should i stay in monterey or santa cruz?

Email [emailprotected] to find out how. Tucked throughout the neighbourhood are a good variety of galleries and shops that showcase the excellent works of local artists, musicians, actors and writers. 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. Thank you for your input. Posted 2:23:02 AM. 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.). The aquarium in Monterey is a big draw, and it is very good. Just as close to everything. Find your new favourite book at the legendary Bookshop Santa Cruz. However, don't expect warm water in Santa Cruz, either. I'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to SF. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Well, dont worry because in this next section were going to break each of them down in much more detail. 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. It has pristine beaches and a laid back atmosphere, while also boasting incredible food, lively nightlife and lush natural surroundings. I would stay in Santa Cruz (or Capitola or Aptos) and then take a day trip or two to Monterey. This property has five bedrooms with great features and stunning views. Is the aquarium in Monterey worth going to? Would one be better than the other for dinner/accommodations? Another consideration is your overall plan - how many nights do you have for your drive down the coast? 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. Since youre staying two nights in Big Sur you can easily see Monterey while there. What do you think? :) Report inappropriate content november_moon San Jose, California Destination Expert for California Level Contributor 24,101 posts 138 reviews 71 helpful votes 8. Cheer on the D-League Santa Cruz Warriors or the Santa Cruz Derby Girls at the Kaiser Permanent Area. I have the time but worry about the length of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Catch a show at Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. No matter where you are in the neighbourhood, youll find yourself surrounded by great tunes. On the first leg, we are trying to decide if we should sleep in Santa Cruz or Monterrey? I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? It's myself and my husband and we are going the first week in May. Here's hoping that warms you up a bit this brisk Thursday morning. See the ruins of the S.S. Palo Alto Concrete Ship. It's a small, funky lil beach town with shops, casual restaurants & beach access. Most hotels are fully refundable. SafetyWing is convenient, cheap, and trouble-free Insurance was never this easy! And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. Carmel has two beaches, Carmel city beach and Carmel River Beach. We have interest in outdoor eating, swimming/lounging on the beach, live music and natures beauty (but we're not huge hikers or anything). Is your phone eSIM ready? The wharf and cannery row are more prominent in Monterey, and the aquarium is a big draw. Santa Cruz is the beach locals go to for sun and water activities. This contemporary hotel has comfortable rooms with excellent features and amenities. KSCO Live Show: 831-479-1080 KSCO Office: 831-475-1080 Important! 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. Highway 1 through Santa Cruz has a lot of traffic in mornings and after 3. 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. Alternatively, you may use, http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts. 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. In Santa Cruz, I have it tentatively narrowed down to the Holiday Inn Express or the Best Western. 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. Avila Beach is warm in that area. Travel south from here and youll arrive in the busy and buzzing Boardwalk neighbourhood. Both places are fun and beautiful with a lot to see! This excellent three-star hotel is set in central Midtown, one of the best places in Santa Cruz to stay for nightlife. It is one of the most . Want more deetz on why we love itso damn much? I would choose one location and spend 2 nights. Take the second exit out of the roundabout, and follow the signs to Pebble Beach. Enjoy delicious food and drinks at Red Restaurant and Bar. Best 3-Star/4-Star Hotels in Monterey. This delightful hotel is one of the best places in Santa Cruz to stay in because it has a great central location. This hotel has 49 cosy, clean and comfortable rooms. There is a popular surfing spot at Lighthouse Field. 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. The outdoor area is shared with the other unit but offers a cute patio and a BBQ. Explore the streets, shops and bars of colourful Capitola Village. Again, thank you! For a vacation rental option, try this South Lake Union condo near the Space Needle ( from $160/night ). Go for a hike through Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. Should we. Take 101, it's much more pleasant than I-5. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. It has the most cultural attractions in Santa Cruz and loads of cool places to check out. It has great shopping, delicious dining, buzzing nightlife and some of the most beautiful beaches in the state. Fun place! These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Santa Cruz. Address: 652 Cannery Row, Monterey City Center, Monterey (CA), United States, 93940. 1 big room with queen bed and a futon in the living room that turns into a bed. Rooms from $159/night, book on Booking.com or Hotels.com. It was incredible. It is comprised of 16 modern rooms with an excellent array of amenities and features. Your first stop should be the classic Californian beach town of Santa Cruz. More posts you may like r/travel Join 9 days ago What are some unique activities that you think are worth traveling for? Browse the incredible and creative exhibits at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History. Be aware that the hosts live next door with their well-behaved dog (previous guests loved him). Sip seaside cocktails at Bay Bar and Grill. Capitola is a beachside neighbourhood bursting with a European flair. When is your trip planned for? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. I concur with november moon. 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). :). more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic booooring. We arrive Monday afternoon and leave Saturday morning out of the San Francisco airport. 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. Spend another night closer to Santa Barbara. Id say Santa Cruz is aimed at a younger audience. But because it is farther out, it is great for beach combing because there aren't as many people - sometimes very few people. You won't regret it. Would you recommend one? 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. Your decision sounds great! 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. This charming hotel is an excellent place to make your base in Capitola because there are plenty of shopping, dining and nightlife options nearby. It is the bordering town to Monterey. Theres also an outdoor swimming pool and a Jacuzzi. Close, Where to Stay in Santa Cruz, California (2023 COOLEST Areas! 10:00 am start in Santa Cruz drive for about 47 minutes. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77278932', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Carmel and point Lobos and Pacific grove and Monterey and Elkhorn Slough there is a lot on the peninsula, And between SC and its burbs and redwood parks and the state parks and downtown SC one can easily spend a few days in SC, Do keep an eye on the big Sur fire around the end of this month. The most breathtaking part of the drive is through Big Sur, which is the stretch of coast between Cambria and Carmel. It seems like there are lots of mom and pop hotels. Located in the best position, you wont have to walk far to the main hotspots youll definitely enjoy your time at this place. Compare 580 hotels in Santa Cruz using 17,179 real guest reviews. 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. Both areas have a lot to do. The very next year there were bare feet and jeans and long hair and granny dresses. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63172030', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car ride. It is especially good if this is your first time visiting. Set at the heart of the city, this hotel is a short walk to great dining, nightlife, shopping and sightseeing options. More information. Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. 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. Inside its quaint Victorian facade lie 69 well-appointed rooms, some of which are pet-friendly, too. You can pretty much expect all indoor attractions to be closed until conditions improve markedly. Listen to live music at the Kuumbwa Jazz Centre. Santa Cruz. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. Re: Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? 400 plus pictures, but I digress. Of course, Henry Cowell state park is closer to Santa Cruz, so SC would be more convenient for that. Right now Highway 1 isn't passable through the Big Sur area due to a road wash out. Thanks! 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. 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. We stayed in Cambria overnight, it took about 4hours to get there. And yes, the water is cold. It is world class. Each room comes complete with a minibar, kitchenette and wireless internet access. Get excited here are our best recommendations for where to stay in Santa Cruz, California, USA. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. The Ritz Carlton - If you can afford it then this is the place to stay. With over 14 state parks, wineries, museums, farmer's markets, surfing, shopping, and family fun activities, there are plenty of things to do. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? In this Santa Cruz neighbourhood guide, well look at the best places to stay based on what you want to do. Even if your kids don''t surf, it is fascinating to watch tht surfers from the bluff. Walking distance from the famous pier but you can rent bikes form them as well. Continue travelling east along the coast to Capitola. Take State Park Drive from Hwy 1. Shop until you drop at the Pacific Garden Mall. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Guests can enjoy a variety of on-site amenities, like a swimming pool and free wifi. We were planning to stay in Monterey one night. Thanks all! It is a laid-back and funky town that offers great restaurants, independent shops, lively nightlife and some of the best beaches in the state. It also boasts plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and landmarks. $209. 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. Your laptop deserves a proper pack, and we know a good few! We saw the Hearst Castle. Also, I'm thinking of staying at the Best Western in Morro Bay. Santa Cruzs Boardwalk neighbourhood is one of the liveliest and most vibrant districts in the city. I think Monterey probably has the edge for lodging and restaurants within walking distance to more lodging. Santa Cruz is one of Californias best-kept secrets. Walk the tiny .6-mile-long . 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. Like Kibblesmom said, they are only 45 minutes apart. I don't know Santa Cruz beaches well enough to speak with authority, but Monterey Peninsula area beaches aren't especially safe for swimming. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! We took 101 from LA to Canbria and it was just a gorgeous drive..I wouldn't have imagined that. We also like pit stops - a couple things we were looking at to pit stop are Hearst Castle, Madonna Inn. Is there a decent midprice one? This is also the best area in Santa Cruz to stay in for nightlife. Carmel Beach is beautiful for romantic walks and just enjoying the view, but the water is cold and rip currents are common. Santa Cruz has a hippie vibe downtown. The best one is the Best Western Plus All Suites Inn, further down on Ocean Street. 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. A big construction project is starting on the bridge over the Santa Cruz harbor in September. The Municipal Wharf is near the Boardwalk and Stagnaro Bros. takes boats out on the Bay for whale watching. Right now we have a hotel booked for SF so we will definitely start there.. but I'm flexible to make changes after spending 1 or 2 days in SF. A couple, family w/kids, etc ? Even the hostels in Santa Barbara are upscale. 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. What is the most breathtaking part of hwy 1? They are adjacent. Kickstart your day with a filling and delicious breakfast at Zeldas. 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. There are some nice restaurants but not as many as Monterey or Carmel. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. Browse the tiny but interesting Aptos History Museum. It was incredible. I can't tell you the length of time from Cambria to Santa Cruz as we stopped along the way for pics and had lunch at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I always put up overflow family at the Holiday Inn Express during Thanksgiving and Christmas. 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-63172993', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Nepenthe. Do you have any recommendations? We watched it that morning and DS said it was his favorite gift. Instead, buy an eSIM! All rights reserved. There is a good and informative visitor center and some great tide pools. You can whale watch from either town. I'd love to see that hippie vibe back in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Privacy can be the best cure for a hangover, which is why we chose this Airbnb for all of the nightlife enthusiasts. Visiting the coolest area of Santa Cruz requires staying at an even cooler place. 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. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs nearby, and the beach is just a short walk away. But, despite its small size, choosing the best neighbourhood to stay in Santa Cruz can be a challenge.