Carmel/PacificGrove/Monterey
 

Planning my last stop up the PC highway in April and we can't decide where to stay, Carmel,Pacific Grove or Monterey.
Reading other sites and Carmel has the valley and the highland? How far are they from each other.
Would like to be close to everything, maybe walking distance to restaurants and walking paths to the water.

Stay right in Carmel by the water and enjoy walking to restaurants, art galleries, shops, and the beach. It would be my choice.
cheers,
CC

Definately stay in carmel, not the valley, not the highlands, but the village area. Great window shopping, galleries, perfect beach, great restaurants, all within walking distance of each other. Check out tripadvisor for hotel choices and restaurants. Many B&B's don't know your budget and boutiqe hotels. on your drive in, don't miss a stop at point lobos, you can park outside gate on hwy 1 walk in get map for $1 this is very acceptable. Ask the ranger for a scenic ocean trail. To park inside gate it is around $8. If you don't want to walk much do this. Have fun.

When looking for places to stay how do you distingush just "Carmel"? Is that in the town of Carmel?
Is Point Lobos a part of Big Sur?
Reommendations for places to stay in Carmel by the water would be great.
Would like to spend no more then 200.00 a night.

Hi Donna, Kind of confusing isn't it. Big Sur is the coastline. Point Lobos is a State Park, pretty much at the north edge of Big Sur. Carmel is a town. The downtown area has little hotels and inns, mostly along Ocean Ave and it's offshoots. None of them have ocean views. Along Highway 1 there are a couple of bigger hotels; Highland's Inn and Tickle Pink Inn to name two. They are just south of the entrance to Point Lobos. Carmel Valley is inland and has more hotels, and inns.

Carmel Mission Ranch is a small "hotel" with cabins and rooms that is right on the bay. Looking out across the Bay is Point Lobos. It's owned by Carmel's famous former mayor. From there you can stroll over to Carmel Mission.

Personally, downtown Carmel doesn't do too much for me. But I'm a nature lover so I like the coastline.

No, Point Lobos is just south of Carmel, and about 20 minutes drive north of Big Sur. Point Lobos is about a five minute drive from Carmel, heading south on Highway 1.

Guidebooks generally differentiate between Carmel, Carmel Valley and Carmel Highlands. Carmel Highlands is about a 7 minute drive south of Carmel and is near nothing, other than fantastic scenery.

For those interested in staying at the Tickle Pink Inn, beware that there is currently work being done on its retaining wall along the highway, and stops are likely. Don't know how long it will last, but we were stopped at that point last weekend.

Haven't been here for many years, but we use to stay at the Wayside Inn. It's a block or two of the "famous Ocean Avenue". They had suites and fireplaces. The number was 800 422 4SEA. My brochure is so old that there isn't a web address on it! Remember those days???? Check it out though!!

Any reommendations on the best places to stay?

First of all, you should decide which place you would like stay. Have you ruled out the B&B's in PG where you originally were considering staying? :)

If so, that leaves Carmel/Monterey. We like to stay in the Highland's area, but it sounds like you want to be close to places so that would leave an inn in downtown Carmel for your option there. www.carmelinns.com might be of help to you. The Green Lantern Inn is close to the ocean and is in downtown Carmel both.

If you're still thinking of Monterey, I would consider the Monterey Plaza Hotel for the best place to stay in that area. It is close to everything and you could visit the aquarium if that interests you. Good luck, I would book soon for a visit in April. ***kim*** ((#))

Donna, for Carmel you may want to check out La Playa. www.laplayahotel.com It sounds wonderful, I am seriously considering staying here for an upcoming birthday trip in May. (Have to choose between Napa Valley or Carmel!) The property is only two blocks from the beach, some rooms have oceanviews and there is a restaurant The Terrace Grill sounds wonderful. The property is spacious with gardens and a pool. Also, the rooms start at aroun $195. :)

It is rated #6 on Tripadvisor. Someone compared it to the Biltmore in Santa Barbara which is gorgeous and it has been referred to as "the grand dame of Carmel." Sounds very nice! Any opinions from others on this property? ***kim*** ((#))

We have stayed at the Carriage House Inn and the Cobblestone Inn. Both nice, well located to Ocean. We had dinner at LaPlaya. Nothing to write home about, but they do have one of the very few, if only, places to dine with a water view from the terrace (not an unobstructed view - trees, etc). The hotel looks nice. It is a sister hotel to The Huntington Hotel in SF, which is one of our favorite hotels. LaPlaya has a spanish look - early California style.
On our next trip to Carmel we are considering the Vagabond Inn, which we looked at on last visit and found to be very charming. There is also the Pine Inn, which is on Ocean and near many of the shops. I really recommend looking at a website to narrow the field of what you want, then ask again for info.
By the way, I highly recommend Carmel over Monterey or Pacific Grove unless Carmel is already booked up or too expensive.

La Playa sounds like a nice, spacious property. So many of the inns in downtown Carmel are cramped and close together. (That's one of the reasons we prefer the Highlands area.) :)

How long ago did you dine at the Terrace Grill? Donna, there is also the Tradewinds Inn which is #1 on Tripadvisor. I think it is a bit further from the beach (about 1 block) than La Playa. And correction: Rooms at La Playa are going for $175/night for a residential view room. :) ***kim*** ((#))

Scratch the Tradewinds Inn, rooms start at $325 there! Sorry! ***kim*** ((f))

Last time we were in Carmel was May '03. The only reason that I even found it was due to info in our room at the Huntington, so we made a point of checking it out. It is really quite pretty. And the food may have just been a fluke. I mentioned it to the server and we got the cheerful free dessert to make-up for it. The place is very pretty, and close to the water.

If you stay in the heart of Carmel, you can walk to shops, galleries, restaurants, beach. Carmel is outrageously charming. A great, very quiet country inn B&B, very quiet, with rooms surrounding a courtyard with waterfall is Vagabond's House. Very highly rated for many years. For a wonderful and romantic restaurant, try Casanova.

Thanks everyone.
I was originally thinking of staying at the Seven Gables Inn in Pacific Grove, but after reading posts, it seems like Carmel has more to do within walking distance, am I correct?

Yes, maybe you should stay in Carmel, and then venture out to Monterey/PG. They are all very close to one another. I think every time we have visited the area (about four times a year) we go to all three places. :)

You have been given some wonderful suggestions for places in Carmel, maybe you should make your decision now and book your room. You won't be disappointed with Carmel as your place to stay. Is this your first time to the area? If so, trust me, you will return again and again! And I second the suggestion for Casanova! ***kim*** ((#))

Yes, its my first time in the area and to Calif. from the east coast, Long Island. Driving up from Dana Point on US one.
Kim, you seem to know so much and have been everywhere in Calif, is there anyway to contact you directly or are you always on the site?
Still not sure if we should stay in Cambria or San Simeon on the way up either... Decisions,Decisions...

Let's keep the info on the boards, so others can learn also! Trust me, I have NOT been everywhere in CA, there are still so many places I would love to see. Palm Springs, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Malibu and Mendocino are a few place I haven't been to. I honestly think my kids have been more places than I have, LOL! They travel a lot with their church group and friends.

I was envious of my son when he went to the Bahamas a couple of years ago and this spring DD is going to Mexico for a week to teach Bible stories to the children there and help build a church. Those lucky kids were able to spend many summers in Hawaii on two islands with my husband's family while we stayed home and worked, LOL! ***kim*** ((#)) BTW, stay in Cambria! You'll ((l)) it here!

yes.... it is amazing how much one can learn with a keyboard, an internet connection, and lots of time on one's hands.

Yes, its amazing...
Just e-mailed the Tradewinds Inn, seems they have specials in April, they got a better review on trip advisor then the LaPlaya, lets see what they say.
Suggestions for Cambria? Was thinking of the J. Patrick House, seems out of the way though...

I think it would be nicer to stay across the street from the ocean, it's so pretty there. We like to spend the day down by the water reading, taking photos, and watching the sea lions. Moonstone Beach is gorgeous! ***kim*** ((#)) If you can get a good rate for the Tradewinds, go for it! I would love to hear a report on this place, it looks very Asian-elegant! ***kim***

Moonstone beach is in Cambria?

www.cambria-online.com would be a good website for you! Have fun! ***kim*** ((#))

just offering a word of caution, Donna.... people are not always as they appear....

Donna: take a look at one of the mapping sites like mapquest to get an idea about Cambria. Cambria is basically divided by hwy1. The main part of town with shops and most restaurants is to the east of 1. Moonstone Beach Drive is on the west side of 1, and runs right along the water. It is, however, on the bluffs, not down at water level. The views from all of the lodging establishments have the same view with the exception of the very end one - name has 'Pines' in it, I think. The road is short and walkable from one end to the other. There are two good restaurants among the motels, so you can walk to dinner if you wish. There is a very well maintained walkway and places to get down to the beach. This area if lovely. The motels vary in price a bit, depending on how deluxe they are, but I think they are all decent. We love the area.

Has anyone stayed at either the Fogcatcher or Cypress Inn? They both seem to be within our budget.
Should I spend the xtra and get an oceanview on Moonstone Beach?
They both have a special where you get dinner at Brambles, ever eaten there?

I'm with uuhhhh. Be careful.

I love La Playa for the beautiful property and the great views. AWe stayed three nights several years ago and loved the service and the room was very comfortable, although not luxurious. The location is a plus because you are close to the beach and just a few blocks from busy downtown Carmel. I don't think this property has ever been known for the restaurant... it is average at best. Another plus is that they have their own parking, which is always a challenge in Carmel. The Pine Inn is another one of our favorites, again, nice and comfortable, not luxurious. If you like older, historic hotels, than you would be happy at either of these.

The Fogcatcher in Cambria is a wonderful location, much better than the J. Patrick House. (The Patrick House is in a residential section and the rooms looked worn to me. Also, the proximity of the rooms was very close together... to much so for my taste. We chose not to stay there.) The Brambles is a nice tadtional restaurant that serves the classics like Beef Burgandy and other things that are usually not on more modern menus. We have eaten there several times and the food is consistently delicious. I would not pay the extra in Cambria for an ocean view because for most of the properties, Fogcatcher included, your "view" is across a road and many times it is so foggy you really can't see anything. On the other hand, I live at the beach and see it every day! I certainly understand the concept of wanting ocean views everywhere on vacation... I did the same when we went to Australia.

Recently did a trip to Monterey, Carmel and that area. Stayed at the Tickle Pink Inn which was nice but next time would pick a different room. We would also stay at Clint Eastwood's Mission Ranch. It is serene and beautiful and the restaurant there was very nice. Also there are some places in Big Sur. I don't know where they are. When we were there we went to Point Lobos which we just loved. It is an all day event. Wish we would of spend more time in Big Sur. Found that area to be the most beautiful. If you stay in Carmel it is not far to Big sur.

I was under the impression that the fogcatcher & cypress Inn were right on the cliffs with water below. I didn't realize that there was a road in between.
How far is the Mission Ranch from town?

Yes, spend a little extra and get the oceanview. The Cypress Cove Inn is very nice! ***kim*** ((#))

Can anyone recommend sites to see that should not be missed on the way up North.
Leaving Dana Point and first stop Santa Barbara.
Then heading up to Cambria and then to Carmel.
We are planning one night in each stop.
Currently we do not have an intenerary and would love to hear suggestions.

Yes Donna, there is a road between the motels and the edge of the bluffs. However, it is not a busy road, it's really a residential type street. Because of this, any lodging that has a balcony/patio/window overlooking the water is also closest to the street. Keep that in mind if you are paying a premiun for a water view. And moneygirl is exactly right - fog can be a factor also. Personally, this is one place I would economize and get the least expensive room I could along Moonstone. All lodging is decent, some are just plainer and some are alittle more deluxe. The ocean is the same no matter what.

Found $79.00 for King no view at Cyress Inn, sounds like a good deal...
I appreciate the info.
Can you suggest things to see on our way up the coast.
I feel like we really don't have much time with just 3 nights.

The only reason we went to Cambria initially was to tour Hearst's Castle and in the process really liked Cambria. If HC is not in your plans I recommend it. Each tour takes about 2 hours. There are several to choose from, but Tour 1 is recommended for first timers. We did 3 tours while there since we weren't sure when we'd be back again. Only about 10 minutes up the road from Cambria. Once done there you can be back on the road and headed further north. Across the road from the HC entrance is an old village that you may find interesting. There is a little gift/snack shop/post office there if you need stamps (they don't sell them at HC). Very pretty area - I think you'll love it.

Thanks Babs001, we are planning to stop at Hearst Castle from Santa Barbara, tour one, o.k..
Is there anything else in the Cambria/San Simeon area to see?
On the way to Carmel from Cambria we'd like to stop at Point Lobos. Want to see Monterey and Pacific Grove also. Do you think we could do that in a day and stay the overnight in Carmel? Is that enough time?
Whats with the fog I keep hearing about? Is in on the coast all of the time? Were going the 1st week in April, not sure what the weather will be like.

You will pass Pt Lobos before you arrive in Carmel. By the time you are done at PL, go check in to your room and depending on the time you might be able to drive over to Monterey/Pacific Grove (only about 30 min away). Otherwise, use what time you still have that day to explore Carmel and have dinner. You can always drive over to Monterey the next morning. I hope you will include the 17 mile drive as part of your visit. It's beautiful.

The next day we will be driving up to Oakland to catch a flight out @ 3:30.
Should we change our itenerary and drive straight up US1 from Santa Barbara to Carmel with a stop at the castle? Then we'd spend 2 nights in Carmel and skip the night in Cambria.
Any idea how long the drive would be?

If I was going to skip anything, I'd pass on the drive over to Monterey, but unless you are going to be up and gone at 5:00 am or something, you really are close and could just drive by and keep going. Then again, you might be less rushed to just stop at HC, do the tour and keep going and not stay in Cambria. There is more to do in the Carmel area than in the Cambria area. Pt Lobos will take alittle time if you are firm on that.