My husband and I are making our first trip to the Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur area in a few weeks. We are interested in enjoying the scenery and hiking not so much shopping ect. I have booked a place in Pacific Grove for 3 nights but I have been reading some of the posts and looking at pictures of Big Sur and wondering if we would be happier in Big Sur. I realize they are within an hour of each other but we are interested in having candlelight dinner at Deetjens one night and wondering if that will be too much of a drive late at night? If we stayed in Pacific Grove, I was thinking maybe one long day enjoying Big Sur and dinner at Deetjens that night. Then the next day we would do 17 mile drive, Pt Lobos, Carmel. Will we be backtracking too much? Thanks for your help. I am just getting to know the area.

HI

It is a spectacular drive from Carmel to Big Sur--but pretty windy, and can be foggy--I woud encourqge you to stay in Big sur for a night--there are lots of options--I just read of a new place in big sur where you sleep in a yurt--it had all the modern conveniences--but there are lots of options--from very very expensive (Ventana, say, or POst Ranch inn), to fairly cheap (Big sur lodge [cabins in the park] or the River Inn [a motelish place on the river])--of course, Deetjens is a mid-range and unusual option

I have called some places in Big Sur. Most of the ones in my price range (which is not $900 a night for the Ventana!) require a two night min. I was hoping for one night in Big Sur and 2 in Pacific Grove. The only place I found that I can do this River Inn but she scared me on the phone b/c she said she was required to let me know about the traffic noise. I figure it must be pretty bad if she has to warn me before hand. Big Sur Campground had availability for 2 nights. The yurt place and Deetjen were full.

I recently vacationed in Carmel with trips to Big Sur, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach and MOnterey> I foudn Pacific Grove a cute quaint town and we were bored stiff after an hour... I was so glad we stayed in Carmel...

Well, Big Sur is going to fill your scenery and hiking desires.

I don't agree that Pacific Grove is boring. Carmel, to me, is boring, because, charming as it may be, it is not a real town, just a tourist destination catering to the shopping crowd. Fine for a walk-through and a walk on the beach.

Pacific Grove has a real business district and some lovely Victorian B & B's

For your dinner at Deetzen's, you probably won't have fog to drive through unless you are going to be there in June or July. (We stayed at Deetzen's one very rainy winter weekend...it was awesome, otherworldly, and rustic.)

I think you would be fine with your idea of a good day and dinner at Big Sur and then the rest of your plans. Pt. Lobos is worth some time. while in Big Sur you might want to have lunch at Nepenthe, which is high on a cliff with outstanding views. Not an expensive restaurant...you can get a good burger there, among other things.

We live across the bay in Santa Cruz, but still love the Monterey Peninsula for visits.

If you have time, you might want to drive out to Carmel Valley, which is very pretty.

I think Pacific Grove is a good place to base out of. It's close to the MB aquarium, has a great downtown. In PG, I like First Awakenings (not downtown/ near the MB aquarium), for breakfast or lunch. It was on one of Rachael Ray's shows a couple years back. Downtown PG has Read Huse Cafe and Toasties Cafe. Great for breakfast and lunch too! I like Carmel and Carmel Valley also. Go to Bahama Billy's for a "classy casual" lunch or dinner, which is at the Carmel Crossroads. My daughter was married in Carmel last summer, and we had the reception in Carmel Valley. The best of both worlds. Oh, and we had her rehearsal dinner at Bahama Billy's.

Typo alert! I meant the Red House Cafe in PG.

I'm very confused about the when the best time (in terms of weather) is to vacation in Northern California. When are the best chances for warmth and less fogg/rain?

September