California - Stopover between Napa & Monterey

I'm driving down the coast next month with the gf from Napa and ending up on Monterey - with a night somewhere along the way.

Any suggestions for that night? Pacifica seemed like a good option although not exactly in the middle of journey.

I'd go with the Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay. If you want to splurge. Pacifica is often cloudy. I'm not sure there are any nice hotels there, but I could be wrong.

Unless you are planning stops along the way, it is only about a 4-hour drive over to Monterey, easily done in one day. If you contemplate a longer day due to stops in the City or other places, I suppose a night in Pacifica or better yet, Half Moon Bay would give you 2 very leisurely travel days to Monterey.

... Half Moon Bay....
What's that they say about great minds? ;)

Depends on how many wineries you visit in Napa. You might want the first stop to be Napa.

Thanks for the responses..

- The Ritz Carlton comes in at US$399+Resort Fee+Parking+Tax = Poor Me
- We already have two nights in Napa - using the day in between to go on a wine tour
- This stop is intended to be lower budget stop over ~US$150+ to fit in with my current itinerary - so it's more about being a in a nice place rather than a swanky hotel.
- Thanks for the pointer about the clouds in Pacifica

I'm considering the Holiday Inn @ Pacifica (http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/sfopf?_requestid=410605) (mainly due to my Priority Club membership)

Alternatively I could spend an extra night in Napa (is worth it?)
Will be attempting to Priceline a 4* hotel there.

I wouldn't spend my money in Pacifica. Most nights are foggy and cold this time of year and there is nothing special about Pacifica or Half Moon Bay considering you will be heading further south.

My experience has been that Half Moon Bay is nearly as cold and foggy as Pacifica. I have never been impressed with the Ritz in Half Moon Bay - three visits have all been the same with service well below what one would expect from a luxury hotel that charges $400 a night.

There is an excellent restaurant in Half Moon Bay called Cetrella.

Alternatively I could spend an extra night in Napa (is worth it?)
Will be attempting to Priceline a 4* hotel there.

I would recommend staying in Napa for another night. Alternatively, the only other area similarly interesting is a night in Sonoma (not really on the way) or San Francisco.

The drive from Napa to Monterey is easy to do in one day, especially if you time it right.

I agree - Napa to Monterey is easily done in a day. I would stay the extra night in Napa, or else even in SF proper. If you are a foodie, I would consider staying somewhere just functional in the South Bay and eating at Manresa or something and making that the destination.

I'll be contrary and say that the stop at Pacifica could be nice. Even if it's cloudy and foggy that can be very romantic :) The Holiday Inn is decent.

Thanks for all your advice..

My plan looks like:
- Leave Napa post lunch
- Head to Pacifica for the afternoon/early evening
- Sleep in the Half-moon bay area
- Following am drive down to Monterey after a walk on the beach