(the aquarium sounds amazing). It's beautiful there and lots of things to see and do beyond the aquarium. Best 3-Star/4-Star Hotels in Monterey. The Boardwalk is also our pick for the best neighbourhood in Santa Cruz to stay in if youre on a budget. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Flora Vista Inn is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. Kickstart your day with a filling and delicious breakfast at Zeldas. Santa Cruz is more of a classic CA beach town with a surf culture and an eclectic downtown. Of course, Henry Cowell state park is closer to Santa Cruz, so SC would be more convenient for that. Surf City Inn & Suites is your best bet for budget Santa Cruz accommodation in Midtown. Youre connected. Dine on delicious dishes at 100 Mile Meals, a concept restaurant that only uses local goods. Take the second exit out of the roundabout, and follow the signs to Pebble Beach. Thanks everyone for the tips and recommendations. Seattle's most famous hotel, The Edgewater, is right along the waterfront, and a perfect way to relax before a long multi-day drive. Don't know if your kids would be that interested in that, mine were 20 and 17 so it was different for us. It is comprised of 16 modern rooms with an excellent array of amenities and features. I will definitely check into the train ride. Monterey. Located in the best position, you wont have to walk far to the main hotspots youll definitely enjoy your time at this place. I would also suggest a visit to the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? . HI-Santa Cruz Hostel is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. 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. Want more deetz on why we love itso damn much? Thank you for your input. 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. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. Take 101, it's much more pleasant than I-5. Monterey Hotel Deals; 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. Maybe that's why he's in love with the Andes, where you'll find him in the local cafs ordering the. It'll be cheaper. Its kind of a funky sort of place, a bit off-beat. Rooms are equipped with A/C and also feature hair dryers, showers and ceiling fans. Once you hit Ventura, then you'll be on the coast through Santa Barbara. Both places are fun and beautiful with a lot to see! The downtown area of Santa Cruz is a bit funky but fun., I did see a person who was a street person once there with a backpacking cat. You could also visit nearby Carmel which is one of our favorite towns on the CA coast. The best one is the Best Western Plus All Suites Inn, further down on Ocean Street. Hope this helps a bit! Explore the streets, shops and bars of colourful Capitola Village. If you have a map, start at the San Lorenzo River and go south the the Yacht Harbor. Is this true? Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. We stayed in Cambria overnight, it took about 4hours to get there. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Princess or sanctuary cruises (Whale watching). Instead, buy an eSIM! Get an early start to the day with a delightful breakfast at Bill's Caf in charming Willow Glen before hitting the road. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. What do you think? Th most breathtaking of Highway 1 is when you leave the Cambria area for the next 2hours. Not true. Youll find plenty of bars, shops, restaurants, and the beach is within walking distance. Take State Park Drive from Hwy 1. I'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to. Privacy can be the best cure for a hangover, which is why we chose this Airbnb for all of the nightlife enthusiasts. From $113.05 per night. Things to Do. Drink fresh and handcrafted beers at the Seabright Brewery. at the end of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I'd love to see that hippie vibe back in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Show more. 2. Also, can any give me some input on hwy1 from LA up to San Simeon. And it is farther from stuff. It has a eucalyptus grove where Monarch butterflies stay over the winter when they are migrating. We are even usually warmer that Pismo Beach because our beaches face south. Also, I'm thinking of staying at the Best Western in Morro Bay. Answer 1 of 19: Driving the coast from SF to LA. Catch a show at Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf are touristy, but downtown isn't really - they are all close together though. Of course, Henry Cowell state park is closer to Santa Cruz, so SC would be more convenient for that. The room is spacious, with a comfy bed and has a private bathroom. It's among the best places to stay in Monterey, CA. It is a great option for Santa Cruz accommodation because it has comfortable rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and free wifi. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? Santa Cruzs Boardwalk neighbourhood is one of the liveliest and most vibrant districts in the city. KSCO Live Show: 831-479-1080 KSCO Office: 831-475-1080 Important! Should we. Alternatively, you may use, Holiday Inn Express Monterey-Cannery Row, an IHG Hotel, InterContinental the Clement Monterey, an IHG Hotel. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. See the ruins of the S.S. Palo Alto Concrete Ship. InterContinental The Clement Monterey (from USD 304) The oceanfront views from the InterContinental Clement Monterey will absolutely take your breath away. It is ideally located at the heart of the city and is a quick walk to the restaurants, attractions and bars of the Downtown, the Boardwalk and Midtown neighbourhoods. Continue on to Pacific Grove and stay at Asilomar (again) or. The first class of the University of Santa Cruz campus in 1965 appeared in chinos and skirts and cashmere sweaters. We do not represent World Nomads. Is there a decent midprice one? Monterey is 8.8\% less expensive than Santa Cruz. If you choose Santa Cruz, check rates at the Dream Inn or Sea and Sand. There are several Best Westerns in town. Even if your kids don''t surf, it is fascinating to watch tht surfers from the bluff. 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. This is north of the Boardwalk area. The Continental Inn is set at the heart of Santa Cruz. During the summer the surf on Carmel city beach is relatively tame, and people do play in the water, but not without some risk. And oftentimes good food in that range. 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). Should we. Santa Cruz is more beachy - lots of wide, sandy beaches, a good surf culture, historic seaside amusement park, eclectic downtown, etc. Since (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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 also boasts plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and landmarks. per night. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. 5:52 pm Paso Robles eat at Niner Wine Estates stay overnight at Summerwood Winery and Inn The aquarium in Monterey is VERY worth going to. Would one be better than the other for dinner/accommodations? 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. We have been to several large aquariums over the years just not that one. Your email address will not be published. 4:02 pm King City (California) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:02 pm drive for about 50 minutes. For Dead Doctors Don't Lie Use: 888-379-2552 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. You won't regret it. Monterey is more coastal than beachy, if that makes sense. 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. In Santa Cruz, I have it tentatively narrowed down to the Holiday Inn Express or the Best Western. The earliest known filming took place in Monterey in 1897, compared to Santa Cruz's first foray into film in 1915. 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. Don't know if your kids would be that interested in that, mine were 20 and 17 so it was different for us. Once you hit Ventura, then you'll be on the coast through Santa Barbara. tour along the Highway 1 from San Francisco to LA? It is a really vibrant and colourful area of Santa Barbara, and it reallys really unique. These are our 3 favourite hotels in Santa Cruz: Rio Vista Inn & Suites Comfort Inn Boardwalk Hyatt Place Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is one of Californias best-kept secrets. This contemporary hotel has comfortable rooms with excellent features and amenities. 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. Pacific Grove is a really cute town right in between with bunches of Bed and Breakfasts. Do you own an awesome hostel, hotel or apartment? Shop for everything from souvenirs to fine art and pottery in Rio del Mar. World Nomads mission is to support and encourage travellers to explore their boundaries. Theres also an outdoor swimming pool and on-site parking. The great whites should be in their summer residence in Aptos by then, they usually show up in April, and if that interests you they can be seen from the sand or there are boat tours. Photos and Property Details for 1190 WARREN DR, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060. 10:47 am Monterey stay for about 4 hours and leave at 2:47 pm drive for about 1 hour. We like the dining scene a lot more in Monterey-Carmel, but inexpensive eats are easier to find in Santa Cruz. It is worth a half day plus to go to Monterey, see the acquarium, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We were in CA last June and stayed in Santa Cruz, and visited the Aquarium. Santa Cruz is the beach locals go to for sun and water activities. See a show at the intimate and awesome Rio Theatre. 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). The aquarium in Monterey is a big draw, and it is very good. One person's must-see can be another person's meh. Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. We have interest in outdoor eating, swimming/lounging on the beach, live music and natures beauty (but we're not huge hikers or anything).