Samsaf

We are working on our itinerary for California. We are thinking 3 nights in SF, then 2 or 3 nights in Yosemite, then 3 nights on coast before flying out of SF. We want to stay at a nice place with great views of the ocean. Budget would probably be under $300 per night. We are looking at Monterey, Carmel, Santa Cruz, and points in between. Do you have recommendations? Thanks!

DebitNM

We loved this place:

http://thesevengablesinn.com/

Amazing breakfasts, about as close to the bay as possible, beautiful rooms, nice guests, many said they come annually.

november_moon

With that budget, Seven Gables would be my choice too. I have never stayed there myself, but it is in a fabulous location.

Samsaf

Thanks! Will check it out.

Samsaf

It looks good. Does anyone have other suggestions that we can also check? Thanks!

MomDDTravel

Are you looking central coast or more northern?

I have to ask - where are you staying in SF?

Tomsd

So many choices. The Highlands Inn just south of Carmel is very nice.

Samsaf

We are thinking 4 nights in San Francisco (at a Hilton using points), then from there going ? for 3 or 4 more nights. We aren't sure where the second half of the trip should be. We were considering going to Yosemite, but the hotel where I want to stay is more than $500, and we can't afford that right now, so second half of trip isn't planned yet.

We could really go either north or south from SF, depending on what we find.new aren't wine drinkers, so don't want to spend 4 nights in Napa. We like to explore, we like to walk on beaches, wan to see some redwood trees.

Would love to find something on a cliff overlooking the ocean.

sf7307

Can't answer re hotels, but from your description, I think the Monterey Peninsula (Monterey-Carmel-Pacific Grove) is what you're looking for.

AllysonMonterey

Defintely plan to make a stop in the Monterey area. You could stay on Cannery Row and be within walking/biking distance to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Old Fisherman's Wharf and several other attractions and restaurants. Monterey is also only a 10-15 minute drive to Carmel where you can shop, wine taste and check out the Carmel Mission.

http://www.seemonterey.com/monterey-...ia/cannery-row
http://www.seemonterey.com/carmel-by-the-sea-california

AllysonMonterey

Defintely plan to make a stop in the Monterey area. You could stay on Cannery Row and be within walking/biking distance to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Old Fisherman's Wharf and several other attractions and restaurants. Specific hotels with an ocean view include InterContinental the Clement Monterey, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa and the Sprindrift Inn.

Monterey is also only a 10-15 minute drive to Carmel where you can shop, wine taste and check out the Carmel Mission.

http://www.seemonterey.com/monterey-...ia/cannery-row
http://www.seemonterey.com/carmel-by-the-sea-california

1JAR

If you want redwoods then either Sonoma/Bodega Bay (Armstrong PArk)or Half Moon Bay (Big Basin redwood Park

starrs

Carmel

Tomsd

If you don't mind breaking it up a bit - you might consider driving out to the Cliff House for brunch and then on down the Coast/Hiway 1 - staying one night at the beautiful Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay - and then continuing the beautiful coast drive down to Carmel/Monterrey. There are any number of hotels on or overlooking the ocean, in the Carmel/Monterrey area - in additon to the Highlands Inn - which is perched above the blue Pacific.

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Proper...r_banner_hafrz

Samsaf

Wow -- the Ritz looks wonderful, but it is too expensive for this trip. Still looking for the second half of trip. Thanks for all th suggestions. Will check into these.

Meme

Umm, tough decision. May weather should be comfortable...60s I would think ..maybe someone from their has more experience. Monterey wonderful area. Lots to do..especially see aquarium. There is also area called Point Reyes National Seashore, just north of San Francisco..about an hour. Wonderful coastal environment, hikes, gorgeous beaches to walk, laid back town, etc. Depending on which route, on the way you could stop in Muir Woods for redwoods.

Both going South toward Monterey (Pacific Grove and Carmel are really all connected) or a bit north to Point Reyes are eventual must dos.. I just think they are different.

Good luck making decision. You really can't go wrong any where along the coast in my opinion.

Meme
Northampton, Ma

sdrose

I'm from San Diego but have traveled extensively to the Central Coast when my daughter was a student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, about 20 miles inland.

Check out hotels in Cambria on Moonstone Beach, there are 18 of them.
http://www.cambriachamber.org/motels-beach.php You should have no trouble finding one in your price range, all are located across the street from the water. Major plus is that they're located just a few miles south of Hearst Castle, a fabulous place to visit! http://www.hearstcastle.org/

garyt22

try www.thesanctuarybeachresort.com

Amazing, beach casitas, on the ocean near a national preservation area in Marina CA, just 5 minutes from Monterey Pier...

easytraveler

There are several other hotels in the Monterey/Carmel area for you to consider:

http://www.montereyplazahotel.com/

Unless the weather is good, the most expensive rooms at the very end of the pier are not ideal. You'll be pounded by the ocean waves. Otherwise, the views are gorgeous there. The less expensive rooms are situated on land and may or may not have a view.

In Carmel there are a couple of hotels associated with former movie stars. The Mission Ranch is associated with Clint Eastwood and the Cypress Inn with Doris Day. Neither of these places are right on the ocean the way the Monterey Plaza is.

http://www.missionranchcarmel.com/

http://www.cypress-inn.com/


The hiking in the Monterey/Big Sur area has more varied landscape, whereas the hiking in Point Reyes is mostly in and about sand dunes, although Point Reyes has a gorgeous miles-long beach and a lighthouse.

http://www.nps.gov/pore/index.htm

http://www.nps.gov/pore/historycultu...lighthouse.htm


With six nights, you could go up even further north of Point Reyes to places like Salt Point Park, Fort Ross, or even further north to Gualala, Mendocino, etc.

happytrailstoyou

Pismo Beach is a laid-back town that has more hotel rooms with great ocean views than any other location on the coast.

Cambria is near the beautiful Paso Robles wine district and the Hearst estate at San Simeon.

HTTY