glsebs

We will be in San Francisco in May for a convention and would like to extend our trip by renting a car and driving to the Monterey Peninsula for a few days. How many days do you think we will need to enjoy and see this area?
How long a drive is it from SF to Big Sur?
We are thinking of splurging and staying at the Post Ranch Inn. Would this be a good base to visit this area?
Any help would be appreciated.

Grandma

We had a nice trip thru the area in 98 (... time does fly!). If you belong to AAA I'd check with them on driving times from SF and possible routes. We missed Big Sur because route 1 was closed due to mud slides.. Maybe its too far south for your plans but the Hearst castle was a highlight. Back then we found Fodor's guide to California very helpful.

raindrop

I have been to the area several times for conferences. I think Monterey is about 2 hours and 15 minutes from SF. Big Sur is a half hour from Monterey. It is beautiful. I would also visit Point Lobos State reserve (1/2 day) and the Monterey Bay Aquarium (1/2 day). Carmel also makes for a nice afternoon of shopping if you are interested.

StuDudley

The time it takes to get from SF to Monterey depends on when you drive this route. It could take 4 hours if you go at rush hour, but 2 hr 15 min (like Raindrop said) if you miss rush hour.

If you can afford Post Ranch in Big Sur, I would split your time between there & Carmel or Monterey (I prefer Carmel). There isn't much to do in Big Sur, other than enjoy some of the most beautiful coastline imaginable and some hikes to remote beaches. In Carmel/Monterey there is more shopping, Aquarium, interesting houses (Victorians in Pacific Grove), Pt Lobos, historical sites, etc. There could be a lot of fog in May. Have lunch or dinner at Nepenthe while in Big Sur. Go for the ambience & view - not the food.

Stu Dudley
San Mateo (San Francisco), Ca

glsebs

Thanks for your advice. Did you mean we should split our time between Big Sur and Carmel by staying in each area or just staying at Post Ranch Inn but visiting each.
I think we will probably stay 3 days and then back to SF one night before our flight the next morning.
Does that sound like a good plan?

LPC48

I've stayed at the Post Ranch Inn twice, coming from the San Francisco Peninsula. It is the most amazing place. Three nights is perfect, because you get two days without driving if you want a real retreat. You just may find that you have no interest in leaving once you get there. So maybe a stop in Carmel on the way down or on the way up. However, if you want a base for visiting, then stop in Monterey on the way to Carmel, maybe stay one night, stay in Carmel two nights, visit Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur and eat at Nepenthe or even Post Ranch with Carmel as the base. It's just a different trip.

StuDudley

I've never stayed at Post Ranch, but we've stayed at the Ventana Inn about a dozen times & it has the same "look & feel". Both places are great resorts if you want to relax & not do munch for several days. However, if you want to really explore Monterey peninsula, then I think it's better to spend a considerable amount of time in the Carmel/Monterey area, and then time in the Big Sur area. For 3 days, I would spend 2 staying overnight in Carmal, and 1 night at the Post Ranch inn. Remember, in May the Big Sur area may be socked in with fog (Carmel too), so your "relaxing by the pool" time may be limited, and there may also not be much of a view out towards the ocean. I would hate to pay the big prices for 3 nights at Post Rance and have soupy fog most of the time.

Stu Dudley
San Mateo (San Francisco), Ca

glsebs

Thanks to everyone for helping me plan this trip. Is there a hotel in the Carmel/Monterey area comparable in reputation to the Post Ranch Inn?

makai1

glsebs,

I replied on your other thread regarding Tickle Pink Inn... not in the same "league" as PRI, but very nice, quiet, romantic place w/ spectacular views. Room 31 is in a seperate building of 6 suites... includes a fireplace, jacuzzi, panoramic view... I posted my trip report for you... scroll down about 30 threads or so and you'll find it.

Happy planning.

StuDudley

>>>I replied on your other thread regarding Tickle Pink Inn... not in the same "league" as PRI, but very nice, quiet, romantic place w/ spectacular views. <<<

When I visit Carmel, I prefer to stay right in the middle of the section with all the shops, restaurants, beach, coastline walk, etc. I believe the Tickle Pink is a "drive" away from the area where you'll probably spend most of your time.

Save your bucks for the Post Ranch Inn & stay in one of the bland hotels in Carmel central. BTW, I prefer staying in Carmel over Monterey. The Inn at Spanish Bay in Pacifica (near Monterey) is comparable to the Post Ranch Inn in price & luxury, but not the same ambience.

Stu Dudley
San Mateo (San Francisco), Ca

LPC48

So I will weigh in on the side of Monterey over Carmel. As always, it's a matter of taste. For me, Carmel is too upscale touristy, too precious. I like Monterey because the coast is kind of wild, I love the aquarium, and Pacific Grove just down the way is kind of old-hippieish. Also you can still tell the place was a working fishing area, and if you like John Steinbeck there is a lot of back story here. Yes, I also have voted Democratic for the past 25 years

The Monterey Bay Plaza is by no means the Post Ranch Inn, nothing is, but it's a nice, fancy, could be business could be vacation type hotel. And I know there are lots of B&Bs next door in Pacific Grove that someone else can tell you about.

That said, if you really like luxury shopping and an affluent village main street, you will prefer Carmel.

Finally, I'd spend at least two days at the Post Ranch. If it's foggy, it's true you won't get the vista. But to me the point of going there has been a fantastic sense of complete relaxation - with a spiritual component just because it is so beautiful. If that's what you are looking for, you will want one full day there where you don't have to touch a car.