We are doing our annual trip to SF in a few days, and are considering spending a night in the Salinas/Carmel area. One day will be spent exploring Big Sur, but the other day we were hoping to do some winery tours, etc in Caramel Valley and/or route 101. Are the wineries in this area as user friendly as those in Sonoma? What ones can you recommend? What about other things to do in this area (we've already seen Carmel and Monterey). Any recommendations on a nice, moderately priced place to stay?

You don't mention the aquarium. If you haven't done, it's worth the time and money.

I like both the Village Inn and Dolphin in Carmel.

I'll let somebody who has done the wine tours comment. The two labels I know in the neighborhood are Byron and Bonnie Doone. I don't know anything about the tours.

Yes, they are user friendly. For a list of wineries in that area go to

http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/m...-wineries.html

A really beautiful place to stay in Carmel Valley is the Carmel Valley Ranch Resort. Lately they have been running good promo rates due to the economy.

Go have a drink near sunset @ Pacific's Edge in the Highlands Inn(Carmel).

Here is a much better Carmel Valley wineries map:http://www.montereywines.org/wineries_map.php

Chateau Julien is well known. Down in Greenfield, Paraiso and Schied are long time, family operations.

MY

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My parents just visited me in Carmel and stayed the best western:
http://www.bestwesterncalifornia.com...l-bay-view-inn
You can walk to all the wonderful places in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
We were really surprised how nice the rooms were and under $100!! I have never found a better deal in Carmel. They also have a heated pool.

You can park your car and walk to the Big Sur bus station. That will pick you up right at 6th and Mission
http://www.mst.org/routes/22/

It stops at Point Lobos, Andrew Molera, Big Sur River Inn and Nepenthe.

There is also the grapevine express that will take you to the Valley
http://www.mst.org/routes/24/004454_..._0815_Hi_1.pdf

I am a big supporter of Drinking and not driving

The Carmel Valley Ranch is a nice suggestion, we loved our stay here. Chateau Julien and Bernardus are both places to wine taste in Carmel Valley. CVR has an amazing restaurant called Citronelle I would not miss. ***kim***

Indeed, Kal, indeed!

Head to the Talbott Winery in Carmel Valley. Amazing whites and Pinots. Can't help but giggle after typing that one. The Morgan Winery has a tasting room/gift shop at the Crossroads. I highly recommend a stop, there.

Have you toured Pt. Lobos? How about the Tor House, the Mission? If you're here primarily for wine tasting, stay at Carmel Valley Ranch. Pricey but spectacular is Bernardus. Their wines aren't that great, though.

Oh, if you do stay in the valley, well, even if you don't, make a reservation at the http://www.volcano-grill.com/ Lots of fun, great food and prices.

Keep hitting "submit" too soon, sorry. Another good place for lodging and dining: http://www.thesanctuarybeachresort.com/