Tabernash2

If you decide to stay the night near Hearst Castle, this Best Western in San Simeon is really a great value. It's oceanfront, with fires set on the beach at night, and fireplaces in most rooms:

http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwest...ertyCode=05173

In Santa Barbara, this little motel is quite nice. Free parking and a block away from the marina. We had a large, corner room with a king bed and a sofa sleeper:
Castillo Inn
http://www.sbcastilloinn.com/rooms.html

If you want to spend more, the Fess Parker Doubletree in Santa Barbara is nice, especially if you get a second-floor oceanview room w/patio.

november_moon

"17 mile drive will be wasted on the children. I took four teenagers who were much happier ON a beach poking around in the rocks than they were trapped in the car just looking....."

I completely agree. I grew up in Santa Cruz and when we'd have family or friends visit, inevitably someone would want to do 17 Mile Drive. Ugh. The only thing interesting about it is discussing the topic "If we had a million-zillion dollars, which house would you live in?"

Tabernash2

"If we had a million-zillion dollars, which house would you live in?"

That's it, exactly what I was thinking on that drive. It's a very over-rated and over-priced thing to do when the entire CA coast is free to see!

BarbAnn

IMHO Dennis the Menace Park is not worth making a special trip to visit. With the ages of your children, there are more interesting things to do/visit in Monterey, like the Monarch butterflies.

MichelleY

I agree with BarbAnn. Skip Dennis the Menace Park.

Diamantina

Don't miss "Piedras Blancas Beach" near San Simeon for elephants seals. Good timing!
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/elephant-seals.html
http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/cal...-the-Beach.htm

I agree with others who recommended Point Lobos SP. The short walks are beautiful, and you can often see otters in the water.
If you have lightweight binoculars, bring them.

If you are headed to Muir Woods, you might want to continue driving on Highway One North to the Muir Beach Overlook for a fantastic view. The view from the Marin Headlands (north side of the GGBridge) is also terrific. Here's a map:
http://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisi...ap-mahe-2d.pdf

Fort Point, on the SF side of the GGBridge, is open three days a week. It's a spectacular spot right under the Golden Gate Bridge. The fort dates back to the Civil War and admission is free. When I was a kid I loved this place.
http://www.nps.gov/fopo/index.htm

Diamantina

If you're going to the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, give yourselves time to visit the Planetarium (though this might be too much for your 7-year-old) and the four-story rainforest dome (it can get busy on weekends). You might also want to be there for penguin feeding time.
http://www.calacademy.org/events/

The Japanese Tea Garden is on the other side of the concourse.

You might also want to visit Stow Lake, and just drive past the Buffalo enclosure, the windmill and the Conservatory of Flowers.
http://www.golden-gate-park.com/buffalo-paddock.html