SF, Monterey, Santa Barbara with kids
 

I am helping to plan a trip for relatives with 4 kids for August (two around 9-11 and 2 14-16) and would like some help on hotel/neighborhood suggestions:

In SF where do you think kids would like to stay the best-while Fishermans Wharf is kind of cheesey, it is the first place that comes to mind for me for a first visit with kids-any thoughts on best sections of town and family hotel suggestion? (prices kind of at the Marriott level or just below versus the Ritz Level)

They will be driving down the coast to LA and my thought as stopping points are Carmel/Big Sur area and Santa Barbara area. Questions for folsk with kids:

In the Carmel area-carmel seems a bit old/adult for kids-would they be happier somewhere else maybe nearer the aquarium in Monterey or some other little beach town?? On the other hand I think they would like some shops, etc. Again suggestions for specific family hotel choices/chains you famillies like would be appreciated.

And finally the same question for Santa Barbara-we know the town fairly well and just drove to Pismo Beach/Morro Bay area......with kids for 1 night 1 1/2 days there where do you think the kids would prefer?

By the way, they are French, so TV is of big interest but pools/beach might be and probably shopping since that has its own universal language :)

Thanks in advance for the help-I couldn't do this without you guys!

Sorry-I should have said "TV is NOT of big interest"

You're not really going to find a decent pool in Carmel anyway, and even though kids like Carmel because of all of the dogs and the beach, they'd probably be better off and happier in Monterey. I'd suggest the Marriott or the Double Treet -- they are right next to each other and right at the Wharf. It's a relatively short walk from there, using the pedestrian and bike lane, to Cannery Row and the Aquarium. Both properties have pools and spas and gyms. I don't know what the pool is like at the Doubletree, but the pool and spa at the Marriott are pretty good size. They can also rent bikes ($6/hr) and ride the great bike path (did that for the first time 2 weeks ago and it was so much fun!).

In SF, we always stay at the Cow Hollow suites at the Cow Hollow Motel, because the Marina area can't be beat and access to Fisherman's Wharf and downtown SF by the number 30 electric bus on Chestnut Street is a breeze. But someone on this board was mentioning a new hotel that just opened up in the Fisherman's Wharf area that sounded really good and at a good price, but I forgot the name. Fisherman's Wharf area would be a lot of fun for the kids -- aside from Pier 39 and all the souvenir shops; they can access the boat to Alcatraz and catch the cable cars there too.

On the subject of tv, my kid always watches foreign tv cartoons, which is mostly action and minimal talking. Plus, our cable provides a number of shows in French (of course, more in Spanish). So I suspect they'll take a gander at t.v.

Oops -- Double Tree, not Treet!

While the Fisherman's Wharf can be cheesey, kids truly do seem to enjoy it -- so many sights, sounds, and shops.

At those ages, the kids would definitely enjoy time at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk:
http://www.beachboardwalk.com/
This could easily be a 2-3 hour stop on the way from SF.

As for stopping points, I'd suggest Monterey, over Carmel. The aquarium is a must-see (for all ages) -- and my kids always enjoyed 17-Mile Drive (we'd stop at every pullout), and especially Pt. Lobos State Park (great place for a picnic).

For Santa Barbara, the kids would probably want to be oceanfront -- and there are many motels/hotels from which to choose. The zoo is cute and fun, and the pier is a good walk for everyone.

Thanks auntiemarie and surfer girl-I have starting poking around at the Monterey area in terms of booking and can't believe both how booked and $$ it is that time of year :)

I will check out the SF motel you mentioned-it sounds perfect.

Yes I agree that even though they won't know much English, if there is a tv, I am sure it will be on to cartoons-even at their ages. And besides, how many days can any adults (even their parents!) stand alone in the woods with 4 kids without TV-talk about outnumbered!

Another vote for spending a day in Santa Cruz. The Boardwalk, the beach, and the surfers are always a big hit with kids. I grew up in Santa Cruz and every single one of my cousins visited every chance they got :))

Hi J. Correa-thaks for the suggestion. I am having such trouble finding anything decent pricewise in Monterey itself-I was wondering about having them stay in SC instead.........a couple questions:

Is it pretty easy to stay in SC then drive to Monterey, visit the aquarium and then keep on driving all the way to say Santa Barbara one day-or do you think that is pushing too much?? They would have a full day before in SC itself to rest up and just relax and play in SC.

Do you have any "moderate" favorite hotel choices in SC and where would you recommend a family with kids stay in terms of part of town-the boardwalk area perhaps??


thanks

Jpie

Jpie,August is far,and away the busiest month of the year on the Monterey Peninsula,so its not suprising that hotel prices are high.However you should be able to find something within reason, unless you're coming during the Monterey Historic Car Races which is August 13-15th.In which case some 40,000 car nuts descend on the area,and you will lucky to find any hotel within 60 miles that will hve rooms available.

Lodging rates are high in Santa Cruz during the summertime too so I am not sure you will see much difference between SC and Monterey .

The drive from SC to Monterey is about an hour under normal conditions. In the summertime with the beach traffic I would plan on an hour and a half.

I think that Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara is too much for 1 day, even without a stop at the aquarium - unless you don't take the coast route through Big Sur. The road through Big Sur is slow, curvey, and you will want to stop often. Monterey to Santa Barbara is doable, but I that's probably the limit I would do in 1 day.