even usually warmer that Pismo Beach because our beaches face south. The downtown areass of Monterey and Carmel are nicer. Carmel has some very nice places to stay.
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