should i stay in monterey or santa cruz?shallow wicker basket
Well, dont worry because in this next section were going to break each of them down in much more detail. Best Places to Stay on a California Coast Road Trip Answer 11 of 15: Hi - I'm traveling to California early next August. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77301030', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Cruz! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. Monterey is more coastal and less beachy. Find your new favourite book at the legendary Bookshop Santa Cruz. Enjoy an awesome meal with a great view at Sanderlings Restaurant. Looking for a specific place to stay? Take that one, as its beautiful and different from Highway 1. The Comfort Inn hotel in Watsonville, CA is near Capitola Beach, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay Aquarium offering free hot breakfast & more! Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center Vacations ; The Capitola Venetian Hotel is close to everything the neighbourhood has to offer. We do not represent World Nomads. The Midtown/Seabright neighbourhood is packed with bustling bars and buzzing breweries where you can enjoy a laidback drink or two. The wharf and cannery row are more prominent in Monterey, and the aquarium is a big draw. Heres what people usually ask us about the areas of Santa Cruz and where to stay. I hesitate to recommend either based on "must-sees" since that is such a personal decision. Hwy 101 is nicely scenic though too. Edited: 01 June . Yall are great! As a member of our team, you can too.We haveSee this and similar jobs on LinkedIn. They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Both places are fun and beautiful with a lot to see! Thanks! Another good beach is Seacliff State Beach in Aptos. You won't regret it. I would also use this term to describe the Haight Ashbury neighborhood generically. Princess or sanctuary cruises (Whale watching). That was sort of cool to see. Once you hit Ventura, then you'll be on the coast through Santa Barbara. Want to be featured in our list? 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. You can find great Airbnbs like Seacliff House. 7. A couple, family w/kids, etc ? Take 101, it's much more pleasant than I-5. You didn't ask this, but because San Simeon and Morro Bay are so close to Paso Robles and then not all that far from Pismo Beach, I'd probably opt for 2 nights in either Paso Robles or Pismo Beach instead of a single night each in Paso, San Simeon/Morro Bay, and Pismo Beach. Monterey has a temperate climate, with a short, intense rainy season. But, despite its small size, choosing the best neighbourhood to stay in Santa Cruz can be a challenge. 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. It is our pick for the best neighbourhood to stay in Santa Cruz if youre visiting for the first time because it has plenty of cultural attractions; is packed with bars, restaurants and shops; and, allows for easy access throughout the city and the wider county. ), Bougie-coffee lover and staunch enemy of coriander; TEFL-certified language teacher, linguist, and aspiring polyglot. Best Places to stay along the Pacific Coast Highway 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. With over 14 state parks, wineries, museums, farmer's markets, surfing, shopping, and family fun activities, there are plenty of things to do. Our decision now is what to do with the THREE DAYS we have. Instead, buy an eSIM! Downtown Santa Cruz is the best neighbourhood in Santa Crus to stay in if youre visiting for the first time. Your first stop should be the classic Californian beach town of Santa Cruz. Downtown is a large neighbourhood located in central Santa Cruz. The Ultimate 17-Mile Drive Itinerary - California Carmel has some very nice places to stay. What You Should Know About Managing Security Deposits as a New Property Do you own an awesome hostel, hotel or apartment? (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Exclusive Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Vacation Deals This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf are touristy, but downtown isn't really - they are all close together though. Be aware that the hosts live next door with their well-behaved dog (previous guests loved him). We took 101 from LA to Canbria and it was just a gorgeous drive..I wouldn't have imagined that. It is close to popular tourist attractions as well as dining, nightlife and shopping options. Where To Stay In Monterey, California: 15 Great | Trip101 It was incredible. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Monterey or Carmel to Big Sur The best place to stay if embarking upon a Big Sur day trip is Carmel or Monterey. This is north of the Boardwalk area. I've put together a San Francisco city guide to give you some ideas. I know because I know a lot of them personally, I am always astounded when people still say that Santa Cruz has a 'hippie vibe."downtown. The first class of the University of Santa Cruz campus in 1965 appeared in chinos and skirts and cashmere sweaters. Visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Roaring Camp Railroads, the Santa Cruz Wharf, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and other . The home is incredibly airy and bright, equipped with only high-quality amenities and comfy furniture. Set in central California, Santa Cruz is the epitome of west coast cool. With all of the educational institutions we have, it has an international feel to it, and many good restaurants. 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. Take State Park Drive from Hwy 1. Guests can enjoy a variety of on-site amenities, like a swimming pool and free wifi. Best Boutique Hotels in Monterey. Santa Cruz to Monterey drive - plan a road trip This shabby-chic hotel is just steps from the beach, the Boardwalk, great restaurants and lively nightlife. Walk the tiny .6-mile-long . Also, can any give me some input on hwy1 from LA up to San Simeon. I have lived through this, having moved here in 1970 and been involved in the University and I am very tired of hearing Santa Cruz described as having a "hippie vibe", C'mon, you guys. Do you have any recommendations? Enjoy a great selection of sweet and savoury dishes at the Crepe Place, a longstanding Santa Cruz favourite. Continue on to Pacific Grove and stay at Asilomar (again) or. And oftentimes good food in that range. Still not sure which of Santa Cruzs best neighbourhoods is right for you? From a hotel on the beach, to a quaint inn or bed and breakfast, to a vacation rental for the family or a rustic campground, you can rest easy in Santa Cruz County. Just as close to everything. I would stay in Santa Cruz (or Capitola or Aptos) and then take a day trip or two to Monterey. It has pristine beaches and a laid back atmosphere, while also boasting incredible food, lively nightlife and lush natural surroundings. Morning Lookout: A local view of Iran uprising, UCSC's 'Grad Slam' and Set in central California, Santa Cruz is the epitome of west coast cool. It offers easy access throughout the neighbourhood and is close to restaurants, the beach and bars. I'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to SF. We like the dining scene a lot more in Monterey-Carmel, but inexpensive eats are easier to find in Santa Cruz. There is a popular surfing spot at Lighthouse Field. Is the aquarium in Monterey worth going to? 1190 WARREN DR, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 - montereybayprop.com Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. Get an early start to the day with a delightful breakfast at Bill's Caf in charming Willow Glen before hitting the road. at the end of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It is a really vibrant and colourful area of Santa Barbara, and it reallys really unique. Theres also an outdoor swimming pool and a Jacuzzi. Top Hotels in Santa Cruz, CA from $60 - Expedia Road Trip from Santa Barbara to San Francisco - LazyTrips Escape the crowds at artsy and secluded Capitola Beach. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63172993', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Nepenthe. The Santa Cruz area includes the towns of Santa Cruz, Aptos, Capitola, and Soquel. Open to suggestions. Rooms come complete with A/C and include refrigerators. Tucked throughout the neighbourhood are a good variety of galleries and shops that showcase the excellent works of local artists, musicians, actors and writers. I would have a hard time finding stuff to . Is your phone eSIM ready? Monterey Tourism Monterey Hotels Monterey Guest House Monterey Holiday Homes Monterey Holiday Packages Monterey Flights . But because it is farther out, it is great for beach combing because there aren't as many people - sometimes very few people. If you can, stop there for a bite to eat. Delve deep into the history of the neighbourhood and region at the Capitola Historical Museum. It is only a few years old and is a very nice hotel. Show more. Check out the Mnin-Mokre, Voivodia de Santa Cruz, Polnia WinterCast. Is the aquarium in Monterey worth going to? 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. Fun place! You can pretty much expect all indoor attractions to be closed until conditions improve markedly. We saw the Hearst Castle. 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. Don't stay at any with "Boardwalk" in the name.. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs nearby, and the beach is just a short walk away. Do you enjoy luxury or more budget-oriented accommodations? The Perfect Day Trip to Monterey from San Francisco In short, Santa Cruz is without a doubt one of Californias best-kept secrets. What is the makeup of your party? World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. 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. Want more deetz on why we love itso damn much? World Nomads mission is to support and encourage travellers to explore their boundaries. It has 63 spacious rooms, free wifi and an outdoor pool. Making a trip in sept to Monterey , Carmel then Santa Cruz 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. 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. Big Sur Closed -- Should we stay in Santa Cruz or Monterey?? - Santa ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63172993', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Nepenthe. Since (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Monterey is more coastal and less beachy. IMO, Carmel/Pacific Grove is MUCH more attractive and interesting than Santa Cruz. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? 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. 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). Founded on June 3, 1770, it was the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Continue travelling east along the coast to Capitola. And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. This excellent three-star hotel is set in central Midtown, one of the best places in Santa Cruz to stay for nightlife. Capitola is a beachside neighbourhood bursting with a European flair. Like Kibblesmom said, they are only 45 minutes apart. Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruises A humpback whale breaches in Monterey Bay. 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). It is worth a half day plus to go to Monterey, see the acquarium, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Youre steps away from Boardwalk and the beach, as well as cafes, restaurants and other hot spots. Again, thank you! It's among the best places to stay in Monterey, CA. 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. Also, I'm thinking of staying at the Best Western in Morro Bay. 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. Thanks SO much :). Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor