CA. Trip...Forget Santa Cruz?
Jun 11th, 2006, 02:27 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CA. Trip...Forget Santa Cruz?
I am once again planning a trip to California. We'll have 2 nights in Big Sur and 4 nights in Yosemite (reservations already made). Is it crazy to spend one or two nights in Santa Cruz? I know most of you will say "stay in Monterey or Carmel" but after reading about the area, I'm not sure that it fits us. Is Santa Cruz really "cheesy"? The choices of hotels are awful, but the boardwalk sounds ok and I'm looking at taking the Roaring Camp Railroad ride. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!
Jun 11th, 2006, 02:36 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
I would think an Overnight would be okay in Santa Cruz, the Roaring Camp train and Boardwalk is fun. The downtown on Pacific Ave. I also like. Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting company is great for coffee & tea drinkers. As far as accomodations, I see if any one else has suggestions. I've only stayed at the budget places there: Super8 and Comfort Inn 3 blocks from the Boarwalk. Expensive for what you get especially on a summer weekend. When will you be there seashell?
Jun 11th, 2006, 02:41 PM
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are some great places in the Santa Cruz area. What about staying in Capitola or Aptos, if Santa Cruz seems a little too pedestrian for you? Natural Bridges State Park is great and has some wonderful tidepools. If you're around on a Friday night there are some great free concerts on the beach in front of the Boardwalk; real oldies but goodies. Check out the schedule at www.beachboardwalk.com
Jun 11th, 2006, 04:01 PM
#6
Millions of Californians have vacationed in Santa Cruz over the years w/ no adverse effects. It is a very good location for a family visit. If you were only going to Santa Cruz I'd say go somewhere else - but for 2 days/nights out of a longer trip it will be lots of fun.
Jun 11th, 2006, 05:22 PM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for your help everyone. I'm one of those who plans trips waaaaay in advance...especially if I need reservations in a national park so we're not going till next year. I'm a budget room shopper myself but found such mixed reviews and high prices for the motels/hotels in Santa Cruz, especially for something close to the water. Thank you for the other suggestions Catbert, I'll look into them.
Trending Topics
Jun 11th, 2006, 07:12 PM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My family vacationed in Santa Cruz for a week last year and loved it. We did lots while there: the Boardwalk, the Railroad, Capitola, The Big Foot Musuem 
as a joke, some little aquarium I think affiliated with UC Santa Cruz, tidepools, the beach, and of course, eating Marianne's ice cream every day! OOh, there is a great chocolate shop there too...I am blanking out on the name but we met the owners who were incredibly nice and gave us lots of yummy samples! You will enjoy a few days there so go for it!
as a joke, some little aquarium I think affiliated with UC Santa Cruz, tidepools, the beach, and of course, eating Marianne's ice cream every day! OOh, there is a great chocolate shop there too...I am blanking out on the name but we met the owners who were incredibly nice and gave us lots of yummy samples! You will enjoy a few days there so go for it!
Jun 11th, 2006, 07:33 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You could spend a morning or afternoon doing a side trip north of Santa Cruz to check out the Elephant Seals at Ana Nuevo State Reserve. There are tons of them on the beach and they can be seen year round. It is an easy but nice 3 mile round trip hike to see them.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/
http://www.parks.ca.gov/
Jun 12th, 2006, 08:38 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just wanted to add my 2 cents - perhaps I am biased, but I think Santa Cruz is great. A lot of people over look it because they are interested in more romantic and upscale vacation spots, so they head to Carmel. Santa Cruz is more of a funky beach town with a strong influence from the university and more than a few odd ducks wandering around.
Others have given really good advice so far.
I just wanted to comment on a couple neighborhoods, which is probably where people get the idea that Santa Cruz is cheesy because that is all they see.
As you come into town from Hwy 17, you end up on Ocean street which goes toward the beach. There are bunches of motels on each side of the street - mostly Best Western, National 9, and that sort of thing. The prices are high in summer due to the demand. There isn't much character to this street and traffic is bad because it is the main route into town.
The neighborhood around the Boardwalk, generally called the Beach Flats can be a little bit sketchy. For the most part it is perfectly fine. If you look at a map, the area near the wharf and that end of the Boardwalk and back towards downtown (Pacific Ave) is fine. The area near the other end of the Boardwalk, closer to the river, isn't so great. It isn't terrible or anything, just not the best neighborhood.
So if the only thing a person sees of Santa Cruz is Ocean street and the Beach Flats, I can see where the "cheesy" descriptor comes from - LOL.
As others have mentioned, there is so much more to Santa Cruz and the surrounding area though. And the Boardwalk is a lot of fun. I have been on the Giant Dipper more times than I can count (went on it 50 times in one day when I was 12) and I never get tired of it
Others have given really good advice so far.
I just wanted to comment on a couple neighborhoods, which is probably where people get the idea that Santa Cruz is cheesy because that is all they see.
As you come into town from Hwy 17, you end up on Ocean street which goes toward the beach. There are bunches of motels on each side of the street - mostly Best Western, National 9, and that sort of thing. The prices are high in summer due to the demand. There isn't much character to this street and traffic is bad because it is the main route into town.
The neighborhood around the Boardwalk, generally called the Beach Flats can be a little bit sketchy. For the most part it is perfectly fine. If you look at a map, the area near the wharf and that end of the Boardwalk and back towards downtown (Pacific Ave) is fine. The area near the other end of the Boardwalk, closer to the river, isn't so great. It isn't terrible or anything, just not the best neighborhood.
So if the only thing a person sees of Santa Cruz is Ocean street and the Beach Flats, I can see where the "cheesy" descriptor comes from - LOL.
As others have mentioned, there is so much more to Santa Cruz and the surrounding area though. And the Boardwalk is a lot of fun. I have been on the Giant Dipper more times than I can count (went on it 50 times in one day when I was 12) and I never get tired of it
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Momddtravel2
United States
23
Sep 16th, 2016 05:15 AM
