Five Go Mad in California....looking for accommodation tips!

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We are finally going on the "big US vacation" in August this year - myself, DH and three teenage DCs are going to California. Can't wait! We have so far booked flights (into/out of LAX) - itinerary is pretty flexible, but we will try to fit in the usual (LA, Pacific Coast Highway, San Fran, possibly Yosemite, Lassen etc).

I've been before, but just with DH, but as there are now five of us, accommodation is a bit more tricky. If anyone has any suggestions of great/inexpensive/cool places to stay in California I'd love to hear them!

Another vote for Apple Farm! There is also a fantastic outdoor restaurant in San Luis Obispo called Novo which was fabulous. The frogs were so loud that DH and I were convinced they were playing the noise from speakers and we were drunk in fits of giggles!

I would avoid Monterey (the town) and try to stay near one of the surrounding wineries. DH and I stayed in an old converted sardine factory because we thought it would be novel! (It wasn't, it just smelt heavily of sardines...)

I am very envious OP! Sitting here plucking up the courage to give myself an IVF injection whilst reminiscing about that wonderful PCH drive in our yellow Mustang....enjoy!

If you're doing Yosemite, book early! In fact, you may possibly be too late for this summer, and may have to look at somewhere outside the park.

Update: Have booked somewhere in Pismo Beach (PCH) for three days, and also a nice hotel just outside Yosemite for another three days. So we're slowly getting sorted!! Off to fill in the gaps now......still have LA and SF to confirm.

In LA we stayed in the Magic Castle which is an old apartment block in Hollywood. It was not cheap but included lots of extra's like dvd's, snacks, laundry etc. It was also nice to have a bit more space after sharing a hotel room for a couple of weeks.
If you go to San Luis Obispo they have an old fashioned drive in movie which we loved.

Becks Motor Lodge in San Francisco.

Update 2: Have now booked Magic Castle in LA for a couple of nights. The DCs are going to bust blood vessels when they see the Free Snack Bar - I shall never again be able to fob them off with a Travelodge!

Had a look at Beck's Motor Lodge, but it was $$$!