My husband and I will be in Big Sur for 3 days and Carmel for 4 day the week of Sept. 6-13. Can anyone tell me what the weather will be like? Will we need shorts or long pants and sweaters? Is it very rainy this time of year.

Also we are trying to decide between the Pine Inn, Tally Ho or Green Lantern in Carmel. Anyone heard anything or stayed at any of these? While in Big Sur we have narrowed our choices to Blue Dolphin inn in San Simeon or Moonstone Inn in Cambria? Any comments or suggestions on either of these. Lastly how far is Cambria from Hearst Castle?

Thanks so much for your help.

September is probably the best time of year in that part of the coast. Warmish, little fog and no rain (It usually doesn't rain anywhere in California until mid October) But it is on the ocean so it can be cool. Take shorts but you probably need long pants more.

Any of those places in Carmel are fine - but they book up so you need to contact any/all as soon as possible.

Cambria and San Simeon are not in Big Sur - they are farther south on hwy 1. Big Sur is just south of Carmel. I haven't stayed in either place since I have access to a vacation home near there - but if I had my choice I'd probably stay in Cambria. Again - they tend to fill up early especially on weekends so you need to book right away.

Thanks for the info Janis. I meant the twin dolphin Inn in San Simeon, not the Blue Whale.

Hi Nikki,

If you and your husband are fans of aquariums, the one in Monterey is excellent and very close to Carmel. Definitely take pants and a light jacket as when the sun goes down, it can get cool. That area of CA is wodnerful. Enjoy!

If you stay at the Tally Ho Inn, I suggest that you stay in an upstairs room and make sure that the room has been remodeled. Have fun - Carmel is great!

The weather should be great at that time. Take a jacket for the evening.

The PINE INN is very nice. Beautiful lobby and the Il Forniao restaurant is great. The rooms are quaint, but comfortable. Plus, you are on Ocean the main drag and easy walk anywhere on the shopping, eating area.

We stayed at the Tally Ho in Feb 2000. It's a pretty inn, nice location. Our room was upstairs and huge! Very clean and the inn has a beautiful courtyard in back. If you enjoy wine at all, be sure to drive thru the Carmel Valley to visit some of the excellent wineries there. And don't miss Point Lobos State Park - one of the most beautiful places on earth! It's between Big Sur and Carmel. The aquarium in Monterey is awesome - and the food at the Fishwife in Pacific Grove (between Monterey & Carmel) is outrageous! This is one of our favorite areas of the country. Enjoy!