Must-see hotels in Central Coast

  • Post Ranch Inn

    Big Sur

    The last word in luxurious coastal getaways, this adult-only retreat ranch pampers guests with private hot tubs, wood-burning fireplaces, decks and a free…

  • Jabberwock

    Monterey

    Barely visible behind a shroud of foliage, this 1911 khaki-shingled Craftsman-style house hums a playful Alice in Wonderland tune through seven immaculate…

  • Hotel Cheval

    Central Coast

    Near downtown Paso Robles, this European-style boutique hotel has 16 rooms arrayed around a sheltered inner courtyard. Spacious guest accommodation…

  • Summerwood Inn

    Central Coast

    Along Hwy 46 within an easy drive of dozens of wineries, this gorgeous inn renovated in cool neutral tones mixes vintage and modern elements. Each of the…

  • Cass House Inn

    Central Coast

    Inside a charmingly renovated 1867 Victorian inn, five boutique rooms beckon, some with ocean views, deep-soaking tubs and antique fireplaces to ward off…

  • Anderson Inn

    Central Coast

    Like a small boutique hotel, this waterfront inn has just a handful of spacious, soothingly earth-toned rooms. If you’re lucky, you'll get a gas fireplace…

  • Avila La Fonda

    Central Coast

    Downtown, this small boutique hotel is a harmonious mix of Mexican and Spanish colonial styles, with hand-painted tiles, stained-glass windows, wrought…

  • Treebones Resort

    Big Sur

    Don’t let the word ‘resort’ throw you. Yes, it has an ocean-view hot tub, heated pool and massage treatments. But a unique woven 'human nest' and canvas…

  • The Butler

    San Luis Obispo

    Just six stylish rooms fill this unique property that used be an automotive workshop. There's definitely no grease and grime now evident in the rooms…

  • Dream Inn

    Santa Cruz

    Proud of being Santa Cruz's only oceanfront hotel, the Dream Inn has good-sized rooms brimming with retro-chic charm and turquoise color accents. Catch…

  • Madonna Inn

    San Luis Obispo

    The fantastically campy Madonna Inn is a garish confection visible from Hwy 101. Curious global tourists and irony-loving hipsters adore the 110 themed…

  • Bridge Street Inn

    Central Coast

    Inside a 19th-century parsonage, surrounded by a garden, this European-style guesthouse has a quaint, raffish charm. There's a communal kitchen and five…

  • Big Sur Lodge

    Big Sur

    What you’re paying for here is the peaceful location inside Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Duplexes each have a deck or balcony looking out into the redwood…

  • Monterey Hotel

    Monterey

    Steps from Fisherman’s Wharf, this 1904 Victorian is honeycombed with 69 rooms that channel historic character, with antique furniture, ceiling fans,…

  • SLO Brew Lofts

    San Luis Obispo

    Located above a brewpub and live-music venue, SLO Brew Lofts offer a unique urban stay in downtown. Apartments range from one to three bedrooms – the…

  • HI Monterey Hostel

    Monterey

    Four blocks from Cannery Row and the aquarium, this simple, clean hostel houses single-sex and mixed dorms, as well as private rooms for three to five…

  • Capitola Hotel

    Central Coast

    Infused with a beachy vibe, but still elegant and refined, the charming Capitola Hotel features ten rooms named after Caribbean islands. Antique maps add…

  • Glen Oaks Big Sur

    Big Sur

    At this 1950s redwood-and-adobe motor lodge, rooms and cabins are rustic yet exude effortless chic. Dramatically transformed by eco-conscious design, each…

  • HI Hostel Obispo

    San Luis Obispo

    On a tree-lined street near SLO's train station, this avocado-colored hostel inhabits a converted Victorian, giving it a bit of a B&B feel. Meet fellow…

  • 456 Embarcadero Inn & Suites

    Central Coast

    Located at the quieter southern end of the Embarcadero, this recently renovated property features 33 chic and spacious rooms, some with excellent views of…

  • Ventana Inn & Spa

    Big Sur

    Almost at odds with Big Sur’s hippie-alternative vibe, Ventana injects a little soul into its deluxe digs. Honeymooning couples and paparazzi-fleeing…

  • HI Santa Cruz Hostel

    Santa Cruz

    Budget overnighters dig this cute hostel set inside five rambling Victorian cottages and surrounded by flowering gardens, just two blocks from the beach…

  • Pismo Lighthouse Suites

    Central Coast

    This rambling cliffside compound about 1 mile north of town is a winner with families thanks to its many diversions, from a pool to a playground, giant…

  • Asilomar Conference Grounds

    Central Coast

    This state-park lodge sprawls by sand dunes in pine forest. Skip ho-hum motel rooms and opt for historic houses designed by early-20th-century architect…

  • Inn by the Bay

    Monterey

    An easy walk downhill to downtown Monterey, Inn on the Bay is the quiet achiever along the Munras Ave motel strip. Recent renovations have modernized the…

  • Ripplewood Resort

    Big Sur

    North of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Ripplewood has gotten behind fiscal equality by charging the same rates year-round. Throwback Americana cabins…

  • Avila Lighthouse Suites

    Central Coast

    Any closer to the ocean and your bed would actually be sitting on the sand. With families in mind, this apartment-style hotel offers suites and villas…

  • Pleasant Inn Motel

    Central Coast

    Two blocks uphill from the Embarcadero, this spiffy motel has nautical-esque rooms (some with compact kitchens) sporting sailboat photos on the walls,…

  • Sanctuary Beach Resort

    Monterey

    Be lulled to sleep by the surf at this low-lying retreat hidden in the sand dunes north of Monterey. Reached via golf carts, townhouses harbor petite…

  • Babbling Brook Inn

    Santa Cruz

    Built around a running creek amid meandering gardens and old pine and redwood trees, this wood-shingled inn has 13 cozy rooms named after impressionist…

  • Seaside Motel

    Central Coast

    Expect a superwarm welcome from the hands-on owners of this vintage motel, which has a pretty cottage garden with Cape Cod chairs and ocean views. Some of…

  • West Cliff Inn

    Santa Cruz

    In a classy Victorian house west of the wharf, this boutique inn’s quaint rooms mix seagrass wicker, dark wood and jaunty striped curtains. The most…

  • San Luis Creek Lodge

    San Luis Obispo

    Rubbing shoulders with neighboring motels, this boutique inn has fresh, spacious rooms with divine beds (and some have gas fireplaces and jetted tubs)…

  • InterContinental–Clement

    Monterey

    Like an upscale version of a New England millionaire’s seaside mansion, this all-encompassing resort presides over Cannery Row. For the utmost luxury and…

  • Beach Bungalow Inn & Suites

    Central Coast

    This butter-yellow motor court’s chic, contemporary rooms are dressed up with hardwood floors, plush rugs, pillowtop mattresses and down comforters for…

  • Big Sur Campground & Cabins

    Big Sur

    On the Big Sur River and shaded by redwoods, cozy cabins sport full kitchens and fireplaces, while canvas-sided tent cabins share bathroom facilities. The…

  • Hotel Abrego

    Monterey

    At this downtown Monterey boutique hotel, most of the spacious, clean-lined contemporary rooms have gas fireplaces and chaise longues. Work out in the…

  • Hotel Paradox

    Santa Cruz

    This downtown boutique hotel brings the great outdoors inside, with nature prints on the walls, textured wood panels and earth-toned furnishings. Relax in…

  • Casa Munras

    Monterey

    Built around an adobe hacienda once owned by a 19th-century Spanish colonial don, chic modern rooms come with lofty beds and some have gas fireplaces, all…

  • Howard Johnson Inn

    Central Coast

    Sure, it's a part of a chain, but a warm welcome at reception and surprisingly stylish rooms lift this Hojo's ahead of the pack. And it's just a half-mile…