Difference between Santa Cruz and Monterey & Carmel area? This article was written by travellers for travellers. It is a really vibrant and colourful area of Santa Barbara, and it reallys really unique. 126 216 r/travel Join 8 days ago Once you hit Ventura, then you'll be on the coast through Santa Barbara. The room is spacious, with a comfy bed and has a private bathroom. Tucked throughout the neighbourhood are a good variety of galleries and shops that showcase the excellent works of local artists, musicians, actors and writers. My plan now is to drive up from Pasadena to San Simeon via hwy 5 and then pick up hwy 1. Theres also a large, fully-stocked kitchen. Best 3-Star/4-Star Hotels in Monterey. In short, Santa Cruz is without a doubt one of California's best-kept secrets. It is only a few years old and is a very nice hotel. Things to Do. Thank you so much for the advice, I think my kids will probably be ready for more beach and less scenery so we will stay in Santa Cruz. Rooms from $159/night, book on Booking.com or Hotels.com. Santa Cruz vs Monterrey/Carmel First Timer. Please help! :) Its always been a big hit with the kids in our family. We are pretty active so we like hiking and kayaking, but we also like to stay in nice accommodations at the end of the night with good food and a nice glass of wine. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Are there a lot of must dos in Santa Cruz? I'd love to see that hippie vibe back in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Surf City Inn & Suites is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor 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. 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. Shop until you drop at the Pacific Garden Mall. 5:52 pm Paso Robles eat at Niner Wine Estates stay overnight at Summerwood Winery and Inn Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. Midtown is an eclectic neighbourhood located east of the city centre. Part of the trip will include a trip up hwy 1. Also.. is Santa Cruz a better beach destination for those that actually want to spend a little time in the water? 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. 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. Like Kibblesmom said, they are only 45 minutes apart. 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. What is the most breathtaking part of hwy 1? I find people to be friendly, generally. You can usually see plenty of marine wildlife from shore, especially if you go along the coastal recreation trail, which runs for miles. Home [ksco.com] Henry Cowell is 15 minutes away. Splash, swim and play at Rio del Mar beach. The aquarium in Monterey is VERY worth going to. Day 1: San Francisco to Monterey Be sure to spend some time in San Fran before you leave! Carmel/Pacific Grove vs Santa Cruz - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums Go for a hike through Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. . 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). 4:02 pm King City (California) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:02 pm drive for about 50 minutes. Top Hotels in Santa Cruz, CA from $60 - Expedia The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary (2022) Monterey or Carmel to Big Sur The best place to stay if embarking upon a Big Sur day trip is Carmel or Monterey. Surf City Inn & Suites is your best bet for budget Santa Cruz accommodation in Midtown. Earn free nights and get our Price Guarantee - booking has never been easier on Hotels.com! ), Bougie-coffee lover and staunch enemy of coriander; TEFL-certified language teacher, linguist, and aspiring polyglot. 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. It has great features, like a swimming pool and tennis courts, and each room is well-equipped with a private bathroom and a kitchenette. 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 It can be a good idea to take the PCH on the way to Monterey and take the quicker route along the US-101 Freeway. Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market andditch the plastic. It is conveniently located near the Boardwalk and there are plenty of shops, restaurants and bars within walking distance. How to Find the Perfect Place to Stay in Santa Cruz, California 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 . 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. 1190 WARREN DR, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 - montereybayprop.com Maybe that's why he's in love with the Andes, where you'll find him in the local cafs ordering the. It seems like there are lots of mom and pop hotels. Alternatively, you may use, InterContinental the Clement Monterey, an IHG Hotel, http://www.montereypeninsula.info/guide/beaches.htm. Inside its quaint Victorian facade lie 69 well-appointed rooms, some of which are pet-friendly, too. In Big Sur, we plan to do a good bit of hiking so probably would be look for more water sports and activities here. With over 14 state parks, wineries, museums, farmer's markets, surfing, shopping, and family fun activities, there are plenty of things to do. Th most breathtaking of Highway 1 is when you leave the Cambria area for the next 2hours. Big Sur Closed -- Should we stay in Santa Cruz or Monterey?? - Santa 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. 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. Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz has the advantage of being about an hour. Hearst Castle is currently closed due to COVID. Carmel Gate: The south gate into Pebble Beach, this entrance can be accessed by following San Antonio Avenue through Carmel-by-the-Sea. With all of the educational institutions we have, it has an international feel to it, and many good restaurants. Just as close to everything. Monterey (Spanish: Monterrey; Ohlone: Aacistak) is a city located in Monterey County on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on California's Central Coast. Kickstart your day with a filling and delicious breakfast at Zeldas. :) Report inappropriate content november_moon San Jose, California Destination Expert for California Level Contributor 24,123 posts 138 reviews 71 helpful votes 8. The Capitola Venetian Hotel is close to everything the neighbourhood has to offer. My biggest problem is finding rooms that accommodate 6. It is only a few years old and is a very nice hotel. The Comfort Inn is centrally located near the Boardwalk, one of the best areas to stay in Santa Cruz. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. Drink fresh and handcrafted beers at the Seabright Brewery. IMO, Carmel/Pacific Grove is MUCH more attractive and interesting than Santa Cruz. The earliest known filming took place in Monterey in 1897, compared to Santa Cruz's first foray into film in 1915. The aquarium in Monterey is a big draw, and it is very good. During the summer the surf on Carmel city beach is relatively tame, and people do play in the water, but not without some risk. Is It Better To Stay In Santa Cruz Or Monterey? - TravelMagma 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. We have been to several large aquariums over the years just not that one. Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor Monterey or Santa Cruz. The Comfort Inn hotel in Watsonville, CA is near Capitola Beach, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay Aquarium offering free hot breakfast & more! If you have a map, start at the San Lorenzo River and go south the the Yacht Harbor. Youre steps away from Boardwalk and the beach, as well as cafes, restaurants and other hot spots. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. I think the decision really depends on what you want to do and see and your overall plan. Morning Lookout: A local view of Iran uprising, UCSC's 'Grad Slam' and Carmel is next to Monterey, which is a quaint upscale village with plenty of nice restaurants, boutiques, and tasting rooms. Henry Cowell is 15 minutes away. What is between Santa Cruz and Monterey? - signalduo.com Dig into an amazing meal any time of day at Ideal Bar & Grill. Flora Vista Inn is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. Pop by the La Selva Library, which regularly hosts family-friendly events. The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Planner It is worth a half day plus to go to Monterey, see the acquarium, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. We're adjacent to Watsonville Municipal Airport, just minutes from Sunset State Beach and nearby golf courses, wineries and wildlife preserves. Monterey has more wildlife-focused sites to visit. 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. Natural Bridges and other beach parks. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Santa Cruzs 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in, #1 Downtown Where to Stay in Santa Cruz for Your First Time, #2 The Boardwalk Where to Stay in Santa Cruz on a Budget, #3 Midtown Where to Stay in Santa Cruz for Nightlife, #4 Capitola Coolest Place to Stay in Santa Cruz, #5 Aptos Where to Stay in Santa Cruz for Families, FAQ about Finding a Place to Stay in Santa Cruz, Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Santa Cruz. 1. The Rio Vista Inn is our favourite hotel in Santa Cruz. :) Report inappropriate content november_moon San Jose, California Destination Expert for California Level Contributor 24,101 posts 138 reviews 71 helpful votes 8. 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. Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Monterey are adjacent to one another.Santa Cruz would be further north. Since you have plenty of time for the trip from SF to LA, distance isn't a factor. Compare 580 hotels in Santa Cruz using 17,179 real guest reviews. Santa Cruz is more of a classic CA beach town with a surf culture and an eclectic downtown. It is the bordering town to Monterey. We know about the road - we are going go around the long way to Paso Robles to miss the construction.. Thanks all! I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? You won't regret it. It is located at the heart of Santa Cruz and is just a stones throw from great dining, shopping and nightlife options. Rooms come complete with A/C and include refrigerators. 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. 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. Making a trip in sept to Monterey , Carmel then Santa Cruz Sip seaside cocktails at Bay Bar and Grill. The Monterey Hotel - Historic Victorian hotel in the heart of Monterey; Santa Cruz Ocean Pacific Hotel - A no-frills hotel with a fantastic location. 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. 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. As a member of our team, you can too.We haveSee this and similar jobs on LinkedIn. Walking in Carmel reminded me of being in a European town with it's interesting storefronts, side streets and small nooks and crannies. Yes, finding a room which would hold a family of 6 is definitely a problem. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77282033', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Monterey/Carmel area. I always put up overflow family at the Holiday Inn Express during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Half Moon Bay. This delightful hotel is one of the best places in Santa Cruz to stay in because it has a great central location. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77281854', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');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. . What do you think? In Santa Cruz, I have it tentatively narrowed down to the Holiday Inn Express or the Best Western. Founded on June 3, 1770, it was the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico. Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor Walking distance from the famous pier but you can rent bikes form them as well. The main beach is right off the Boardwalk and next to the wharf - this will be the most crowded, but it has the Boardwalk there, so a lot of fun. Delve deep into the history of the neighbourhood and region at the Capitola Historical Museum. East of the city centre is the Midtown/Seabright neighbourhood. It has great shopping, delicious dining, buzzing nightlife and some of the most beautiful beaches in the state. So its up to you what you want to do. There are several Best Westerns in town. Your laptop deserves a proper pack, and we know a good few! Rooms are well-equipped with a kitchenette and guests can enjoy on-demand movies and a spa bathtub. 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. 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. 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. Santa Cruz is more of a beachy town with lots of wide, sandy beaches, the Boardwalk amusement park, an eclectic downtown, strong surfing culture. Feast on mouthwatering pub fare at 99 Bottles Restaurant & Pub. 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. It has a convenient location, comfortable beds, and a great range of amenities and features. My website describes local beaches in further detail: http://www.montereypeninsula.info/guide/beaches.htm. Santa Cruz does have a scenic ocean area like Monterey and Carmel. Currently we have the below planned. If approved by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Association, the new sanctuary will provide the missing link in a chain of . Things to Do - Visit Santa Cruz County It's possible to stay anywhere in the area and get to everything else fairly fast. Highway 1 through Santa Cruz has a lot of traffic in mornings and after 3. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. 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. We took 101 from LA to Canbria and it was just a gorgeous drive..I wouldn't have imagined that. If you want classic beach stuff - laying out, volleyball, playing in the waves, Santa Cruz is what you want. It's a small, funky lil beach town with shops, casual restaurants & beach access. Would you recommend one? Enjoy an awesome meal with a great view at Sanderlings Restaurant. And yes, the water is cold. We also love seeing wildlife. Santa Cruz to Monterey Park drive - plan a road trip Road Trip from Santa Barbara to San Francisco - LazyTrips 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. 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. Also we are 25 & 26 and are not big wine drinkers. We were planning to stay in Monterey one night. So since it sounds like you are heading on your trip at the end of August, please be aware that there is the Soberanes fire burning in Big Sur and it is not expected to be fully contained until the end of the month. It is ideally located at the heart of the city and is a quick walk to the restaurants, Santa Cruz attractions and bars of the Downtown, the Boardwalk and Midtown neighbourhoods. Theres also a laundry service and pool on-site. Shop for everything from souvenirs to fine art and pottery in Rio del Mar. Grab a drink at the Asti, an old-school dive bar. Obviously the true hippies have moved on but the areas still have a bit of that feel and try and remain colorful as opposed to going mainstream. We watched it that morning and DS said it was his favorite gift. A great way to access transportation options in Santa Cruz is to visit www.Cruz511.org. The Monterey Hotel (from USD 112) Come and experience full-blown comfort at The Monterey Hotel. Do you have any recommendations? 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. Theres also complimentary wifi. I live downtown and walk Pacific Avenue regularly. Thanks all! stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:21 pm drive for about 5 minutes 4:26 pm arrive in Monterey stay at Mission Ranch Hotel driving 1.5 hours Change your route From: To: Alternate route Enter a city to drive through, or find all trips from Santa Cruz to Monterey. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The beach at Capitola Village is good - there are a lot of shops and restaurants just off the beach, so that can be fun. The best one is the Best Western Plus All Suites Inn, further down on Ocean Street. In Santa Cruz, in addition to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, there is the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Santa Cruz seamlessly blends its relaxed beach lifestyle with a vibrant culture and some high tech industry. Both are stunningly beautiful, but the city beach is safer than the River beach. Thank you so much for the advice, I think my kids will probably be ready for more beach and less scenery so we will stay in Santa Cruz. It's myself and my husband and we are going the first week in May. 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. Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor It will make traffic difficult in that area. We also like pit stops - a couple things we were looking at to pit stop are Hearst Castle, Madonna Inn. In short, Santa Cruz is without a doubt one of Californias best-kept secrets. A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic booooring. Dine on delicious dishes at 100 Mile Meals, a concept restaurant that only uses local goods. I've just now been informed that the beach isn't really safe to swim in. 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. Carmel has a great little white sand beach and a European cottagey vibe with lots of boutique stores (it is a pretty unique little community), Pacific Grove has Victorian B and B's but other more casual lodging with coastal bluff walkways. If looking at sea life excites you, you must visit the ocean-view decks to spot humpback whales. 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. The downtown areass of Monterey and Carmel are nicer. The 10 Best Santa Cruz Hotels (From $83) - Booking.com To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. It also boasts plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and landmarks. Required fields are marked *. This unit was designed and built by an architect who has a great eye for style and detail. Set at the heart of the city, this hotel is a short walk to great dining, nightlife, shopping and sightseeing options. Top 7 Historic Hotels In Monterey, California | Trip101 Paso Robles, San Simeon, Morro Bay and Pismo Beach are all within an hour of each other. What is your next planned stop and how many days/nights total do you have for the coastal section of your trip? 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. My biggest problem is finding rooms that accommodate 6. The price is $209 per night. Don't know if your kids would be that interested in that, mine were 20 and 17 so it was different for us. Inspirational places to stay near beaches, redwood forests or in quaint seaside towns offer an array of choices when it comes to amenities and settings. 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. This is a good one - heavily visited, but not as busy as the main beach. Home; For Rent. If you choose Santa Cruz, check rates at the Dream Inn or Sea and Sand. Do you have any recommendations?