Expert: Steve Summers - 1/18/2008

Question
QUESTION: We are flying in from New York and arriving in Santa Barbara on September 1.  I would like to take a trip to Big Sur/Carmel.  We are staying at the Inn of the Spanish Garden in SB.  Can you suggest a hotel in Carmel where we can stay overnight before heading back to Santa Barbara.  Thanks.

ANSWER: If you are in Carmel, the Tickle Pink Inn or the Dolphin Inn are both excellent places to stay. If you want to stay closer to the Aquarium in Monterey, I recommend the Spindrift Inn on Cannery Row. However, be sure to get an ocean-side room, as the street-side rooms can be a little noisy. When on the Peninsula, we love to visit the aquarium, have dinner at the little Sea Harvest (market and restaurant) on Foam, then walk to our hotel to retire to the sound of waves lapping against the shore.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your answer.  I have chosen the Inn at the Spanish Gardens in Santa Barbara - very expensive. But the others just are as nice.  Any suggestions?  Thank you.

Answer
There are two very nice places in SB that I recommend. One is the IATSG, and the other is Fess Parker's (you know- Davy Crockett) Double Tree Resort. Fess's place is a little larger, and right across the street from the beach. The Inn is closer to the center of State Street, where you'll find all the shops and restaurants. So, you have to decide whether you want to be closer to the beach or the shops and restaurants. For me personally, I'd go with the beach.

As an alternative, you should also check out Prufrock's Garden Inn in Carpinteria, a quiet little beach town about 10 miles away. If you check out my other posts, you'll see I really like Carpinteria, and we go there a lot. My wife and I spent our honeymoon at Prufrock's, and ate our first meal together (outside the wedding, of course) across the street at a place that used to be called the Fish Barrel (which also made great Thai food), but is now called Siam Elephant (and happens to have great fish & chips).

Have fun!