"Nepenthe has stunning views; you're literally sitting on the rocks over the ocean. It gets busy. Food is passable."

Totally agree. The food is unremarkable. And, man, it's expensive! I think it's become an urban legend, so everyone recommends it, but it's overrated.
Last time we were there, it was packed with people, and hectic. We just ate appetizers at the bar.

Unless you're prepared to spend $50 on an entree, or $35.50 for chicken breast, don't plan on dinner there.
​​​​​​​Or for lunch, a $22 cheeseburger or $34.50 steak frites.
Yikes. For those prices, you'd better get a spectacular view table!
https://www.nepenthe.com/menu

SassTraveler Thanks so much for this in-depth info! Great gems here!

Hi everyone. Thanks again for all the suggestions. Please help me decide on my final itinery. It's basically a toss up between 2 nights in Paso Robles and 2 nights in Carmel.Sunday – Drive from Santa Barbara to Morro Bay exploring a few towns along the way. Stay overnight in Morrow Bay

Monday & Tuesday – Monday - explore Moonstone, Morro Bay, head to Paso Robles in the afternoon Paso Robles. Tuesday - wineries all day - Stay two nights at Adelaide inn

Wednesday – drive through Big Sur – explore all day - Stay in Carmel - Tally Ho

Thursday – explore and stay in Carmel - drive to Santa Cruz in the late afternoon - stay in Santa Sea & Sand Inn

Friday – Henry Cowell redwoods State Park - Santa Cruz

Saturday - continue exploring around Santa Cruz. Head to San Francisco for early dinner and then our late flight.

OR should we only stay one night in Paso Robles and two nights in Carmel?

I live in the area and would still choose two nights in Carmel rather than Paso. But, if your main interest is visiting wineries, then choose Paso. There are tasting rooms in Carmel and some wineries in Carmel Valley but nothing like in Paso, where there are several hundred. What I would do instead is drop Morro Bay and stay two nights in Paso (Sunday & Monday). That leaves you with two nights in Carmel (Tuesday & Wednesday).

I would do 2 nights Cambria and 2 nights Carmel.

Normally I would agree with this but the OP is wanting to do "wineries all day" and I think cutting out the drive over Hwy 46 would be a safer option.

I would EITHER do 2 nights in Cambria and two in Carmel or 1/Cambria, 1/Paso, 2/Carmel. You really need 2 nights minimum in Carmel if you hope to see Point Lobos, the Mission, Monterey, the Aquarium, Pebble plus any time in Carmel itself. Remember the drive up through Big Sur will take several hours depending on how many stops you make. Could take most of the day. Paso > Carmel take 3+ hours without a single stop. So to have much free time on the Monterey Peninsula you need two nights.

I would stay two nights in PR, two nights in Carmel and one night in Santa Cruz. Stop to see the redwoods on the way to SF. Just my personal preference.

That's what I'd do too - Henry Cowell State Park/Scotts Valley to the SFO rental car center is only about 60 miles.

OP prefers to stay by the water, that. Is why I suggested Cambria over Paso.

Cuizine1, your inquiry brought back so many good memories.

Both Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo were favorite first stops on trips up the coast from OC. SLO has the university which lends a youthful energetic vibe and a very fun Thursday night farmer’s market. Paso Robles has both a sense of history and a spirit of reinvention that really appeal to me. A Carnegie library, now a history museum, https://www.pasorobleshistorymuseum.org/our-story, graces its lovely central square.

From a 2011 trip report, stayed in nearby Atascadero where we’d never been, still buy olive oil from Jerry and Carolyn who now have a proper tasting room.

“This area was cow country before it began to morph into a major wine and olive oil destination. On the recommendation of the hotel, we chose McPhee’s Grill in Templeton for dinner, splitting an appetizer of warm goat cheese and roast garlic, followed by filets with Pt. Reyes blue cheese butter. Totally satisfying. Tiny Templeton has charm--there’s a feed and grain plant smack in the middle of its historic main street.

I’d done some research before leaving home and had learned about Fandango(www.fandangooliveoil.com), a family farm just a mile outside Paso Robles which produces award-winning organic olive oils. Although they don’t normally do tastings, Jerry and Carolyn Shaffer opened their beautiful home to us, Jerry took us on a tour of the olive grove and explained how they make the oil, and Carolyn and Jerry provided tastes of their three delicious varietals. Highly recommended--we purchased some of all three.

On a prior trip, we’d rented a house in Cayucos for a few days. We really like this area of the Central Coast. In half an hour you can go from oak-dotted golden hills to the beach. Lots of cute towns in a small radius. Wonderful hiking in Montaña de Oro State Park. Good food. The rising tide of the wine industry is lifting all boats; the sense of vitality in the area is heartening.”

Thanks all for sharing your travel memories, advice and practical suggestions! Invaluable info for sure! I am so excited for this trip and will post a report when we return in November.

@bon_voyage

I had the pleasure of touring an olive farm in Florance and it was such a peaceful, lovely experience. Thanks for your info!

Both Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo were favorite first stops on trips up the coast from OC. SLO has the university which lends a youthful energetic vibe and a very fun Thursday night farmer’s market. Paso Robles has both a sense of history and a spirit of reinvention that really appeal to me. A Carnegie library, now a history museum, https://www.pasorobleshistorymuseum.org/our-story, graces its lovely central square.

From a 2011 trip report, stayed in nearby Atascadero where we’d never been, still buy olive oil from Jerry and Carolyn who now have a proper tasting room.

“This area was cow country before it began to morph into a major wine and olive oil destination. On the recommendation of the hotel, we chose McPhee’s Grill in Templeton for dinner, splitting an appetizer of warm goat cheese and roast garlic, followed by filets with Pt. Reyes blue cheese butter. Totally satisfying. Tiny Templeton has charm--there’s a feed and grain plant smack in the middle of its historic main street.

I’d done some research before leaving home and had learned about Fandango(www.fandangooliveoil.com), a family farm just a mile outside Paso Robles which produces award-winning organic olive oils. Although they don’t normally do tastings, Jerry and Carolyn Shaffer opened their beautiful home to us, Jerry took us on a tour of the olive grove and explained how they make the oil, and Carolyn and Jerry provided tastes of their three delicious varietals. Highly recommended--we purchased some of all three.

On a prior trip, we’d rented a house in Cayucos for a few days. We really like this area of the Central Coast. In half an hour you can go from oak-dotted golden hills to the beach. Lots of cute towns in a small radius. Wonderful hiking in Montaña de Oro State Park. Good food. The rising tide of the wine industry is lifting all boats; the sense of vitality in the area is heartening.”[/QUOTE]

I agree. Drop one night in Morro Bay. Two nights in Paso Robles and two nights in Carmel.

I like Pacific Grove much more than Carmel.

mlgb Do you have a hotel you like in PG. What do you like better about PG?

I usually stay at the Asilomar Conference Hotel (visitasilomar.com). There are also some B & B and Inn lodgings in that area (such as Andril). I like that location for the proximity to the Asilomar State Beach and 17-mile Drive. The good restaurants in Pacific Grove aren't too far away (Passionfish, Toasties and Red House Cafe). There are also some Victorians closer to "downtown" PG, such as Seven Gables.
I've always found Carmel too cutesy and touristy.

We’ve done several 30 day rentals in Pacific Grove and really love it as our base for a central coast visit. That said if I’m there for 1 or 2 days as a first time tourist I would stay in Carmel. Much more to see wandering the village, walking Carmel Beach and seeing the “cute” homes. Monterey and PG are short drives away if there is something there you want to do and see.

You can also do the same for an hour in Carmel to see cute houses and the stores if that is your interest. The beach is very small and not as nice as Asilomar. Parking can be tough, too.

I agree -- If I was living in the area PG would be heaven. For a short visit Carmel makes a better base IMO.