Help with california trip please. I know there is so much info out there and believe me I have been trying to read everything. We have decided on starting our trip in SF staying for 3 or 4 nights, then on to carmel where I reserved at la Playa (thanks to the info on this site)Now my question is this ...we would like to spend more time on the coast before ending our trip in LA. I was thinking about 2 nights in Cambria. Would it pay to also spend a night in Santa Barbara or San louis Obispo or Big Sur??
Any help with hotels in these areas would also be greatly appreciated. We are a family of four. THANKS!!!!!

I say yes to all of the above except San Luis Obisbo -- the least exciting of all you mention.
How many nights can you squeeze out. From Carmel you're less than an hour to the heart of Big Sur, so unless you're doing some hiking there, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to spend a night or more there. I'd take the day to drive through Big Sur and then stay at Cambria -- a couple of nights if you want to visit Hearst castle during the day.
Santa Barbara is always nice for a night or two also.

nancy, how old are your children? That may factor in on what suggestions you get. San Luis is so close to Cambria that you could do both while sleeping in one of the cities. Cambria is a really small town with not much to do. San Luis is larger and a college town. Santa Barbara is even bigger with more to do. It really depends on the ages of your children and your interests. Once you post those, I am sure you will get more specific advice.

My kids are ages 11 and 13 and we are open as to how many days we have to spend. We probably would have liked to spend 3 nights in carmel but there were only 2 nights available at La Playa hotel. Maybe that is enough anyway. So from there maybe 2 nights in Cambria and then on to Santa Barbara for 1 or 2 nights before LA. Thanks so much for your comment on San Luis Obispo and Big Sur. After reading so much info this trip is finally beginning to become a reality. Thanks again.

SLO is a great place, with a nice farmer's market on Thursday evenings. Nice, walkable downtown, with good dining. I like Big Sky for breakfast and lunch, and Mo's for lunch/dnner BBQ. Also they have great tri tip sandwiches and the farmer's market. Mission Grill for a good dinner. Likewise Corner View and Novo. Nice weather most of the time. Here's a good website for SLO County:
http://www.sanluisobispocounty.com/

I meant a great tri tip sandwiches at the farmer's market. I see you probably won't be staying in SLO. Well, maybe have a breakfast or early lunch at Big Sky on your way south from Cambria.

I'm a big fan of Big Sur. There is lots of great hiking and there are also beautiful beaches to walk on. Sunset is very nice there.

At Big Sur Lodge there is a pool, and hikes that begin there as the lodge is set in Julia Pfeiffer State Park. If your children like to hike and swim, this could be a great stop. Very good food on site, too.

I love this place but it is very mellow, and a place to relax and soak up- nature.

Thanks to all for the great info. Well, we will definately go for lunch in SLO and I guess staying a night in Big Sur is back on the table. It seems that it would be between one night before Cambria in Big Sur or one night after Cambria in santa barbara. Also, not to confuse matters but does anyone out there recommend staying in Santa barbara instead of Cambria? Could we visit Hearst Castle from there? Is Cambria too much of a sleepy town, is there enough to do? I personally like small sleepy towns but my husband tends to go for a little more action.
Thanks again!!!!!

Big Sky is a great restaurant. My husband and I love it but it takes adventurous kids to eat there. The food is labeled "modern". We like to grab lunch at Firestone Grill in SLO. I just ate at Robin's in Cambria last Saturday and it was yummy. There is a great bakery on the corner by Robins too. Where will you stay in Cambria?
Cambria is very much a sleepy town and I think 2 nights is too many. I would much rather stay in SLO or SB. Hearst castle would be too long a drive from SB.

Hearst Castle is two and a half hours from Santa Barbara. You could base out of SLO, Pismo Beach or Morro Bay (30 to 40 mins from all three to Hearst Castle I think). They all do have more action than Cambia. Oh I love Brad's in Pismo for seafood and tri tip.

Oh, Pismo to Hearst is an hour. Pismo is a classic California beach town. Can you tell I love the area? I wish I was there. I live in San Jose, LOL.

that hotel in big sur with the pool sounds nice and it really is a beautiful area. you could spend your 2 nights at carmel exploring monterey and carmel and then leave the big sur area for when you are staying there. then, i'd leave big sur and go to santa barbara. you could catch a tour of the hurst castle on the way down if you want.

Thanks for more positive feedback on Big Sur. I had originally picked Cambria because it got great feedback on this site and the moonstone landing hotel was available. I don't know anything about Santa barbara (I had better begin my research) only that a friend I have who lives in San diego didn't recommend it.

I can't tell if you have ever been to this part of the world before. IF you haven't, you need to be aware that the drive from CArmel to Cambria is one of the most spectacular things one ever can experience. Many people enjoy stopping frequently and hiking or, in my case, taking photos. So I would not plan on blasting down rte 1.

I would go for a night in Big Sur - beautiful, woodsy, and relaxing.

Cambria may be a little too laid back for your husband, esspecially if you have just come from Big Sur, which doesn't even really have a town. I like Pismo Beach a lot. Morro Bay is nice too, although Pismo is more of your classic CA beach town. You can see Hearst Castle enroute between Big Sur and your next stop, although I think Santa Barbara would be pushing it.