We are going to a wedding in July and would like to stay on the coast. Is there any lodging that has beach access (of course view too) We have a 4 and 7 year old along with 3 adults. We would consider going as far north as manchester, don't want to go south as we have done that. Thanks!

are you talking about Bodega Bay or Half Moon Bay? Bodega Bay is up above San Francisco near the wine country. Half Moon Bay is south of San Francisco on beautiful highway 1. As for Manchester I don't know where that is and I live in the area.

disneymom, since I know that Manchester is in Mendocino County, well north of Bodega Bay, and you talk about not wanting to go south again, I assume you're intererested in Bodega Bay and the coast north of there, and that your mention of Half Moon Bay was an error. nancytwo above has correctly described how far on opposite sides of San Francisco these two bays are.

Here's some ideas:

Bodega Bay Lodge -- http://www.woodsidehotels.com/bodega/bodega_home4.htm

Further north, one of the more relatively reasonably-priced and child-friendly places along the Coast, but still very beautifully located, near the interesting, reconstructed old Russian fort, Fort Ross:

http://www.fortrosslodge.com/about.html

This Redwood Coast Chamber of Commerce listing describes a number of other places north of Fort Ross up to Manchester:

http://www.redwoodcoastchamber.com/lodging.asp

You might like to give special attention to this one, which I've stayed at. It is fairly pricey, but has very beautiful rooms and incredible views, and a stairway down to a private beach, which is a rarity in the area.

http://www.whalewatchinn.com

I'd love to hear later what you choose and how your experience was...please post a trip report!