It's myself and my husband and we are going the first week in May. The ultimate itinerary for a Big Sur road trip My plan now is to drive up from Pasadena to San Simeon via hwy 5 and then pick up hwy 1. Big Sur Closed -- Should we stay in Santa Cruz or Monterey?? - Santa Difference between Santa Cruz and Monterey & Carmel area? Day 1: San Francisco to Monterey Be sure to spend some time in San Fran before you leave! Guests can enjoy a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, laundry facilities, a golf course and a restaurant. It seems like there are lots of mom and pop hotels. You can pretty much expect all indoor attractions to be closed until conditions improve markedly. I would hang around Morro Bay for some water activity and marine mammal observation. Best deals for Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets? Both are good choices. Wake up early and enjoy the beautiful view of the sea, beach and wharf right from your window. What is the most breathtaking part of hwy 1? Poor second cousin (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Keep in mind that as beautiful as (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Boardwalk is also our pick for the best neighbourhood in Santa Cruz to stay in if youre on a budget. It is a large area comprised of three main neighbourhoods Seacliff, Rio Del Mar and La Selva and is a great place to stay if youre looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the Boardwalk. The Best Western in Aptos is one of our best recommendation for where to stay in Santa Cruz for families. 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. Santa Cruz seamlessly blends its relaxed beach lifestyle with a vibrant culture and some high tech industry. A continental breakfast is also included in each reservation. Two of the most popular beach(es) in Santa Cruz itself are Seabright and Twin Lakes. Santa Cruz vs Monterrey/Carmel First Timer. Please help! :) We arrive Monday afternoon and leave Saturday morning out of the San Francisco airport. Santa Cruzs downtown district is also where youll find the local arts scene. Here is a traveler article on Santa Cruz to help describe it. Our home offers a view of the entire Monterey Bay and sits atop a hilltop with lots of privacy. Shop until you drop at the Pacific Garden Mall. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? This contemporary hotel has comfortable rooms with excellent features and amenities. Dig into an amazing meal any time of day at Ideal Bar & Grill. What do you think? Monterey is more coastal - there are some beaches too, but the coastline is rocky so the focus is more on scenery and wildlife. I'm wondering with four kids (11,9,7,5) should we stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz? Should I stay a night in Santa Cruz? - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums We love Capitola. Its kind of a funky sort of place, a bit off-beat. Take 101, it's much more pleasant than I-5. 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. In Santa Cruz, I have it tentatively narrowed down to the Holiday Inn Express or the Best Western. My home beach is Seabright, which is just over the river. Road Trip: Where to stay Monterey or Santa Cruz? - Tripadvisor This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. It is a really vibrant and colourful area of Santa Barbara, and it reallys really unique. This is a much nicer route than I-5, which is really boring. As a member of our team, you can too.We haveSee this and similar jobs on LinkedIn. It has pristine beaches and a laid back atmosphere, while also boasting incredible food, lively nightlife and lush natural surroundings. Do you have any recommendations? 2. The most breathtaking part of the drive is through Big Sur, which is the stretch of coast between Cambria and Carmel. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Its just that easy. Earn free nights and get our Price Guarantee - booking has never been easier on Hotels.com! It breaks down the best areas to stay in Santa Cruz by interest and budget, so youll know exactly where to stay based on what you want to do. We know about the road - we are going go around the long way to Paso Robles to miss the construction.. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Princess or sanctuary cruises (Whale watching). Should I: Stay at a hotel in Santa Cruz?. Theres also a large, fully-stocked kitchen. I hesitate to recommend either based on "must-sees" since that is such a personal decision. You also have the Boardwalk, which is a seaside amusement park - rides, including an historic wooden roller coaster, games, waffle cones. 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. Theres also an outdoor swimming pool and on-site parking. Stay the night in Carmel or Monterey and leave early for Big Sur. Enjoy an awesome meal with a great view at Sanderlings Restaurant. On the first leg, we are trying to decide if we should sleep in Santa Cruz or Monterrey? Monterey has a great bike path. Rooms come complete with A/C and include refrigerators. Heres what people usually ask us about the areas of Santa Cruz and where to stay. Surf City Inn & Suites is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. We do not represent World Nomads. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-63170412', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');California early next August. It's a small, funky lil beach town with shops, casual restaurants & beach access. Our Trip started in Santa Monica ending in SF. Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor 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 ? Check out the Mnin-Mokre, Voivodia de Santa Cruz, Polnia WinterCast. Oceana Inn Santa Cruz is one of our favourites in Santa Cruz, California but theyre not taking guests right now. You can whale watch from either town. Visiting the coolest area of Santa Cruz requires staying at an even cooler place. 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. I'm planning on staying 2 nights and then heading to SF. Stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz - Monterey Forum - Tripadvisor Big Sur Closed -- Should we stay in Santa Cruz or Monterey?? - Santa Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Theres also an outdoor swimming pool and a Jacuzzi. Are there a lot of must dos in Santa Cruz? We're adjacent to Watsonville Municipal Airport, just minutes from Sunset State Beach and nearby golf courses, wineries and wildlife preserves. 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. It is worth a half day plus to go to Monterey, see the acquarium, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Maybe that's why he's in love with the Andes, where you'll find him in the local cafs ordering the. Address: 652 Cannery Row, Monterey City Center, Monterey (CA), United States, 93940. 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. You can usually see plenty of marine wildlife from shore, especially if you go along the coastal recreation trail, which runs for miles. Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruises A humpback whale breaches in Monterey Bay. Carmel Gate: The south gate into Pebble Beach, this entrance can be accessed by following San Antonio Avenue through Carmel-by-the-Sea. Top Hotels in Santa Cruz, CA - Cancel FREE on most hotels | Hotels.com Best Boutique Hotels in Monterey. I think Monterey probably has the edge for lodging and restaurants within walking distance to more lodging. Monterey or Carmel to Big Sur The best place to stay if embarking upon a Big Sur day trip is Carmel or Monterey. 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 ? Monterey is farther south, so if you only have 2 nights, then Monterey would break up the drive more evenly than Santa Cruz would. 7855 Monterra Oaks is an exceptional 2.72 acre private homesite boasting unobstructed panoramic ocean views of Monterey Bay, city lights and the Santa Cruz mountains.