Marilyn

Traveling with a 3yr old and a 9yr old can anyone give me feedback on the following hotels.
Sanfran - Tuscan Inn
Monterey- BW Victorian Inn
Solvang- Rancho Marriott Santa Barbara
L.A. - Either the Four points Sheraton or
the loews. Which is better with
kids?

xx

I wouldn't bother staying in Solvang - too touristy and cheesy. Drive further up the coast and stay in Morro Bay or Cambria.

mare

I agree about Solvang, a nice breakfast or lunch stop and that's about it. Something near the beach in Santa Barbara would be a better bet, the Harbor View Inn is great and the Beachside Best WEsterns are nice.

In Los Angeles, definitely the Loews, in San Fran The Tuscan is nice or the Sheraton Wharf. BW Victorian in Monterey is a good choice or the BW Carmel Mission Inn down the road in Carmel has large rooms for a family stay.

Gene

I'd skip Solvang as well. But you need to drive further up the coast that day than just getting to Santa Barbara. If you're going to be making the long drive up HWY 1, then you need to atleast leave from San Luis Obispo or Morro Bay - or the kids will go nuts being cooped up in the car on a windy road.

Marilyn

Thanks for your input...how far is Santa Barbara from Solvang heading south on PCH 1. Also how is J.W marriot in Santa Monica?

xxx

Less than an hour between Santa Barbara and Solvang, but it's either Hwy 101 or you can take the back road on Hwy 154. Solvang isn't worth an overnight stay. Maybe a few hours at most will do. Grab a danish & some fudge for dessert that night when you hit the hotel further up north on Moonstone Beach.

jef

In Santa Monica, if money is not a problem go for the loew's.

Last august,we stayed with our 2 kids at the 4 points Santa Monica:
the rooms with 2 double beds are large and 'renovated'.
the bathroom is tiny,and not renovated!

The big problem ,in some rooms,is a constant 'buzz' from these huge vending machines that have replaced the ice- making machines...

During the night,the noise and the vibrations 'spreads' through the walls and it is impossible to sleep.

The pool is so small that the kids didn't want to swim.
The worst, do not expect any assistance from the front desk as they are dealing
only with airline crews and businessmen...