Santa Barbara & Monterey Hotel Recommendations

[Alba20]

First time on the west coast for me, hubby & two kids (12 & 9).

We are planning on driving from Anaheim along the coastal route back to San Francisco.

Our currently plan is 2 nights in Santa Barbara, drive to Monterey for another 2 night stop. We are looking for an idea of the best place to stay in both locations, hotel recommendations if you have any and things to do... reading reviews on trip advisor is driving me crazy.

Thanks

Alba

[Cloverlady]

In Monterey we stayed at Best Western Plus Victorian Inn, and would happily stay there again

It's well placed as only oneblock/short walk to the seafront and Cannnery Row area.

The hotel was very nice and peaceful, well run and clean and tidy, a really nice breakfast and there were complementary drinks and nibbles at their evening reception. There was parking under the hotel. Our room was gorgeous, a real fire and fireplace and a little circular balcony.

We didn't stay at Santa Barbara overnight, but we spent the day there, it was lovely

[jdouds]

Hi in Monterey ! Go whale watching . Perhaps sanctuary cruises. We have done to trips , fantastic .

[cornishfrogboy]

In Monterey, we stayed in the Monterey Bay Inn and I would certainly reccomended it.
It is right on Cannery Row, convenient for the Whale watch piers and has awesome views from all rooms. It has ample parking. It has a nice, complimentary breakfast delivered to your room.
The only downside is the noise, namely the occasional Sealion on the rocks below!

P.s, We used Monterey Bay whale watch for our trip and they were amazing. There are some images on our trip review, California N to South at Easter.

[Shmee]

Originally Posted by Cloverlady

In Monterey we stayed at Best Western Plus Victorian Inn, and would happily stay there again

It's well placed as only oneblock/short walk to the seafront and Cannnery Row area.

The hotel was very nice and peaceful, well run and clean and tidy, a really nice breakfast and there were complementary drinks and nibbles at their evening reception. There was parking under the hotel. Our room was gorgeous, a real fire and fireplace and a little circular balcony.

We didn't stay at Santa Barbara overnight, but we spent the day there, it was lovely

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That’s great to hear, we’ve booked to stay there in the summer.😃

[Mary A]

I've stayed at Monterey bay inn and BW Victorian inn - Monterey bay inn wins hands down. No air con at Victorian inn but clean and good service.
Santa Barbara, stayed at West beach inn a couple of times.

[Guest]

In Monterey we stayed at the Hotel Abrego.
In Santa Barbara Lavender Inn by the Sea - loved this little hotel breakfast and a daily managers cheese and wine reception.

[Fireworks]

We stayed in Harbor House Inn in Santa Barbara and loved it, in fact we have booked it again for October this year. Great little place, really friendly owners and close to the beach and pier

[grant_w]

Hotel Abrego was lovely in Monterey

[the_lemms]

Have you considered 1 night at Santa Barbara then another night further up the coast such as Cambria?

This way you would get to stop off at some of the beautiful places along the way Solvang, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay rather than drive via them on the way to Monterey. Then the drive from Cambria taking in the Elephant seals at San Simeon, Big Sur, then 17 mile drive on your way into Monterey.

We did this and it worked great and we didnt feel rushed to just keep driving rather than take in these places.