Santa Barbara or Cambria
 

<BR><BR>My wife and I are going to be doing the So California thing the end of May. After spending a few days (we're flying into LA) in Laguna, we're going to head north. Probably going no farther than the Cambria area. (I've done the whirlwind drive up the coast and spent most of my time in the Big Sur area; alternatively, I've also spent a lot of time south of LA.) So, I'm looking to focus on the South Central Coast. We'll have about 6 days.<BR>Question is: Would it be better to headquarter in Cambria or Santa Barbara (we want to stay in one place instead of moving every 2nd night)? Or someplace else I'm not thinking of?<BR>And, given price is no object, any suggestions on great places to stay?<BR>Thanks.

I'm not familiar with Cambria. But on our CA trip, we found Santa Barbara surprisingly delightful. In fact, we're discussing a reprise of the trip, and spending more time in SB.

Two very different towns. When we did So. CA we stayed in both. If money is no object Four Seasons Santa Barbara is great. Cambria is very laid back--not a lot of upscale lodging.

It depends on what you are in the mood for. I love both places! Both areas have abundant natural beauty. Santa Barbara is sort of like a casual, high-end suburb of LA (mentality and people-wise), and Cambria is much lower key, natural, and filled with a wide variety of people plus many eccentric artist and writer types. Santa Barbara is more chic and &quot;Slick&quot; I would have to say with oodles of fabulous looking people (really, I used to layover there for work, and my crew and I always marvelled over how many good-looking people were out in the streets. We wondered if they were attracted there somehow, or if you eventually became more beautiful by being there.....). Cambria has a quieter, understated charm, and is a good base for touring northern San Luis Obispo County which are a little spread out.

I would choose Cambria for the reasons SloPugs mentioned, but it's really a matter of choice. Both are great places. In the Cambria area, I like to stay in Morro Bay if I am interested in being in town or on Moonstone Beach outside of Cambria if I am interested in being out of town.

Since you'll be spending 6 nights in either place, my vote would be for Santa Barbara, because of all the activities close by. You can easily spend a couple of days in town and a couple of days exploring nearby Solvang, Los Olivos &amp; Santa Ynez and all the vineyards. You can visit Ojai, a small artsy town that's about 20 miles inland from Santa Barbara. Also, a trip to the Channel Islands is a great day. <BR><BR>South and east of Cambria you can visit Morro Bay, Pismo Beach and the Paso Robles wineries pretty much within a day (although it would be a long one!). Cambria is a great place to truly kick back and relax, walk along the ocean and maybe spend an hour or so in town. <BR><BR>As for places to stay, consider Four Seasons Biltmore, Bacara, Santa Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, Fess Parker Inn in Santa Ynez valley (if you want to stay in pastoral vineyard setting), Fog Catcher Inn in Cambria.<BR><BR>Check out a book called The Insiders' Guide to Santa Barbara. It provides lots of info on things to do in Santa Barbara &amp; up through the central coast. <BR><BR>