Our favorite restaurant for dinner in Capitolia https://www.shadowbrook-capitola.com/ and check out Gayle’s bakery https://www.gaylesbakery.com/

For hotels, in Santa Cruz look at he Sea & Sand and the Dream Inn. Both are in great locations and right on the beach. In Carmel, we love the Mission Ranch, although the rooms are a bit dated, the property is amazing and the views are spectacular. The Hyatt in the Carmel Highlands is also nice - more suite-type rooms.

These are all very good suggestions and I've spent a lot of time in both Santa Cruz and Monterey. Also agree that teens would probably prefer Santa Cruz.

Not lodging ….but go to Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz to see the tidal pools. Very cool. I’d also suggest going to the Mystery Spot. My teens loved it and you get to see the surrounding redwoods.

Back at the beach you can rent bikes or e-bikes and bike from Santa Cruz to Capitolo. Further south the next beaches, Del Mar and Aptos have a very cool abandoned cracked ship right off the beach.

On the way to Monterey consider Moss Landing, good place to see sea otters. Excellent seafood restaurant too.

Dream Inn is great for Santa Cruz. Great location.

We liked the lamplighter Inn in Carmel. It’s right next the Main Street between the beach and restaurants/shops. We had a large two bedroom suite with an upstairs bedroom w/two twin bed that was great for the kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might check out Asilomar but prices have really skyrocketed. I’d look at house rentals in Pacific Grove. Santa Cruz can be a little grungy. The beach gets really trashed. Teens might love the Boardwalk but if you’re looking more for nature, I’d stay more in the Carmel to Pacific Grove area.

Think Santa Cruz worth it for two nights, but not necessarily more for the beach.

Agree on Carmel to Pacific Grove.

Spent last summer in Monterey and loved the whole area, though to visit, not long term.

Oh, reading comprehension. So I love the southern towns more, but teens may like Santa Cruz more. My 17 year old loved when we would go to Santa Cruz for dinner.

Anonymous wrote:You might check out Asilomar but prices have really skyrocketed. I’d look at house rentals in Pacific Grove. Santa Cruz can be a little grungy. The beach gets really trashed. Teens might love the Boardwalk but if you’re looking more for nature, I’d stay more in the Carmel to Pacific Grove area.

Think Santa Cruz worth it for two nights, but not necessarily more for the beach.

Agree on Carmel to Pacific Grove.

Spent last summer in Monterey and loved the whole area, though to visit, not long term.

You might check out Asilomar but prices have really skyrocketed. I’d look at house rentals in Pacific Grove. Santa Cruz can be a little grungy. The beach gets really trashed. Teens might love the Boardwalk but if you’re looking more for nature, I’d stay more in the Carmel to Pacific Grove area.

You will likely do best with a home rental if you can find one you like.

For hotels, in Santa Cruz look at he Sea & Sand and the Dream Inn. Both are in great locations and right on the beach. In Carmel, we love the Mission Ranch, although the rooms are a bit dated, the property is amazing and the views are spectacular. The Hyatt in the Carmel Highlands is also nice - more suite-type rooms.

Looking into lodging for a few nights in Santa Cruz or Monterey / Carmel? Traveling as a family of 4 with 2 teens and would ldeally like some kind of family suite type set up.