lakers

We (spouse & I in 40s, boys ages 10 and 12, & grandparents in late 60s) are planning a trip to San Francisco to visit some extended family in mid-April. We'd like to take an extra 3 or so days and spend time in Monterey/Big Sur. but I'm not sure whether to use a hotel in Big Sur or in Monterey as our "home base." We plan to relax and enjoy nature, and pepper in some activities for the kids. We all enjoy hiking, playing on beaches (the boys can spend hours throwing a ball on the beach), kayaking, and biking, although we'd need to rent all gear. We also enjoy good food but casual restaurants. I found in my research the Big Sur River Inn which looks great, but I'm wondering if it is too isolated for dining purposes and maybe it would be better to stay in Monterey and drive each day to hikes, beaches, etc.? I'd love all advice!

NewbE

My two cents is that Big Sur is indeed too isolated for you. I think of it more as a place for cocooning with your significant other than as a base for an active family. Monterey, Pacific Grove or Carmel would be much better.

janisj

I'd maybe stay in either Carmel or Pacific Grove. I'd personally pick Carmel -- but Pacific Grove is good too.

Either would be a good base for up the bay to Elkhorn Slough for great kayaking http://www.elkhornslough.org/kayaking/ , Monterey, Carmel, Point Lobos (and absolute must) and south into Big Sur.

sf7307

Agree with both of the above - stay in the Monterey area (any of Monterey, Carmel or Pacific Grove - just find the accommodations that work for you - the towns are all within 5 miles of each other). Beaches, bike paths, loads of hiking (the views at Point Lobos are spectacular - more of a long walk than a hike), kayaking, wine tasting in town, the Aquarium, close enough to Big Sur for a day trip, hundreds of restaurants.

MmePerdu

There are a number of accommodation options along Cannery Row. It seems to me that might be nice for everyone and please the boys more than other areas mentioned. On the water, a park and piers, the extraordinary Monterey Bay Aquarium and other places to explore, a relatively small area where the boys might go outside and have interesting sights on the doorstep. If the kids are happy, everyone's happy.

http://tinyurl.com/jk7bcp9

jamie99

Monterey or maybe Carmel.

Patty

Kayaking can be done in Monterey Bay or Elkhorn Slough/Moss Landing. I don't know of kayaking opportunities in Big Sur. Just about everything else you want to do except for hiking (but there's still plenty of that up here as well) is more easily accessible from the Monterey Peninsula than Big Sur. There aren't that many sandy beaches in Big Sur as it's more rugged coastline.

Michael

Stay on the Monterey peninsula and make a day trip to Big Sur.

SAB

Take a look at Mission Ranch, especially the Ranch Triplex which features three bedrooms. Mission Ranch will give you a quieter close to nature feeling without being isolated. Walking distance to Carmel River Beach forthe boys and your parents will like the piano bar at the restaurant. Short 5 -10 min drive into "downtown" Carmel.

november_moon

Definitely stay on the Monterey Peninsula. Big Sur is pretty remote with very limited lodging and restaurants.

Id choose Monterey with kids. Carmel is beautiful, but more of a romantic place, not as well suited for families as Monterey.

SAB

I have been staying in Carmel for 20 years with friends and family-- it is not just a place for couples!! I have even stayed by myself with my dog. Beautiful places are not just reserved for romance!! Sorry, really bugs me when someone says that.

MmePerdu

Well, at the risk of bugging someone anew, I tend to agree with november-moon. With no intent to deprive anyone of a beautiful place, I think parts of Monterey have more easily accessible fun for the boys.

michelhuebeli

Before you make your drive down to Big Sur, call 831.667.2315 and ask about access.
Then when you do make your drive down to Big Sur, look for the sign by the main road that you can see on this website:
http://jrabold.net/bigsur/roadpt0650.htm
and pull into the ranger station, tell them what kind of car you have and they'll tell you where you can and cannot get to that day. Things change constantly.

november_moon

Sorry to bug you SAB No one said that beautiful places are reserved just for romance. Monterey, Big Sur, and the entire area is lousy with beautiful places. But Carmel is definitely angled toward couples. Galleries, wineries, boutique shops - it is a quaint and upscale place. Of course people with kids can and do stay there, and if Carmel sounds good to people, then go for it - we just want to make sure people know what Carmel is about so that they can choose well. My husband and I are in our 40s and are only recently feeling like we are mature enough for Carmel I've been going there for quite a while though, since before Eastwood was the mayor.

sharondi

We found Carmel to be a bit boring for our taste. I suggest you check out Pacific Grove - it gives you a beautiful place to stay right near the coast with all of the fun things to do in the area very nearby. We love staying at Andril's Cottages - very nice and they have easy walking access to trails along the ocean. Close to Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur. Do spend some time at Point Lobos State Park - just spectacular. The cottages at Andril's are all different sizes - some are full houses with multiple bedrooms, full kitchen and even large private back yards. Great place.

lakers

Thanks to you all for lots of great information! You convinced me - we will stay in Monterey, Pacific Grove or Carmel rather than Big Sur. Now to find the unicorn lodging that best meets my family's needs - would love suggestions on that, too. I'm leaning toward Monterey, but would like a hotel that takes advantage of the beautiful bay views, with walkable access to beaches and Cannery Row/bike trail - if possible, a pool on site, too - does this exist? Monterey Plaza seems close but no pool. Intercontinental looks generic. In Pacific Grove, Asilomar looks terrific, but seems isolated (and isn't the point of us staying in this area to have access to dining/activities) and mainly I'm concerned what it means that it is primarily a conference center - will it be overrun and feel like a Vegas hotel ... Please keep sending your great tips!

janisj

Asilomar is terrific -- it is only minutes from places to eat etc. It is as far from a Vegas-type hotel as you could possibly imagine.

And I wouldn't worry too much about having a pool -- April won't likely be warm enough that the kids will crave swimming.

Michael

There are hotels along Cannery Row which have rooms that face the bay.

lakers

Thanks for report on Asilomar! As far as a pool, my kids love to swim in a heated pool in Colorado in January so I am pretty sure they will swim in April, too . But it is not a priority, just a nice bonus!

Patty

Asilomar is the antithesis of Vegas. The property is very spread out and woodsy. The accommodations are on the spartan side though and I recommend eating elsewhere. I believe their pool is heated. It's really not that isolated as downtown Pacific Grove and Monterey are just a short drive or long walk away. Asilomar Beach is right across the road.

The one issue with staying in Pacific Grove during the first half of 2017 is the ongoing Hwy 68/Hwy 1 roundabout construction so you may need to allow extra time if you're heading that direction http://www.tamcmonterey.org/programs...68-roundabout/

Cannery Row is in the thick of things and is completely different in atmosphere. It can be tacky or fun depending on your point of view. There are small pocket beaches but mostly rocky shore. Del Monte Beach is a longer stretch of beach that's a mile+ walk along the rec trail.

Carmel has two nice beaches, city beach at the end of Ocean Ave and River Beach south of town.