Take 101, it's much more pleasant than I-5. Take a photo at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay for some great memories without a hefty price tag. Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Monterey are adjacent to one another.Santa Cruz would be further north. The beautiful interior design will make you feel comfortable and at home. 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. 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. Hwy 101 is nicely scenic though too. We saw the Hearst Castle. Paso Robles, San Simeon, Morro Bay and Pismo Beach are all within an hour of each other. 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. Have a fun trip! Re: Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? Hi - I'm traveling to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Downtown Santa Cruz is the best neighbourhood in Santa Crus to stay in if youre visiting for the first time. It has a great central location and is within walking distance of bars, bistros and the beach. You can whale watch from either town. Hearst Castle is currently closed due to COVID. Answer 1 of 19: Driving the coast from SF to LA. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63172030', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car ride. There are several Best Westerns in town. The Vagabond's House Hotel Abrego Tradewinds Carmel Spindrift Inn Cypress Inn Tickle Pink Inn. Theres also an outdoor swimming pool and a Jacuzzi. Also, can any give me some input on hwy1 from LA up to San Simeon. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. ISO Ocean front rental or hotel in the Monterey area. Maybe that's why he's in love with the Andes, where you'll find him in the local cafs ordering the. Best Boutique Hotels in Monterey. 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 ? Natural Bridges and other beach parks. Thanks all! You might want to consider two adjoining rooms. 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. What is the makeup of your party? Sip drinks and enjoy cheap bars games at lively One Double Oh Seven Club. I'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to. Once you hit Ventura, then you'll be on the coast through Santa Barbara. It is comprised of 16 modern rooms with an excellent array of amenities and features. The seaside town of Santa Cruz is one of the coolest places in California. Part of the trip will include a trip up hwy 1. The Rio Vista Inn is our favourite hotel in Santa Cruz. Theres also a large, fully-stocked kitchen. 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 first class of the University of Santa Cruz campus in 1965 appeared in chinos and skirts and cashmere sweaters. Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. I'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to. Answer 11 of 15: Hi - I'm traveling to California early next August. The Broke Backpacker's Head of Administration, Art hails from North Florida where the elevation fails to reach even 5 meters. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. We were planning to stay in Monterey one night. Thank you for your input. With all of the educational institutions we have, it has an international feel to it, and many good restaurants. 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. Right now Highway 1 isn't passable through the Big Sur area due to a road wash out. If approved by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Association, the new sanctuary will provide the missing link in a chain of . Pacific Grove is a really cute town right in between with bunches of Bed and Breakfasts. Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. 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. 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. In this guide, weve looked at the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. Midtown is an eclectic neighbourhood located east of the city centre. Twin Lakes Beach is a good one. Photos and Property Details for 1190 WARREN DR, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060. Whether or not it is worth it for your family depends on your interests and what you would otherwise be doing with the time spent at the aquarium. 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. If you can, stop there for a bite to eat. Is Santa Cruz or Monterey more expensive? 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. 400 plus pictures, but I digress. No matter where you are in the neighbourhood, youll find yourself surrounded by great tunes. The Ritz Carlton - If you can afford it then this is the place to stay. Driving from LA to Monterey - First time - help. Both are good choices, it really depends on the atmosphere that you want. We watched it that morning and DS said it was his favorite gift. As a member of our team, you can too.We haveSee this and similar jobs on LinkedIn. Flora Vista Inn is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. Your decision sounds great! It's possible to stay anywhere in the area and get to everything else fairly fast. Then you head inland a bit, still scenic though, and meet back up with the coast later. I am considering whale watching and hiking in the Henry Cowell Redwood park among other things. At Pitney Bowes, we do the right thing, the right way. If you have a map, start at the San Lorenzo River and go south the the Yacht Harbor. This is a much nicer route than I-5, which is really boring. Alternatively, you may use, InterContinental the Clement Monterey, an IHG Hotel, http://www.montereypeninsula.info/guide/beaches.htm. Wake up early and enjoy the beautiful view of the sea, beach and wharf right from your window. Of course, Henry Cowell state park is closer to Santa Cruz, so SC would be more convenient for that. We also love seeing wildlife. :) Report inappropriate content november_moon San Jose, California Destination Expert for California Level Contributor 24,123 posts 138 reviews 71 helpful votes 8. Have a fun trip! 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. This unit was designed and built by an architect who has a great eye for style and detail. Edited: 01 June . We watched it that morning and DS said it was his favorite gift. Monterey is a quintessential north California ocean town in the USA and has a great population of marine wildlife and fresh seafood. Set in central California, Santa Cruz is the epitome of west coast cool. This hostel has comfortable beds, modern amenities and boasts a friendly, welcoming and social atmosphere. We have interest in outdoor eating, swimming/lounging on the beach, live music and natures beauty (but we're not huge hikers or anything). I would take Hwy 101 north to San Luis Obispo and pick up Hwy 1 there. Guests can enjoy a heated swimming pool, free wifi and a delicious daily breakfast. The ocean is cold but you can swim in it especially from Capitola south. Again, thank you! And it is farther from stuff. 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. You could also visit nearby Carmel which is one of our favorite towns on the CA coast. It also offers easy access to the beach as well as many of Santa Cruzs most famous attractions and landmarks. There's this misconception that (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? One person's must-see can be another person's meh. I live downtown and walk Pacific Avenue regularly. Things to Do. Capitola is a beachside neighbourhood bursting with a European flair. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Its a great place to watch surfers. Th most breathtaking of Highway 1 is when you leave the Cambria area for the next 2hours. I would chose whichever town seems like the best fit for what you want to do and see. In Santa Cruz, in addition to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, there is the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? When we vacation, we hike, bike, kayak, surf, horse-back rideyou get the idea. A lot of people try to do the drive with only 1 or maybe 2 overnights, so splitting the trip more or less evenly becomes important, but with your plan, that's not an issue. Even if your kids don''t surf, it is fascinating to watch tht surfers from the bluff. 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. Its just that easy. If looking at sea life excites you, you must visit the ocean-view decks to spot humpback whales. It's beautiful there and lots of things to see and do beyond the aquarium. See a show at the intimate and awesome Rio Theatre. The apartment is very bright, furnished beautifully and offers so much comfort from a massive bed to a great living area. But because it is farther out, it is great for beach combing because there aren't as many people - sometimes very few people. This nature-rich . Would one be better than the other for dinner/accommodations? However, for stretches of Big Sur, most accommodations while beautiful are few and expensive. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. We recommend Downtown. Delve deep into history at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Our Trip started in Santa Monica ending in SF. 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. The Comfort Inn hotel in Watsonville, CA is near Capitola Beach, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay Aquarium offering free hot breakfast & more! We have been to several large aquariums over the years just not that one. 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. I am considering whale watching and hiking in the Henry Cowell Redwood park among other things. Both are stunningly beautiful, but the city beach is safer than the River beach. This property has five bedrooms with great features and stunning views. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? Would you recommend one? I second the idea of overnighting in Santa Barbara, perhaps taking in Solvang en route. It has large rooms with air conditioning, private bathroom and contemporary amenities. An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! Thanks to yall we decided to spend the first two days in SF, then two days in Santa Cruz & visit Carmel during our stay if we need a change of scenery and then back to SF on Friday (since we fly out saturday morning we figured we might as well be closer to the airport). It is especially good if this is your first time visiting. Highway 1 through Santa Cruz has a lot of traffic in mornings and after 3. per night. Monterey or Santa Cruz. Monterey is best for families and budget-conscious travellers, while Carmel is best for couples, foodies and shoppers. Each room comes complete with a minibar, kitchenette and wireless internet access. SafetyWing is convenient, cheap, and trouble-free Insurance was never this easy! The aquarium in Monterey is VERY worth going to. Our home offers a view of the entire Monterey Bay and sits atop a hilltop with lots of privacy. It really just depends on what you are looking for. We are even usually warmer that Pismo Beach because our beaches face south. This is also the best area in Santa Cruz to stay in for nightlife. Both areas have a lot to do. You understand you can't drive the coast LA to SF, right? This charming Inn is centrally located in Santa Cruz. Are there a lot of must dos in Santa Cruz? Its kind of a funky sort of place, a bit off-beat. The earliest known filming took place in Monterey in 1897, compared to Santa Cruz's first foray into film in 1915. If you do choose to spend the night in Santa Cruz, then you can see Monterey on your way to Big Sur. The home is incredibly airy and bright, equipped with only high-quality amenities and comfy furniture. tour along the Highway 1 from San Francisco to LA? Driving the coast from SF to LA. You can usually see plenty of marine wildlife from shore, especially if you go along the coastal recreation trail, which runs for miles. They are adjacent. Do you enjoy luxury or more budget-oriented accommodations? My boyfriend & I are planning a trip to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? more. In short, Santa Cruz is without a doubt one of Californias best-kept secrets. The city of Santa Cruz boasts a string of sandy beaches and a historic wharf. I always put up overflow family at the Holiday Inn Express during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. Surf City Inn & Suites is your best bet for budget Santa Cruz accommodation in Midtown. Best deals for Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets? The downtown areass of Monterey and Carmel are nicer. Even if your kids don''t surf, it is fascinating to watch tht surfers from the bluff. The Boardwalk is also our pick for the best neighbourhood in Santa Cruz to stay in if youre on a budget. I concur with november moon. 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. If you like to stay at a motel and do the Boardwalk, Santa Cruz is more your liking stay there. It seems like there are lots of mom and pop hotels. From Monterey to Santa Cruz expect a slow down through Moss Landing. 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. Monterey. You can whale watch from either town. For things to see on the Monterey Peninsula see https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g580824-Activities-Monterey_Peninsula_California.html 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. Another good beach is Seacliff State Beach in Aptos. There are several Best Westerns in town. I'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to SF. Although it might be a little more upmarket compared to other areas of Santa Cruz, trust me when I say, it worth the splurge! What is the most breathtaking part of hwy 1? Comfortable, big and close to the beach this family Airbnb is perfect for holidays together. $209. 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 suggest a visit to the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Don't know if your kids would be that interested in that, mine were 20 and 17 so it was different for us. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Heres what people usually ask us about the areas of Santa Cruz and where to stay. 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. There are loads of places that are great for family days out, and of course, the beach. Inside its quaint Victorian facade lie 69 well-appointed rooms, some of which are pet-friendly, too. Monterey is 8.8\% less expensive than Santa Cruz. Weve tested countless packs over the years, and now weve found our absolute favourite: the nomad-approved Nomatic Travel Bag. It seems like there are lots of mom and pop hotels. 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. It will be warmer here, so if you want a beach day this is your place. 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! On the first leg, we are trying to decide if we should sleep in Santa Cruz or Monterrey? Aptos is a serene and stunning neighbourhood located just east of Santa Cruz. I have the time but worry about the length of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Dine on delicious dishes at 100 Mile Meals, a concept restaurant that only uses local goods. 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 ? The Capitola Venetian Hotel is close to everything the neighbourhood has to offer. Take State Park Drive from Hwy 1. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? It has a convenient location, comfortable beds, and a great range of amenities and features. It has pristine beaches and a laid back atmosphere, while also boasting incredible food, lively nightlife and lush natural surroundings. You won't regret it. Santa Cruz is one of Californias best-kept secrets. East of the city centre is the Midtown/Seabright neighbourhood. Santa Cruz is more of a classic CA beach town with a surf culture and an eclectic downtown. As to which town, I prefer Santa Cruz, but I think Monterey has better restaurants. Is this true? Visiting the coolest area of Santa Cruz requires staying at an even cooler place. Youre steps away from Boardwalk and the beach, as well as cafes, restaurants and other hot spots. However, don't expect warm water in Santa Cruz, either. It is worth a half day plus to go to Monterey, see the acquarium, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Grab a drink, enjoy the incredible beaches and laid-back vibes. Even at its warmest, the ocean along the California coast remains cool compared to beaches in the tropics or even Florida. 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. Monterey (Spanish: Monterrey; Ohlone: Aacistak) is a city located in Monterey County on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on California's Central Coast. Via: Where should I stop along the way? Here's hoping that warms you up a bit this brisk Thursday morning. I've just now been informed that the beach isn't really safe to swim in. 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. Rooms are well-equipped with a kitchenette and guests can enjoy on-demand movies and a spa bathtub. 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. Yes, finding a room which would hold a family of 6 is definitely a problem. My biggest problem is finding rooms that accommodate 6. Is the aquarium in Monterey worth going to? Mar 5 - Mar 6. . It is one of the most . As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads usingthis link. 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. It is close to popular tourist attractions as well as dining, nightlife and shopping options. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada.