Doing a cali trip next summer. Planning on flying into SFO or San Jose. Looking to spend 4 days on the coast around Monterey before heading up to Yosemite for the last 4 days. We’d like to check out Big Sur. My boys wanna play a little golf at spyglass and the other course that’s near pebble beach. The aquarium is a must according to Mrs jkyle. Will be me , Mrs jkyle , and three kids 16,14,& 5. What area around Monterey would you choose to stay. Trying not to completely go apeshit cost wise although I realize it’s an expensive part of country. I’m really liking some options I’m seeing in pacific grove. Seaside and marina are a bit cheaper but seem a little further away from the things we wanna do. Do any of y’all travel aficionados have any feedback for this region. Much appreciated if so. Thanks in advance.

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Posted by AUFANATL

Member since Dec 2007

3993 posts

Posted on 8/1/23 at 10:53 am to jkylejohnson

Carmel is really nice and a good base to explore the area. But it's not cheap. But not much in that area code is.

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Posted by Gaston

Dirty Coast

Member since Aug 2008

39210 posts

Posted on 8/1/23 at 11:41 am to jkylejohnson

I really like Santa Cruz, and beaches just west of there. I’d say trip down to Monterey to play golf…and stay in Santa Cruz…

Check out the hidden cave at Panther Beach.

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Posted by SDwhodat

Member since Apr 2007

2554 posts

Posted on 8/1/23 at 2:39 pm to jkylejohnson

Stay away from Seaside and Marina.

PG is not a bad bet at all.

If it was up to me though, I would stay in Carmel Valley. Just a few minutes drive inland from Carmel and since you are going in the summer, less likely to be stuck in fog.

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Posted by longhorn22

Nicholls St. Fan

Member since Jan 2007

42316 posts

Posted on 8/1/23 at 4:20 pm to jkylejohnson

Went to this area twice in the last handful of years...

Hotel Pacific is in Monterrey. We never got back before the sun went down and usually were up and at it bright and early so we didn't try and get something on the coast to try to watch a sunset or sunrise from our hotel... we did that on a hike etc.

Hotel Pacific was great as far as price/space/kitchen/fireplace was solid. Location was great too. Easy to get too and from Carmel/Monterrey/Big Sur.

2nd time around we stayed in Carmel. This was great as we were able to wonder on foot at night for dinner/going out for a drink/woke up the next morning and walked down to the beach etc.

You really can't go wrong with either, but Carmel def has more of a price tag to it due to how chill/relaxed the area is. Always felt safe and as if you are just walking around your neighborhood.... no matter what time the day/night.

Staying in Big Sur intrigues me, but I think that is all to itself.

Carmel FTW if you can get the right setup and ok with the price.