Stay in Monterey...Cannery Row...Spindrift Inn was awesome! Feather down beds, feather down comforters, wood floors, wood burning fire places.....beautiful. Close to Carmel and other things.

8-)

Hi, You answered, "stuck in time" . . . then you might consider Cayucos which is south of Cambria and north of Morro Bay.
Travel Holiday Magazine placed "Cayucos the 4th best small town in USA (the only one in California to be noted out of 10.) it's one of the last beach towns that is "stuck in time." Go to the Chamber's web site at www.cayucoschamber.com and take a peek.

The Mendocino Hotel in Mendocino definitely fills your requirements except that the last time we stayed there we were appalled by the lack of upkeep.

Mendocino is worth a visit. The town is definitely quaint, and a walk on the headlands is always a treat.

Perhaps at www.tripadvisor.com you can find a B&B in Mendocino that will suit your pocketbook.

If you pick Cayucos, my mom and I loved the seaside motel: http://www.seasidemotel.com/
It's stuck in time, but well maintained. :-)

If you choose Mendocino, the WhiteGate Inn is just beautiful, friendly,and convenient to the towns walk along the cliff, restaurants and boutiques and aret galleries.

If you want an inexpensive motel in Monterey, the cute and clean one story Padre Oaks (2 diamond AAA), is usually quite reasonable.

Oh, Padre Oaks doesn't have an Ocean view. That's why it's reasonable. :-)

If your mother is not feeling well, maybe you would like to stay in Half Moon Bay on Hwy 1. This way you have a short drive from the airport? to a beautiful place on the water. Then any time she feels up for a drive, you are right on Hwy 1 to explore either direction. Landisshores.com is right on the beach to hear the surf at all times. The beach_house.com is on the breakwater, quiet and peaceful, closer to the fog horn and Princeton Fishing Harbor. Both are so lovely and offer breakfast and afternoon wine & cheese. The beach house has frig/microwave.I often buy my food and eat in to save money. Harbor House is also on the water, and Pillar Point inn is in the harbor. There are other options also, but not right on the water. Every place has great food in Half Moon Bay, even the grocery and Cunha's Market. Hope this is helpful.

Well, different strokes as they say...
iamq,
We still enjoy Lucas Wharf- post owner change and in many years of living in Sonoma County cannot stand Inn at the Tides !

R5