Re: Road Trip: Where to stay Monterey or Santa Cruz? Both are good choices. Santa Cruz is more of a classic CA beach town with a surf culture and an eclectic downtown. Its kind of a funky sort of place, a bit off-beat.

What's between Santa Cruz and Monterey?

Halfway between Santa Cruz, CA and Monterey, CA The best city between Santa Cruz, CA and Monterey, CA to meet is Watsonville, California which is about 4 miles from the exact midpoint. The town that marks the exact halfway point is actually Elkhorn, California. The closest zip code to the midpoint is 95039.

Is Monterey a good place?

Monterey is in Monterey County and is one of the best places to live in California. … In Monterey there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals and retirees live in Monterey and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Monterey are above average.

Is Monterey a rich town?

There is the actual city of Monterey, a surprisingly small (30,000 souls) city that’s more middle-class than wealthy, with a definite working-class legacy left behind by the fishermen and cannery workers you may have met through John Steinbeck.

What is there to see between Monterey and Santa Barbara?

The top stops along the way from Santa Barbara to Monterey (with short detours) are Hearst Castle, Morro Rock, and Pismo Beach Pier. Other popular stops include Friends Of The Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and Moonstone Beach Dr.

Is it expensive to live in Monterey?

The cost of living in Monterey is about 46% higher than the national average and 12% higher than the rest of the state. Best Places ranks cities on an average of 100, meaning that anything over 100 is more expensive than the U.S. average. Monterey has an overall cost of living of 176.

What is there to see between Santa Cruz and San Francisco?

• *Mori Point (Pacifica) …
• Pacifica State Beach and Taco Bell (Pacifica) …
• JV Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (Moss Beach) …
• Half Moon Bay. …
• Beaches along the Coastline. …
• *Arcangeli Grocery Co. …
• Harley Farms Goat Dairy (Pescadero) …
• *Pigeon Point Lighthouse (Pescadero)

What city was big little lies?

The Real Locations of Big Little Lies The cast of Big Little Lies is loaded with A-listers, but the HBO series has also made a star out of its setting: picture-perfect Monterey, California.

How much do you need to make to live in Monterey CA?

1 ADULT2 ADULTS (BOTH WORKING)0 Children2 ChildrenLiving Wage$19.74$26.57Poverty Wage$6.13$6.30Minimum Wage$12.00$12.00

Why is Monterey so popular?

There are plenty of things to do in Monterey, a quintessential north Californian ocean town in the USA. Facing wide Monterey Bay, it’s famed around the globe for its abundance of marine wildlife and uber-fresh seafood.

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Why is Monterey CA so cold?

You might ask why the California coast is so cold. The oceanic current that circulates water near the state’s coastline California coastline (and which is known as the California Current) conveys water from northern latitudes by British Columbia down to the continent’s western coastline.

Is downtown Monterey safe?

Monterey is in the 18th percentile for safety, meaning 82% of cities are safer and 18% of cities are more dangerous. This analysis applies to Monterey’s proper boundaries only. … The rate of crime in Monterey is 46.74 per 1,000 residents during a standard year.

Which part of Highway 1 is best?

For this adventure, the best place to stop along Highway 1 is at the Elephant Seal Vista Point. In addition to elephant seals and lighthouses, San Simeon offers many more things to see on Highway 1. Travel back in time with a tour of opulent Hearst Castle, the home of historic newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst.

What is the prettiest part of Highway 1?

• Stop one: Carmel-by-the-Sea. …
• Stop two: Calla Lily Valley. …
• Stop three: Bixby Creek Bridge. …
• Stop four: Point Sur Lighthouse. …
• Stop five: Big Sur River Inn. …
• Stop six: Pfeiffer Beach. …
• Stop seven: McWay Falls. …
• Stop eight: Limekiln State Park.

What is the best part of Highway 1 in California?

• MISSION RANCH, CARMEL.
• PEBBLE BEACH.
• MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM, MONTEREY.
• SANTA CRUZ BOARDWALK, SANTA CRUZ.
• COSTANOA, PESCADERO.
• GOLDEN GATE PARK, SAN FRANCISCO.
• CLIFF HOUSE, SAN FRANCISCO.
• GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, SAN FRANCISCO.

Is Santa Cruz safe?

The rate of crime in Santa Cruz is 39.62 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. People who live in Santa Cruz generally consider the north part of the city to be the safest.

How long is the drive from San Francisco to Monterey Bay?

The distance from Monterey to San Francisco is about 120 miles. So, you’re not looking at a very long driving time either. You should only be on the road about two hours each way. Such close distance makes Monterey the perfect coastal town for a day trip from San Francisco.

Where should I stop on Highway 1 north of San Francisco?

• Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin headland viewpoint.
• The town of Point Reyes, California.
• Dillon Beach, Highway 1 north of San Francisco.
• View from Bodega Head.
• Sonoma Coastline.
• Fort Ross on Highway 1 was a Russian settlement between 1812 to 1842.

What is the cost of living in Santa Cruz California?

Cost of Living IndexesSanta Cruz, CADifferenceOverall Index: Homeowner, No Child care, Taxes Not Considered203.513.4% lessFood & Groceries111.56.6% lessHousing (Homeowner)393.424.2% lessMedian Home Cost$1,227,100$343,700 (28.0% less)

Does it snow in Monterey California?

Monterey, CaliforniaUnited StatesSnowfall0.1 in.27.8 in.Precipitation67.9 days106.2 daysSunny267 days205 daysAvg. July High66.5°85.8°

Is there rent control in Monterey CA?

MONTEREY — Renters in Monterey are being protected against any rent increases while the city figures out a more extensive rent control program. … In response, the state and municipalities are passing increasingly stricter laws governing evictions and rent increases.

Are there snakes in Monterey CA?

Monterey County is home to the Western Rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes are found in almost every type of habitat . In Monterey County rattlesnakes are commonly found in areas with tall grass, brush, rocks or logs where the snakes can find prey as well as have protection from predators.

What is the minimum wage in Carmel by the Sea?

$12.00 per hour effective January 1, 2019. $13.00 per hour effective January 1, 2020. $14.00 per hour effective January 1, 2021. $15.00 per hour effective January 1, 2022.

Where is Reese Witherspoon's house in Big Little Lies?

Although Reese Witherspoon’s home in “Big Little Lies” is set in Monterey County, California, the real home can be found in Malibu, and you can rent it out for $3,000 to $5,000 per night. The main house has six bedrooms and six bathrooms, while the guest house has another bedroom and two additional bathrooms.

Where is Celeste's house in Big Little Lies?

Celeste’s House (40 Yankee Point Drive, Carmel) – Celeste Wright (Nicole Kidman) and husband Perry’s (Alexander Skarsgård) stunning cliffside estate, another of my favorites from the series, is the sole residence that can actually be found on the Central Coast (not counting the front of Madeline’s).

Where is the Bay of Monterey?

Monterey Bay is a bay of the Pacific Ocean located on the coast of the U.S. state of California, south of the San Francisco Bay Area and its major city at the south of the bay, San Jose. San Francisco itself is further north along the coast, by about 75 miles, accessible via Highway 1 and Highway 280.

Does Monterey have a boardwalk?

The Boardwalk – Cannery Row.

How long is 17 Mile Drive Monterey?

Frequently Asked Questions. How long does 17-Mile Drive take? Allow about three hours to explore 17-Mile Drive, especially if you stop to take photographs or eat along the way. You can enter 17-Mile Drive through the four gates, where you pay the $10.50 fee and can pick up a map of the road’s iconic sites.

What is the best time for whale watching in Monterey?

The best times to go whale watching in Monterey Bay are in the summer and fall months when the humpback and blues are here. The winter and spring months are a great time to catch gray whales. This chart shows what whales and other animals you might see each season.

Is Santa Cruz always cold?

While Santa Cruz County contains several different climates, the city of Santa Cruz itself enjoys mild temperatures throughout the year. The winters are cool and wet while the summers are warm and dry, though its proximity to Monterey Bay can result in foggy or overcast weather in the mornings and evenings.

Is Carmel the same as Monterey?

Situated on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel is known for its natural scenery and rich artistic history. … Carmel-by-the-Sea is located on the Pacific coast, about 330 miles (531 km) north of Los Angeles and 120 miles (193 km) south of San Francisco.