Rooms are equipped with A/C and also feature hair dryers, showers and ceiling fans. 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. We have been to several large aquariums over the years just not that one. If you have a map, start at the San Lorenzo River and go south the the Yacht Harbor. Set in central California, Santa Cruz is the epitome of west coast cool. There are beaches, but the coastline is more rocky, which is beautiful and means that you have more opportunity to see sea animals. Sip drinks and enjoy cheap bars games at lively One Double Oh Seven Club. The most breathtaking part of the drive is through Big Sur, which is the stretch of coast between Cambria and Carmel. Are there a lot of must dos in Santa Cruz? Casablanca On The Beach 101 Main St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060 Fully refundable Reserve now, pay when you stay $144 per night Mar 5 - Mar 6 1.01 mi from city center 8.4/5 (810 reviews) N reason to go anywhere else. Its kind of a funky sort of place, a bit off-beat. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? Monterey is more diverse and touristy and you can find more moderate lodging than Carmel. This charming hotel is an excellent place to make your base in Capitola because there are plenty of shopping, dining and nightlife options nearby. The beautiful interior design will make you feel comfortable and at home. But because it is farther out, it is great for beach combing because there aren't as many people - sometimes very few people. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63172993', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Nepenthe. The Comfort Inn is centrally located near the Boardwalk, one of the best areas to stay in Santa Cruz. Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Monterey are adjacent to one another.Santa Cruz would be further north. I would hang around Morro Bay for some water activity and marine mammal observation. Feast on mouthwatering pub fare at 99 Bottles Restaurant & Pub. This is also the best area in Santa Cruz to stay in for nightlife. It has 63 spacious rooms, free wifi and an outdoor pool. Another consideration is your overall plan - how many nights do you have for your drive down the coast? This contemporary hotel has comfortable rooms with excellent features and amenities. One person's must-see can be another person's meh. Keep in mind that as beautiful as (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Would you recommend one? There are some museums and movie theaters in the downtown area. Don't stay at any with "Boardwalk" in the name.. 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. The Ritz Carlton - If you can afford it then this is the place to stay. Get answers to your questions about Monterey, Monterey Peninsula Trip Report w/photos. 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. Carmel has two beaches, Carmel city beach and Carmel River Beach. The aquarium in Monterey is VERY worth going to. If you like to stay at a motel and do the Boardwalk, Santa Cruz is more your liking stay there. This post has been removed at the author's request. Here's hoping that warms you up a bit this brisk Thursday morning. Traffic is nothing like what you find in the big city (except during events like Car Week). I have the time but worry about the length of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? East of the city centre is the Midtown/Seabright neighbourhood. Is Santa Cruz safe? Take that one, as its beautiful and different from Highway 1. 7. Walking distance from the famous pier but you can rent bikes form them as well. Don't know if your kids would be that interested in that, mine were 20 and 17 so it was different for us. We know about the road - we are going go around the long way to Paso Robles to miss the construction.. 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! Satisfy your sweet tooth with delicious salt-water taffy. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs nearby, and the beach is just a short walk away. Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf are touristy, but downtown isn't really - they are all close together though. Thanks! Youll find plenty of bars, shops, restaurants, and the beach is within walking distance. What is the most breathtaking part of hwy 1? This is a much nicer route than I-5, which is really boring. It's myself and my husband and we are going the first week in May. This delightful hotel is one of the best places in Santa Cruz to stay in because it has a great central location. 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. I am considering whale watching and hiking in the Henry Cowell Redwood park among other things. More posts you may like r/travel Join 9 days ago What are some unique activities that you think are worth traveling for? We stayed in Cambria overnight, it took about 4hours to get there. We are even usually warmer that Pismo Beach because our beaches face south. These are our 3 favourite hotels in Santa Cruz: Rio Vista Inn & Suites Comfort Inn Boardwalk Hyatt Place Santa Cruz. Maybe that's why he's in love with the Andes, where you'll find him in the local cafs ordering the. For Sale - 7855 Monterra Oaks Rd, Monterey, CA - $1,900,000. From Monterey to Santa Cruz expect a slow down through Moss Landing. There are some nice restaurants but not as many as Monterey or Carmel. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. 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. Carmel is next to Monterey, which is a quaint upscale village with plenty of nice restaurants, boutiques, and tasting rooms. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77279322', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Monterey and Santa Cruz are only 45 minutes apart, you can easily stay in one and visit the other, if you wish. 10:00 am start in Santa Cruz drive for about 47 minutes. Compare 578 hotels, room rates, hotel reviews and availability. Drink fresh and handcrafted beers at the Seabright Brewery. Santa Cruz does have a scenic ocean area like Monterey and Carmel. 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. Sip a glass of wine aboard the Chardonnay II. And finally, Aptos is the best area in Santa Cruz to stay in for families because it has excellent beaches and outdoor activities as well as great dining, shopping and sightseeing. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. The Municipal Wharf is near the Boardwalk and Stagnaro Bros. takes boats out on the Bay for whale watching. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. 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. Each room comes complete with a minibar, kitchenette and wireless internet access. I think Monterey probably has the edge for lodging and restaurants within walking distance to more lodging. Monterey is best for families and budget-conscious travellers, while Carmel is best for couples, foodies and shoppers. Also, I'm thinking of staying at the Best Western in Morro Bay. Currently we have the below planned. Answer 1 of 15: Hi - I'm traveling to California early next August. 10:47 am Monterey stay for about 4 hours and leave at 2:47 pm drive for about 1 hour. 1 big room with queen bed and a futon in the living room that turns into a bed. Monterey (Spanish: Monterrey; Ohlone: Aacistak) is a city located in Monterey County on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on California's Central Coast. Rooms from $159/night, book on Booking.com or Hotels.com. Pop by the La Selva Library, which regularly hosts family-friendly events. 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. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. Santa Cruz is more beachy - lots of wide, sandy beaches, a good surf culture, historic seaside amusement park, eclectic downtown, etc. Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. It has a great central location and is within walking distance of bars, bistros and the beach. From $113.05 per night. 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. Highway 1 Gate: This 17-Mile Drive entrance is off of exit 399A. . We were in CA last June and stayed in Santa Cruz, and visited the Aquarium. And it is farther from stuff. It will make traffic difficult in that area. The first class of the University of Santa Cruz campus in 1965 appeared in chinos and skirts and cashmere sweaters. Day 1: San Francisco to Monterey Be sure to spend some time in San Fran before you leave! I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? And it is farther from stuff. I would also use this term to describe the Haight Ashbury neighborhood generically. Another good beach is Seacliff State Beach in Aptos. It is only a few years old and is a very nice hotel. Browse the incredible and creative exhibits at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History. Hwy 101 is nicely scenic though too. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63172030', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car ride. Address: 652 Cannery Row, Monterey City Center, Monterey (CA), United States, 93940. Both SC and Monterey have good options for dinner and good lodging. Monterey Tourism Monterey Hotels Monterey Guest House Monterey Holiday Homes Monterey Holiday Packages Monterey Flights . It is world class. I am considering whale watching and hiking in the Henry Cowell Redwood park among other things. Santa Cruz is more of a beachy town with lots of wide, sandy beaches, the Boardwalk amusement park, an eclectic downtown, strong surfing culture. There are no "hippies". What is your lodging budget? Even better, a night stay comes with free use of one of the motel's beach bikes. Both are stunningly beautiful, but the city beach is safer than the 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). Both are good choices. You can whale watch from either town. Via: Where should I stop along the way? Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. It has pristine beaches and a laid back atmosphere, while also boasting incredible food, lively nightlife and lush natural surroundings. Sip seaside cocktails at Bay Bar and Grill. That was sort of cool to see. per night. Best Areas to Stay in Santa Cruz Santa Cruz is a quintessential California beach town, facing the Pacific some 70 miles south of San Francisco.