California - West Coast Travel
Mar 7th, 2008, 08:18 AM
#22
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Some of our closest friends live adjacent to the Madrona Manor in Healdsburg, so we always stay with them. There have been dozens of discussions about B&Bs & other hotels in Healdsburg. Do a search.
In Carmel when it's not just a day trip, we stay in one of the bland 60s type motels - can't even recall which one we stayed in last. May have been the Coachman.
Stu Dudley
In Carmel when it's not just a day trip, we stay in one of the bland 60s type motels - can't even recall which one we stayed in last. May have been the Coachman.
Stu Dudley
Mar 8th, 2008, 12:23 PM
#27
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I imagine the 22nd - the 24th is difficult cause that's the start of the Memorial day weekend. Can you change plans to be in Carmel 5/21 to 5/22nd? FYI, also check Pacific Grove per Stu's suggestions. Good dining option in downtown Pacific Grove, a very charming area and less crowded usually than Carmel.
Mar 8th, 2008, 12:33 PM
#29
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There are probably more hotels in the Monterey/Carmel/Pacific Grove area than in a nice area in Sonoma Co. I would keep looking down south & keep your reservation in Healdsburg.
Unless you've spent a lot of time on the coastline and you are also a wine enthusiast, I think you would like Carmel/Monterey/PG/Big Sur more than Sonoma.
Stu Dudley
Unless you've spent a lot of time on the coastline and you are also a wine enthusiast, I think you would like Carmel/Monterey/PG/Big Sur more than Sonoma.
Stu Dudley
Mar 8th, 2008, 12:42 PM
#30
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Stu - I used your advice based on your honeymoon. I have booked 2 nights in SFO at the Sir Francis Drake, then 2 nights in Healdsburg at the Haydon Street Inn. Surprisingly, I can not find anything nice and affordable in Monterey/Carmel/Pacific Grove. We will not be golfing and would rather have a nice ocean view or great inn experience.
Tradewinds and Carmel Valley Ranch are looking like $700 for 2 nights and La Playa is booked up. Any thoughts about Monte Verde Inn or one of those smaller places?
Tradewinds and Carmel Valley Ranch are looking like $700 for 2 nights and La Playa is booked up. Any thoughts about Monte Verde Inn or one of those smaller places?
Mar 8th, 2008, 01:09 PM
#31
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I think we stayed at the Monte Verde Inn once. I would grab anything that's available because of Memorial Day weekend. Then look for something better if there is something. You can cancel the Monte Verde if you find something you prefer (check cancellation policy).
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
Mar 17th, 2008, 08:28 PM
#32
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DKS - I live 5 minutes from LAX and even I would say SKIP L.A... unless you have a particular destination in mind. The traffic is horrendous and getting worse. There are certainly some interesting things to see here, but not for a honeymoon trip... this should be more quiet and relaxed.
The little village of Cambria is quite beautiful and has lovely hotels facing the water <www.cambria-online.com/>. It is about 20 miles up the coast from Morro Bay, and about 100 miles south of Monterey. The Whitewater Inn is lovely. VERY romantic
If you were to drive from LAX to Cambria, it would take about 4 hours.
In San Francisco I can highly recommend the Union Street Inn, 2229 Union St., 415-346-0424. Hosts David & Jane. Get the upstairs room facing out on the back courtyard - very pretty English style garden. Complimentary full breakfast, afternoon tea, and hors d'oeuvres in the evening.
Your wife-to-be might like to see the famous Victorian houses (aka Painted Ladies) in San Francisco. To get the best view of them, head to Alamo Square and look east toward downtown. The Queen Anne homes -- 710-720 Steiner Street -- in the foreground, which have been painted and photographed numerous times, are known as Postcard Row.
The little village of Cambria is quite beautiful and has lovely hotels facing the water <www.cambria-online.com/>. It is about 20 miles up the coast from Morro Bay, and about 100 miles south of Monterey. The Whitewater Inn is lovely. VERY romantic
If you were to drive from LAX to Cambria, it would take about 4 hours.
In San Francisco I can highly recommend the Union Street Inn, 2229 Union St., 415-346-0424. Hosts David & Jane. Get the upstairs room facing out on the back courtyard - very pretty English style garden. Complimentary full breakfast, afternoon tea, and hors d'oeuvres in the evening.
Your wife-to-be might like to see the famous Victorian houses (aka Painted Ladies) in San Francisco. To get the best view of them, head to Alamo Square and look east toward downtown. The Queen Anne homes -- 710-720 Steiner Street -- in the foreground, which have been painted and photographed numerous times, are known as Postcard Row.
Mar 17th, 2008, 08:54 PM
#33
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Just read through some of the posts, saying "don't go to L.A.!" and was relieved to see you're not. That's just too much traveling.
Do you have a certain rate per night for a room? I live in Carmel and have better thoughts than the Monte Verde.
Do you have a certain rate per night for a room? I live in Carmel and have better thoughts than the Monte Verde.
Mar 18th, 2008, 05:00 PM
#34
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Hey Stu,
Read somewhere that your wife does the tours of victorian homes...but will not be doing one when we are there. We will be there march 22-27. would you recommend one of the library tours or the guy who does the tour for $20. per person. also do you think there will be a library tour on Easter Sunday? ARe things open Easter sunday? Thanks DJ
Read somewhere that your wife does the tours of victorian homes...but will not be doing one when we are there. We will be there march 22-27. would you recommend one of the library tours or the guy who does the tour for $20. per person. also do you think there will be a library tour on Easter Sunday? ARe things open Easter sunday? Thanks DJ
Mar 18th, 2008, 05:27 PM
#35
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My wife gave the tour this past Sunday. Marian Halley will give the tour on the 23rd. I've never taken her tour, but my wife thinks she's pretty good.
Several people who have been on my wife's tour, & have also taken the $20 tour have mentioned that the City Guides tour was better. Of course, if anyone has taken both tours & thought my wife's tour "sucked" would probably have said nothing....
Stu Dudley
Several people who have been on my wife's tour, & have also taken the $20 tour have mentioned that the City Guides tour was better. Of course, if anyone has taken both tours & thought my wife's tour "sucked" would probably have said nothing....
Stu Dudley
Mar 18th, 2008, 06:15 PM
#36
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We are just back from 12 days in San Francisco area.
For Healdsburg -- we were going to go to
http://www.healdsburginn.com/
for one day and one night and abandoned the idea as too much driving in too short a time. It was highly recommended. I am sorry we missed it, but we did spend an extra night in Pacific Grove as a result.
We stayed at Seven Gables Inn and it was EXCELLENT!
http://www.pginns.com/index.html
I cannot say enough about the inn and our stay. We went to Point Lobos State Preserve and it was wonderful.
We went from Pacific Grove to Half Moon Bay for our last night and the drive from HMB to SFO was just under 30 minutes and really convenient. Stayed at Mill Rose Inn, it was a bit kitchy, but very nice.
For pictures Seven Gables Inn:
http://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/PacificGroveCA2008
Stay longer in each place and stay in fewer places - luxuriate in the specialness of the trip.
Deb
For Healdsburg -- we were going to go to
http://www.healdsburginn.com/
for one day and one night and abandoned the idea as too much driving in too short a time. It was highly recommended. I am sorry we missed it, but we did spend an extra night in Pacific Grove as a result.
We stayed at Seven Gables Inn and it was EXCELLENT!
http://www.pginns.com/index.html
I cannot say enough about the inn and our stay. We went to Point Lobos State Preserve and it was wonderful.
We went from Pacific Grove to Half Moon Bay for our last night and the drive from HMB to SFO was just under 30 minutes and really convenient. Stayed at Mill Rose Inn, it was a bit kitchy, but very nice.
For pictures Seven Gables Inn:
http://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/PacificGroveCA2008
Stay longer in each place and stay in fewer places - luxuriate in the specialness of the trip.
Deb
Mar 18th, 2008, 06:24 PM
#37
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Just thought I'd mention that the Coachman's Inn in Carmel is a very nice inn, right in town, very comfortable rooms, and has space available for your dates. It doesn't have an ocean view, but it's a fairly short walk to the ocean and near everything. You certainly would have a good Carmel experience and have money left over for a pricey dinner. http://www.coachmansinn.com
Definitely better than not going to Carmel at all.
Definitely better than not going to Carmel at all.
Mar 18th, 2008, 06:41 PM
#38
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I love the Sir Francis Drake in SF. Rooms are small but it is a historic building and great location. You might check out the Harbor house in Elk just south of Mendocino; I am not sure if it is in your price range though. If you can't find hotel in Carmel, you could easily spend your time in SF and north. Do Sonoma, Napa, Calistoga and Mendocino....so much to see and do north of SF.
Mar 19th, 2008, 05:36 PM
#39
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hey Stu,
Thanks for the info...will be on the tour this sunday at 2...thanks for the guidance. another question.
We are renting a car for 2 days returning it to the airport the nite we fly out. are planning sonoma , muir woods, reyes point tiburon. what should our order be. staying the nite at
elPueblo in in SOnoma. thanks DJ
Thanks for the info...will be on the tour this sunday at 2...thanks for the guidance. another question.
We are renting a car for 2 days returning it to the airport the nite we fly out. are planning sonoma , muir woods, reyes point tiburon. what should our order be. staying the nite at
elPueblo in in SOnoma. thanks DJ
Mar 20th, 2008, 07:18 AM
#40
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I would do Muir Woods first because it will be quite crowded later. Then Pt Reyes & Sonoma. Do Tiburon later in the day, because the Sun is in a better position then.
Do you have a copy of my driving itinerary up north?? I wold strongly suggest that you include a drive up into the area immediatly west of the GG Bridge into the Golden Gate Natl Rec Area - on the Marin side. Best views of the City & down the coast, IMO. Do this late in the afternoon also.
Stu Dudley
Do you have a copy of my driving itinerary up north?? I wold strongly suggest that you include a drive up into the area immediatly west of the GG Bridge into the Golden Gate Natl Rec Area - on the Marin side. Best views of the City & down the coast, IMO. Do this late in the afternoon also.
Stu Dudley
