Where to stop - SF to LA

[Budgiegirlbob]

Hi, I am in the process of planning a trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles next summer with my DH and three teens.

I'm looking for a couple of places to stay for a night or two on the drive between the two cities. We would be trying to do this on a budget (approx £200 per night for a family of 5), so looking at Suite hotels such as Embassy, Homewood etc.

Can anyone recommend places to stay? Also, what sights are worth stopping for an hour to two en route?

Thanks

Definitely stay in Carmel for a night or two & you can get some reasonably priced places to stay - I used trivago. Big Sur is also a lovely place to stop for a couple of hours. You could also stay in Santa Barbara for a night as well. We stayed in Malibu and loved it but it is pricey. Have a wonderful trip.

Santa Barbara. It's small enough you can see everything in a day or two and beyond beautiful. The loveliest little town, great little restaurants. A really pretty town hall with fantastic views all around from the top. There's also an amazing beach with a long pier with more great restaurants and you can see seals underneath.
Can't remember the name of it but there's also another beach slightly north (as in a 5 month drive from the main town) and it has the most incredible sunsets. It's easily one of the places I've been that I felt so relaxed and happy and recommend it to anyone!

The Big Sur is such a beautiful drive! You will have a fantastic time. Elephant Seal beach is also a great spot to stop for half an hour and see loads of seals!

5 minute not 5 month!!!

We loved Santa Cruz. The night we rocked up Santana were doing a gig on the beach. We got completely rat arsed with some locals, ate loads of great food and just loved the family friendly beach vibe. We didn’t have kids at the time but honestly it was so sweet to see.

Also Monterey. The aquarium is amazing.

Hearst Castle is en route and well worth a visit, also stop for coffee and cake at the Madonna Inn. We stopped near Carmel, then San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara before staying a few days at Redondo Beach. If we did it again We would miss out SB in favour of another night in San Diego (our last stop).

There are not that many places to stay in Big Sur and some are very expensive. Carmel has more options. Also drop into Nepenthe cafe for the views. We much prefer Santa Barbara to San Diego. We thought the latter was a bit tacky.

Better than the acquarium in Monterey, do a whale watching trip if it’s the right season. Acquariums are more or less the same everywhere but whales in real life are amazing! Definitely go to Hearst Castle and stop off at Malibu and Santa Monica. There is so much to see and do. All down the coast there are missions, all of which are wirth going to for peace and quiet.

San Luis Obispo is relaxed, friendly, compact nice beaches. There is a college/uni there so plenty of chain motel places

Monterey hotels are more reasonable than the ones in Carmel and it’s only a short drive between the two. It’s got the amazing aquarium and great shops and restaurants. We stayed at the Merritt House Inn which was walking distance to everything we needed.

I liked Santa Barbera but the last time we went we stayed in Moonstone Beach instead was was very quiet and just beautiful.

Where are you staying in San Fran and LA? I like the Union Square area of San Fran (Westin St.Francis is my favourite but The Chancellor next door is cheaper and also nice).

For LA, we stayed at The Garland so we were close to Universal Studios and not too far from Hollywood, Beverley Hills etc and then went to Santa Monica for a few days. Hotels there are lovely but pricey so we saved money in places like Monterey so that we could stay close to the beach (Lowes, Shore and The Huntley)

You’ll have an amazing time!

We stayed Monterey (with a visit to Carmel), San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbera, Santa Monica. Generally just explored and soaked up the vibe.

The Madonna Inn is fabulous - and bonkers. Great pool, great restaurant but not silly money although it is a few years since we have been. If it is out of budget to stay then do try and go just for coffee and cake as pp said ....... and make sure you visit the loo(s).

Thanks for all the ideas, I’m very excited now!

Teakind. I don’t know where we will stay in SF and LA, but I suspect The Westin and The Chancellor will be way over our budget! The problem with having three kids is that most hotels would require us to have two rooms, which instantly blows the budget!

In SF , we will most likely stay in a chain suite hotel in Oakland or Walnut Creek and get the BART in to SF each day. Much cheaper, even allowing for the cost of transport. Also most include breakfast, which with three always hungry teenagers is a big bonus, and a cost saved!!