We are celebrating our 30th. anniversary in August and are thinking of a trip to California and these two areas. Is it to far to drive and enjoy in one week or so, where to stay ?(love on the water) Have looked at Highlands Inn in Carmel and a couple of places in Coronado.

Thanks!!!

It's a do-able drive in a week, but it won't leave you much time in any one place and you will be spending a lot of time on the road. Carmel is a beautiful area, but I'd plan on expanding your area after a few days. I'd either head up to the San Francisco area or down to the Central Coast to Cambria. San Francisco obviously would offer a lot more choices in terms of cultural choices, but it's also far more expensive and crowded than the Central Coast.

Coronado is also a great place. San Diego tends to offer wonderful weather in the summer.

I guess the choice would depend on what type of things would interest you on a vacation.

It's definitely doable in a week, but it is a drive. San Diego is gorgeous. The drive from SF-Carmel is spectacular (actually down to Big Sur). You may want to look at Big Sur and the Post Ranch Inn - I stopped one day on a drive and it was gorgeous! Hotel del Coronado is very beautiful as well. It really depends upon what you are looking to do during your trip?

We stayed at Highlands Inn for our honeymoon and loved it. Very nice rooms and beautiful views. Great restaurant there. Would also suggest driving past Carmel a ways.

Susie -

I'd recommend choosing one area or the other. Yes, the drive's doable, but it entails a lot of driving on your week of vacation.

What type of things interest you on vacation? San Diego is a warmer climate than Carmel, but I think Carmel would be a more romantic setting. As a previous poster mentioned, San Francisco or Cambria would be excellent choices for a few days as well.