We are following an itinerary suggested by another fodorite from Carmel to LA.
We have booked Tickle Pink Inn in Carmel and Blue Whale Inn in Cambria.
We have never been to either of these towns and I was wondering if we might be better off actually staying in the town so we are in walking distance of shops, restaurants etc. We will only be in the hotels for a short time so won't really have time to fully enjoy all that they have to offer, and would rather be doing the tour of the towns.
Could anyone suggest somewhere just as nice but more convenient to town.
Also, what is the Inn of the Spanish Garden like in Santa Barbara. Many thanks.

I have stayed at both the Blue Whale Inn and Tickle Pink Inn. I would keep my reservations at both places. The Blue Whale Inn is right across the street from Moonstone Beach which is beautiful. You are only about a 5 minute drive into downtown Cambria. Check out the Sow's Ear and the Black Cat Bistro for great meals. The Blue Whale serves a full gourmet breakfast.

Tickle Pink Inn is in the Carmel Highland's area, very scenic and nice. You will be right next to the Highland's Inn where we have enjoyed several great stays. The Tickle Pink Inn is in the Carmel Highland's, a very short drive to downtown Carmel.

You have made very good lodging choices, Cambria and Carmel are two of our favorite areas of the CA coast! ***kim*** )

We stayed at the Tickle Pink Inn several years ago and absolutely loved it and hope to go back again. Their wine and cheese reception every evening on the deck is wonderful for watching the sunset. Lovely, lovely place.

On your way south on Hwy. 1, be sure to stop by Post Ranch Inn and have a drink or lunch (or both!) on their deck overlooking the ocean. Dinner would be even better, just not sure of your time frame. The restaurant is called Sierra Mar. The restaurant has floor to ceiling glass and give you the feeling of being suspended over the ocean. I've never been to anything like it. www.postranchinn.com Someday I hope to stay there for an evening or two!

I've been to Santa Barbara and it's wonderful, too. We didn't stay at the Inn of the Spanish Garden, though.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for your replies.
Kim, I think it may have been your suggestion for the Blue Whale Inn on another thread that lead to our initial booking.
We will also stop at the Post Ranch Inn for a look and a coffee/drink/meal.

Regarding Santa Barbara, we were thinking Simpson House or Four Seasons but are a little too pricey so thought maybe Inn of the Spanish Garden might be good.
Anyone, have a suggestion for Santa Barbara.
Thanks from sunny Sydney. G'day LA.

Inn of the Spanish Garden is a very nice place. It's small but very well appointed and maintained. Ask for a room as far away from State St. as possible.

As for Cambria, it's a great town. Just remember to pronounce the name correctly when you're there (the first "a" is short not long). One of these days I'm going to write a 'California Central Coast to English' translation guide.

Cambria = CAMM-bria not CAME-bria
San Luis Obispo = LEWIS not LOO-IE
Lompoc = Lom-POKE not Lom-POCK
Higuera = HIGH-gerra not HIGG-gerra.
Etc etc.

We enjoyed a very nice stay in SB at the Harbor View Inn. It is right across the street from Stearn's Wharf. We had a King/Oceanview Room which also included breakfast every morning at Eladio's, the restaurant there. Very nice place! ***kim***

I just wanted to add my recommendation for Moonstone beach - terrific location. I have not stayed at that particular inn, but I would not switch locations.

Harbor View Inn is where we stayed, too. It was very nice and I'd stay there again! My girlfriends took me there last April for my 50th birthday so we could tour the nearby wine country...FUN! We enjoyed sitting on the balcony overlooking the ocean. We enjoyed drinks in the bar and it's close enough to walk to all the shopping. Great shopping by the way!

There's also a wonderful seafood restaurant around the corner from it that was very good, but I can't remember the name of it...sorry! If you walk out the door on Cabrillo Blvd. and turn left...then turn left again at the next corner, head toward the shopping area, it's a couple of blocks up the hill on your left.

There was an art show going on across the street from Harbor View set up along the walking paths that was very enjoyable.

We also took a whale watching trip from here. We saw a momma humpback and her baby calf playing in the water for maybe a half an hour. I think they call it breaching!

You're going to have a wonderful trip!

When you are in Santa Barbara, go to the SB Shellfish Co. on the wharf. You can have lobster bisque and full loster dinners at a very reasonable price. I think Stearn's is one of the prettiest wharves on the CA coast.

I'll also recommend the Wine Cask or Olie e Limone for nice meals. The casual restaurant at the Four Seasons Biltmore is also very good, we saw dolphins frolicking in the ocean from our table there. ***kim***

Blue Whale is incredible. we posted a review with photos on tripadvisor.com last year. One of the nicest b&b we have ever seen, and only a few min. into town. Outstanding breakfasts and pm snacks, views to the ocean, quiet spot.