Thanks! Your first stop should be the classic Californian beach town of Santa Cruz. Midtown is an eclectic neighbourhood located east of the city centre. 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. 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. Browse the buzzing Sunday Art & Music at the Beach events throughout the summer. Located at the north end of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is a relaxed and laid-back city known as a counterculture and artistic hub with a bohemian feel and youthful vibes. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77301030', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Cruz! The first class of the University of Santa Cruz campus in 1965 appeared in chinos and skirts and cashmere sweaters. Is your phone eSIM ready? A continental breakfast is also included in each reservation. InterContinental The Clement Monterey (from USD 304) The oceanfront views from the InterContinental Clement Monterey will absolutely take your breath away. It is a really vibrant and colourful area of Santa Barbara, and it reallys really unique. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. Via: Where should I stop along the way? 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. The beautiful interior design will make you feel comfortable and at home. HI-Santa Cruz Hostel is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. More information. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads usingthis link. Either on your way to Big Sur, part of your day in Big Sur or on your way to 101. The home is incredibly airy and bright, equipped with only high-quality amenities and comfy furniture. 5:52 pm Paso Robles eat at Niner Wine Estates stay overnight at Summerwood Winery and Inn We stayed in Cambria overnight, it took about 4hours to get there. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Both are good choices. In short, Santa Cruz is without a doubt one of California's best-kept secrets. Not true. Breakfast options. In Santa Cruz, in addition to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, there is the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It is one of the most . It's among the best places to stay in Monterey, CA. Walking in Carmel reminded me of being in a European town with it's interesting storefronts, side streets and small nooks and crannies. Escape the crowds at artsy and secluded Capitola Beach. I would chose whichever town seems like the best fit for what you want to do and see. Each room comes complete with a minibar, kitchenette and wireless internet access. The best one is the Best Western Plus All Suites Inn, further down on Ocean Street. Don't know if your kids would be that interested in that, mine were 20 and 17 so it was different for us. Aptos is our top pick for families. Visit the free-admission Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for a day of fun, games, rides, sweets, treats and so much more. The most breathtaking part of the drive is through Big Sur, which is the stretch of coast between Cambria and Carmel. The aquarium in Monterey is VERY worth going to. Its fun and your younger kids would probably love it. Shop until you drop at the Pacific Garden Mall. 1. Maybe that's why he's in love with the Andes, where you'll find him in the local cafs ordering the. Feast on mouthwatering pub fare at 99 Bottles Restaurant & Pub. Kickstart your day with a filling and delicious breakfast at Zeldas. Part of the trip will include a trip up hwy 1. Required fields are marked *. We really appreciate & are super excited about our adventure! 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. My biggest problem is finding rooms that accommodate 6. Best deals for Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77290577', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Monterey and Santa Cruz gets a lot of traffic especially on weekends. :) Report inappropriate content november_moon San Jose, California Destination Expert for California Level Contributor 24,123 posts 138 reviews 71 helpful votes 8. Carmel is next to Monterey, which is a quaint upscale village with plenty of nice restaurants, boutiques, and tasting rooms. Monterey Tourism Monterey Hotels Monterey Guest House Monterey Holiday Homes Monterey Holiday Packages Monterey Flights . My plan now is to drive up from Pasadena to San Simeon via hwy 5 and then pick up hwy 1. See Bixby Creek Bridge, hike McWay Falls, spend time at San Dollar Beach before reaching San Luis Obispo for the night. Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruises A humpback whale breaches in Monterey Bay. I was trying to give a VERY general description as to how the areas differ. 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. Enjoy delicious food and drinks at Red Restaurant and Bar. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? 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. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. 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. It's possible to stay anywhere in the area and get to everything else fairly fast. The Monterey Hotel - Historic Victorian hotel in the heart of Monterey; Santa Cruz Ocean Pacific Hotel - A no-frills hotel with a fantastic location. Close, Where to Stay in Santa Cruz, California (2023 COOLEST Areas! There are plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs nearby, and the beach is just a short walk away. More than 200 films have been shot in Monterey County, and it's now home to HBO's acclaimed Big Little Lies. We have been to several large aquariums over the years just not that one. What do you think? More posts you may like r/travel Join 9 days ago What are some unique activities that you think are worth traveling for? Both places are fun and beautiful with a lot to see! 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. 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. 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. Compare 580 hotels in Santa Cruz using 17,179 real guest reviews. Is there a decent midprice one? We also like pit stops - a couple things we were looking at to pit stop are Hearst Castle, Madonna Inn. It has the most cultural attractions in Santa Cruz and loads of cool places to check out. Our Trip started in Santa Monica ending in SF. Downtown Santa Cruz is the best neighbourhood in Santa Crus to stay in if youre visiting for the first time. Eat incredible and fresh seafood, pasta and more at Caf Rio. 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. 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. Founded on June 3, 1770, it was the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico. Show more. It offers easy access throughout the neighbourhood and is close to restaurants, the beach and bars. Santa Cruz and its neighboring towns stretch along 6 miles at the northern edge of the Monterey Bay. Youll find plenty of bars, shops, restaurants, and the beach is within walking distance. Also, can any give me some input on hwy1 from LA up to San Simeon. It really just depends on what you are looking for. I think between (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The wharf and cannery row are more prominent in Monterey, and the aquarium is a big draw. 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. If you choose Santa Cruz, check rates at the Dream Inn or Sea and Sand. tour along the Highway 1 from San Francisco to LA? 400 plus pictures, but I digress. 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'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. Situated south of Downtown, the Boardwalk spans the seaside and is home to buzzing attractions, busy restaurants, and cosy cafes. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. It's myself and my husband and we are going the first week in May. Monterey Properties; Santa Clara Properties; Santa Cruz Properties; Fresno Properties; Short Term Rentals; List Your Rental; Residents; Owners; Contact; Blog; FAQs; Pay Rent. Would you recommend one? Spend another night closer to Santa Barbara. Things to Do. This delightful hotel is one of the best places in Santa Cruz to stay in because it has a great central location. With over 14 state parks, wineries, museums, farmer's markets, surfing, shopping, and family fun activities, there are plenty of things to do. The price is $209 per night. Id say Santa Cruz is aimed at a younger audience. We're adjacent to Watsonville Municipal Airport, just minutes from Sunset State Beach and nearby golf courses, wineries and wildlife preserves. However, don't expect warm water in Santa Cruz, either. Re: Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? Want to be featured in our list? 10:47 am Monterey stay for about 4 hours and leave at 2:47 pm drive for about 1 hour. I find people to be friendly, generally. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-109324334', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Monterey Bay Aquarium. Monterey is best for families and budget-conscious travellers, while Carmel is best for couples, foodies and shoppers. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Visiting the coolest area of Santa Cruz requires staying at an even cooler place. Guests can enjoy a heated swimming pool, free wifi and a delicious daily breakfast. And conversely, if you choose to stay in Monterey, you can see SC on the way there. 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. 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. There are beaches, but the coastline is more rocky, which is beautiful and means that you have more opportunity to see sea animals. Carmel has some very nice places to stay. Should we. Downtown is a large neighbourhood located in central Santa Cruz. You might want to consider two adjoining rooms. Monterey is more coastal and less beachy. I don't know Santa Cruz beaches well enough to speak with authority, but Monterey Peninsula area beaches aren't especially safe for swimming. These are our 3 favourite hotels in Santa Cruz: Rio Vista Inn & Suites Comfort Inn Boardwalk Hyatt Place Santa Cruz. Los Angeles to Monterey via Hwy 101/1 - concerns Best places to eat in Monterey and or Carmel area, Holiday Inn Express Monterey-Cannery Row, an IHG Hotel, InterContinental the Clement Monterey, an IHG Hotel. 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.