Santa Cruz, Monterey Bed and Breakfasts Offer Charm, Romance
By Jane Leisteiner
The Central Coast region is one of California's best kept secrets. While people flock to Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, they often forget about the amazing scenery and attractions of Central California. Cities such as Santa Cruz, Monterey and Pacific Grove are bursting with exciting vacation options and some of the best bed and breakfasts in the state.
Santa Cruz County has a wide variety of attractions, from museums to shops to outdoor activities. For more than a century, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk has been one of Central California's most popular tourist attractions. Today's guests will find arcade games, miniature golf, bowling, a wooden roller coaster that was built in 1924, and a carousel that dates to 1911. Travelers can view some of the world's oldest and tallest trees at Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
The West Cliff Inn, located in a stunning restored Victorian, sits on a bluff above the ocean offering views of Cowell's Beach and the nearby Santa Cruz Boardwalk. There are nine guestrooms, several with an ocean view. Some also have a jetted tub and all the rooms include a fireplace and king bed. Rooms are filled with amenities, such as luxurious linens, fine European bath products and fluffy towels, as well as televisions with DVD players. You can borrow a movie, book or board game from the innkeepers. A concierge service also is available, and the innkeepers are happy to help with restaurant and activity recommendations. In the mornings, a full breakfast buffet is served, and wine and hors d'oeuvres are set out in the afternoons.
As you head south from Santa Cruz, you'll find plenty to see and do along Monterey Bay, which includes such notable spots as Carmel, Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove. Monterey itself is home to Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Carmel, known as an artists' community is famous for its many galleries, as well as its annual Bach festival. The event draws visitors from around the world. The 17-Mile-Drive from Pebble Beach to Pacific Grove is a sight not to be missed, showcasing the jagged coastline and cypress trees. Pacific Grove is home to several wonderful bed and breakfasts and has more Victorian houses per capita than any other U.S. city. Day trips from the area include visits to Hearst Castle. It's a two-hour drive to the castle, located in the tiny hamlet of San Simeon, but as you must cross through spectacular Big Sur, it's well worth the time.
If you want romance, history and spectacular scenery, look no further than the Green Gables Inn. This Pacific Grove bed and breakfast is located in a charming, 1888 Queen Anne Victorian that is directly across the street from Monterey Bay. The guest rooms have been decorated individually and each is unique. Some have window seats, others have a fireplace, and some offer an ocean view. The rooms in the Carriage House each include a fireplace, king bed and jetted spa tub. All the rooms feature luxury linens, fluffy robes and baths stocked with fine European soaps, bath salts and shampoos. A full breakfast is served each morning, wine and hors d'oeuvres are presented in the afternoons and the evening brings a delightful turndown service featuring La Belge chocolates.
Pacific Grove is home to another historic Monterey bed and breakfast, the Gosby House Inn. This delightful golden Queen Anne Victorian has 22 guest rooms, each individually decorated with romance in mind. Several rooms include sitting areas with a fireplace; others might have a window seat or a private patio. The rooms in the restored carriage house include double whirlpool tubs, a fireplace and a balcony. Guests enjoy a full breakfast and afternoon treats, including wine and hors d'oeuvres. This Pacific Grove bed and breakfast is just minutes from the bay, as well as the aquarium, Cannery Row, restaurants and shopping.
The Central Coast region is one of California's best kept secrets. While people flock to Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, they often forget about the amazing scenery and attractions of Central California. Cities such as Santa Cruz, Monterey and Pacific Grove are bursting with exciting vacation options and some of the best bed and breakfasts in the state.
Santa Cruz County has a wide variety of attractions, from museums to shops to outdoor activities. For more than a century, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk has been one of Central California's most popular tourist attractions. Today's guests will find arcade games, miniature golf, bowling, a wooden roller coaster that was built in 1924, and a carousel that dates to 1911. Travelers can view some of the world's oldest and tallest trees at Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
The West Cliff Inn, located in a stunning restored Victorian, sits on a bluff above the ocean offering views of Cowell's Beach and the nearby Santa Cruz Boardwalk. There are nine guestrooms, several with an ocean view. Some also have a jetted tub and all the rooms include a fireplace and king bed. Rooms are filled with amenities, such as luxurious linens, fine European bath products and fluffy towels, as well as televisions with DVD players. You can borrow a movie, book or board game from the innkeepers. A concierge service also is available, and the innkeepers are happy to help with restaurant and activity recommendations. In the mornings, a full breakfast buffet is served, and wine and hors d'oeuvres are set out in the afternoons.
As you head south from Santa Cruz, you'll find plenty to see and do along Monterey Bay, which includes such notable spots as Carmel, Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove. Monterey itself is home to Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Carmel, known as an artists' community is famous for its many galleries, as well as its annual Bach festival. The event draws visitors from around the world. The 17-Mile-Drive from Pebble Beach to Pacific Grove is a sight not to be missed, showcasing the jagged coastline and cypress trees. Pacific Grove is home to several wonderful bed and breakfasts and has more Victorian houses per capita than any other U.S. city. Day trips from the area include visits to Hearst Castle. It's a two-hour drive to the castle, located in the tiny hamlet of San Simeon, but as you must cross through spectacular Big Sur, it's well worth the time.
If you want romance, history and spectacular scenery, look no further than the Green Gables Inn. This Pacific Grove bed and breakfast is located in a charming, 1888 Queen Anne Victorian that is directly across the street from Monterey Bay. The guest rooms have been decorated individually and each is unique. Some have window seats, others have a fireplace, and some offer an ocean view. The rooms in the Carriage House each include a fireplace, king bed and jetted spa tub. All the rooms feature luxury linens, fluffy robes and baths stocked with fine European soaps, bath salts and shampoos. A full breakfast is served each morning, wine and hors d'oeuvres are presented in the afternoons and the evening brings a delightful turndown service featuring La Belge chocolates.
Pacific Grove is home to another historic Monterey bed and breakfast, the Gosby House Inn. This delightful golden Queen Anne Victorian has 22 guest rooms, each individually decorated with romance in mind. Several rooms include sitting areas with a fireplace; others might have a window seat or a private patio. The rooms in the restored carriage house include double whirlpool tubs, a fireplace and a balcony. Guests enjoy a full breakfast and afternoon treats, including wine and hors d'oeuvres. This Pacific Grove bed and breakfast is just minutes from the bay, as well as the aquarium, Cannery Row, restaurants and shopping.
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