My husband and I are taking an 8 day trip to Santa Barbara, Big Sur And Carmel during the Christmas to New Year break. We are really struggling with hotel recs in Santa Barbara and Carmel. We are staying at the Post Ranch Inn for four days in the middle.

Can you please provide feedback on the following -

Santa Barbara
Four Seasons or El Encanto

Carmel
La Playa or L'Auberge

Or

Carmel Valley Ranch or Bernardus Lodge

I feel like we should stay in town for Carmel but let me know if I am missing out by not staying in the Valley.

I appreciate all assistance!!

I live on the Monterey Peninsula so know the hotels you mention but have not stayed at them. The only advice I can give you is to stay in Carmel so you can easily walk around and enjoy the town.

I think LaPlaya is undergoing or has finished a major remodel. it may be worth calling them to verify this. If they are open and ready to book they have a nice location.

Clint Eastwood owns Mission Ranch. It is very casual, has a great location behind the Carmel Mission and is one of our favorite spots for dining. It is not walkable to downtown Carmel though. LaPlaya is.

Carmel Valley is great and worth a visit but it is out of town and a drive. Bernardus is a nice spot for lunch or dinner. Many wine tasting rooms out Carmel Valley Road.

Four Seasons is not in Santa Barbara it's in Montecito. Which you might like if you want a quiet low-key village. There are a few restaurants and cafes scattered around but you'll be driving a few miles and then finding parking if you plan to dine etc in Santa Barbara.

Another vote for staying in town in Carmel but a day trip out to Carmel Valley is worthwhile. And yes La Playa has been remodeled but I haven't seen the it. Aubergine at L'Auberge is the best fine dining on the Monterey Peninsula so consider dinner there even if you don't stay at L'Auberge.

Last time we stayed in Carmel was in Carmel Highlands at the Highlands Inn (now a Grand Hyatt). Beautiful views, we visited downtown Carmel and found it a bit too snooty for our taste although we had a nice dinner there.
We only stopped for dinner with friends at Mission Ranch but it looked like a beautiful place and the food was good.

If you are going to visit Carmel, you will be near Pacific Grove where the Monarch Butterfly sanctuary is located. The time of year you cite is when they ar overwintering at the sanctuary and it is a magnificent sight - one that I would not want to miss if I were in the area.

Are you familiar with Santa Barbara at all and do you know what you plan to do when you are there or will you mostly be spending time at the hotel?

El Encanto is a beautiful property located in a residential area quite close to the Mission. The views are to die for... of the ocean and mountains and if you choose not to stay there, do go for drinks or dinner!

I would choose the Four Seasons, however, as noted above, it is in Montecito, not Santa Barbara. It is across the street from a beautiful beach, has a great walking/biking path right a long the beach and the food and spa services are raved about. ( I haven't stayed at the property but have been there many times for meals or conference meetings.)

Montecito has charming shops and restaurants... hope you have a wonderful trip!