My wife and I are going to California at the end of July, and we have an extra day with nothing planned. We will be leaving Monterey on a Thursday morning, and have to be in LA on Friday night. We have the PCH drive to look forward to, but is there any town that we should stop at, and any town that we shoudl stay in on Thursday night? I have heard Santa BArbara is great, is it more expensive than other towns? Priceline's hotels in Santa Barbara seem to be tough to get. ANy ideas?

Thanks

Santa Barbara would be my choice. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express (only 1/2 block off of State Street which is the main drag). The room was small but very nice and a great location. Good Luck! Steve

This is what we did last summer. After leaving Monterey we stopped at Point Lobos State Reserve for a short hike. From there we drove through and stopped in Big Sur. Then, if was off to San Simeon to see the elephant seals followed by a stop at the Hearst Castle. After the castle tour it was late afternoon so we stayed at The Madonna Inn (madonnainn.com). The next day we drove to Santa Barbara and then to LA.

I would also look into taking a tour of Hearst Castle(www.hearst-castle.org) in San Simeon.From there you could drive down to Santa Barbara. Morro Bay and Pismo Beach are closer to San Simeon and also would be nice places to stay. The Kon Tiki Inn in Pismo Beach is nice(www.kontikiinn.com)

It would be fun to just hang out in outdoor cafes and the pier in Santa Barbara, just relaxing. Kyle

My husband and I just got back from California. Our trip began in San Francsico and we drove down to LA. Once you leave Monterrey and approach the Big Sur coastline, you will be amazed at the scenery. We stayed at the Inn at Morro Bay (www.innatmorrobay.com), which is halfway between Monterrey and LA. The Inn was terrific - it's in a sleepy town, so it's utterly romantic (ask for room #40 - it has a separate sitting area and a private whirlpool on the patio. They gave it to us at a regular room rate when we checked in). My opinion - if you make frequent stops along Big Sur (which you will for great pictures, hikes, etc.) and visit Hearst Castle, Morro Bay would be the perfect stopping point for the night. Please feel free to check out the pictures on our vacation web site - www.scottkaci.homestead.com

I vote for Cambria. It's a reasonable driving distance down the coast from SF (past Big Sur, near San Simeon), and also a reasonable 2nd day's drive into LA. Stay at one of the many attractive motels along Moonstone Beach Road. We were there last week, and arrived in the late afternoon without reservations. There was no problem finding a vacancy. There are pleasant walking trails along the beach, and much wildlife to see (seals, otters). Also many restaurant choices in town.

You should stay where you are and make love to your young wife. Then, go to McDonalds for a burger and fries. All this moving around and seeing things gets you nowhere.

Try the Montecito Inn, just south of Santa Barbara. See if they have a weeknight package available or their popular "L.A. Times" special rate.

www.montecitoinn.com

The Coast Village Inn across the street is more modest but also has weeknight special rates.

My vote is for San Luis Obispo or Morro Bay to spend the night. Both are great towns.

My vote is for Pismo Beach or Cambria

Morro Bay is my recommendation for a nice beachy town without a lot of hype. A few very good little restaurants, nice bayside shopping and a great old big theater downtown.

Cambria would be my first choice---Moonstone Inn or Fireside Inn on Moonstone Beach. It's about 10 minutes south of Hearst Castle after the Big Sur drive. Lots of cute shops and little restaurants. Brambles is the best in town but our fav is the Sow's Ear. You can get up the next day and drive through Morro Bay, have lunch in Santa Barbara and then on into LA on the PCH. Santa Barbara is very expensive and there's not a whole lot on the beach whereas Moonstone beach hotels are all across from an unobstructed view of the ocean. SLO is a nice town but college town. Pretty mission, but Madonna Inn is kind of a crazy wacko place with not great food and it sounds as if you are looking for romantic. On the other hand, the wonderful farmers market takes place in SLO in Thursday night if you want Mexican street food and entertainment.

Another vote for Cambria, just returned from there. Stayed at the Pelican Suites which included a fireplace in the room, down comforters, robes, vcr, movies to check out. The ocean is right there. Very romantic. Hearst castle was pretty cool too. Don't eat at the Sow's Ear like I read on here. It was a little to much for us. Have a great time.

Melissa