My husband and I will be driving from San Diego to Pacific Grove and were hoping to get a few ideas/comments about our itinerary.

We will be in San Diego for 4 nights (family stuff) beginning on May 25 and then leaving on May 29. We have to be in Pacific Grove on June 1 (more family stuff) which leaves us with 3 nights to play with.

We are thinking of leaving San Diego very early on May 29, spending the day in LA and driving to Santa Barbara for the night. We would like to visit Hearst Castle so we thought about staying near there on May 30 then heading to Big Sur for the night of May 31.

Any suggestions on itinerary and accommodations? Thanks!

A really nice B&B is Blue Whale Inn in Cambria, just a few miles south of Hearst Castle. Across the street from the ocean. I posted a trip report with photos on www.tripadvisor.com

you didn't say how much you want to pay. There are some fabulous places in bug sur that are not cheap--post ranch inn and ventana..

Sorry about that! Our budget is no where near that of Post Ranch Inn ($795) or Ventana ($405), would love to stay at either but I just don't think I could stomach the price. I just made a reservation at Big Sur Lodge for $159/night, I would say that's more our budget. Now I just need to find places to stay for the other 2 nights. Thanks!

You can get a room at the Pelican Cove Inn in Cambria for $99 on May 30th:

http://www.moonstonehotels.com/

Sounds like a great plan.

If you enjoy kayaking, you might consider stopping in Morro Bay - either as your overnight near Hearst Castle or for a few hours. There are some really calm waters there with a lot of sealife to view.

Near there is also Montana del Oro state park, which has some nice trails. There is one that goes to the top of a low peak with great views on a clear day. There is another trail along the bluffs overlooking the ocean with some paths down to some small beaches. Very pretty.

For your night in Big Sur, you might consider Treebones Resort - they have yurts that you stay in and central bathrooms, so more rustic than a hotel or lodge, but a great location.

Funny you should mention Treebones, that was our 1st choice but according to their website they are booked the night of May 31, so on to our 2nd choice at Big Sur Lodge.

Also, can anyone recommend their favorite restaurant in Carmel?

We were going to go to Treebones for our anniversary, but they were booked solid that weekend too. Darn it all. I guess it is turning into a popular place.