should i stay in monterey or santa cruz?
The most breathtaking part of the drive is through Big Sur, which is the stretch of coast between Cambria and Carmel. I've put together a San Francisco city guide to give you some ideas. But, despite its small size, choosing the best neighbourhood to stay in Santa Cruz can be a challenge. If approved by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Association, the new sanctuary will provide the missing link in a chain of . A couple, family w/kids, etc ? Heres what people usually ask us about the areas of Santa Cruz and where to stay. It is only a few years old and is a very nice hotel. Hotel in Watsonville, CA | Comfort Inn Official Site | Comfort Inn If you can, stop there for a bite to eat. It also offers easy access to the beach as well as many of Santa Cruzs most famous attractions and landmarks. However, you do not have to choose where to stay based on the aquarium, as Santa Cruz and Monterey are only about 45 minutes apart. 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 . And let us not overlook Ostrichland in Buellton. Set in central California, Santa Cruz is the epitome of west coast cool. There are no modern hippies. Santa Cruz County vs. Monterey County: Who Ya Got? | Good Times 400 plus pictures, but I digress. 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. Find your new favourite book at the legendary Bookshop Santa Cruz. In Santa Cruz, in addition to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, there is the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. Also we are 25 & 26 and are not big wine drinkers. Santa Cruz has a hippie vibe downtown. Stay in Monterey or Carmel. Seriously. It will be warmer here, so if you want a beach day this is your place. Is It Better To Stay In Santa Cruz Or Monterey? - TravelMagma We have been to several large aquariums over the years just not that one. 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. Browse the buzzing Sunday Art & Music at the Beach events throughout the summer. Close, Where to Stay in Santa Cruz, California (2023 COOLEST Areas! It is worth a half day plus to go to Monterey, see the acquarium, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? In this Santa Cruz neighbourhood guide, well look at the best places to stay based on what you want to do. It has large rooms with air conditioning, private bathroom and contemporary amenities. I would take Hwy 101 north to San Luis Obispo and pick up Hwy 1 there. I live downtown and walk Pacific Avenue regularly. And conversely, if you choose to stay in Monterey, you can see SC on the way there. Monterey has a temperate climate, with a short, intense rainy season. Both are stunningly beautiful, but the city beach is safer than the River beach. Monterey Tourism Monterey Hotels Monterey Guest House Monterey Holiday Homes Monterey Holiday Packages Monterey Flights . Rooms from $159/night, book on Booking.com or Hotels.com. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? Alternatively, you may use, http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts. Drink fresh and handcrafted beers at the Seabright Brewery. My biggest problem is finding rooms that accommodate 6. 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. Best Areas to Stay in Santa Cruz Santa Cruz is a quintessential California beach town, facing the Pacific some 70 miles south of San Francisco. :) Report inappropriate content november_moon San Jose, California Destination Expert for California Level Contributor 24,123 posts 138 reviews 71 helpful votes 8. 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. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. :) Can anyone help me figure out what is the best way to plan this?? Keep in mind that as beautiful as (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? Like Kibblesmom said, they are only 45 minutes apart. Oceana Inn Santa Cruz is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. Get answers to your questions about Monterey, Monterey Peninsula Trip Report w/photos. Show more. My plan now is to drive up from Pasadena to San Simeon via hwy 5 and then pick up hwy 1. Alternatively, you may use, Holiday Inn Express Monterey-Cannery Row, an IHG Hotel, InterContinental the Clement Monterey, an IHG Hotel. 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. 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. You understand you can't drive the coast LA to SF, right? at the end of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Also, I'm thinking of staying at the Best Western in Morro Bay. What is your next planned stop and how many days/nights total do you have for the coastal section of your trip? For a vacation rental option, try this South Lake Union condo near the Space Needle ( from $160/night ). 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. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? Even at its warmest, the ocean along the California coast remains cool compared to beaches in the tropics or even Florida. 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. It's a small, funky lil beach town with shops, casual restaurants & beach access. netllama 7 yr. ago The driving time between Monterrey & Santa Cruz is about an hour. Spend a day basking on the sands of New Brighton State Beach. Thanks everyone for the tips and recommendations. Enjoy an awesome meal with a great view at Sanderlings Restaurant. We were planning to stay in Monterey one night. Is there a decent midprice one? 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. Is Monterey safer? Poor second cousin (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There are loads of places that are great for family days out, and of course, the beach. Highway 1 is washed out and closed. Is Santa Cruz safe? The main beach is right off the Boardwalk and next to the wharf - this will be the most crowded, but it has the Boardwalk there, so a lot of fun. Monterey (Spanish: Monterrey; Ohlone: Aacistak) is a city located in Monterey County on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on California's Central Coast. It seems like there are lots of mom and pop hotels. Not true. Should I: Stay at a hotel in Santa Cruz?. Stay the night in Carmel or Monterey and leave early for Big Sur. You might want to consider two adjoining rooms. Its always been a big hit with the kids in our family. You also have the Boardwalk, which is a seaside amusement park - rides, including an historic wooden roller coaster, games, waffle cones. Rooms come complete with A/C and include refrigerators. Hwy 101 is nicely scenic though too. Since you have plenty of time for the trip from SF to LA, distance isn't a factor. 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. I would also use this term to describe the Haight Ashbury neighborhood generically. Both are good choices. Theres also a laundry service and pool on-site. It is comprised of 16 modern rooms with an excellent array of amenities and features. Big Sur Closed -- Should we stay in Santa Cruz or Monterey?? - Santa Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. The Best Western is ideally located in Capitola, Santa Cruzs best neighbourhood for hipsters, trendsetters and cool kids. All amenities are in great condition, the beach is right around the corner and the living area is perfect to gather the whole family for dinner after a long and exciting day. Top Hotels in Santa Cruz, CA from $60 - Expedia Flora Vista Inn is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. 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 beach is wide and good for walking. And yes, the water is cold. Since youre staying two nights in Big Sur you can easily see Monterey while there. Is your phone eSIM ready? Another good beach is Seacliff State Beach in Aptos. These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Santa Cruz. 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. 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. Email [emailprotected] to find out how. However, just to confuse things I believe that they have merged the two into "Twin Lakes State Beach". Eat incredible and fresh seafood, pasta and more at Caf Rio. Located in Santa Cruz, California, 10 minutes from Lighthouse Field State Beach, this hotel features an outdoor pool, a sauna, and bright, contemporary rooms with a 42-inch flat-screen TV. What is the most breathtaking part of hwy 1? And it is farther from stuff. View details, map and photos of this residential lots property with 0 bedrooms and 0 total baths. Two of the most popular beach(es) in Santa Cruz itself are Seabright and Twin Lakes. Thanks! We were in CA last June and stayed in Santa Cruz, and visited the Aquarium. Surf City Inn & Suites is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. 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. Or spend a night or two in both to maximize your time on the coast. 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). 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. Highway 1 Gate: This 17-Mile Drive entrance is off of exit 399A. 1190 WARREN DR, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 - montereybayprop.com Currently we have the below planned. The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Planner Spend another night closer to Santa Barbara. Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. It is known for its European style houses, cosy cafes, and luxe restaurants, which is why Aptos is one of the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. Guests can enjoy a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, laundry facilities, a golf course and a restaurant. Santa Cruz does have a scenic ocean area like Monterey and Carmel. Exclusive Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Vacation Deals Highway 1 Road Trip: Overnight stay in Monterey vs. Santa Cruz Part of the trip will include a trip up hwy 1. Would you recommend one? 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. Be sure and visit Capitola Village while in the Santa Cruz area. Comfort Inn - Watsonville CA Hotel - Book Today! Your email address will not be published. One night in each is a lot of moving without covering much distance. This charming hotel is an excellent place to make your base in Capitola because there are plenty of shopping, dining and nightlife options nearby. Located in the heart of Monterey Bay between Santa Cruz and Monterey, 4 miles inland of Moss Landing, 20 miles from Santa Cruz and 15-18 miles from Monterey and Carmel. Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor Splash, swim and play at Rio del Mar beach. It also boasts plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and landmarks. They are adjacent. Monterey is a quintessential north California ocean town in the USA and has a great population of marine wildlife and fresh seafood. Henry Cowell is 15 minutes away. InterContinental The Clement Monterey (from USD 304) The oceanfront views from the InterContinental Clement Monterey will absolutely take your breath away. Kickstart your day with a filling and delicious breakfast at Zeldas. I have the time but worry about the length of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Half Moon Bay. The other difference between the areas you mention is that Carmel is higher-end real estate. 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. It is centrally located and within walking distance of the beach. The outdoor area is shared with the other unit but offers a cute patio and a BBQ. The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary (2022) Posted 2:23:02 AM. Would one be better than the other for dinner/accommodations? Once you hit Ventura, then you'll be on the coast through Santa Barbara. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:21 pm drive for about 5 minutes 4:26 pm arrive in Monterey stay at Mission Ranch Hotel driving 1.5 hours Change your route From: To: Alternate route Enter a city to drive through, or find all trips from Santa Cruz to Monterey. Breakfast options. This hotel has 49 cosy, clean and comfortable rooms. What's it like to live in Carmel or Monterey on the Pacific - Quora To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. We saw the Hearst Castle. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. It is the bordering town to Monterey. The first class of the University of Santa Cruz campus in 1965 appeared in chinos and skirts and cashmere sweaters. Carmel has two beaches, Carmel city beach and Carmel River Beach. We love Capitola. Driving the coast from SF to LA. Required fields are marked *. Mornings going north, afternoon going south. Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. You won't regret it. How do I get from San Jose to Santa Cruz without a car? - 2023 Rooms are equipped with A/C and also feature hair dryers, showers and ceiling fans. Tucked throughout the neighbourhood are a good variety of galleries and shops that showcase the excellent works of local artists, musicians, actors and writers. The Monterey Hotel - Historic Victorian hotel in the heart of Monterey; Santa Cruz Ocean Pacific Hotel - A no-frills hotel with a fantastic location. Monterey. Id say Santa Cruz is aimed at a younger audience. Would you recommend one? The price is $209 per night. Want to be featured in our list? The Monterey Hotel (from USD 112) Come and experience full-blown comfort at The Monterey Hotel. There are several Best Westerns in town. Well, dont worry because in this next section were going to break each of them down in much more detail. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Are there a lot of must dos in Santa Cruz? 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. Carmel has some very nice places to stay. 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. Should I drive hwy 1 that part of the journey? Monterey, Carmel or Santa Cruz - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums The Best Western in Aptos is one of our best recommendation for where to stay in Santa Cruz for families.
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should i stay in monterey or santa cruz?