REQUEST: California coast drive from SD to SF

My husband & I are planning a road trip up the California coast at the end of January. We trying to decide where to stay along the way. We're thinking a Saturday night between Santa Barbara & San Luis Obisbo, then Sunday night between Big Sur & Monterey. We'd like to keep it inexpensive, but not dumpy. We are very flexible as to what cities to stop in, if anyone can suggest good values, and interesting accomodations and activities. * Not planning to do Hearse Castle. Thanks!

melozito said: * Not planning to do Hearse Castle.

Big mistake. Drive carefully. Consult tripadvisor for hotel reviews from travelers like you.

Are you just spending the night, or planning to spend some time? The most beautiful place on earth is Point Lobos, just south of Monterey. It's about $10 to enter (CA state park). You can stay in the Holiday Inn Express Seaside (3 miles north of Monterey proper) for about $100/night. It's typical HIE, and has great staff. There's a big sand hill at the Sand City exit (same exit for HIE). There are often hang-gliders there. Great little tucked-away beach for locals if you make a left onto Case Verde Way (just north of the Postgraduate School). Wonderful place for beachcombing, a bbq, or a picnic.

If you have Military base access, you can't beat the size and quality of the Naval Postgraduate School's room. They're available space-a, but we paid about $40/night for a family suite last time we were there. (Note: not the Navy Lodge, which is much more expensive and smaller).

Seeing Monterey in a day won't really do it . Do you golf? While you may not want to pay the exorbitant fees that Pebble Beach charges, there's a public course (Pacific Grove Golf Links) that's almost as beautiful for almost nothing.

The monarchs should still be in the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary. It's a nice 30-minute stop.

What sort of things are you interested in? We lived there for a few years, and (mostly) loved it.

Thank you all for your suggestions