Bringing the family to California

[jesseandersson]

So, 2 years ago we got engaged in LA, went honeymoonin´in California last uear and now that we´ve become 3 in our little family I couldn´t think of a better vacation together than California.

We are flying from Sweden to LA 4/30 and are looking to rent a cottage/small house close to the sea, could anyone of you local´s point me in the right direction?

We are looking for a calm, nice and cozy place, close to restaurants and shopping but not in the middle of everything so to speak. We´ve been to La Jolla, Santa Monica and most coastal cities in between but we´ve never been to any cities between LA and SF so we were thinking Santa Barbara? Monterey looks really nice but is a bit of a drive up..

Hugely appreciate any comments or advise on city/accomondation!

Regards
Jesse

[platas]

Santa Barbara is lovely, college town. I love Monterrey and then anything close to San Francisco. Forsure more guys will be able to give you better advise.

[jerryg]

You may think Monterey is a bit of a drive up, but the Pacific Coast Highway from LA is one of the premier drives in the world. Once in the Monterey area, you have a number of choices - all good. There is the town of Monterey, but adjacent to it are Pacific Grove, Carmel and Carmel Valley. All have their individual charm. If you stay close to Cannery Row, you can easily walk to a large number of great sites and restaurants. Wonderful sea food. There is a very active PCA and Porsche 356 Club in the area and if you list your desires on the 356 Registry you will get lots of options. I currently live in the foothill area of the Sierra Nevada mountains and go to Monterey several times a year for car events. It is a hot spot with the Laguna Seca race trrack and it's many events, such as the Historic Races in August, a number of auctions, and the recent Rennsport event Don't write the area off.

[Flieger]

Monterey is also my pick. I went to college in San Luis Obispo, which is also a very beautiful area when you include Morro Bay and Montana de Oro State Park, and made the drive up the coast many times. Once you get past Goleta and the Santa Barbara traffic it is a very nice drive all the way up to Monterey, which is as far as I've been. You might consider stopping over in San Luis Obispo and making the ~2 hour drive to Monterey in the morning. That is what I did for races at Laguna Seca. It's all beautiful.

[Tom Michelsen]

Google 'Shell Beach, California'. or Pismo Beach, Calif. about 1/2 way between LA and SF.
Also check 'Avila beach, Calif. A great old 1950's inn there. Inn at Avila Beach.
Lots less to do, though, than Monterey/Carmel....

[Flieger]

Yup, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Avila Beach, Pismo, all really close together.

[gsjohnson]

Santa Cruz and Big Sur are favorites of mine.

[Fishcop]

I really enjoyed San Luis Obispo, Carmel and Monterey. The drive from LA to SF has been probably the best I've enjoyed (and we have some great drives here in Australia).

[rower]

Stop and see Hearst castle on the drive. Very cool. Reserve perhaps and plan on spending several hours there.

[rockandrollrods]

I also recommend the Central Coast. Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande for the smaller not as well known places. Monterey or Carmel for a bit more upscale.