Big Sur or Santa Barbara
 

I'm driving with my GF from San Fran to La at the end of August. I have only 1 night to stay somewhere between the 2. We're driving down the Pacific Coast Highway and looking for a nice beach town with good restaurants..Any suggestions? I've never been to California.

Cambria would be my choice.

I agree with the Cambria suggestion as it is more mid-way between LA and SF. You can sample Big Sur on the way down to Cambria, and make a stop in Santa Barbara on the way to LA the next day (though both places deserve more time!)

There's also Pismo Beach. Nice restaurant at the Dolphin Resort called the Lido.

Cambria is a better choice IMO, at least on weekends and at least until Labor Day. If you're travelling during the week Pismo won't be too crowded, although a lot moreso than Cambria.

I don't think that I would consider Big Sur a "beach" town. It has some of the most beautiful ocean scenery that you will find anywhere, but I find it much too rural to be called a beach town. Santa Barbara is more of an upscale beach town, whereas Pismo Beach more of a classic beach towm. I like Santa Barbara better, but Pismo Beach is going to be more centered between SF and LA, which will give you more time to explore the Big Sur area along the way.

Most hotels have two night minimums on weekends...

Santa Barbara.PAul

My recommendation:

Check out the Big Sur scenery on the way down. Maybe take a 30 min hike to the McWay falls or up through the redwoods.

Stay overnight mid-way: Cambria, Morro Bay, SLO, Pismo Beach would all be good choices.

Explore Santa Barbara for several hours the next day, then on to LA.