My husband and I have booked 4 nights at the Hyatt Highlands Inn in Carmel (timeshare), flying in and out of San Jose, mid-May. We want to spend another 3 nights somewhere along the coast. I know San Francisco is a natural, but we were just there last year. We would like something laid back, relaxing, beach. We like to drive, ages 68-70. Thanks for your ideas. CJ

The Central Coast Would be a great choice - Cambria, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach. Small towns, pretty laid back, coastal and inland (farm, wine)

I was kind of thinking that! Do you have any suggestions on places to stay? Since we'll be in a large resort the first part of our trip, a small inn would be nice.

I'm sorry, I don't - last time we were there, we stayed in a Motel 6 (not exactly my first choice!). Others will have ideas...

Cambria has some nice Inn's. Something around Moonstone beach perhaps. Check on line - small inn's Cambria and surround and I'm sure you will find some nice ones. It is a lovely area. you can order tickets on line if you want to see Hearst Castle.
Pismo Beach is another nice area with lots of lovely inns. Off the top of my head I cannot remember where we stayed but there were plenty from which to choose.....Have a wonderful restful time.....

Here is a link to info just recently for San Simeon:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-simeon-ca.cfm

Try to take in at least one tour of Hearst Castle if you head down south from Carmel. Purchase tickets on line ahead of time.

You could also head to San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay or Pismo. In Pismo, we like to stay here:

http://www.cottage-inn.com/

What time of year are you going? Monarch butterflies are wintering both in Pacific Grove and Grover Beach(near Pismo). Pismo also has the dunes for dune buggy fun.

Good luck and have a nice trip.

MY

treebonesresort.com quite cool and close Yurts are awesome

Morro Bay/Rock has cute BB inns

Santa Barbara has some very nice stuff

Seal Beach Laguna Beach NewPort beach

if you really like to drive a couple of hours south of LA

hoteldel.com lajolla.com my fav for beach...

Cottage Inn looks nice, with a $50 price promo if booked on November 28, plus 15% off for on-line booking. We'll be there for a week beginning May 15, 2012. Thanks for your suggestions.

How early is your departing flight out of San Jose? Most of the Central Coast towns mentioned so far are more than 3 hours from San Jose, so you might need to spend the last night nearer SJ.

You could not ask for a nicer hotel in Cambria than this one:
http://www.cambriainns.com/bluedolphin.html

We absolutely loved it. Very close to Hearst Castle, which we loved! Excellent hot breakfast, plus cookies on your pillow at night.

Eat at the Sea CHest for excellent seafood. Cash only, and get their close to opening time as they don't take reservations but it is such a unique place. Really old school.

Also, Sebastian's (?) for lunch. Great sandwiches!