San Francisco to LA - where to stay?

jackieblack

FluffyFiFi wrote: »

We were there last month and spent two nights in Cambria which is half way between LA and San Francisco. It was a really lovely place, a small town with a nice community feel. Fantastic restaurants and great shoping, more boutique types and small, friendly curio shops. We stayed at this place

http://www.cambriapineslodge.com/

it's not high end but cosy and very welcoming. Great swimming pool and spa which is open till 10.00 pm. We were the only ones using it when we were there.

There was four of us, DH, DS (13) and DD (10). We spent this Easter over there and we were lucky enough to see the Sea Lions that only come ashore for about 5/6 weeks a year.

Thanks FiFi, looks nice and not too pricey, interesting definition of 'adult' on their website though!
" An adult is defined as any person over Five years old." :rotfl:

jackieblack

nellycat wrote: »

Carmel is really lovely, the town Clint Eastwood was mayor of. Going back a few years now, but it had a lot of charm.

Re Los Angeles, the only part I would stay in is Santa Monica that's quite nice. Hollywood's a dive

Adele, France and Beyond

As said in OP, not interested in LA except as a convenient airport to fly home from.

McAzrael

jackieblack wrote: »

Thanks, Pismo Beach is on our list of 'possible' places to stay (mind you it's a long list, everywhere on this coast is a 'possible'!) I'll check it out - I like the sound of 'prices to match'!.

Now you've quoted me there's no point in me correcting my spelling mistakes.

jackieblack

McAzrael wrote: »

Now you've quoted me there's no point in me correcting my spelling mistakes.

Don't worry, I hadn't noticed

urbancookie1

If you stay in San Louis Obisbo dont forget to look-out for Bubblegum Alley.

People have been sticking their chewing gum on the wall's there since the 60's, its an amazing thing to see (and smell ) sounds gross i know but it looks great, didnt know gum came in so many colours.

My daughter and her boyfriend were there only this week and stuck there chewy on.

Google it Bubblegum Alley - San Loius Obisbo

FluffyFiFi

jackieblack wrote: »

Thanks FiFi, looks nice and not too pricey, interesting definition of 'adult' on their website though!
" An adult is defined as any person over Five years old." :rotfl:

Don't worry, we took our two children, aged 13 and 10 and didn't have to pay any extra, they had breakfast and could use the facilities. The only thing they couldn't do was stay in the bar after 9.00 pm - but to be fair I think if they wanted to they probably could.

Murphy_The_Cat

Hello Jackie

I've got an absolutely huge smile on my face as I'm typing this, as I was holidaying in that part of the world, this time, last year.
The first time we stayed in SLO, we stayed at Apple Farm & it was one of the highlights of our holiday - however, we were a couple and you are travelling as a family, so it may not have quite the same attraction - although they do have some faily rooms, they are of the 'will sleep up to 6' variety and aren't what you would call cheap. If you do do down the Apple farm route, they will give you AA/AAA discount.
The second time we stayed in SLO we stayed at the Embassy Suites and we rated these very, very highly. I suspect that the three of you will very much appreciate the room set up that ALL Embassy Suites hotels operate.
BTW, if you are visiting SLO, you must, must, must, must stay on a Thursday night and visit the Farmers Market (the wesite doesn't do it justice), it was one of the best things of our last holiday. Great Stuff.

Santa Barbara is harder for me to recommend as we stayed somewheere that looked very poor from the outside, but from the inside was a revelation. They were partway though refurbising the rooms and the rooms that they had done were, to be honest, very good. Pricewise, for Santa Barbara, it was very, very good value. They do have some larger rooms/suites, but you'd need to contact The Blue Sands Motel to confirm the prices. I don't think that their website does them true justice. Other than that, the prices that other places were charging in Santa Barbara put us off a little.
If you do stay in SB, be sure to register for Car Free Santa Barbara as it will save you a LOT of money on meals activities in SB.
Another option is Avila Beach, the place is tiny and possibly a bit to quiet for you, but if you appreciate a touch of calm/tranquility, you'll love it. They've also go a wonderful fruit farm called AvialVally Barn between there & SLO which is well worth a visit..

Have a great time planning your trip.

I'm enormously envious of you doing this trip as, I had the best month of my life doing it last year.

IF I can help any more, please just holler.

jackieblack

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

Hello Jackie

I've got an absolutely huge smile on my face as I'm typing this, as I was holidaying in that part of the world, this time, last year.
The first time we stayed in SLO, we stayed at Apple Farm & it was one of the highlights of our holiday - however, we were a couple and you are travelling as a family, so it may not have quite the same attraction - although they do have some faily rooms, they are of the 'will sleep up to 6' variety and aren't what you would call cheap. If you do do down the Apple farm route, they will give you AA/AAA discount.
The second time we stayed in SLO we stayed at the Embassy Suites and we rated these very, very highly. I suspect that the three of you will very much appreciate the room set up that ALL Embassy Suites hotels operate.
BTW, if you are visiting SLO, you must, must, must, must stay on a Thursday night and visit the Farmers Market (the wesite doesn't do it justice), it was one of the best things of our last holiday. Great Stuff.

Santa Barbara is harder for me to recommend as we stayed somewheere that looked very poor from the outside, but from the inside was a revelation. They were partway though refurbising the rooms and the rooms that they had done were, to be honest, very good. Pricewise, for Santa Barbara, it was very, very good value. They do have some larger rooms/suites, but you'd need to contact The Blue Sands Motel to confirm the prices. I don't think that their website does them true justice. Other than that, the prices that other places were charging in Santa Barbara put us off a little.
If you do stay in SB, be sure to register for Car Free Santa Barbara as it will save you a LOT of money on meals activities in SB.
Another option is Avila Beach, the place is tiny and possibly a bit to quiet for you, but if you appreciate a touch of calm/tranquility, you'll love it. They've also go a wonderful fruit farm called AvialVally Barn between there & SLO which is well worth a visit..

Have a great time planning your trip.

I'm enormously envious of you doing this trip as, I had the best month of my life doing it last year.

IF I can help any more, please just holler.

Thanks Murphy, I'll check all those out - your recommendation of the Farmers Market in your trip report last year was one of the reasons we thought about staying in SLO!

train_driver_2

Morro Bay is a nice place to stay and LA is only a day's drive away.

jackieblack

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

Hello Jackie

I've got an absolutely huge smile on my face as I'm typing this, as I was holidaying in that part of the world, this time, last year.
The first time we stayed in SLO, we stayed at Apple Farm & it was one of the highlights of our holiday - however, we were a couple and you are travelling as a family, so it may not have quite the same attraction - although they do have some faily rooms, they are of the 'will sleep up to 6' variety and aren't what you would call cheap. If you do do down the Apple farm route, they will give you AA/AAA discount.
The second time we stayed in SLO we stayed at the Embassy Suites and we rated these very, very highly. I suspect that the three of you will very much appreciate the room set up that ALL Embassy Suites hotels operate.
BTW, if you are visiting SLO, you must, must, must, must stay on a Thursday night and visit the Farmers Market (the wesite doesn't do it justice), it was one of the best things of our last holiday. Great Stuff.

Santa Barbara is harder for me to recommend as we stayed somewheere that looked very poor from the outside, but from the inside was a revelation. They were partway though refurbising the rooms and the rooms that they had done were, to be honest, very good. Pricewise, for Santa Barbara, it was very, very good value. They do have some larger rooms/suites, but you'd need to contact The Blue Sands Motel to confirm the prices. I don't think that their website does them true justice. Other than that, the prices that other places were charging in Santa Barbara put us off a little.
If you do stay in SB, be sure to register for Car Free Santa Barbara as it will save you a LOT of money on meals activities in SB.
Another option is Avila Beach, the place is tiny and possibly a bit to quiet for you, but if you appreciate a touch of calm/tranquility, you'll love it. They've also go a wonderful fruit farm called AvialVally Barn between there & SLO which is well worth a visit..

Have a great time planning your trip.

I'm enormously envious of you doing this trip as, I had the best month of my life doing it last year.

IF I can help any more, please just holler.

:hello: Murphy
Avila Beach looks lovely!
Unfortunately it looks like Avial Valley Barn is only open May-Nov so won't be open when we go (April). :sad:

The Embassy Suites in SLO looks good.
I'm planning for us to be in the SLO area on a Thursday for the Farmer's Market - how did you find the parking? I understand it gets really busy.