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 historic West Cliff Inn is a perfect home base for visitors to the Santa Cruz area. This Central California bed and breakfast overlooks Cowell’s Beach, as well as the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. The charming Victorian architecture includes a wraparound porch. Each of the nine guest rooms includes a fireplace and king bed, and some have jetted tubs and ocean views. The rates include a full breakfast buffet, afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres, as well as chocolate turn-down service. Freshly baked cookies and beverages also are available throughout the day.
The Monterey Bay area, famous for its aquarium and Cannery Row, offers a seemingly endless array of activities. The nearby town of Carmel offers world-class golf courses, boutique and art galleries. Pacific Grove is noteworthy for having more historic Victorian houses per capita than any other city in American, and many of these have been transformed into bed and breakfasts.
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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