Hi all:
I've been reading all the great info on these boards in preparation for my trip to CA at the end of May. I need some help on a logistics question. Our current plans are to stay in Monterey for a few days, then drive down to San Simeon for the Hearst castle tour, and then back up the coast to San Fran w/ a stop along the way at the Ventana Inn for a day or two of pampering. Is it feasible to leave Monterey in the AM, go to San Simeon as a day trip, and return to Big Sur to sleep? (I realize we'd have to take the less-scenic route back at the very least). Or is it better to stay overnight closer to San Simeon and return in the AM? If so, is the Madonna Inn a good choice near San Simeon or does it take us out of our way (I've read conflicting reports of how far the madonna is from san simeon). Sorry for bombarding with questions, but I know NOTHING about California and want to have a fantastic trip! Thanks for any help.

Pam

doing it in a day trip is possible but i wouldn't recommend it. it is such a beautiful area, take the time to spend the night in ss or cambria.

Think driving up to Big Sur from Cambria in the dark with the possibility of fog might be too much after the drive down and a day at Hearst Castle. Look for a little hotel on Moonstone Beach in Cambria. There is no way to take the less scenic road (46 then 101) and cut over to Ventana---no roads that way. You'd have to go all the way up to Carmel and come down hwy 1 again. The area just to the east of Big Sur is the Los Padres National Forest so there aren't any roads going through except for the rangers etc. Check for a reservation at Ventana immediately! You might have to rethink that. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice! We'll arrange to stay near the hearst castle to avoid excessive driving in one day. I'm thinking of the Madonna Inn because we're into unique experiences...and we have accomodations at non-tacky places the rest of the trip. 2 more questions: 1) is the night tour of san simeon significantly cooler than the day tours? and 2)is the ventana inn as amazing as it sound? All advice appreciated! I can't wait for this trip.

I agree with the suggestion to stay at Moonstone Beach in Cambria. I have stayed at the Madonna Inn and in San Simeon near the Castle and wasn't crazy about either.

Cambria has some great little places for dinner, quaint hotel rooms and a gorgeous beach to walk on in the AM before you set of on your journey to the city. Stop at Harmony (an artist town a few miles down the road from Cambria with population under 20).

Cambria is the best place for you to easily get off of Hwy 1 and back to 101.

I agree with replies about Cambria. It is a great town. The Sow's Ear is a good restaurant. The Pelican Inn on Moonstone Beach was very nice. I would recommend it.

Madonna Inn is silly and will take you way out of your way inland. Better to stay in Cambria on Moonstone Beach or at the very southern border of the Big Sur drive is a nice place called Ragged Point Inn. They have a website. Views from there are wonderful and the restaurant is OK but we also prefer Sow's Ear or Brambles or Robins in the town of Cambria.

The evening tour is my favorite of all the tours. The Madonna Inn is around an hour south of Hearst Castle. Stay on Moonstone Beach instead.