Recommendations: Santa Barbara- Carmel?
Jun 28, 2001 | 3:08 pm
#2
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For a unique and wonderful hotel experience (it's expensive), try the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, south of Carmel. My words can't do it justice, so here's the site:
www.postranchinn.com
If you like hiking, swimming, wine tasting, good food, beautiful scenery, incredible architecture, etc. you'll find it all here at this incredible property.
www.postranchinn.com
If you like hiking, swimming, wine tasting, good food, beautiful scenery, incredible architecture, etc. you'll find it all here at this incredible property.
Jun 28, 2001 | 3:35 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2000
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One of my favorites is San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito. It's by no means cheap, but it's lovely, laid back, with Relais & Chateaux-level food and service. Owned by the group who owns Auberge du Soleil in the Napa valley. JFK and Jackie spent some of their honeymoon there, and Vivien Leigh & Laurence Olivier were married there.
Jun 29, 2001 | 9:26 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2000
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As far as hotels -
On the Monterey Peninsula, the Inn at Spanish Bay is run by the same people who run the Pebble Beach Lodge. It is quieter and more legeant, in my opinion. But the Lodge is pretty nice, too - right on the 18th hole at Pebble Beach. Inn at Spanish Bay has two very good (though not great) restaurants, as does the Lodge at Pebble Bay.
In Monterey, best hotel is the Monterey Plaza, especially if you get an ocean view room with a balcony. Excellent restaurant.
Just south of Carmel is the Highlands Inn. The Pacific Edge restaurant is one of the best in the area, though the service is very slow. This is now a Hyatt and you can get Gold Passport points for staying and/or eating here.
About 10 minutes away, on the road to Carmel Valley is Quail Lodge. ABout 10 minutes further in Carmel Valley are the Carmel Valley Ranch, Bernardus Lodge, and John Gardiner's Tennis Ranch.
South of Big Sur, not as spectacular as Post Ranch Inn, but really excellent, is Ventana Inn. Just had lunch there a couple of days ago - excellent food and spectacular setting.
[This message has been edited by JerryFF (edited 07-08-2001).]
On the Monterey Peninsula, the Inn at Spanish Bay is run by the same people who run the Pebble Beach Lodge. It is quieter and more legeant, in my opinion. But the Lodge is pretty nice, too - right on the 18th hole at Pebble Beach. Inn at Spanish Bay has two very good (though not great) restaurants, as does the Lodge at Pebble Bay.
In Monterey, best hotel is the Monterey Plaza, especially if you get an ocean view room with a balcony. Excellent restaurant.
Just south of Carmel is the Highlands Inn. The Pacific Edge restaurant is one of the best in the area, though the service is very slow. This is now a Hyatt and you can get Gold Passport points for staying and/or eating here.
About 10 minutes away, on the road to Carmel Valley is Quail Lodge. ABout 10 minutes further in Carmel Valley are the Carmel Valley Ranch, Bernardus Lodge, and John Gardiner's Tennis Ranch.
South of Big Sur, not as spectacular as Post Ranch Inn, but really excellent, is Ventana Inn. Just had lunch there a couple of days ago - excellent food and spectacular setting.
[This message has been edited by JerryFF (edited 07-08-2001).]
Jun 29, 2001 | 10:10 am
#5
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Two more very nice hotels in Santa Barbara are the El Encanto and the Biltmore. The El Encanto is in the foothills overlooking Santa Barbara and the Biltmore is next to the ocean in Montecito.
Jul 5, 2001 | 5:12 am
#8
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Did you see this article "Meandering Up The California Coast" in the NYT "Frugal Traveler" column?
It's worth a read.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/01/travel/01FRUG.html
[This message has been edited by blairvanhorn (edited 07-05-2001).]
It's worth a read.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/01/travel/01FRUG.html
[This message has been edited by blairvanhorn (edited 07-05-2001).]