Santa Cruzs 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in, #1 Downtown Where to Stay in Santa Cruz for Your First Time, #2 The Boardwalk Where to Stay in Santa Cruz on a Budget, #3 Midtown Where to Stay in Santa Cruz for Nightlife, #4 Capitola Coolest Place to Stay in Santa Cruz, #5 Aptos Where to Stay in Santa Cruz for Families, FAQ about Finding a Place to Stay in Santa Cruz, Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Santa Cruz. Feast on mouthwatering pub fare at 99 Bottles Restaurant & Pub. The room is spacious, with a comfy bed and has a private bathroom. Flora Vista Inn is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. In Santa Cruz, in addition to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, there is the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Either on your way to Big Sur, part of your day in Big Sur or on your way to 101. Mornings going north, afternoon going south. :) Can anyone help me figure out what is the best way to plan this?? I will definitely check into the train ride. Located just off Highway 1 between Santa Cruz and Monterey, our pet-friendly Comfort Inn hotel offers easy access to many attractions in the Monterey Bay area. In short, Santa Cruz is without a doubt one of Californias best-kept secrets. There are some museums and movie theaters in the downtown area. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Hope this helps a bit! With over 14 state parks, wineries, museums, farmer's markets, surfing, shopping, and family fun activities, there are plenty of things to do. I would hang around Morro Bay for some water activity and marine mammal observation. 7. There are some nice restaurants but not as many as Monterey or Carmel. Part of the trip will include a trip up hwy 1. SafetyWing is convenient, cheap, and trouble-free Insurance was never this easy! Our home offers a view of the entire Monterey Bay and sits atop a hilltop with lots of privacy. Hearst Castle is currently closed due to COVID. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Although it might be a little more upmarket compared to other areas of Santa Cruz, trust me when I say, it worth the splurge! Monterey or Carmel to Big Sur The best place to stay if embarking upon a Big Sur day trip is Carmel or Monterey. Things to Do. It is one of the most . Monterey is 8.8\% less expensive than Santa Cruz. more. These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Santa Cruz. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Santa Cruz seamlessly blends its relaxed beach lifestyle with a vibrant culture and some high tech industry. Also, can any give me some input on hwy1 from LA up to San Simeon. Its a great place to watch surfers. One of the coolest places to stay in Santa Cruz, Capitola is packed with incredible things to see and explore. The Monterey Hotel - Historic Victorian hotel in the heart of Monterey; Santa Cruz Ocean Pacific Hotel - A no-frills hotel with a fantastic location. 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. Itinerary. Flexible booking options on most hotels. Henry Cowell is 15 minutes away. Take 101, it's much more pleasant than I-5. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. The Best Western is ideally located in Capitola, Santa Cruzs best neighbourhood for hipsters, trendsetters and cool kids. Visiting the coolest area of Santa Cruz requires staying at an even cooler place. Your email address will not be published. . Even if your kids don''t surf, it is fascinating to watch tht surfers from the bluff. However, for stretches of Big Sur, most accommodations while beautiful are few and expensive. I'd love to see that hippie vibe back in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. 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 conveniently located near the Boardwalk and there are plenty of shops, restaurants and bars within walking distance. Santa Cruz is the beach locals go to for sun and water activities. Address: 652 Cannery Row, Monterey City Center, Monterey (CA), United States, 93940. Convenient private room is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. It is the bordering town to Monterey. Thanks! Walking distance from the famous pier but you can rent bikes form them as well. There may be homeless, but they are everywhere now. 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. This nature-rich . This delightful hotel is one of the best places in Santa Cruz to stay in because it has a great central location. Email [emailprotected] to find out how. 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. Thank you so much for the advice, I think my kids will probably be ready for more beach and less scenery so we will stay in Santa Cruz. Since youre staying two nights in Big Sur you can easily see Monterey while there. 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. It is close to popular tourist attractions as well as dining, nightlife and shopping options. Grab a drink, enjoy the incredible beaches and laid-back vibes. Pacific Grove is a really cute town right in between with bunches of Bed and Breakfasts. 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. Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. Visit the free-admission Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for a day of fun, games, rides, sweets, treats and so much more. 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. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Answer 11 of 15: Hi - I'm traveling to California early next August. Check out the Mnin-Mokre, Voivodia de Santa Cruz, Polnia WinterCast. Aptos is a serene and stunning neighbourhood located just east of Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz has a more tie-dye and granola feel . 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. I've put together a San Francisco city guide to give you some ideas. Is the aquarium in Monterey worth going to? Downtown Santa Cruz is the best neighbourhood in Santa Crus to stay in if youre visiting for the first time. 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. The apartment is very bright, furnished beautifully and offers so much comfort from a massive bed to a great living area. at the end of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Visitors to Santa Cruz particularly seem to like the entertainment choices and beaches, which are great ways to discover the local area. Monterey, California - The AZA-accredited Monterey Bay Aquarium is big on conservation. View details, map and photos of this residential lots property with 0 bedrooms and 0 total baths. When we vacation, we hike, bike, kayak, surf, horse-back rideyou get the idea. Also, I'm thinking of staying at the Best Western in Morro Bay. And let us not overlook Ostrichland in Buellton. Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf are touristy, but downtown isn't really - they are all close together though. Right now Highway 1 isn't passable through the Big Sur area due to a road wash out. Alternatively, you may use, Holiday Inn Express Monterey-Cannery Row, an IHG Hotel, InterContinental the Clement Monterey, an IHG Hotel. 2. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Aptos is our top pick for families. Both are good choices, it really depends on the atmosphere that you want. The Capitola Venetian Hotel is close to everything the neighbourhood has to offer. Hi - I'm traveling to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Princess or sanctuary cruises (Whale watching). 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. Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop! Many have recommended that we visit Carmel Beach to see all of it's beauty and enjoy the beach. Both are good choices. If you are coming by Air or Train, San Jose is the best destination. Have a fun trip! 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. We stayed in Cambria overnight, it took about 4hours to get there. Delve deep into history at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Theres also a large, fully-stocked kitchen. It is located at the heart of Santa Cruz and is just a stones throw from great dining, shopping and nightlife options. Set in central California, Santa Cruz is the epitome of west coast cool. Most hotels are fully refundable. Monterey is more coastal than beachy, if that makes sense. For things to see on the Monterey Peninsula see https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g580824-Activities-Monterey_Peninsula_California.html You can find great Airbnbs like Seacliff House. We know about the road - we are going go around the long way to Paso Robles to miss the construction.. Monterey has more going for it than Santa Cruz in terms of things to do as one can easily do Carmel, Pacific Grove, Carmel Valley, and Big Sur from there too. Situated south of Downtown, the Boardwalk spans the seaside and is home to buzzing attractions, busy restaurants, and cosy cafes. Which is exactly why I put together this guide to the best places to stay in Santa Cruz. We arrive Monday afternoon and leave Saturday morning out of the San Francisco airport. The outdoor area is shared with the other unit but offers a cute patio and a BBQ. Delve deep into the history of the neighbourhood and region at the Capitola Historical Museum. Guests can enjoy a variety of on-site amenities, like a swimming pool and free wifi. This shabby-chic hotel is just steps from the beach, the Boardwalk, great restaurants and lively nightlife. Would one be better than the other for dinner/accommodations? The reviews on Tripadvisor are not encouraging. More posts you may like r/travel Join 9 days ago What are some unique activities that you think are worth traveling for? The Santa Cruz area includes the towns of Santa Cruz, Aptos, Capitola, and Soquel. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77282033', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Monterey/Carmel area. Poor second cousin (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Is this true? Then you head inland a bit, still scenic though, and meet back up with the coast later. The Municipal Wharf is near the Boardwalk and Stagnaro Bros. takes boats out on the Bay for whale watching. And it is farther from stuff. 126 216 r/travel Join 8 days ago Escape the crowds at artsy and secluded Capitola Beach. Kickstart your day with a filling and delicious breakfast at Zeldas. 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. There are no modern hippies. Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California - Located deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains, it is California's oldest state park. Have a fun trip! Browse the buzzing Sunday Art & Music at the Beach events throughout the summer. It is worth a half day plus to go to Monterey, see the acquarium, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Best Areas to Stay in Santa Cruz Santa Cruz is a quintessential California beach town, facing the Pacific some 70 miles south of San Francisco. Twin Lakes is the next beach, just on the other side of the harbor. You won't regret it. Surf City Inn & Suites is your best bet for budget Santa Cruz accommodation in Midtown. Thanks! Shop for everything from souvenirs to fine art and pottery in Rio del Mar. Monterey has more wildlife-focused sites to visit. We saw the Hearst Castle. Wake up early and enjoy the beautiful view of the sea, beach and wharf right from your window. Travel south from here and youll arrive in the busy and buzzing Boardwalk neighbourhood. There is a coastal recreation trail that runs through Monterey and Pacific Grove that is great for viewing the coastline and watching for sea mammals. Enjoy a great selection of sweet and savoury dishes at the Crepe Place, a longstanding Santa Cruz favourite. There is one near the Holiday Inn Express, which is on Ocean Street which leads into town and one at the Boardwalk. Carmel is next to Monterey, which is a quaint upscale village with plenty of nice restaurants, boutiques, and tasting rooms. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63171840', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Cannery Row, have lunch then go back. The most breathtaking part of the drive is through Big Sur, which is the stretch of coast between Cambria and Carmel. Dig into an amazing meal any time of day at Ideal Bar & Grill. The aquarium in Monterey is VERY worth going to. Carmel has two beaches, Carmel city beach and Carmel River Beach. Satisfy your sweet tooth with delicious salt-water taffy. It also extends on the other side of the harbor entrance. It seems like there are lots of mom and pop hotels. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77290577', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Monterey and Santa Cruz gets a lot of traffic especially on weekends. Its always been a big hit with the kids in our family. During the summer the surf on Carmel city beach is relatively tame, and people do play in the water, but not without some risk. Thanks all! Would you recommend one? We like the dining scene a lot more in Monterey-Carmel, but inexpensive eats are easier to find in Santa Cruz. Natural Bridges State Beach is excellent. Santa Cruz has the advantage of being about an hour.