shifrap

I would love some advice as I have never done this trip before. I would like to take my kids - ages 4 months to 13 years old - on a trip up the coast. I would definitely like to visit Winchester House in San Jose as well as Hearst Castle. Other places I'd like to take them to are the Monterey Aquarium and possibly Point Lobos (I read about online) and Carmel if you all suggest! I am looking to leave on a Sunday in July and come back home by Thursday eve - so a 4 night stay. How would you suggest I organize this trip? Is there any way to stay somewhere centrally located to all these spots so I don't have to move hotels? Very difficult with a bunch of children and just me! But will do what we have to do to make this a memorable trip. I also need budget accommodations as we will likely need 2 rooms due to max occupancy! I thank you all so much in advance for any suggestions! Despite being a native Californian -- AND going to grad school in San Francisco - I have never done this coastal trip! ALL SUGGESTIONS AND ITINERARIES welcome!

Michael

You can stay in the Monterey area to visit the aquarium, Point Lobos, and Carmel. You can even do the Winchester house as a day trip, including Santa Cruz and its boardwalk. Doing all these things while staying in one location might be better than changing hotels all the time. I've done Pacific Grove down to Hearst and back in one day, on a very stormy day, but the day might be too long for the kids.

emalloy

I would guess that a 4 year old (and most kids) would have more fun playing in the sand than touring houses. Could you divide the group and have one parent do house tours with the kids who would enjoy that while the other parent spent the time doing more age appropriate activities.

lynni

With children of those ages, I would skip Hearst Castle and the Winchester Mystery House, concentrating time in Monterey and Carmel without switching hotels. Point Lobos, the Aquarium, Dennis the Menace Park, maybe a boat tour of the bay... Lots to do and Big Sur is an easy drive for an afternoon. Another thought would be to spend two nights there and two in San Francisco to see the the Exploratorium, the Museums, Golden Gate Park, and maybe a ferry ride! Hearst Castle is not too exciting for kids... Neither is Winchester.

Obrero

Your kids will probably get a kick out of the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz.
http://www.mysteryspot.com/

AustinTraveler

Kids are 4 MONTHS to 13 yoa. I agree with the others and recommend you just stay in Monterey. Check into renting a house on VRBO for the four nights.

clarkgriswold

Does Hearst Castle even allow young kids? They would probably be scared on the cliff-ledgy old bus and bored at the tour.

Also there are really no budget accommodations in July and August around Monterey/Carmel...or really anywhere up and down the coast when you need two rooms. You might check accommodation pricing a.s.a.p. to see if you can even afford this trip, then start by booking a.s.a.p. because many spots are already full-up for the entire month.

I would look at a driving trip that doesn't encompass so many miles if you've just got a few days. Currently if you drive up as far as San Simeon/Moonstone Beach on Sunday you'll have the afternoon for the beach there then Monday morning Hearst and a drive up to Point Lobos and late arrival in Monterey. Tuesday Winchester House and Aquarium no real time for anything else. Then Thursday starts your long drive home with maybe 90 minute stops in Pismo for lunch & beach time and Santa Barbara for dinner & wharf time. And you can't really leave Santa Barbara between 3pm and 7pm or you're stuck in crazy traffic from Calabasas into Los Angeles which you definitely don't want after a long long day of driving with kids.

gb944

Save the money you would have spent on the Winchester Mystery House and have a nice dinner instead. Nothing to see there, just move along.

traveldawg

TIP: Go online. Check Monterey Bay Properties. Great company to rent short term houses/condos in Monterey/Pacific Grove area. You may find this better value than hotelwith kids.....and a 4 month old.

My business is about 1 mile from Winchester Mystery House. Has been for 22 years. I have never been there. Guess I need to go one day. I would concentrate on Monterey Peninsula area and south.

shifrap

Hi all! Thank you all so much for the tips! I so appreciate and will follow up with the ideas. Unfortunately, my husband will not be joining on this trip. So I cannot divide and conquer as stated above. And given that I have many kids I have learned to cater to the highest common denominator -- my 13 year old and 11 year old sons -- for all to have a good time! I did notice the steep price for entrance to Winchester House which I had never heard of prior to googling! But please keep the suggestions coming. All suggestions welcome! Between all of us I know I can organize a great trip!

vincenzo32951

Depends on the kids, but I think the tour of the Hearst Mansion might be interesting (yes, they allow kids, unless the rules have changed recently). Some kids are dazzled by the sights and stories of all that wealth. Mine were, but again, it depends.

But to balance that, I think previous posters have offered some kid-centric ideas that can make things enjoyable even if Hearst isn't a total hit.

Patty

I agree with others who say to just base yourselves on the Monterey Peninsula and concentrate on the surrounding area. There's plenty to do nearby to fill a 4 night stay. You can also take a day trip to Santa Cruz. I think Hearst Castle is a bit too far to day trip with kids.

How budget is budget and how many people do you have total? Accommodations aren't inexpensive even if traveling midweek in July. The least expensive accommodations in Monterey are located along Munras Ave aka Motel Row but are of varying quality. Other motels are located along Abrego and Fremont streets. The neighborhood along the section of Fremont street east of Hwy 1 starts to get less appealing as you head toward Seaside.

The suggestions to look for a rental house are good and short term vacation rentals are legal in Monterey and Pacific Grove. Pacific Grove is another area to check for accommodations. It's family friendly and I would also look for places with suites or cottages that will possibly fit your whole group. I believe Asilomar Conference Center has family size rooms. Despite its name, they do take individual room bookings. The rooms are on the rustic side (no phones or TVs but they do have wifi) but the setting is nice. It's located on state park lands right across the street from a beach and has a woodsy, park lodge feel.

suze

I *LOVED* Winchester Mystery House when I was a kid. One of my favorite things ever, in many many road trips around California (grew up in Los Angeles).

kleroux

When I traveled with my grandchildren we stayed at Marriott Residence Inns'. That way I had my own bedroom, they had theirs, and we had a living room and small kitchen too. I was just at Hearst Castle. I frankly think your children will be bored, and its a lot of walking and stair climbing. The house is not air conditioned and if we're having a heat wave it would be uncomfortable. All public toilets are closed due to the drought/water shortage, so its Port-a-potties. Not sure what you would do about diaper changing. I'd stick to the Monterrey Aquarium and that part of the trip and not Route #1 at this time in their lives. Wait a few years.

janisj

You won't need to book two rooms -- there are lots of motels that sleep whole families in one unit. From Residence Inns down to Extended Stay and everything in between.

Motels around Monterey Bay (Santa Cruz to Monterey) cater to families so that shouldn't be an issue.

I'd stay in/near Monterey and visit everything from there. You can wait til you are there to decide if you want to day trip up to the Winchester Mystery House. Not too much for kids in Carmel itself but w/ beaches, aquarium, Pt Lobos, Big Sur, Santa Cruz boardwalk -- there is a TON in the area.

If you decide to include San Simeon -- I'd drive up the coast that far and stay the night. Visit the castle the next morning (need to pre-book), then drive through Big Sur and stay the rest of the time in Monterey. This would mean one change of hotels. Then drive straight home via 101 or I-5.