should i stay in monterey or santa cruz?

Both are good choices. Hwy 101 is nicely scenic though too. What is your lodging budget? Which is exactly why I put together this guide to the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. It is worth a half day plus to go to Monterey, see the acquarium, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? That was sort of cool to see. We spend a lot of time in the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Are there a lot of must dos in Santa Cruz? To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to. Since (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Set in central California, Santa Cruz is the epitome of west coast cool. Address: 652 Cannery Row, Monterey City Center, Monterey (CA), United States, 93940. SafetyWing is convenient, cheap, and trouble-free Insurance was never this easy! Drink fresh and handcrafted beers at the Seabright Brewery. InterContinental The Clement Monterey (from USD 304) The oceanfront views from the InterContinental Clement Monterey will absolutely take your breath away. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. The Rio Vista Inn is our favourite hotel in Santa Cruz. It has a convenient location, comfortable beds, and a great range of amenities and features. Answer 1 of 15: Hi - I'm traveling to California early next August. There is one near the Holiday Inn Express, which is on Ocean Street which leads into town and one at the Boardwalk. Listen to live music at the Kuumbwa Jazz Centre. 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 am considering whale watching and hiking in the Henry Cowell Redwood park among other things. These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Santa Cruz. Then you head inland a bit, still scenic though, and meet back up with the coast later. I always put up overflow family at the Holiday Inn Express during Thanksgiving and Christmas. 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. Don't know if your kids would be that interested in that, mine were 20 and 17 so it was different for us. The Monterey Hotel (from USD 112) Come and experience full-blown comfort at The Monterey Hotel. It has pristine beaches and a laid back atmosphere, while also boasting incredible food, lively nightlife and lush natural surroundings. Best 3-Star/4-Star Hotels in Monterey. Our decision now is what to do with the THREE DAYS we have. Day 1: San Francisco to Monterey Be sure to spend some time in San Fran before you leave! Do you own an awesome hostel, hotel or apartment? Yes, finding a room which would hold a family of 6 is definitely a problem. This is our first trip alone in quite a few years & I want it be fun, romantic & relaxing! Monterey Properties; Santa Clara Properties; Santa Cruz Properties; Fresno Properties; Short Term Rentals; List Your Rental; Residents; Owners; Contact; Blog; FAQs; Pay Rent. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77302454', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Carmel is, they roll up the sidewalks at 6pm ;-) so if you want any kind of nightlife other than a nice dinner out and perhaps drinks at a quiet bar, Monterey or Santa Cruz will be a better choice. Dine on delicious dishes at 100 Mile Meals, a concept restaurant that only uses local goods. Manresa isn't as good for swimming though. Get answers to your questions about Monterey, Monterey Peninsula Trip Report w/photos. There is one near the Holiday Inn Express, which is on Ocean Street which leads into town and one at the Boardwalk. Feast on fresh and delicious seafood and more at Stagnaro Bros. Go for a stroll along the Santa Cruz Wharf and spot local wildlife like sea lions, whales, birds and more. Its a great place to watch surfers. 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. Capitola (12 answers) Alternatively, you may use, Holiday Inn Express Monterey-Cannery Row, an IHG Hotel, InterContinental the Clement Monterey, an IHG Hotel. It is only a few years old and is a very nice hotel. The Monerey Bay Aquarium is not to miss there. 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. That is, as long as you don't get stuck in traffic. You could also visit nearby Carmel which is one of our favorite towns on the CA coast. Santa Cruzs Boardwalk neighbourhood is one of the liveliest and most vibrant districts in the city. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. It seems like there are lots of mom and pop hotels. Is your phone eSIM ready? It has the most cultural attractions in Santa Cruz and loads of cool places to check out. Monterey, California - The AZA-accredited Monterey Bay Aquarium is big on conservation. Hi - I'm traveling to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. From $113.05 per night. 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. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. It is a great option for Santa Cruz accommodation because it has comfortable rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and free wifi. 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. There are some museums and movie theaters in the downtown area. It offers easy access to shops, restaurants and bars, and is close to the beach. As to which town, I prefer Santa Cruz, but I think Monterey has better restaurants. We have interest in outdoor eating, swimming/lounging on the beach, live music and natures beauty (but we're not huge hikers or anything). I'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to. Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. For things to see on the Monterey Peninsula see https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g580824-Activities-Monterey_Peninsula_California.html Visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Roaring Camp Railroads, the Santa Cruz Wharf, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and other . Alternatively, you may use, InterContinental the Clement Monterey, an IHG Hotel, http://www.montereypeninsula.info/guide/beaches.htm. Even if your kids don''t surf, it is fascinating to watch tht surfers from the bluff. We saw the Hearst Castle. A big construction project is starting on the bridge over the Santa Cruz harbor in September. This delightful hotel is one of the best places in Santa Cruz to stay in because it has a great central location. Even the hostels in Santa Barbara are upscale. It will be warmer here, so if you want a beach day this is your place. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thanks! Don't stay at any with "Boardwalk" in the name.. Alternatively, you may use, http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts. Highway 1 Gate: This 17-Mile Drive entrance is off of exit 399A. But because it is farther out, it is great for beach combing because there aren't as many people - sometimes very few people. We do not represent World Nomads. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. I will definitely check into the train ride. And it is farther from stuff. It is located at the heart of Santa Cruz and is just a stones throw from great dining, shopping and nightlife options. Monterey is best for families and budget-conscious travellers, while Carmel is best for couples, foodies and shoppers. Best Boutique Hotels in Monterey. 7. Both places are fun and beautiful with a lot to see! Should we. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41177793', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco the first week of August. Hwy 101 is nicely scenic though too. It was incredible. And let us not overlook Ostrichland in Buellton. Monterey has more wildlife-focused sites to visit. A couple, family w/kids, etc ? On the first leg, we are trying to decide if we should sleep in Santa Cruz or Monterrey? It's possible to stay anywhere in the area and get to everything else fairly fast. ISO Ocean front rental or hotel in the Monterey area. Not true. 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 ? Travel south from here and youll arrive in the busy and buzzing Boardwalk neighbourhood. We were planning to stay in Monterey one night. My plan now is to drive up from Pasadena to San Simeon via hwy 5 and then pick up hwy 1. Two of the most popular beach(es) in Santa Cruz itself are Seabright and Twin Lakes. Why is Santa Cruz warmer than Monterey? There are beaches, but the coastline is more rocky, which is beautiful and means that you have more opportunity to see sea animals. Walk the tiny .6-mile-long . This is the longest stretch. 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. Natural Bridges State Beach is excellent. Feast on mouthwatering pub fare at 99 Bottles Restaurant & Pub. 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. Oceana Inn Santa Cruz is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. We have been to several large aquariums over the years just not that one. You understand you can't drive the coast LA to SF, right? I would take Hwy 101 north to San Luis Obispo and pick up Hwy 1 there. I concur with november moon. In this guide, weve looked at the best places to stay in Santa Cruz.