California - Presidio of Monterey

My dear little cherub graduates this June, and I plan to head out there to see whatever it is there may be to see graduation-wise. I've already been to San Francisco before, but have no idea what's around Monterey.

Does anyone have an particular recommendations for accommodations near the actual base? I don't really want to rent a car if I don't have to.

And also: not sure if I should've put this in the general CA folder, or if this is fine. If it's too sub-foldered, please feel free to move the thread. :)

Thanks!

where are you going to fly into? SJC or MRY? There is a van that comes all the way into Monterey from SJC for about $40 one way.

Right downtown there is a Marriott, and closer by are a Hilton Garden, Holiday Inn Express and Embassy Suites. You're also coming in the height of tourism season, do expect prices to be inflated.

The wharf, aquarium, and cannery row are all fairly close. You can rent bikes or take a taxi to get around. A car is really unnecessary unless you want to go down to big sur. but even then you could just rent one for the day.

I live here, feel free to PM me with any questions.

I hadn't thought so far ahead as airports, just hotels. Yeah, it'll be the height of tourist season, but what can one do? :)

Part of me debates just staying in Monterey for the day of the ceremony, and leaving from SFO. I wanted to hit up Chinatown for some of my favorite little snacks.

Thanks for the hotel info. I'll start plugging that info in to see what will work for me!

There are plenty of inns and b&b's in nearby Pacific Grove. If you'll have a car, you may also want to conisder staying in Carmel.

Thanks for the hotel info. I'll start plugging that info in to see what will work for me!

Check out the standard travel sites, hotels.com, hotwire, etc for deals. Aside from the brand names there are a lot of boutiques and B&B's as was mentioned above.

The closest hotels are the ones downtown, like the Marriott or Portola or Hotel Pacific. Along nearby streets like Foam, Wave, or Cannery Row, I think the highest rated ones would be the Monterey Plaza and the Intercontinental, but you might prefer a smaller, motel-like property that would be less expensive, such as the Spindrift Inn or the Monterey Bay Inn, both nearby.

Several places mentioned above are pretty far away, such as the Hilton Garden Inn, out by the freeway (Highway 1) and the Embassy Suites, which is actually in the nearby town of Seaside.

I've also got my son digging for info on his end, since I don't know what his schedule is and all.

Maybe I should just rent a car anyway, to be flexible wherever I end up.

I've also got my son digging for info on his end, since I don't know what his schedule is and all.

Maybe I should just rent a car anyway, to be flexible wherever I end up.

I am headed that way next week, trying to decide between the spindrift inn and the intercontinental. they are about the same price, I am very tempted to just go to hotwire and look to see what their 4 star hotels are and let it decide for me! we are just going to the aquarium for a couple days.

will let you know my findings

I would recommend looking at BetterBidding and BiddingforTravel and seeing if you are comfortable bidding on PL. You can use Hotwire to get a sense of the discounted prices in the Monterey area. Usually PL ends up being lower than HW.

If you're set on public transport, here is the bus operator. http://www.mst.org/

Does anyone have an particular recommendations for accommodations near the actual base? I don't really want to rent a car if I don't have to.
You need a car, unless you are truely adverse to driving and willing to spend a fortune on cabs.

Getting to/from any of the military installations isn't easy - they're not in town, and there is extremely limited public bus service. If you want to sight-see at all, and there are many worthwhile places to visit, a car is necessary.

Yes, one really needs a car if they want to see the sights around the Monterey Peninsula in any reasonable amount of time. There is public transportation but it might require a lot of travel time to get places.

You really ought to rent a car. It is an easy drive from either SFO or SJC airport, will likely save you money over flying into Monterey, and will be really helpful to see the sights.

Depending on what your motel budget is, this motel (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g32737-d286367-Reviews-Super_8_Monterey-Monterey_Monterey_Peninsula_California.html) has worked well for me, inexpensive but nicely done.

Thanks for the insights. :) I've picked a nice little hotel in Monterey, am flying into SFO, and will rent a car.

Mostly I didn't want a car as I don't plan to sight-see, just want to attend the graduation. I do have friends all over the area and will probably try to get together with them.

Thanks for the insights. :) I've picked a nice little hotel in Monterey, am flying into SFO, and will rent a car.

Mostly I didn't want a car as I don't plan to sight-see, just want to attend the graduation. I do have friends all over the area and will probably try to get together with them.

If you don't want to rent a car, Monterey Air Bus (http://www.montereyairbus.com/) is a cost effective option. $45 each way from SFO if you book online.

Which hotel did you end up booking if you don't mind me asking.