Accommodation in Santa Monica and an alternative to Fresno?

[Polgara2]

Going to California in September and although we are now changing the first week to include Las Vegas because of the big sur closures we will still be spending time in Santa Monica at the start of the second. I am having problems finding somewhere to stay though. I know many of you have been because I've been trawling through the Longhaul topic! So where did everyone stay please?

I had been hoping to stay nearer the coast than inland and I've been looking on airbnb but they are all very expensive it would seem.
Not sure whether I should be looking at rentals or hotels? Or what area to stay in?

Also we will be driving up to Yosemite from there and was thinking to break the drive up by staying overnight en route. Had been thinking Fresno but posters on my previous thread suggested it was not the best choice! Any suggestions for an alternative ?

Many thanks

We loved Morro Bay, not sure if that fits with your route though.

Thanks skivingagain not going there this time any more but worth knowing for next time

Where about a in Yosemite are you staying? Might be worth trying to do the drive in one day? Or if you are just breaking the journey I'm not sure it matters so much? The scenery starts to get prettier after you have left Fresno but I think I'd just want to get to Yosemite at that point.

I wouldn't bother stopping overnight, just stop off for breaks. Bakersfield has a really cool old-school Woolworths with a 50s diner. Made for a nice lunch stop.

Having stayed in Santa Monica, there is no cheap accommodation. We stayed at the Channel Road Inn. I just looked at booking.com and filtered highest rated at cheapest price for September. Nowhere in SM but several well reviewed places if you are prepared to be flexible. You have also left it very late to book!

teds77 we are staying in Yosemite west. Yes I agree about just wanting to get there but dh seems to think it will take too long?

rusholme oh haven't looked at or know where Bakersfield is but I will do so thanks.

bubbles yes I know it's late but we hav been waiting on sil to confirm her plans and prevaricating because well that's what I do best time caught up with me! I can't decide whether it's best to book a house or two separate hotel/motel rooms but am leaning towards the house for us all. However there's a considerable difference in price and location between 3 bedrooms and 2 with a sofa bed which is not really ideal.

Would you better doing Vegas after Santa Monica if you are going to Yosemite?

We had this exact problem when we were booking our summer holiday. Santa Barbara and Santa Monica were crazy expensive and didn't had much availability for the dates we were after. So, I took a bit of a gamble and we are instead staying in Ojai which is just inland from Ventura. We are going to stay at an inn called the Blue Iguana. The options in Ojai were significantly cheaper and looked much nicer than the options on the coast. I am quite excited about this bit of our trip now. I wouldn't recommend staying in Fresno - a bit of a waste of a night (we used to live just down the road).

belindabelle we are tied to being in Santa Monica on particular date as sil is flying in from Seattle to join us for the second week.

chimper I've just had to look where that is and it's a bit too far up the coast for us but thank you. Hmmm yes Fresno is looking very unappealing but may have to do for a pit stop if I can't find anywhere else.

Which rental sites does everyone use? Airbnb looks quite expensive to me.