Santa Cruz
Colorful decor and bright artwork feature at this recently renovated motel that is the closest accommodations to the attractions of the Santa Cruz…
Must-see hotels in Central Coast
Carmel-by-the-Sea
The luxurious Lodge at Pebble Beach includes a spa and designer shops where the most demanding of tastes are catered to. Even if you’re not a trust-fund…
Santa Cruz
This downtown courtyard B&B is an eco-conscious gem, with water-saving fixtures and renewable and recycled building materials. Refreshingly elemental…
Central Coast
Toast the sunset on your balcony while listening to the lull of the surf, then retire for deep sleep on pillowtop mattresses in spacious rooms perked up…
Central Coast
This sand-colored inn may not impress at first glance, but behind the ho-hum exterior are 20 supremely comfortable rooms with fireplaces, pillowtop…
Central Coast
An intimate B&B pulls off no-fuss luxury with four suites decorated with art and antiques, and perhaps a fireplace, a deep soaking tub, a canopy king…
Pismo State Beach – North Beach Campground
Central Coast
About a mile south of downtown Pismo Beach, near the Monarch Butterfly Grove, this popular campground is shaded by eucalyptus trees and has more than 170…
California State Park Campgrounds
Santa Cruz
Book well ahead to camp at state beaches off Hwy 1 south of Santa Cruz or up in the foggy Santa Cruz Mountains off Hwy 9. Family-friendly campgrounds…
Central Coast
At this small motor lodge near the golf course and the beach, attentive staff hand out keys to crisply redesigned rooms that have hardwood floors, king…
San Luis Obispo
This French-themed, ‘bed et breakfast’ is a mostly charming retrofit of a courtyard motel. Each room is tastefully decorated with Provençal flair, and…
Central Coast
Although rates are high for these revamped motel-style accommodations, the oceanfront setting makes up for a lot, as do gas fireplaces in deluxe rooms…
Central Coast
Moonstone Beach Dr hotels are nearly identical, but this one stands out with its pool and hot tub. Faux English Tudor–style cottages harboring quietly…
Carmel-by-the-Sea
If woolly sheep grazing on green fields by the beach doesn't convince you to stay here, maybe knowing that Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood restored this…
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Retreat from downtown Carmel’s hustle to fireside nooks tailor-made for reading. The cheapest rooms with slanted ceilings are short on cat-swinging space…
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Done up in Spanish Colonial style, this 1929 inn is co-owned by movie star Doris Day. Airy terracotta hallways with colorful tiles give it a Mediterranean…
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground
Big Sur
These 169 campsites without hookups nestle in a redwood-shaded valley and are good for novice campers and families with young kids. Facilities include…
Santa Cruz
Good value and welcoming accommodations just a short walk uphill from the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Try and stay on a weekday as prices surge on…
Central Coast
Many of these Eastern Seaboard–styled rooms are mere steps from the sand. The top-floor ocean-view patio is perfect for cracking open a bottle of wine at…
Big Sur
Some 34 exposed campsites with drinking water and firepits (no hookups) cluster close together on a bluff with envy-inducing ocean views. Vault toilets.
Big Sur
Nearly 40 spacious, shady campsites with drinking water and vault toilets encircle a forested meadow near Sand Dollar Beach in southern Big Sur.
Central Coast
Fresh-baked cookies, muffins for breakfast, mini golf and a fitness room keep families happy at this motel just off Hwy 101.
Central Coast
If chain motels don’t do it for you, this sprawling, family-owned cheapie has cozy rooms that are nevertheless spacious.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Centrally-located, this well-maintained inn is a relaxing spot for an overnight stay in Carmel Valley.
Big Sur
Nestled among redwoods and wisteria, this creekside conglomeration of rustic, thin-walled rooms and cottages was built by Norwegian immigrant Helmuth…
Hearst San Simeon State Park Campground
Central Coast
About 2 miles north of Cambria, this blufftop state park encompasses two campgrounds: San Simeon Creek just steps from the beach and the undeveloped…
California State Park Campgrounds
Central Coast
In Morro Bay State Park, over 240 campsites are fringed by eucalyptus and cypress trees; amenities include coin-op hot showers and an RV dump station.
Andrew Molera State Park Campground
Big Sur
Two-dozen primitive tent sites (no reservations) in a shaded, grassy meadow near the Big Sur River come with firepits and drinking water, but no ocean…
Santa Cruz
With a grassy lawn at the cliff’s edge, this spiffy, if seriously overpriced motel overlooks Main Beach and the wharf. Fall asleep to braying sea lions!…
Monterey
In downtown Monterey, this dated two-story motel prides itself on cleanliness and friendliness. There’s no pool and zero view, but staff loan out DVDs,…
Veterans Memorial Park Campground
Monterey
Tucked into the forest, this municipal campground has 40 grassy, non-reservable sites near a nature preserve's hiking trails. Amenities include coin-op…
San Luis Obispo
The folksy, nothing-fancy motel rooms here are inviting, especially those right by the creek or with rocking chairs on wooden porches overlooking grassy…
Central Coast
At this remarkably dog-friendly motel, even the doors have special peepholes for canine companions. Big rooms look bland, but grassy picnic areas and…
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Campground
Big Sur
Two small walk-in campsites sit up on a semi-shaded ocean bluff, with fire pits and vault toilets but no water. All campers must check in first at…
Central Coast
Revamped rooms have stylish accents, from geometric patterned bedspreads to vanity mirrors. The breakfast buffet is complimentary but it is only basic…
Morro Bay State Park Campground
Central Coast
In Morro Bay State Park, more than 240 campsites with firepits, picnic tables and food lockers are fringed by eucalyptus and cypress trees; amenities…
Santa Cruz
Perfectly serviceable two-story motel with a garden courtyard, hot tub and complimentary continental breakfast. It's on busy Hwy 1 near the UCSC campus,…
Pinnacles National Park Campground
Central Coast
On the park’s east side, this popular family-oriented campground has over 130 sites (some with shade), drinking water, coin-op hot showers, fire pits and…
Central Coast
A stone’s throw from Moonstone Beach, this ocean-view motel offers pampering amenities for pooches, including a welcome doggie basket. Rates include a…
Central Coast
Two blocks uphill from the beach, this renovated motel with a small outdoor heated pool lets you sleep peacefully atop deluxe mattresses. Suites have…
Montaña de Oro State Park Campground
Montaña de Oro State Park
Tucked into a small canyon, this minimally developed campground has pleasantly cool drive-up and environmental walk-in sites. Limited amenities include…
