Looking for Hotels driving from LA to San Francisco
#31
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: PHL
Posts: 353
Definitely stop in Big Sur but avoid Post Ranch Inn at all costs. Stay instead at Ventana Inn which, while hardly perfect, does not gouge quite so deeply and offers those wonderful Japanese baths under the stars and more accessible heated swimming pools. Beautiful property with friendly service.
Edit: yes, DavidO is correct Big Sur at Hwy 1 severed. And will remain so for at least a year.
Another choice, just up the road in Carmel Highlands, is Bernardus.
Edit: yes, DavidO is correct Big Sur at Hwy 1 severed. And will remain so for at least a year.
Another choice, just up the road in Carmel Highlands, is Bernardus.
We had to cancel our PRI stay this year, but will certainly be back once all of Big Sur is accessible again. Nothing can beat waking up to the Pacific Ocean outside the ocean rooms there. Yes it's pricey, but if you want solitude and serenity, it's very tough to beat.
#32
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
Ventana and Post Ranch are not even comparable to be honest. Especially if you go for one of the standalone units at PRI. Having only dined at Ventana while at PRI a few times I can't make a completely fair assessment, but Ventana just seems much bigger and that it will have far more people around all the time.
We had to cancel our PRI stay this year, but will certainly be back once all of Big Sur is accessible again. Nothing can beat waking up to the Pacific Ocean outside the ocean rooms there. Yes it's pricey, but if you want solitude and serenity, it's very tough to beat.
We had to cancel our PRI stay this year, but will certainly be back once all of Big Sur is accessible again. Nothing can beat waking up to the Pacific Ocean outside the ocean rooms there. Yes it's pricey, but if you want solitude and serenity, it's very tough to beat.
Thus, agree to disagree.
Last edited by KatW; Apr 21, 2017 at 9:29 am
#33
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Join Date: Jun 2006
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#34
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SFO
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Posts: 839
I love Post Ranch Inn. But only the units facing the ocean. And I must admit if foggy ( it often is), it can be disappointing not to see the ocean! Pebble Beach Lodge ocean view rooms I also like even though not a golfer - just love the ocean. In Santa Barbara I like the Four Seasons but have a bit if nostalgia as been going for many years since was the orginal Biltmore. Also really like San Ysidro ranch but up in the hills whereas 4 Seasons is across the street from the ocean.
#35
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Scheduled to open any day now-
http://www.noburyokanmalibu.com/
No sure if children are allowed or not.
http://www.noburyokanmalibu.com/
No sure if children are allowed or not.
#36
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 131
One option for a couple of nights is to head up to the Santa Ynez wine-country from Santa Barbara. Not too far a drive and the Ballard Inn is a nice place to stay. You can cycle around the various vineyards etc (might amuse the 4 year old?)
#37
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: United 1k, SPG Gold
Posts: 8
You could also try Carmel Valley Ranch, a bit more inland but quite nice. Depending on when you're going, you might have seen Post Ranch Inn is having accessibility issues (I think through June). They are offering helicopter service to get around it.
Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is another place on your route I would recommend, but much closer to SF.
Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is another place on your route I would recommend, but much closer to SF.
#38
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You could also try Carmel Valley Ranch, a bit more inland but quite nice. Depending on when you're going, you might have seen Post Ranch Inn is having accessibility issues (I think through June). They are offering helicopter service to get around it.
Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is another place on your route I would recommend, but much closer to SF.
Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is another place on your route I would recommend, but much closer to SF.
#39
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Carmel is absolutely spectacular, and the Bernardus Lodge is where you'd want to stay. Here is my review from Sept 2015:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...alifornia.html
Our friends were married near the Carmel Valley Ranch. It isn't nearly as luxe as Bernardus, FYI.
#40
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
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@uclabruin82, would you elaborate on this? As of today, it is a Ritz Carlton property.
#41
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
@uclabruin82, would you elaborate on this? As of today, it is a Ritz Carlton property.
#42
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: So. California
Programs: UA, SPG
Posts: 1,385
All that said one can have their disagreements about the quality of the other choices at the top end in SB (El Encanto, or the Four Seasons, or San Ysidro Ranch). The truth is they are all lovely and a much better locations. Just opened in the past week or so is the new Hotel Californian. While not a resort property (lacks the acreage for it) it looks to be a very nice hotel with a small but well placed rooftop pool with a great view. Not at all in the same category as the resorts mentioned, but I'd choose his property over the Bacara any day. The location is excellent for enjoying the tourist activities of SB (wineries, restaurants, typical sight seeing stuff).
Next on the scene will be the Rosewood (the former Miramar Hotel). The buildings look to be largely framed now and as an ocean front property (for some of the rooms) it will have no competition other than Bacara. I doubt it will be a profitable venture for the investors but it should be a nice property.
#43
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
As one who lives in Santa Barbara, I can say that the Bacara is not really in Santa Barbara. And that's not really splitting hairs. It is off to itself a good 15 minutes north of town. I don't care for it much as it looks more like a condo project than a hotel. And if you're coming to Santa Barbara to enjoy the town at all, you'll feel a bit isolated at Bacara. I think there are better beach destinations and I'd personally prefer to enjoy some of the attractions of the city. I don't think Ritz can do much to the property that will make it a compelling stand alone destination.
All that said one can have their disagreements about the quality of the other choices at the top end in SB (El Encanto, or the Four Seasons, or San Ysidro Ranch). The truth is they are all lovely and a much better locations. Just opened in the past week or so is the new Hotel Californian. While not a resort property (lacks the acreage for it) it looks to be a very nice hotel with a small but well placed rooftop pool with a great view. Not at all in the same category as the resorts mentioned, but I'd choose his property over the Bacara any day. The location is excellent for enjoying the tourist activities of SB (wineries, restaurants, typical sight seeing stuff).
Next on the scene will be the Rosewood (the former Miramar Hotel). The buildings look to be largely framed now and as an ocean front property (for some of the rooms) it will have no competition other than Bacara. I doubt it will be a profitable venture for the investors but it should be a nice property.
All that said one can have their disagreements about the quality of the other choices at the top end in SB (El Encanto, or the Four Seasons, or San Ysidro Ranch). The truth is they are all lovely and a much better locations. Just opened in the past week or so is the new Hotel Californian. While not a resort property (lacks the acreage for it) it looks to be a very nice hotel with a small but well placed rooftop pool with a great view. Not at all in the same category as the resorts mentioned, but I'd choose his property over the Bacara any day. The location is excellent for enjoying the tourist activities of SB (wineries, restaurants, typical sight seeing stuff).
Next on the scene will be the Rosewood (the former Miramar Hotel). The buildings look to be largely framed now and as an ocean front property (for some of the rooms) it will have no competition other than Bacara. I doubt it will be a profitable venture for the investors but it should be a nice property.
#44
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
El Encanto -- hilltop with views over town and sea.
FS -- beach side, but across the highway.
San Ysidro -- a bit out of town, expansive and beautifully gardened. Most expensive of the three.
#45
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
As one who lives in Santa Barbara, I can say that the Bacara is not really in Santa Barbara. And that's not really splitting hairs. It is off to itself a good 15 minutes north of town. I don't care for it much as it looks more like a condo project than a hotel. And if you're coming to Santa Barbara to enjoy the town at all, you'll feel a bit isolated at Bacara. I think there are better beach destinations and I'd personally prefer to enjoy some of the attractions of the city. I don't think Ritz can do much to the property that will make it a compelling stand alone destination.
All that said one can have their disagreements about the quality of the other choices at the top end in SB (El Encanto, or the Four Seasons, or San Ysidro Ranch). The truth is they are all lovely and a much better locations. Just opened in the past week or so is the new Hotel Californian. While not a resort property (lacks the acreage for it) it looks to be a very nice hotel with a small but well placed rooftop pool with a great view. Not at all in the same category as the resorts mentioned, but I'd choose his property over the Bacara any day. The location is excellent for enjoying the tourist activities of SB (wineries, restaurants, typical sight seeing stuff).
Next on the scene will be the Rosewood (the former Miramar Hotel). The buildings look to be largely framed now and as an ocean front property (for some of the rooms) it will have no competition other than Bacara. I doubt it will be a profitable venture for the investors but it should be a nice property.
All that said one can have their disagreements about the quality of the other choices at the top end in SB (El Encanto, or the Four Seasons, or San Ysidro Ranch). The truth is they are all lovely and a much better locations. Just opened in the past week or so is the new Hotel Californian. While not a resort property (lacks the acreage for it) it looks to be a very nice hotel with a small but well placed rooftop pool with a great view. Not at all in the same category as the resorts mentioned, but I'd choose his property over the Bacara any day. The location is excellent for enjoying the tourist activities of SB (wineries, restaurants, typical sight seeing stuff).
Next on the scene will be the Rosewood (the former Miramar Hotel). The buildings look to be largely framed now and as an ocean front property (for some of the rooms) it will have no competition other than Bacara. I doubt it will be a profitable venture for the investors but it should be a nice property.