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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Capitola (12 answers) Eat an amazing meal at Hindquarter Bar & Grill. On I-5 from Pasadena, you'll have to go over the Grapevine, which is what I-5 is called where it goes through the mountains just north of the LA basin - every semi-truck in the Western US seems to go over this pass. Again, thank you! The Municipal Wharf is near the Boardwalk and Stagnaro Bros. takes boats out on the Bay for whale watching. Enjoy a great selection of sweet and savoury dishes at the Crepe Place, a longstanding Santa Cruz favourite. Re: Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? 126 216 r/travel Join 8 days ago Would one be better than the other for dinner/accommodations? As a matter of fact I purchased the ProShow Gold DVD slideshow software and made a 35 min show with music and gave to my kids on Xmas. . In this guide, weve looked at the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. It also offers easy access to the beach as well as many of Santa Cruzs most famous attractions and landmarks. Most major cities along the coast including San Francisco, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles have the presence of most hotel chains and it is easy to find a place to stay for all budgets. To find warm water beaches in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It's among the best places to stay in Monterey, CA. 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. Part of the trip will include a trip up hwy 1. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Youll find plenty of bars, shops, restaurants, and the beach is within walking distance. :) Can anyone help me figure out what is the best way to plan this?? View details, map and photos of this residential lots property with 0 bedrooms and 0 total baths. The good news: Santa Cruz and the Monterey Peninsula are only 45 minutes apart, so you can stay in one and easily visit the other. It is an artsy neighbourhood located to the east of the city centre and is well-known for its colourful and vibrant buildings along with its great restaurants and artisanal shops. A big construction project is starting on the bridge over the Santa Cruz harbor in September. One night in each is a lot of moving without covering much distance. 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. Located in the best position, you wont have to walk far to the main hotspots youll definitely enjoy your time at this place. We watched it that morning and DS said it was his favorite gift. You can pretty much expect all indoor attractions to be closed until conditions improve markedly. 1 big room with queen bed and a futon in the living room that turns into a bed. It is world class. If approved by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Association, the new sanctuary will provide the missing link in a chain of . Both are great. This is our first trip alone in quite a few years & I want it be fun, romantic & relaxing! Even if your kids don''t surf, it is fascinating to watch tht surfers from the bluff. The outdoor area is shared with the other unit but offers a cute patio and a BBQ. You can whale watch from either town. It has pristine beaches and a laid back atmosphere, while also boasting incredible food, lively nightlife and lush natural surroundings. Manresa isn't as good for swimming though. We're adjacent to Watsonville Municipal Airport, just minutes from Sunset State Beach and nearby golf courses, wineries and wildlife preserves. Take that one, as its beautiful and different from Highway 1. What is the most breathtaking part of hwy 1? Visit the free-admission Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for a day of fun, games, rides, sweets, treats and so much more. Rooms are well-equipped with a kitchenette and guests can enjoy on-demand movies and a spa bathtub. I would have a hard time finding stuff to . We do not represent World Nomads. In Santa Cruz, in addition to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, there is the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Shop for everything from souvenirs to fine art and pottery in Rio del Mar. It also boasts plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and landmarks. 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. We saw the Hearst Castle. 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. If you have a map, start at the San Lorenzo River and go south the the Yacht Harbor. Thanks SO much :). Both are stunningly beautiful, but the city beach is safer than the River beach. Another consideration is your overall plan - how many nights do you have for your drive down the coast? The apartment is very bright, furnished beautifully and offers so much comfort from a massive bed to a great living area. Monterey is more coastal and less beachy. The Capitola Venetian Hotel is close to everything the neighbourhood has to offer. Close, Where to Stay in Santa Cruz, California (2023 COOLEST Areas! Of course, Henry Cowell state park is closer to Santa Cruz, so SC would be more convenient for that. ISO Ocean front rental or hotel in the Monterey area. As a matter of fact I purchased the ProShow Gold DVD slideshow software and made a 35 min show with music and gave to my kids on Xmas. Looking for a specific place to stay? The beach at Capitola Village is good - there are a lot of shops and restaurants just off the beach, so that can be fun. 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. No matter where you are in the neighbourhood, youll find yourself surrounded by great tunes. See the ruins of the S.S. Palo Alto Concrete Ship. This shabby-chic hotel is just steps from the beach, the Boardwalk, great restaurants and lively nightlife. Is the aquarium in Monterey worth going to? The Municipal Wharf is near the Boardwalk and Stagnaro Bros. takes boats out on the Bay for whale watching. It also extends on the other side of the harbor entrance. More than 200 films have been shot in Monterey County, and it's now home to HBO's acclaimed Big Little Lies. We took 101 from LA to Canbria and it was just a gorgeous drive..I wouldn't have imagined that. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Poor second cousin (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Rio Vista Inn is our favourite hotel in Santa Cruz. Eat incredible and fresh seafood, pasta and more at Caf Rio. This is a good one - heavily visited, but not as busy as the main beach. Although it might be a little more upmarket compared to other areas of Santa Cruz, trust me when I say, it worth the splurge! Currently we have the below planned. In Santa Cruz, I have it tentatively narrowed down to the Holiday Inn Express or the Best Western. Youre steps away from Boardwalk and the beach, as well as cafes, restaurants and other hot spots. Downtown Santa Cruz is the best neighbourhood in Santa Crus to stay in if youre visiting for the first time. We like the dining scene a lot more in Monterey-Carmel, but inexpensive eats are easier to find in Santa Cruz. :). I have the time but worry about the length of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Then you head inland a bit, still scenic though, and meet back up with the coast later. Both are good choices. It is worth a half day plus to go to Monterey, see the acquarium, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? One person's must-see can be another person's meh. We have been to several large aquariums over the years just not that one. And oftentimes good food in that range. Open to suggestions. Don't stay at any with "Boardwalk" in the name.. There are beaches, but the coastline is more rocky, which is beautiful and means that you have more opportunity to see sea animals. I think the decision really depends on what you want to do and see and your overall plan. I would hang around Morro Bay for some water activity and marine mammal observation. Set in central California, Santa Cruz is the epitome of west coast cool. SafetyWing is convenient, cheap, and trouble-free Insurance was never this easy! Walking distance from the famous pier but you can rent bikes form them as well. Itinerary. I'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to SF. There is one near the Holiday Inn Express, which is on Ocean Street which leads into town and one at the Boardwalk. 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. 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. I will definitely check into the train ride. Enjoy an awesome meal with a great view at Sanderlings Restaurant. Mornings going north, afternoon going south. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Furnished with an eye for detail, this Downtown Airbnb is the right place for visiting Santa Cruz for the first time. Most travelers stop in Santa Cruz en route to Monterey, especially since it's only a few hours from SF and the next leg of your drive might make for a seriously long day IF you also want to include a stop in Monterey and/or Carmel. Santa Cruz is more of a beachy town with lots of wide, sandy beaches, the Boardwalk amusement park, an eclectic downtown, strong surfing culture. InterContinental The Clement Monterey (from USD 304) The oceanfront views from the InterContinental Clement Monterey will absolutely take your breath away. Hi - I'm traveling to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Driving from LA to Monterey - First time - help. Reserve now, pay when you stay. Want to be featured in our list? Thanks all! 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. :) Report inappropriate content november_moon San Jose, California Destination Expert for California Level Contributor 24,101 posts 138 reviews 71 helpful votes 8. The Broke Backpacker's Head of Administration, Art hails from North Florida where the elevation fails to reach even 5 meters. Answer 1 of 19: Driving the coast from SF to LA. Visitors to Santa Cruz particularly seem to like the entertainment choices and beaches, which are great ways to discover the local area. However, just to confuse things I believe that they have merged the two into "Twin Lakes State Beach". As a member of our team, you can too.We haveSee this and similar jobs on LinkedIn. Yall are great! 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. 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. If youre not sure which is right for you, here is a quick recap of our favourite Santa Cruz accommodation options: HI-Santa Cruz Hostel is the best hostel in the city. Should we. 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. Your first stop should be the classic Californian beach town of Santa Cruz. I always put up overflow family at the Holiday Inn Express during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Try to help and people have to go on a rant. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. 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). A hub of activity and attractions, the Boardwalk is our best recommendation for where to stay in Santa Cruz for one night or if youre on a budget. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63172993', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Nepenthe. 400 plus pictures, but I digress. It was incredible. KSCO Live Show: 831-479-1080 KSCO Office: 831-475-1080 Important! Princess or sanctuary cruises (Whale watching). If you like to stay at a motel and do the Boardwalk, Santa Cruz is more your liking stay there. Part of the trip will include a trip up hwy 1. Keep in mind that as beautiful as (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Situated south of Downtown, the Boardwalk spans the seaside and is home to buzzing attractions, busy restaurants, and cosy cafes. I don't know Santa Cruz beaches well enough to speak with authority, but Monterey Peninsula area beaches aren't especially safe for swimming. Enjoy delicious food and drinks at Red Restaurant and Bar. Downtown is a large neighbourhood located in central Santa Cruz. Alternatively, you may use, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Santa Cruz, an IHG Hotel. On the first leg, we are trying to decide if we should sleep in Santa Cruz or Monterrey? You can usually see plenty of marine wildlife from shore, especially if you go along the coastal recreation trail, which runs for miles. These are our 3 favourite hotels in Santa Cruz: Rio Vista Inn & Suites Comfort Inn Boardwalk Hyatt Place Santa Cruz. Located at the north end of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is a relaxed and laid-back city known as a counterculture and artistic hub with a bohemian feel and youthful vibes. Many have recommended that we visit Carmel Beach to see all of it's beauty and enjoy the beach. The Best Western in Aptos is one of our best recommendation for where to stay in Santa Cruz for families. It has pristine beaches and a laid back atmosphere, while also boasting incredible food, lively nightlife and lush natural surroundings. World Nomads mission is to support and encourage travellers to explore their boundaries. Kickstart your day with a filling and delicious breakfast at Zeldas.