We know about the road - we are going go around the long way to Paso Robles to miss the construction.. They won't hurt yu. Your decision sounds great! Listed below are the top historic hotels in Monterey, California, that you can scroll over and book now. It is world class. When is your trip planned for? But, despite its small size, choosing the best neighbourhood to stay in Santa Cruz can be a challenge. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. The aquarium in Monterey is a big draw, and it is very good. For Sale - 7855 Monterra Oaks Rd, Monterey, CA - $1,900,000. I would chose whichever town seems like the best fit for what you want to do and see. Email [emailprotected] to find out how. The price is $209 per night. Best 3-Star/4-Star Hotels in Monterey. 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. My website describes local beaches in further detail: http://www.montereypeninsula.info/guide/beaches.htm. Would one be better than the other for dinner/accommodations? Another good beach is Seacliff State Beach in Aptos. The 1960's "hippie" students I mentioned are now retired lawyers, doctors, university professors, heads of universities, involved in the genome project, and important members of communities all over California. I am considering whale watching and hiking in the Henry Cowell Redwood park among other things. And oftentimes good food in that range. Monterey has more going for it than Santa Cruz in terms of things to do as one can easily do Carmel, Pacific Grove, Carmel Valley, and Big Sur from there too. 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. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63172030', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car ride. Thanks SO much :). Keep in mind that as beautiful as (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Is Santa Cruz safe? There is a good and informative visitor center and some great tide pools. The aquarium in Monterey is VERY worth going to. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Monterey is more coastal than beachy, if that makes sense. Yes, finding a room which would hold a family of 6 is definitely a problem. However, just to confuse things I believe that they have merged the two into "Twin Lakes State Beach". 1 big room with queen bed and a futon in the living room that turns into a bed. The room is spacious, with a comfy bed and has a private bathroom. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77301030', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Cruz! It is close to popular tourist attractions as well as dining, nightlife and shopping options. InterContinental The Clement Monterey (from USD 304) The oceanfront views from the InterContinental Clement Monterey will absolutely take your breath away. It will be warmer here, so if you want a beach day this is your place. It seems like there are lots of mom and pop hotels. Monterey is more diverse and touristy and you can find more moderate lodging than Carmel. This is the best hostel in Santa Cruz. We saw the Hearst Castle. Here are some of the main landmarks that you should not miss in Monterey, CA: Monterey Bay Aquarium in Cannery Row the Old Fishermans Wharf Monterey Museum of Art Monterey State Historic Park Have a nice time in Monterey, Eylul Best Hostel In Cannery Row: Hi Monterey BEST Things to See in Monterey, California | Weekend Travel Guide I have the time but worry about the length of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We stayed in Cambria overnight, it took about 4hours to get there. What is the makeup of your party? Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. 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. The Rio Vista Inn is our favourite hotel in Santa Cruz. It really just depends on what you are looking for. Grab a drink, enjoy the incredible beaches and laid-back vibes. It was incredible. Day 1: San Francisco to Monterey Be sure to spend some time in San Fran before you leave! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41998478', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');West Cliff Drive. In short, Santa Cruz is without a doubt one of Californias best-kept secrets. These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Santa Cruz. Monterey has a temperate climate, with a short, intense rainy season. Although it might be a little more upmarket compared to other areas of Santa Cruz, trust me when I say, it worth the splurge! Monterey is best for families and budget-conscious travellers, while Carmel is best for couples, foodies and shoppers. Highway 1 is washed out and closed. Drink fresh and handcrafted beers at the Seabright Brewery. Find quality homes and apartments for rent and property management in Santa Clara, San Jose, Monterey and elsewhere in coastal Central California. Listen to live music at the Kuumbwa Jazz Centre. We saw the Hearst Castle. Santa Cruzs Boardwalk neighbourhood is one of the liveliest and most vibrant districts in the city. The Comfort Inn is centrally located near the Boardwalk, one of the best areas to stay in Santa Cruz. Edited: 01 June . It is an up-and-coming hipster hub that boasts a vast array of bike shops and furniture stores as well as rustic cafes, hip restaurants, and buzzing live music venues. Want more deetz on why we love itso damn much? Set in central California, Santa Cruz is the epitome of west coast cool. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center Vacations ; There are no "hippies". My plan now is to drive up from Pasadena to San Simeon via hwy 5 and then pick up hwy 1. Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf are touristy, but downtown isn't really - they are all close together though. They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. 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. Take that one, as its beautiful and different from Highway 1. What do you think? Our Trip started in Santa Monica ending in SF. It's myself and my husband and we are going the first week in May. We love Capitola. It has large rooms with air conditioning, private bathroom and contemporary amenities. Maybe that's why he's in love with the Andes, where you'll find him in the local cafs ordering the. Inside its quaint Victorian facade lie 69 well-appointed rooms, some of which are pet-friendly, too. Situated south of Downtown, the Boardwalk spans the seaside and is home to buzzing attractions, busy restaurants, and cosy cafes. See the ruins of the S.S. Palo Alto Concrete Ship. The best one is the Best Western Plus All Suites Inn, further down on Ocean Street. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Th most breathtaking of Highway 1 is when you leave the Cambria area for the next 2hours. Itinerary. Most hotels are fully refundable. It will make traffic difficult in that area. Via: Where should I stop along the way? It's beautiful there and lots of things to see and do beyond the aquarium. 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. Carmel has two beaches, Carmel city beach and Carmel River Beach. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41178035', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California beaches are hot and sunny all the time. It's a small, funky lil beach town with shops, casual restaurants & beach access. The coastline is rockier and generally more scenic, and although there are some beaches, Monterey isn't really a beach town - its focus is more on sailing/boating, fishing, and marine life. Is your phone eSIM ready? We have two girls, 15 and 10 and are an active family and love adventure, the beach, amusement parks and nature. 400 plus pictures, but I digress. Escape the crowds at artsy and secluded Capitola Beach. Are there a lot of must dos in Santa Cruz? This is our first trip alone in quite a few years & I want it be fun, romantic & relaxing! I've put together a San Francisco city guide to give you some ideas. It is only a few years old and is a very nice hotel. It has a convenient location, comfortable beds, and a great range of amenities and features. 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 ? Another consideration is your overall plan - how many nights do you have for your drive down the coast? You can pretty much expect all indoor attractions to be closed until conditions improve markedly. 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. 10:00 am start in Santa Cruz drive for about 47 minutes. 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. In Santa Cruz, I have it tentatively narrowed down to the Holiday Inn Express or the Best Western. netllama 7 yr. ago The driving time between Monterrey & Santa Cruz is about an hour. Also we are 25 & 26 and are not big wine drinkers. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. The Rio Vista Inn is our favourite hotel in Santa Cruz. No matter where you are in the neighbourhood, youll find yourself surrounded by great tunes. Another excellent option is the Rio Vista Inn & Suites Santa Cruz. 4:02 pm King City (California) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:02 pm drive for about 50 minutes. Is Monterey safer? Theres also complimentary wifi. Is this true? Take State Park Drive from Hwy 1. For Dead Doctors Don't Lie Use: 888-379-2552 Would you recommend one? You'd be hard-pressed to find a better room in a better location than at the Wayfarer (12 E. Montecito St., 805/845-1000, dorm beds $50-90, private rooms $200-300). This hotel has 49 cosy, clean and comfortable rooms. It was incredible. Sip a glass of wine aboard the Chardonnay II. Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California - Located deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains, it is California's oldest state park. It is only a few years old and is a very nice hotel. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. I think the decision really depends on what you want to do and see and your overall plan. I would hang around Morro Bay for some water activity and marine mammal observation. Take 101, it's much more pleasant than I-5. Don't know if your kids would be that interested in that, mine were 20 and 17 so it was different for us. This is the longest stretch. The aquarium is but one attraction in that area. That was sort of cool to see. I have the time but worry about the length of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I concur with november moon. 7.7 Good 206 reviews. . Santa Cruz has a more tie-dye and granola feel . Located just off Highway 1 between Santa Cruz and Monterey, our pet-friendly Comfort Inn hotel offers easy access to many attractions in the Monterey Bay area. Santa Cruz is the beach locals go to for sun and water activities. 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. Nobody remembers that this was happening all over the country. We took 101 from LA to Canbria and it was just a gorgeous drive..I wouldn't have imagined that. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77293425', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Cruz will never live down the fact that the University was founded just before the 60's revolution", 50 years ago, by the way. I would stay in Santa Cruz (or Capitola or Aptos) and then take a day trip or two to Monterey. Twin Lakes is the next beach, just on the other side of the harbor. Best Boutique Hotels in Monterey. Guests can enjoy a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, laundry facilities, a golf course and a restaurant. Monterey. Once you hit Ventura, then you'll be on the coast through Santa Barbara. It is world class. Convenient private room is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. There is one near the Holiday Inn Express, which is on Ocean Street which leads into town and one at the Boardwalk. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? Eat incredible and fresh seafood, pasta and more at Caf Rio. The ocean is cold but you can swim in it especially from Capitola south. 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. Guests can enjoy a heated swimming pool, free wifi and a delicious daily breakfast. Flora Vista Inn is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. 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. It is especially good if this is your first time visiting. Monterey Properties; Santa Clara Properties; Santa Cruz Properties; Fresno Properties; Short Term Rentals; List Your Rental; Residents; Owners; Contact; Blog; FAQs; Pay Rent. Santa Cruz is more beachy - lots of wide, sandy beaches, a good surf culture, historic seaside amusement park, eclectic downtown, etc. From Monterey to Santa Cruz expect a slow down through Moss Landing. Downtown is a large neighbourhood located in central Santa Cruz. Natural Bridges State Beach is excellent. Founded on June 3, 1770, it was the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico. 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. An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! We also like pit stops - a couple things we were looking at to pit stop are Hearst Castle, Madonna Inn. 5:52 pm Paso Robles eat at Niner Wine Estates stay overnight at Summerwood Winery and Inn A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic booooring. IMO, Carmel/Pacific Grove is MUCH more attractive and interesting than Santa Cruz. 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. Comfortable, big and close to the beach this family Airbnb is perfect for holidays together. They are adjacent. Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruises A humpback whale breaches in Monterey Bay. Its always been a big hit with the kids in our family. 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. Well, dont worry because in this next section were going to break each of them down in much more detail. It offers easy access throughout the neighbourhood and is close to restaurants, the beach and bars. View details, map and photos of this residential lots property with 0 bedrooms and 0 total baths. The seaside town of Santa Cruz is one of the coolest places in California. This shabby-chic hotel is just steps from the beach, the Boardwalk, great restaurants and lively nightlife. This historic motel in Santa Cruz is one of the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. Earn free nights and get our Price Guarantee - booking has never been easier on Hotels.com! Note that nightlife is laregely confined to weekends in Santa Cruz. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. If you do choose to spend the night in Santa Cruz, then you can see Monterey on your way to Big Sur. 1. 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. Do you have any recommendations? If you can, stop there for a bite to eat. This stunning three-star property is ideally located in La Selva Beach. This is north of the Boardwalk area. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs nearby, and the beach is just a short walk away. Even if your kids don''t surf, it is fascinating to watch tht surfers from the bluff. This article was written by travellers for travellers. 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 is the bordering town to Monterey. You can usually see plenty of marine wildlife from shore, especially if you go along the coastal recreation trail, which runs for miles. 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. There are some nice restaurants but not as many as Monterey or Carmel. 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. We have been to several large aquariums over the years just not that one. Located in the best position, you wont have to walk far to the main hotspots youll definitely enjoy your time at this place. Stay in Monterey or Carmel. 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. Stay the night in Carmel or Monterey and leave early for Big Sur. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Half Moon 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. It is one of the most . Visiting the coolest area of Santa Cruz requires staying at an even cooler place. Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
Devils Hole Missing Divers,
Sheetz W2 Former Employee,
Mandjtv And Jubilee Controversy,
Articles S