We are driving across the state of california from Las Vegas. (day 1). Day 2 to visit Hearst Castle in the morning and driving up the coast in the afternoon to Pacific Grove for 2 nights stay (Grand View Inn) and on to San Francisco to Tuscan Inn.
Now to my question? We have made reservation at the Inn at Morro Bay but I am thinking we might could do better closer to hearst. We will be arriving late (around 6pm) and leaving early am (8-9 am). Any suggestions on where to stay? How about the Best Western Fireside Inn? Could someone relate on a recent visit or on some other site closer to Hearst. Thanks in advance.

I would appreciate an answer from someone in the know about Cambria

properties also on Monnstone Beach, sorry I can't remember the name. Do you have the AAA book that has Nevada and California? Sorry this reply is so disjointed, my kids are being wild!

We visited Hearst Castle about a week ago and stayed at the Inn at Morro Bay(very nice as we were upgraded to a Bay Front Room) Morro Bay is about 30 minutes from Hearst Castle and Cambria is much closer. We also stayed at the Cypress Inn in Cambria which is located on Moonstone Beach (great rates mid-week). My first choice would be to stay in Cambria. Enjoy your trip!

We are driving from Yosemite to Cambria, spending the evening and the next morning heading to Hearst Castle. I booked us a room at the Sea Otter Inn in Cambria - Moonstone Beach. The rate was great and the location seems perfect for our needs. It is only minutes from Hearst. I looked into the Best Western but decided against it for two reasons 1) cost (we need two rooms as we are traveling with kids) and 2) they are in the midst of renovations and I couldn't get a good answer on the distruption.

I stayed at Best Western Fireside Inn back in 1994. Maybe it has changed since then, but I remember being definitely underwhelmed with the property. On paper, it sounded nice... fireplaces in the rooms, across from the beach, etc. The rooms were oddly shaped, ordinary looking, and lacking in charm. Even with the fireplace, it did not feel cozy or romantic. And because the hotel is built perpendicular to the beach, there is no view. Perhaps I was expecting too much.

As I was driving away from the property the next day, I remember seeing several rustic looking motels on Moonstone Drive that looked charming and Big Sur-ish. Would definitely consider one of those over the Best Western.

We stayed at the Blue Whale Inn on Moonstone Beach in Cambria. Very nice with fireplaces and four poster beds in every room. Their website is www.bluewhaleinn.com

I am now deciding between The Sea Otter Inn, The Cypress Cove Inn, Sand Pebbles Inn or the Fog Catcher Inn. All are on Moonstone Beach. All the web sites seem similiar. Any recommendations?!!

I think most of these are owned by the same company. I would go with the best rate for an ocean front room (2nd floor). It is a beautiful area - enjoy!
When we were there several weeks ago, it looked as if the Best Western was being remodeled as there was a lot of construction going on.

I believe the Sae Otter Inn and the Fog Catcher are woned by the same company. Last night in my interrupted post, I meant to say that the Fog Catcher is great! Not sure when you're coming, but they sometimes have specials that include a bottle of wine upon arival, dinner (at the Cambria Pines Lodge which was very generous! They gave us the regular menu with entrees from $15.00 to $30.00 and we only paid for dessert, cocktails and the tip) and a continental breakfast.(Great value!) The rooms are kind of French Country, gas fireplaces and nice, way nicer than a Best Western would be. The location on Moonstone Beach is the most desireable in the area,it's actually across the street from the beach and just down the street for the Blue Whale Inn, also very nice. You won't go wrong with teh Fog Catcher. Any other details you'd like abou that specific property! Oh, I think you can only see the ocean from the second level, but you can hear it from the lower level.

The Courtesy Inn [www.courtesyinns.com] Clean, indoor pool, comp contl brkfast, NOT PRICEY as the local B&B's .They can make your Hearst Castle reservations. About $85 in summer and $69 in off season for 2 doubles. Use saved money for a super dinner in Cambria [10 minutes] at Moustache Pete's. We go up there 1-2 times a year. By all means continue up the coast northbound.

We go to Cambria every year and were just there the last weekend in July. We stayed at a new place called Moonstone Landing which is on Moonstone Beach. We loved it - had a great room with balcony overlooking the coast. They have special introductory rates that are pretty reasonable. Includes nice continental breakfast and afternoon refreshments. They are a sister property to Little Sur Inn which we stayed at last year; it's also fairly new and very nice. We like Sow's Ear and Black Cat for dinner; Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill for lunch. It's a great getaway town!

Thank you, Cindy. I had not heard of this lodge in the posting. I am going to check for availablity.