OK, we picked a driving route and are now trying to decide where to stay. We will be leaving San Fran early Fri, Sept. 5, will drive to Monterey/Carmel, want to eat dinner at Rocky Point Rest...then what? Should we drive back to Monterey? Stay in Big Sur? Or is there somewhere else nearby that I don't know about and would be pleased with? Willing to spend up to $200 for something that's worth it. We like quaint setting, interesting decor, great views, but don't necessarily need plush or posh amenities.
Another thing: we're only staying one night and a lot of the good places require at least a two night stay.
Am I stuck with a chain in Monterey, or can someone help me out?

As much as I like to stay in Big Sur, I see two problems for you:
1) It's pricey in Big Sur, and
2) If you stayed in Big Sur, it's a bit of a drive to and from Carmel and Monterey (and there's frankly more to do in Carmel and Monterey).

kycourt, you say you'll be in that general area one night. Where is your next destination? That will provide a definate answer to your question!

Kycourt-
I have been running into the same problem as far as trying to find a place that doesn't require a minimum of 2 or more days (we're going down there Labor Day weekend). I haven't been there before but I found the cutest place just north of Monterey on the beach. It's the Marina Dunes Resort. I think the website is www.marinadunesresort.com
I found a great rate on Orbitz if your interested. Have a fun trip!

Hey. Thanks for all your responses. FOr the person who asked what my destination was the next day, we will going back to Vallejo Saturday.
So would it be do-able to leave SF Friday morning, drive down the coast some, have dinner, then come back up to Monterey and stay there? Then do a little in Monterey Sat. and head to Vallejo in the afternoon?

I have been going to Monterey annually for 25 years. I realize you have to play the cards you are dealt but the itenerary you are suggesting is not realistic. You are trying to get 20 pounds of stuff in a 10 pound bag. Suggest lunch at Rocky Point and not dinner. Then back to Monterey/Carmel. Forget quaint. Stay at the Monterey Marriott or Doubletree, both are dead smack in the middle of what you want to see. Spend some time in Carmel, that is all the quaint you will need. Suggest dinner at Tarpy's Road House in Monterey; Fandango in Pacific Grove; or Casa Nova in Carmel. If you want to spend a few more bucks dinner at Fresh Cream, walking distance to Marriott and Doubletree. Forget Big Sur unless you can come up with an extra day. Email me if you want more info, but I am leaving for Paris in 2 days. I could write a book on the Monterey Peninsula.

Thanks JohnHamilton...
OK, let me lay out the basics of what I'm looking for and then maybe you can help me build a realistic itinerary from there.
My boyfriend has never seen that gorgeous waves-crashing-against-rocks scenery, and I want him to at least get a decent bit of it. If I can get that without driving all the way to Big Sur, fantastic.
Would like to take a stroll through Carmel and take in some views there. Would like to fit in the aquarium, but only if there's time (maybe Saturday morning).
Lunch, not dinner at Rocky Point is fine by me. Decent chain hotel in Monterey is fine by me (we'll only be sleeping there, afterall).
So, I leave SF Friday morning and then....if you have a minute and want to help me out, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thanks.

OK, as long as you asked, here is my suggested itenerary: Leave SF Fri. morning take 101 south to 156 to Castroville to 1 south to Monterey. Keep going south of Monterey to Rocky Point Restaurant for lunch. Have been there numerous times. Great views. After lunch continue south approx. 15 miles to the Bixby Bridge. Cross the bridge and find a turn around a go back to Carmel. Your boyfriend will have seen the most beautiful stretch of land/sea there is to see. Spend as much time in Carmel as you like until you are tired, then head to Monterey. Again, I recommend staying at the Monterey Marriott or Doubletree. They are across the street from each other and are where you want to be in Monterey near Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row. For dinner, if you want to dress up and spend some bucks go to the Sardine Factory near Cannery Row or Fresh Cream walking distance to the two hotels. If you want to be casual and not spend as much go to Montrio, one block from Marriott or Fandango in Pacific Grove. Next morning the Aquarium would be fine but not if it is at the expense of 17 mile drive. If you can do both great. If you can't do both, do the 17 mile drive. Then on your way out of town go to lunch at Tarpy's Road House near the Monterey airport. Request a table on the patio and do not fail to order the fire roasted artichoke and a bottle of Bernardus chardonnay. There you have it. I guarantee this works.

For the waves-crashing-on-the-rocks scenery without the long drive, take him to Point Lobos. It's very close to Carmel and is absolutely beautiful.

Addendum: Here are some web sites re the places I mentioned:

http://scott.olson.org/california-na...OneBridge.html

http://www.tarpys.com/tarpys.htm

http://www.sardinefactory.com/home/

http://www.fandangorestaurant.com/

http://www.freshcream.com/main.html

http://www.critics-choice.com/restau...trio/index.htm

http://www.pebblebeach.com/17miledrive.html

Hey, JohnHamilton, if you have not left yet, I would love some help with the Monterey portion of my trip! We are a well traveled family of 4 (2 kids, 16, 12)and we are traveling to Monterey as part of our CA trip this summer. We are spending a night in Cambria (we are arriving from Yosemite) and then the next morning on to Hearst Castle. I thought we would then drive up to Big Sur (Nepenthe for a snack and view) and on to Monterey. We will stay in Monterey over night and see the area the next day. I have us staying in Monterey 2 nights. The second day I thought we could finish up Monterey, then advice from this board is to head to Santa Cruz (board walk) and that night we spend in the airport hotel for an early morning flight home. Any helpful ideas for the Monterey portion of the trip? By the way, we agree with your advice, we are staying at the Monterey Marriott. Thanks, Susan

My 2 cents on the Monterey area:

Aquarium was great.
Point Lobos was wonderful.
17 mile drive was a waste of time (we're not golfers, nor are we interested in "fancy" houses).

john hamilton:
all i can say is WOW! well, that and thanks so, so much. your itinerary sounds perfect - just what we're looking for. i appreciate your input and detail. have a great time in paris!

One more suggestion: Don't know if you and your boyfriend are joggers/walkers, but every morning my wife and I run from Portola Plaza, where the hotels are, along a running/walking/bicycle path along Monterey Bay/Cannery Row to Lovers Point (where John Denver took his plane in) back to Starbucks for a latte. It doesn't get much better than that.

Absolutely take your boyfriend to Point Lobos, and plan to spend a couple of hours hiking around. This would be THE place for the wave-crashing scenery you want. Have lunch in the patio at Casanova's in Carmel. Wonderfully romantic, excellent food and fantastic wine cellar.

chicgeek is right on about Casanova. It is, in fact, one of our favorite places. I left it out because of the 20 lbs of stuff in the 10 lb bag. If you do go to Casanova order the creme brulee for dessert. It is the best I have ever eaten anywhere. She is also right about Point Lobos, but you have to make some choices.

Lobos Lodge in the heart of Carmel on Ocean Ave is wonderful. Close to everything including the beach/ocean.

Enjoy Carmel!

John Hamilton has a great itinerary with really good restaraunts. We have tried them all. We prefer Fandango to Fresh Cream. Fandango is basc style with a very unique menu, and ambiance. Fresh Cream is ok French food. Casanova is wonderful atmosphere, but so-so, depending on what you have. I loved the escargot. Very good snail quality. I had scallops which were pretty darn good too. It was all very rich, and tea alone is good for desert. It comes with cookies and chocolate. I guess the so-so part is the appetizers. The bread sticks were stale. That is about it. Tarpys is very good food. Bixby is just south of Rocky Point, around a bend or two.

Point Lobos is beautiful, around every corner.

Have you tried the Tickle Pink Inn about 7 minutes south of Carmel? I think it is about $150 and worth it with a view?

Did someone say the 17 mile drive was a waste of time? That's absolutely not true. Pebble Beach and the big houses are fun to see, but the scenery along the way is incredible.

Amen on Point Lobos. I think it's probably even better scenery than you can see further down in Big Sur.

Have a great time!

Yes ,the Bixby Bridge is only about one mile south of Rocky Pt. Restaurant.Not 15 miles