HELP had to cancel big sur

Hoping for some last minute help. On July 7 and 8th we had reservations at big sur lodge, which they made us cancel. We were planning on driving down hwy1 from san francisco to big sur on those dates and then on July 9 on to Yosemite. I don%26#39;t want to give up on driving down the coast. Does anyone have any ideas on where else to stay? Or maybe any other towns? Carmel or further down?

HELP had to cancel big sur

I%26#39;m sorry to hear that your plans have to change, but not to worry - there are alternatives.

The drive from Monterey to Cambria (which includes the whole Big Sur coast) is about 90 miles long, so even with stops, it is easily doable in a day. If I understand correctly, you were planning on 2 nights at the Big Sur Lodge? And the night before you will be in SF? In this case, I would spend 1 night in the Monterey area and then 1 night in Cambria, Morro Bay, or Pismo Beach - this will give you plenty of time to see Big Sur on your way through. And since SF to Monterey is no more than a 3 hour drive (if you take the coast all the way) you will also have a little time in Monterey. Cambria to Yosemite is about 4-5 hours, I believe, so not a bad day of driving. I would get going earlier in the day though so you can be through the central valley before it really heats up.

Since you will be travelling this portion during the week rather than on a weekend, you shouldn%26#39;t run into the 2 night minimum rule at hotels.

HELP had to cancel big sur

It%26#39;s not likely Hwy 1 will be open through Big Sur by the time of your trip. They were expecting the fire to turn northward today toward Palo Colorado Canyon not far from the area of Bixby Bridge.

For now, you can still access Big Sur from the Carmel area to a few miles south of Nepenthe, but things can quickly change if the fire moves back toward town or further lightning strikes affect the area.

At least you can drive Hwy 1 out of San Francisco part of the way into Big Sur. I suggest you consider staying in Carmel, Pacific Grove (my choice) or Monterey and take a day trip into the Big Sur area, but don%26#39;t expect a lot of access with the fires in the area.

Thanks for your responses. I%26#39;m at the computer trying to find someplace else now. Why do you prefer Pacific Grove? I%26#39;m checking Carmel right now at the Highlands Inn gave me a price of $765. Way too high.

I prefer Pacific Grove because it isn%26#39;t as ';touristy'; as Carmel or Monterey and the town is a step back in time as much of this lovely town%26#39;s architecture is Victorian, including many of the B%26amp;B%26#39;s in the area.

How much are you willing to spend? There are some nice bay front hotels in Monterey including the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spindrift Inn along Cannery Row. There%26#39;s also the new Intercontinental Clement that just opened. You might be able to find a good deal for a non bay view room here.

In Carmel, try the La Playa Hotel, Cypress Inn or Carmel Mission Ranch.

Wanting more affordable lodging? The Sand Dollar Inn, Portola Plaza Hotel, Monterey Beach Resort, Monterey Bay Inn.

It%26#39;s not so much the price, I guess, we have our two kids with us. Have you heard anything about Tradewinds or Carmel Valley Ranch? Thanks.

Carmel Mission Inn has good sized rooms, nicely located in town walking distance to everything. Formerly a Best Western if you%26#39;re looking for reviews. Not sure if their renovations are all completed so you%26#39;d want to inquire.

Tradewinds generally gets good reviews. The location is convenient, close to town. My cousin recently stayed at Carmel Valley Ranch. She said it was nice, but she felt that their suite could have used some updating. Her standards may be impossibly high, though. The grounds are nice. CVR gets pretty high marks in the reviews on trip advisor. One advantage of Carmel Valley is that it tends to be warmer and sunnier than the coast, so on a foggy day on the coast, you might have swimming weather out in the Valley. Carmel Valley Village has a few good restaurants: Cafe Rustica and Corkscrews. You%26#39;d be about 20 minutes or so from Carmel proper.

p.s. re: Carmel Mission Inn--renovations are still underway. As for walking to town, it%26#39;s possible, but it%26#39;s a long walk.