Staying at a bed and breakfast is a great way to meet people and really get to know the personality of the place you visit. The Monterey Bay is stuffed with personality, and it shows in the character-filled bed and breakfast lodgings, many available in historic homes.

In the north, elegant lodgings can be found close to amusement park and beach, while the south offers luxury and Old World charm. Ocean views, antique decorations and fabulous breakfasts come with a price. Expect to pay more than $100, often more than $200, for a night’s lodging, although midweek and off-season deals can be found.

Several bed and breakfast establishments can be found in Santa Cruz and near the Boardwalk area. One of the more striking examples is the beautiful Darling House, an attraction itself along scenic West Cliff Drive. The home overlooks the Santa Cruz Wharf and bay, and rooms come complete with telescopes. The Spanish-style home was designed by William Weeks, a noted architect who left his signature on many buildings in the Monterey Bay area.

In between the beach amusement area and the thriving downtown Santa Cruz scene is the Babbling Brook Inn. Tucked into the hillside next to a waterfall and creek, the inn is surprisingly secluded for its urban location.

Rooms are decorated in Old World style and named for artists and poets such as Monet, Tennyson, Degas and Renoir. Each romantic room has a fireplace and view of garden and brook. Full country breakfast, wine, hors d’oeuvres and cookies complete the picture.

Also in the downtown area, the Compassion Flower Inn
breaks new ground for bed and breakfasts inns by

accommodating medical marijuana users, legal in Santa Cruz County.

The five-room inn is a restored 1860s Gothic Revival Victorian, owned by Andrea Tischler and Maria Mallek. The inn sports a hemp-leaf motif and has a wheelchair accessible room. Smoking deck is located outside, the spa is clothing optional and massages are available by appointment. A healthy breakfast made from fresh organic ingredients is usually vegetarian, but vegan, special diets and special requests are gladly fulfilled.

"We cater to all types of guests, not just medical marijuana users, and encourage people who have children to stay here," says Tischler, who also has children. People from all over world come to this B&B. "

Also downtown is,"The Adobe On Green Street". The "Adobe" is a four room Bed and Breakfast Inn conceived of and developed by resident owners Arnie and Judith.Their goal is to provide discriminating travelers with a restful and personal experience in our own beautiful historic adobe home, which sits in the heart of Santa Cruz, California’s National Historic District.

For good, old-fashioned luxury head to Capitola. The Depot Inn a four-star lodging, offers large rooms with distinctive décor inspired by rail destinations of the great cities. Be it Kyoto or Paris, the rooms reflect the essence of the place and often come with fireplaces, distinctively designed hot tubs or private patios. The bed and breakfast is located just above Capitola Village, near beach, shopping and restaurants.

For a unique B&B experience, try spending the night on a yacht. The Bequia, a 40-foot motor yacht, is berthed at the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor and offers a cruise and overnight accommodations. There’s plenty of room for two in the elegantly appointed ship, which comes stocked with DVD player and galley.

After you arrive in the afternoon, you’ll head to sea for a little cruise and hors d’oeuvres. Have dinner brought on board or visit a nearby restaurant. Breakfast is at Aldo’s, just steps away.

For many, a Victorian is the perfect setting for a bed and breakfast. Apple Lane Inn in Aptos fits the bill. The historic farmhouse, built in the 1870s, is surrounded by manicured lawns, fields and gardens. A couple of horses and the full farm complement of chickens, goats, ducks and geese complete the picture — even your pet is welcome. Full breakfast is served at 9 a.m. each day in the parlor.

Also in Aptos is Sand Rock Farm , the ranch home of the Liliencrantz family, purchased from Santa Cruz pioneer Frederick Hihn as a country estate.
The Craftsman-style farm was one of the first wineries in the region, and the emphasis on good food and wine continues today.

Owners Kris and Lynn Sheehan have preserved the historic agricultural character of the ranch. Lynn, a professional chef from the San Francisco dining scene, leads cooking classes, tastings and tours of wineries and farmers markets, in addition to serving gourmet breakfasts. Ask about the surrounding 10 acres, the original barn and the winery ruin.

The redwoods of the San Lorenzo Valley also offer a rural setting for bed and breakfast lodgings. Fairview Manor is close to hiking trails and mountain paths. With its all-redwood interior and old-fashioned décor, the B&B is a romantic get-away. Go back in time to this mountain home on the San Lorenzo River.