Hi - We are still organizing our lodging for our trip to Monterey in early July. We are trying to stay under $175 total - do you have any great recommendations? We are running out of ideas and are having a hard time deciding.

Pacific Gardens Inn seems ok - does anyone have any feedback?

Thank you very much in advance!

Jana

Go online to www.pacificgrove.org. That is the website for the adjacent town to Monterey...Pacific Grove. This is one great town with mostly coastline to enjoy. We live here.

The LIGHTHOUSE INN in PG looks very nice but I do not know the price level. ASILOMAR is run by the state on historic grounds near the ocean. If you go to the web site you will find a list of PG hotels/inns and bed and breakfasts. Try it!

Stayed at the Lighthouse Lodge (not at the Suites location). We had 2 nights reservation at the Lighthouse Lodge and we left after 1 night. We did not like the lodge at all. It's an OLD motor lodge. Two story. The suites which are down the street are nice but I would never recommend the lodge.

Well, if you can't find what you want in Monterey and you are willing to drive a little, you could try the Red Roof Inn in Watsonville.-------about $80 per nite.

Spouse and I had a very nice experience staying at the Best Western Victoria Inn. It is located on Foam St., just a hop, skip and a jump to Cannery Row restaurant and shops. The room was very well appointed much to our surprise. Along with accomodations the hotel serves a complimentary continental breakfast and wine/cheese in later afternoon. There is also underground parking for a fee. Check it out on the internet, if you seem interested. We really enjoyed our overnight stay while there.
Regards, Francie

Check for hotel/aquarium deals. (at the montereybayaquarium.com site. But, for the best deal, you will want to bid priceline. Also, do a search here for Monterey. Just finished answering another post about monterey lodging. Check out tripadvisor.com, too. I have more ideas but have to hit the hay.

How many days for $175?

Jana: We stayed about a month ago at the Munras Inn and it is about $125 per night for a very large room with good facilities. It is not luxurious, but is very nicely furnished, clean, beautifully landscapped and each room has a fireplace. We were able to walk everywhere from this location (we are good walkers, so might be willing to walk further than some might). If you do a search on my screen name, you will find a mini-report about this Inn and some restaurants and activities in and around Monterey. Have a great trip.

Can anyone recommend how best 4 adults (family) can travel from San Fran Airport to Carmel/Monterey.
We arrive on 13 Dec and then need to travel back to the centre of SF on 16 Dec?
Also any suggestions on Cheap and Cheerful accommodation for us all for 3 nights (we don't mind sharing the same room)would be greatly appreciated.

For lodging in Monterey, try montereyhotdeals.com. I usually check out their website and then just call directly to the hotel to make the reservation and they always match or beat it.

For gayleb: Are you trying to avoid renting a car for some reason? That is hands down the easiest option for travel.

We are a bit hesitant about driving ourselves in the Us....we drive on the oposite side of the road and all....can we get a bus from San Fran airport to Carmel/Monterey area?

GalyleB: OK - hundreds of thousands of Brits, Aussies, S Africans, S. Asians and others drive in the states on holiday every year w/o any problems.

The only practical way for a group of 4 adults to get to and around the Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur area is by car. Even if you did go to Carmel by public transport - what would you do then?

All my friends from ireland and the UK LOVE driving in California.

http://www.montereyairbus.com/ provides transportation from SFO to Monterey, roundtrip. For inexpensive motels in Monterey, check out the Best Western and Comfort Inn chains on Munras Ave.

The Air Bus will drop you off right in the downtown area. Downtown Monterey is small. The less expensive accomodations are probably the motels not far from the downtown area, less than a couple of miles, and taxis are easily available from where the bus will drop you off.

Yes, TravelTess and je - the Airbus will get them TO Monterey. But, do you mean to tell GayleB that they should spend 4 days in Monterey/Carmel/Carmel Valley/Pacific Grove/Big Sur w/o a car?

I sure wouldn't.