Heading to San Francisco in mid July with 2 kids 14/11. Wanted to drive down to Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur some of this trip. Any suggestions on stayin in monterey vs carmel or big sur? found a holiday inn in monterey near aquarium or is any hotel fine? Need resonable rate under 200. Any suggestions on must do's in area.

Joyce,

There is plenty to see and do in Monterey(www.monterey.com), Carmel(www.carmelbythesea.com), and Big Sur. In Monterey I would recommend the Monterey Bay Aquarium, visit one of the many great seafood restaurants in Fisherman's Wharf, and do the 17 Mile Drive. In Carmel there are plenty of cafes and shops to browse through in the downtown area. The drive down to Big Sur is very scenic. I would suggest going further south to San Simeon to visit Hearst Castle(www.hearst-castle.org) Make reservations for Hearst Castle. There are places to stay near Hearst Castle in Cambria.
Have a great trip.

I stayed at the Monterey Hyatt for $40 night in April, bidding through Priceline. The hotel is an older, typical Hyatt, but the grounds are beautiful. There is a website, www.biddingfortravel.com, that's a tutorial for Priceline. Scroll way down to the hotel section on the first page of the site where you'll see the possible hotels listed for the Monterey area. No, I'm not connected with PL or with the site, just a happy customer.

For an inexpensive hotel in Monterey, we always recommend the Otter Inn. It's one block to Cannery Row, two blocks to the aquarium and right near the paved pedestrian/bike/skateboard path that leads down to Fisherman's Wharf. Fisherman's Wharf is hopelessly touristy, but kids love it and you can get good calamari at Abalonetti's---halfway out the wharf on the left with views of the little inlet and seals on the rocks. Carmel wouldn't appeal to 14 and 11 year olds. Point Lobos Park just south of Carmel is a must see for the kids and Carmel Beach is nice. If kids that age have read any John Steinbeck, he was from Salinas a short drive east and there's a museum in his house. Can't remember when kids start reading his stuff. One more suggestion---don't go to Bubba Gump's--yucky food.

What I meant to say was that downtown shopping in Carmel wouldn't appeal to kids. The 17 Mile Drive and seeing the animals, the beach with dogs running free, and the Pt. Lobos Park certainly would. If they are at all interested in CA history, the Carmel Mission is a pretty one and the resting place of Junipero Sera, the Franciscan who spearheaded the colonization of CA. Another thought: would they want to rent kayaks and go out on Monterey Bay with the sea otters? This can be great fun for kids and adults.

Joyce,

My husband and I stayed at the Holiday Inn you're referring to when we visited Monterey several years ago. We paid $90 and it was a nice room, definitely within walking distance of the aqaurium, shopping, restaurants, etc. You probably could find a lower rate if you check around, but know that the H.I. is fine.

If you try to plan your San Fran days for Fri Sat Sun and your Monterey days for Mon Tues Wed or THurs, you will do much better with the room rates.

We found $89 rates at the Carmel Mission in on weekdays, but rate rose to $190 on Fri and Sat.

Another nice place for the family is the cottages in Pacific Grove
www.andrilcottages.com

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP. YOU MADE PLANNING MUCH EASIER.

Staying overnight in Cambria after visiting Hearst Castle on way to LA from Carmel/Big Sur.Someone suggested Pelican Suites,does anyone have any reports or feedback about this hotel or other places to stay in the area.My budget is 200-250.

Thanks!