One week to go till we go to California, so excited... Thanks for everyones help but I have a couple of last minute questions:
Made reservation at the Green Lantern in Carmel, has anyone stayed there? Vegabond was booked. Any other suggestions?
Dining suggestions in Carmel & Santa Barbara?
Is a jacket and tie required in most restaurants?
Weather, what to wear/bring? Shorts?
Whats the best way to get from Laguana Hills to Santa Barbara?
Thanks so much

I'll only comment on the directions from Laguna Hills to Santa Barbara. Couldn't be simpler:

-- I-5 north from Laguna Hills to US-101 North. Continue until Santa Barbara.

California is very casual - only the most high end restaurants require jacket and tie.

Weather - I think another storm is coming in so you might see some rain. Layers are your best bet (surprise, surprise). I'd throw in a pair of shorts in case it gets warm, but I would count on wearing long pants most of the time.

101 all the way, thought we had to go something funky thru L.A...

Rain :0(
Any dining suggestions?

Casanova in Carmel

Stu Dudley

Great. Will go to Casanova in Carmel, jacket & tie required?

Nope

Is there any type of nightlife in Carmel or Santa Barbara? Does everything close early?

Ditto on Casanova, went there last year and it was wonderful! I just got back from California and no one dresses up very much for dinner. You can if you want to, but I just took black pants, khakis and jeans and I ended up wearing the jeans more than anything else. I just wore a nice top and jacket or sweater set with them. We wore sandals a lot of the time but take tennis shoes or something similar. I also took a raincoat and a windbreaker type jacket and pants for walking along the beach and that was all I needed.

Thanks Jet519, I have no idea what to bring, not sure what the weather will be like.. Rain coat I here is a must.
Did you eat anywhere else in Carmel or in Monterey,that you would recommend, were staying 2 nights

We had a wonderful lunch outside at the restaurant at Ventana resort which is on Highway 1 south towards Big Sur. The inside of the restauarant is very nice too. We also had lunch at a restaurant that was in a shopping center which is right across the street from another shopping center called The Barnyard.(I mean the shopping center not the restaurant name. I can't remember the name of the restaurant but it was a really neat decor and very good. If you want to stay in the downtown Carmel area though, there are lots of really neat places and I am sure you can get plenty of recs when you get there. You could ask for a good rec for a restaurant on Monterey Bay for dining on the water one night since Casanova is right in Carmel downtown. But you will love Casanova. Carmel is really beautiful and it is fun to just window shop the art galleries, shops and restaurants, bakeries, coffee houses. Lots of charm! I will send light to the weather! When I was there last week it was pretty good and everything is a brilliant green.

Thanks Jet. Was it warm enough to wear sleeveless blouses? I think I'm going to be over packed for the week.
I was thinking of going to the Old Bath House Restaurant, I believe its in Pacific Grove or Monterey, ever hear of it?

My daughter wore sleeveless tops the whole time and didn't complain. As long as you have a jacket.
I can't remember Old Bath House, I have heard of the White House in Pacific Grove... all good things.

In Carmel we like Casanova, Roy's, the Pacific's Edge and the California Market at the Highland's Inn. I would also check out Bouchee.

In SB we loved our fine dining meal at the Wine Cask and also really enjoyed Olie e Limone. The SB Shellfish Co. can't be beat for fresh lobster and lobster bisque and the crab melt. Check out Eladio's at the Harbor View Inn for a breakfast one morning.

We also really enjoyed the Patio at the Four Seasons in Montecito. In Pacific Grove, the Old Bath House is very good with beautiful views. The White House is also a very good option.

For a real splurge, check out the Sierra Mar @ the Post Ranch Inn. Cielo at Ventana is also very nice in the Big Sur area. ***kim***

Where is the White house restaurant? Does it have waterview?
Does the Wine Cask and Olie e Limone require a jacket & tie?

Although coats and ties are certainly not required in Carmel... most locals will wear a navy blazer or coat... no tie. Part of this is because it can get cold at night so it is practical!

The White House is in Pacific Grove, it does not have a water view, the Old Bath House has gorgeous views from their dining room.

A tie and jacket are not required for Olie e Limone or the Wine Cask. ***kim***

Lately here, there have been clouds coming and going, the weather has been really strange this year. I would also suggest if you have the time to go the the Monterey Bay Aquarium, it is right next to Carmel. It is really pretty and done really well.

Saturday I was in Santa Cruz and the weather was nice and sunny - and warm enough for a short-sleeved shirt. Yesterday in San Jose it was pretty chilly and today we are having gobs of rain - I am sure Santa Cruz is similar.