stillhouse

During a 15 day trip to California, we will be spending three days on the coast. We will leave Disneyland early on the first morning and stop at Santa Barbara, the mission near Santa Barbara and Hearst Castle. I thought we might spend 1 night somewhere in the vicinity of Cambria, but given that we'll be travelling in June will have long daylight hours and could continue north. We would like to spend the second and third nights in Carmel, Monterey or Pacific Grove.

I have gone back over posts on this subject, many of which offer suggestions about the Carmel area and have checked out many websites for hotels, B&Bs etc.

I'd like to find hotels which have a view of the water or are within a few blocks of water. The biggest obstacle I'm finding is that few rooms seem to have 2 beds.

Places we're considering which have availability are:
Cambria-Best Western Fireside Inn ($134) for room w/2Q ($149 w/ fireplace-useful in June?)
Pacific Garden Inn ($120-130)
Best Western Carmel Bay View Inn ($161)

I've noticed that people have bid on hotwire and gotten the Intercontinental. Hotwire does have a room for $162 and if it's the Intercontinental this is a good rate. However, I'm reluctant to find out that I've "won" some other hotel that isn't located where I want it to be.

Suggestions on these or other hotels? Thanks!

anna_roz

Blue Dolphin Inn and Fogcatcher Inn in Cambria would have views of the water and rooms with two beds, but will likely run more than above in June. I would call directly and inquire regarding specials. By reserving directly you may/may not pay a few extra $$, but you will get what you want and will have better options in terms of any changes and cancellations, if necessary.

I just stayed (on business) in Monterey Bay Inn. It is right on the water with some rooms having partial water view and some waterfront. Again, call and inquire.

nevermind

I suggest getting reservations for a tour of the Hearst Castle in advance: http://hearst.reserveamerica.com/

Carmel also has a mission. It isn't as grand as the one in Santa Barbara, but my husband and I spent a lovely morning there a couple of months ago.

We stay at the Pelican Cove Inn in Cambria. We like the suites, but a friend recently stayed in one of the rooms (which are a little less expensive) and was very happy with it. They offer wine and cheese in the late afternoon, dessert in the evening, and breakfast each morning.

We have stayed at the BW Fireside Inn, and liked it, but that was many years ago. If memory serves me, some of the rooms are quite small. Once we had a lovely, large room. On our second stay the room was teeny-tiny! Who knows about needing a fireplace in June. The weather in Cambria is so often beautiful, but they do have the occasional foggy day! If you stay in a room with a fireplace, you might, however, get a bigger room - which, to me, would be worth the extra $$.

Have fun on your visit to California!

clarkgriswold

I hope that leaving Anaheim early means 5:45am, because any departure after 6:15 or so is going to hit heavy slowdowns for the first two hours all through Los Angeles. You're really shortchanging Santa Barbara as it is...what time is the latest available tour of Hearst Castle?
San Simeon Pines is a rustic old motel not far from the castle, basic rooms, cabin-like and spartan, but the great location that you seek. Sunset walk on the beach nearby...priceless.

kimamom

We have stayed at the Fireside Inn, it was a great place! They have a nice outdoor heated pool and jacuzzi, continental breakfast and you are right across the street from Moonstone Beach. There is also a Best Western oceanfront property in San Simeon called The Cavalier Resort if you're interestsed in that. Have a nice time at the coast! ***kim***

Jean

What days of the week were you planning to drive up the coast? FYI, in summer, many (if not most) hotels along the
coast have a two-night minimum stay requirement from Friday (sometimes Thursday) to Sunday.

Anaheim to San Simeon under the absolute best conditions is still about 5 hours with no stops for lunch, the S.B. Mission and a tour of Hearst Castle. And if you want to stay on Hwy. 1 through Lompoc and Vandenberg AFB (as opposed to Hwy. 101 which goes north through Buellton and Santa Maria before heading to the coast), the drive is well over 5 hours without stops.

If you want to take a guided tour of the mission, note the limited days and times:

http://santabarbaramission.org/page/tours

Most tours of Hearst Castle are about 2 hours long.

denice7

We stayed at the Cavaleir Inn about 3 years ago and it was great. It was right on the beach. Don't get a 1st floor room as you won't see the ocean because of the tall hedges at the bluff.

christycruz

I've stayed at Pacific Garden Inn three times. It is right across the street from Asilomar, and the walk to the beach is wonderful. The hotel, if it hasn't been renovated, is aged. But the price you quoted looks very reasonable for the area. The suites have fireplaces.

In Cambria there's the Cambria Pines Lodge, which has suites that sleep up to 6. The rooms don't have views of the water, but parts of the beautiful grounds do.

sf7307

You can be as certain as you can be without knowing that that hotel is the Inter-continental if its "oceanfront" and NOT "boutique".

If you decide to use Hotwire, be sure you input at least "3" in the number of guests or you'll only be guaranteed one bed.

outwest713

The Cypress Inn in Carmel is charming. A little pricier than what you listed but they do have some rooms with double beds. It's not on the water, but a nice walk will bring you to the beach (3-4 blocks as I recall). It's very convenient for walking to restaurants. The Inn, still owned by Doris Day, is dog friendly and they were definitely in residence when we were there. But really added to our enjoyment - all quiet and well behaved.

Assume you already have info on Carmel since it's on your list of destinations . . .but here's a few thoughts in case any of it's helpful. Carmel itself is, IMO, much more appealing than Monterey of Pacific Grove. The beach is very scenic. It's great fun to go down in the evening when the locals are lighting fires on the beach and running their dogs (both of which are allowed). Town is full of shops, galleries, and restaurants. Also, the residential areas around the main commercial street have loads of charming houses, each one different, with beautiful grounds. So if you like strolling, Carmel is a great place for that too.