The Vagabond's House Hotel Abrego Tradewinds Carmel Spindrift Inn Cypress Inn Tickle Pink Inn. Driving the coast from SF to LA. How to Find the Perfect Place to Stay in Santa Cruz, California To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. East of the city centre is the Midtown/Seabright neighbourhood. A continental breakfast is also included in each reservation. It is worth a half day plus to go to Monterey, see the acquarium, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Guests can enjoy a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, laundry facilities, a golf course and a restaurant. 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. Posted 2:23:02 AM. It is conveniently located near the Boardwalk and there are plenty of shops, restaurants and bars within walking distance. Things to Do - Visit Santa Cruz County Another good beach is Seacliff State Beach in Aptos. Oceana Inn Santa Cruz is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. Take 101, it's much more pleasant than I-5. Your decision sounds great! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. At Pitney Bowes, we do the right thing, the right way. It also boasts plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and landmarks. :). :) Report inappropriate content november_moon San Jose, California Destination Expert for California Level Contributor 24,123 posts 138 reviews 71 helpful votes 8. 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. Or spend a night or two in both to maximize your time on the coast. 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. Are there a lot of must dos in Santa Cruz? Take the second exit out of the roundabout, and follow the signs to Pebble Beach. Compare 580 hotels in Santa Cruz using 17,179 real guest reviews. The downtown areass of Monterey and Carmel are nicer. Yall are great! Visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Roaring Camp Railroads, the Santa Cruz Wharf, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and other . There are no modern hippies. It is only a few years old and is a very nice hotel. It is one of the most . Monterey is more diverse and touristy and you can find more moderate lodging than Carmel. Monterey is farther south, so if you only have 2 nights, then Monterey would break up the drive more evenly than Santa Cruz would. Pop by the La Selva Library, which regularly hosts family-friendly events. Since you have plenty of time for the trip from SF to LA, distance isn't a factor. Listed below are the top historic hotels in Monterey, California, that you can scroll over and book now. This is the longest stretch. View details, map and photos of this residential lots property with 0 bedrooms and 0 total baths. If you choose Santa Cruz, check rates at the Dream Inn or Sea and Sand. Is Santa Cruz safe? Would you recommend one? Thanks all! Want to be featured in our list? They are located at opposite ends of the same bay, so the area for whale watching is pretty much the same from either town. Best deals for Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets? Shop for everything from souvenirs to fine art and pottery in Rio del Mar. No matter where you are in the neighbourhood, youll find yourself surrounded by great tunes. On the first leg, we are trying to decide if we should sleep in Santa Cruz or Monterrey? This neighbourhood is also our best recommendation for where to stay in Santa Cruz with kids because it has a great variety of family-friendly fun, activities and adventures. 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). I live downtown and walk Pacific Avenue regularly. 1 big room with queen bed and a futon in the living room that turns into a bed. How do I get from San Jose to Santa Cruz without a car? - 2023 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. And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. We watched it that morning and DS said it was his favorite gift. The direct drive from Monterey to Santa Cruz is 43.5 mi (70 km), and should have a drive time of 49 mins in normal traffic. There are no "hippies". You could also visit nearby Carmel which is one of our favorite towns on the CA coast. Reserve now, pay when you stay. In Santa Cruz, in addition to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, there is the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop! Highway 1 is washed out and closed. If you can, stop there for a bite to eat. For a vacation rental option, try this South Lake Union condo near the Space Needle ( from $160/night ). We spend a lot of time in the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Capitola Venetian Hotel is close to everything the neighbourhood has to offer. Flexible booking options on most hotels. 7.7 Good 206 reviews. Santa Cruz is more beachy - lots of wide, sandy beaches, a good surf culture, historic seaside amusement park, eclectic downtown, etc. Set at the heart of the city, this hotel is a short walk to great dining, nightlife, shopping and sightseeing options. Traffic is nothing like what you find in the big city (except during events like Car Week). Make your voice heard as feds consider Chumash Heritage Marine We have been to several large aquariums over the years just not that one. Capitola (12 answers) In Santa Cruz, you can travel from the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to the Redwoods without a car. Its a great place to watch surfers. Both are good choices. Visiting the coolest area of Santa Cruz requires staying at an even cooler place. 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. 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. 1. Monterey is more coastal and less beachy. Santa Cruz is more beachy - lots of wide, sandy beaches, a good surf culture, historic seaside amusement park, eclectic downtown, etc. These are our 3 favourite hotels in Santa Cruz: Rio Vista Inn & Suites Comfort Inn Boardwalk Hyatt Place Santa Cruz. Road Trip from Santa Barbara to San Francisco - LazyTrips For things to see on the Monterey Peninsula see https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g580824-Activities-Monterey_Peninsula_California.html For Dead Doctors Don't Lie Use: 888-379-2552 For Sale - 7855 Monterra Oaks Rd, Monterey, CA - $1,900,000. Santa Cruz does have a scenic ocean area like Monterey and Carmel. 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. Walk the tiny .6-mile-long . I find people to be friendly, generally. 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. It is comprised of 16 modern rooms with an excellent array of amenities and features. Best Places to stay along the Pacific Coast Highway netllama 7 yr. ago The driving time between Monterrey & Santa Cruz is about an hour. Browse the tiny but interesting Aptos History Museum. Grab a drink at the Asti, an old-school dive bar. I would also suggest a visit to the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Santa Cruzs Boardwalk neighbourhood is one of the liveliest and most vibrant districts in the city. Take 101, it's much more pleasant than I-5. It's a small, funky lil beach town with shops, casual restaurants & beach access. The wharf and cannery row are more prominent in Monterey, and the aquarium is a big draw. Things to Do. The Monerey Bay Aquarium is not to miss there. With over 14 state parks, wineries, museums, farmer's markets, surfing, shopping, and family fun activities, there are plenty of things to do. In this Santa Cruz neighbourhood guide, well look at the best places to stay based on what you want to do. Via: Where should I stop along the way? One person's must-see can be another person's meh. Heres what people usually ask us about the areas of Santa Cruz and where to stay. Seattle's most famous hotel, The Edgewater, is right along the waterfront, and a perfect way to relax before a long multi-day drive. What is your next planned stop and how many days/nights total do you have for the coastal section of your trip? 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 Boardwalk is also our pick for the best neighbourhood in Santa Cruz to stay in if youre on a budget. Capitola is a beachside neighbourhood bursting with a European flair. This historic motel in Santa Cruz is one of the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. Youre steps away from Boardwalk and the beach, as well as cafes, restaurants and other hot spots. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77301030', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa Cruz! 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. Feast on mouthwatering pub fare at 99 Bottles Restaurant & Pub. This excellent three-star hotel is set in central Midtown, one of the best places in Santa Cruz to stay for nightlife. Monterey. Our decision now is what to do with the THREE DAYS we have. Day 1: Arrive in Santa Cruz and Overnight Day 2: Walk to Aptos 11 miles / 18 km Day 3: Walk to Moss Landing 13 miles / 22 km Day 4: Walk to Marina 7 miles / 11 km Day 5: Walk to Monterey 11 miles / 19 km Day 6: Onward Travel. It is comprised of 16 modern rooms with an excellent array of amenities and features. An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. Comfort Inn - Watsonville CA Hotel - Book Today! It has great shopping, delicious dining, buzzing nightlife and some of the most beautiful beaches in the state. Should I drive hwy 1 that part of the journey? We have been to several large aquariums over the years just not that one. Enjoy a great selection of sweet and savoury dishes at the Crepe Place, a longstanding Santa Cruz favourite. You might want to consider two adjoining rooms. 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. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. We were planning to stay in Monterey one night. Monterey Tourism Monterey Hotels Monterey Guest House Monterey Holiday Homes Monterey Holiday Packages Monterey Flights . We like the dining scene a lot more in Monterey-Carmel, but inexpensive eats are easier to find in Santa Cruz. A big construction project is starting on the bridge over the Santa Cruz harbor in September. This is the best hostel in Santa Cruz. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 400 plus pictures, but I digress. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Santa Cruz. Surf City Inn & Suites is your best bet for budget Santa Cruz accommodation in Midtown. 10:47 am Monterey stay for about 4 hours and leave at 2:47 pm drive for about 1 hour. These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Santa Cruz. Monterey is more coastal and less beachy. per night. Monterey has a temperate climate, with a short, intense rainy season. Satisfy your sweet tooth with delicious salt-water taffy. 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. ISO Ocean front rental or hotel in the Monterey area. I've just now been informed that the beach isn't really safe to swim in. My website describes local beaches in further detail: http://www.montereypeninsula.info/guide/beaches.htm. If you like to stay at a motel and do the Boardwalk, Santa Cruz is more your liking stay there. Don't stay at any with "Boardwalk" in the name.. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63172030', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car ride. 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. See the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row, visit the sandy beaches of Half Moon Bay, and take some time to explore Santa Cruz or Pebble Beach. 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. There are loads of places that are great for family days out, and of course, the beach. 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. 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. Located in the heart of Monterey Bay between Santa Cruz and Monterey, 4 miles inland of Moss Landing, 20 miles from Santa Cruz and 15-18 miles from Monterey and Carmel.