Pacific Grove/Carmel CA area

Old Sep 24th, 2017, 05:33 PM
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Pacific Grove/Carmel CA area

I posted back in June requesting info for a girls trip in Oct. for 4 people. WE are still going to the Carmel area but not until Nov 8 and now only 2 people. We will be flying into San Jose because airfare is better from Chicago. Would like to see some redwoods on the drive from airport, Lovers Pt. FIshermans Wharf, Cannary Row, Pt. Lobos a couple good restaurants and a nice winery. HWy 1 to big Sur is a must. We are looking for decent accommodations, 2 beds, maybe scenic and spa services available, with good location that doesn't break the bank. Any suggestions of place or altered itinerary would be appreciated. So many places to choose from.
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Old Sep 24th, 2017, 06:13 PM
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>> with good location that doesn't break the bank
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Old Sep 24th, 2017, 06:15 PM
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oh -- and you can drive into Big Sur but not all the way thorugh. The road is still closed.
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Old Sep 24th, 2017, 06:22 PM
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$200 to 250@ night.
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Old Sep 25th, 2017, 03:22 PM
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Any suggestions out there for hotel accommodations???
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Old Sep 25th, 2017, 04:25 PM
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We recently stayed at La Playa in Carmel and loved it. Price point was mid 300s. Small room, one bed. Don't know if they have rooms with 2 beds or if rates go down in Oct.

For that price range I think you'll have more luck at a chain hotel in Monterey.
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Old Sep 25th, 2017, 04:37 PM
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$200 is low for Carmel. $250 is probably doable -- but you may need to try plugging your dates into Booking.com to see what's available. Also -- room taxes will increase the costs.



Maybe try Asilomar -- it is under your budget (it is a State owned beach and conference center) but is popular and books up.
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Old Sep 25th, 2017, 04:58 PM
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asilomar was booked. I can go a little higher. Would like views and restaurant.
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Old Sep 25th, 2017, 05:52 PM
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Most properties in Carmel are smaller inns that don't have restaurants onsite (La Playa is by far our largest hotel) and none have spa facilities that I'm aware of. Town is only one square mile and there are lots of restaurants within walking distance if you stay downtown. Ocean views from rooms, if any, tend to be more distant ones as downtown is about half a mile uphill from the ocean. I'm wondering if you'd prefer a larger waterfront hotel in Monterey with more facilities like the Intercontinental Clement or Monterey Plaza. View rooms will be over $300.
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Old Sep 26th, 2017, 09:21 AM
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The biggest issue we used to have staying in Carmel, is the lack of rooms with two separate beds. i.e. rooms for non couples to share. Before we started renting a house, we (as in my sister and I) used to rent rooms at the Mission Inn, because it had some double queen occupancy rooms at a reasonable price (under $300)and is very scenic, with views of Point Lobos. It is not however in downtown Carmel, which is a plus for us, but it does have a restaurant, tennis courts and a fitness club.

I think Bernardus Lodge has a spa and double/double rooms. It is however in Carmel Valley,which has its own charm, but no ocean views and rooms are over $300.
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Old Sep 26th, 2017, 11:38 AM
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Thanks everyone. Still looking. My daughter liked the looks of Hotel Carmel, but a bit pricy.
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Old Sep 26th, 2017, 02:08 PM
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Thanks everyone. Still looking. My daughter liked the looks of Hotel Carmel, but a bit pricy.
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Old Sep 29th, 2017, 11:17 AM
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Booked Carmel Hotel. I'm the site seeer and she loves wine. Are ther a couple special wineries you recommend and restaurants. I want to go to Nepenthe on way to Big Sur. she also likes Sushi. I'm excited.
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Old Sep 29th, 2017, 04:25 PM
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Keep an eye on the reopening of Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge. Caltrans is still saying mid-October but there could be further delays. Right now Hwy 1 is only open for 26 miles south of Carmel due to the bridge closure. If the bridge has reopened, you can drive to Nepenthe. If not, there's a half mile 500 feet elevation gain hiking trail through Pfeiffer Big Sur that goes around the bridge closure and then it's another 1.5 miles to Nepenthe which you can either take a $5 per person shuttle once you're on the other side of the trail or just continue walking on the highway.

Akaoni on Mission between 5th and 6th (on the west side of street, there are no street numbers in Carmel) has the best sushi in Carmel. There's no sign on the door and it's a tiny place with 4 tables plus a counter so I would reserve for dinner. You can usually walk in for lunch.

Other restaurants we really like in Carmel are La Balena, Il Grillo, Cultura, Andre's Bouchee and Basil.

There are about 20 wine tasting venues in downtown Carmel with the advantage of being able to walk from one to the next. There are probably another 20 or so clustered out in Carmel Valley Village about half an hour away. All of these are offsite tasting rooms and not wineries. If you want to visit a winery, the closest one is Folktale which is located mid-valley about 15 minutes from Carmel. The majority of our vineyards are in the Santa Lucia Highlands/River Road area which is about an hour away if you want to make a trip out there http://riverroadwinetrail.com/ Cool climate pinot noir and chardonnay are the primary grapes grown but other varietals are made here as well.
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Old Sep 29th, 2017, 06:23 PM
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Wineries are in the middle of crush right now and for most of October. A trip out to River Road may be worth it if you have the time. Paraiso/ Smith Family are friends and a long time grower. I believe they also have a tasting room in Carmel.
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Old Oct 3rd, 2017, 12:24 PM
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Thanks for all the info. Is anyone familiar with Hotel Carmel. The site said it has been renovated and used to be called Dolphin something?
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Old Oct 3rd, 2017, 05:33 PM
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Yes it was recently renovated (I haven't seen the inside). It's on the northern side of downtown, 3 blocks from Ocean Ave. It's a slightly longer walk to the beach vs other downtown locations and uphill on the way back. Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge is now expected to reopen at 5pm on October 13th.
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Old Oct 3rd, 2017, 06:01 PM
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>>Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge is now expected to reopen at 5pm on October 13th.
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Old Oct 4th, 2017, 12:31 PM
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Thank you. So this is what I'm thinking for itinerary. :

DAy 1 - Fly in to San Jose at 1:00. Get rental car start driving towards Henry Cowell park to see Redwood trees. 1 1/2 hr. DRive towards Monterey. See Fishermans Wharf and Cannery Row. Supper at

DAy 2 THursday -----Drive toward Pt Lobos, and Big Sur. have lunch at Nepenthe.. DRive on to Phiefer Park. start back . Bixby bridge . Supper back in Carmel or Mission In.

DAy 3 Friday _ Breakfast at Village Corner, shopping, Cowboy winery, supper at Casanova rest.

DAy 4 Sat..?.......whale watching in Monterey. 17 mile hwy. supper at The forge in the Forest.

DAy 5 Fly home
I have booked Hotel Carmel. CHecked others but no 2 beds available. Does this even make since, route and time Wise? Open to any suggestions or changes.
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Old Oct 4th, 2017, 12:32 PM
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Oh what will Nov weather demand for attire???????
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