Part of the trip will include a trip up hwy 1. Each room comes complete with a minibar, kitchenette and wireless internet access. Founded on June 3, 1770, it was the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The ultimate itinerary for a Big Sur road trip Grab a drink, enjoy the incredible beaches and laid-back vibes. Paso Robles, San Simeon, Morro Bay and Pismo Beach are all within an hour of each other. Obviously the true hippies have moved on but the areas still have a bit of that feel and try and remain colorful as opposed to going mainstream. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-41178810', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California you have to be south of Point Conception, which is just north of Santa Barbara. What do you think? I would choose one location and spend 2 nights. My plan now is to drive up from Pasadena to San Simeon via hwy 5 and then pick up hwy 1. More posts you may like r/travel Join 9 days ago What are some unique activities that you think are worth traveling for? 4:02 pm King City (California) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:02 pm drive for about 50 minutes. We have interest in outdoor eating, swimming/lounging on the beach, live music and natures beauty (but we're not huge hikers or anything). Surf City Inn & Suites is your best bet for budget Santa Cruz accommodation in Midtown. Is your phone eSIM ready? There are several Best Westerns in town. I have the time but worry about the length of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The best one is the Best Western Plus All Suites Inn, further down on Ocean Street. With over 14 state parks, wineries, museums, farmer's markets, surfing, shopping, and family fun activities, there are plenty of things to do. Carmel has some very nice places to stay. Compare 578 hotels, room rates, hotel reviews and availability. Stay the night in Carmel or Monterey and leave early for Big Sur. This charming hotel is an excellent place to make your base in Capitola because there are plenty of shopping, dining and nightlife options nearby. Monterey, which is further north of Big Sur, is located no more than 1-1.5 hours away from most of the attractions that we recommend seeing on a Big Sur itinerary. The very next year there were bare feet and jeans and long hair and granny dresses. Two of the most popular beach(es) in Santa Cruz itself are Seabright and Twin Lakes. Both places are fun and beautiful with a lot to see! 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. Well, dont worry because in this next section were going to break each of them down in much more detail. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. Not only will you find the citys only hostel here, but this neighbourhood is packed with delicious cheap eats and inexpensive activities to enjoy. Santa Cruz is more of a beachy town with lots of wide, sandy beaches, the Boardwalk amusement park, an eclectic downtown, strong surfing culture. Listen to live music at the Kuumbwa Jazz Centre. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_3").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Thanks SO much :). :) Can anyone help me figure out what is the best way to plan this?? Its a great place to watch surfers. Don't stay at any with "Boardwalk" in the name.. 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. Its fun and your younger kids would probably love it. View details, map and photos of this residential lots property with 0 bedrooms and 0 total baths. We've also never been to Cali if that makes a difference. Monterey or Santa Cruz. Highway 1 through Santa Cruz has a lot of traffic in mornings and after 3. Theres also complimentary wifi. There is a good and informative visitor center and some great tide pools. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Nobody remembers that this was happening all over the country. Santa Cruz does have a scenic ocean area like Monterey and Carmel. It is one of the most . Part of the trip will include a trip up hwy 1. It is world class. Hi - I'm traveling to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Should we. Our Trip started in Santa Monica ending in SF. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. From Monterey to Santa Cruz expect a slow down through Moss Landing. We were in CA last June and stayed in Santa Cruz, and visited the Aquarium. Monterey is more coastal and less beachy. Also we are 25 & 26 and are not big wine drinkers. There are loads of places that are great for family days out, and of course, the beach. ), Bougie-coffee lover and staunch enemy of coriander; TEFL-certified language teacher, linguist, and aspiring polyglot. Monterey Hotel Deals; I do not recommend staying at a hotel right near the Boardwalk, but there are some good ones nearer the Municipal Wharf, specifically the joie d'vivre Dream Inn, the Seaview Inn, the West Cliff Inn (a Victorian Bed and Breakfast) and a couple more. The seaside town of Santa Cruz is one of the coolest places in California. 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. Carmel has a great little white sand beach and a European cottagey vibe with lots of boutique stores (it is a pretty unique little community), Pacific Grove has Victorian B and B's but other more casual lodging with coastal bluff walkways. It is comprised of 16 modern rooms with an excellent array of amenities and features. Also, I'm thinking of staying at the Best Western in Morro Bay. In Santa Cruz, I have it tentatively narrowed down to the Holiday Inn Express or the Best Western. Difference between Santa Cruz and Monterey & Carmel area? The Rio Vista Inn is our favourite hotel in Santa Cruz. I concur with november moon. Thanks all! more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Shop for everything from souvenirs to fine art and pottery in Rio del Mar. The Best Western in Aptos is one of our best recommendation for where to stay in Santa Cruz for families. It is a great option for Santa Cruz accommodation because it has comfortable rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and free wifi. 1. How to get from Santa Cruz to Monterey by bus, taxi or car - Rome2rio The outdoor area is shared with the other unit but offers a cute patio and a BBQ. Home [ksco.com] 1190 WARREN DR, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 - montereybayprop.com Here's hoping that warms you up a bit this brisk Thursday morning. From $113.05 per night. We stayed in Cambria overnight, it took about 4hours to get there. 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. Walking in Carmel reminded me of being in a European town with it's interesting storefronts, side streets and small nooks and crannies. This historic motel in Santa Cruz is one of the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. Your decision sounds great! 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. The Monerey Bay Aquarium is not to miss there. Guests can enjoy a variety of on-site amenities, like a swimming pool and free wifi. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? The coastline is rockier and generally more scenic, and although there are some beaches, Monterey isn't really a beach town - its focus is more on sailing/boating, fishing, and marine life. The aquarium in Monterey is VERY worth going to. You won't regret it. Wake up early and enjoy the beautiful view of the sea, beach and wharf right from your window. We also love seeing wildlife. I would also suggest a visit to the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Is the aquarium in Monterey worth going to? 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. The most breathtaking part of the drive is through Big Sur, which is the stretch of coast between Cambria and Carmel. I always put up overflow family at the Holiday Inn Express during Thanksgiving and Christmas. It offers easy access throughout the neighbourhood and is close to restaurants, the beach and bars. See a show at the intimate and awesome Rio Theatre. Check out the Mnin-Mokre, Voivodia de Santa Cruz, Polnia WinterCast. Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruises A humpback whale breaches in Monterey Bay. The home is incredibly airy and bright, equipped with only high-quality amenities and comfy furniture. I would also use this term to describe the Haight Ashbury neighborhood generically. Set in central California, Santa Cruz is the epitome of west coast cool. Then you head inland a bit, still scenic though, and meet back up with the coast later. A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic booooring. I hesitate to recommend either based on "must-sees" since that is such a personal decision. Guests can enjoy a heated swimming pool, free wifi and a delicious daily breakfast. There are some museums and movie theaters in the downtown area. 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. You could also visit nearby Carmel which is one of our favorite towns on the CA coast. Feast on mouthwatering pub fare at 99 Bottles Restaurant & Pub. Another excellent option is the Rio Vista Inn & Suites Santa Cruz. 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. Browse the incredible and creative exhibits at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History. 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. Situated south of Downtown, the Boardwalk spans the seaside and is home to buzzing attractions, busy restaurants, and cosy cafes. And oftentimes good food in that range. 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. Monterey is a quintessential north California ocean town in the USA and has a great population of marine wildlife and fresh seafood. Answer 11 of 17: We (myself & two young sons) are making our way up from LA to San Francisco next month & want to spend a night in either Monterey or Santa Cruz. We saw the Hearst Castle. Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip {25 Stops + 7 Day Guide} - California Theres also a laundry service and pool on-site. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? It has pristine beaches and a laid back atmosphere, while also boasting incredible food, lively nightlife and lush natural surroundings. The Comfort Inn is centrally located near the Boardwalk, one of the best areas to stay in Santa Cruz. Set at the heart of the city, this hotel is a short walk to great dining, nightlife, shopping and sightseeing options. Henry Cowell is 15 minutes away. Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor Santa Cruz is more beachy - lots of wide, sandy beaches, a good surf culture, historic seaside amusement park, eclectic downtown, etc. Thank you for your input. 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. Convenient private room is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. We were planning to stay in Monterey one night. 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. The beach at Capitola Village is good - there are a lot of shops and restaurants just off the beach, so that can be fun. Do check that the Boardwalk is open when you are there as the hours are starting to be shorter as schools are starting to go back into session. I have lived through this, having moved here in 1970 and been involved in the University and I am very tired of hearing Santa Cruz described as having a "hippie vibe", C'mon, you guys.