Hotels California

"Welcome to the Hotel California, such a lovely place." -- Eagles

During my trip through California, I stayed in eight different hotels. I found all of them online in searches for certain towns. I selected them based on several criteria: safe area (in respect to San Francisco), proximity to beaches, cost, and reviews by others. I kept thorough notes on all of the hotels with the intent of sharing with you. In case any of you decide to drive the PCH (I highly recommend it!) or are just planning on staying in one of these cities or towns, this information might be helpful. Most of the pictures are from online and are just to give you an idea of the size/type of each hotel. I didn't take pictures of any of the places I stayed except for Madonna Inn. 

I am listing the hotels in the order of my visits, which means that they will start at San Francisco and head south, ending at Oceanside. Due to an error in my original planning, two of the hotels are very close together (10 minutes). This ended up being not so bad because they were both on very different beaches, and I went back and forth between the beaches depending on the time of day. 

I would probably stay at any of these hotels again, except for the ones in Santa Cruz and Oceanside; I wasn't crazy about either of those. I might not stay in Pacific Grove again, but not because of the hotel; I would just rather stay in Carmel, which is very nearby. 

Ok, enough intro... I'll get the list going!

San Francisco -- Wyndam Canterbury ($225/night)

• Very large room, actually a bedroom, living room, kitchen/dinette, bathroom
• This room only sleeps two, but would be good for hosting guests
• Very friendly staff
• Gave me a large bag of flavored popcorn when I checked in
• Always fresh water with lemon in lobby
• No breakfast
• Very quiet room
• In a safe downtown area
• Good restaurant nearby
• Short walk from cablecar stop

Santa Cruz -- Riverside Inn and Suites ($125/night)

                       

• Name is very misleading, obviously
• Great location, short walk to shopping main street shopping area and short walk in opposite direction to beach and amusement park
• Comfortable bed
• VERY small room
• Loud street noise from outside (no air, so window was open)
• No breakfast

Pacific Grove -- Sea Breeze Inn ($170/night)

• Good sized room
• Good location -- a short walk to beach in two different directions
• Friendly staff
• Quiet
• No air, opened windows
• Someone's back yard right behind my room
• Breakfast included

San Simeon -- Sands by the Sea ($189/night)

• Perfect location right on the beach
• Outdoor area very nice with beach chairs, lawn games
• Breakfast voucher to be used at nearby restaurant
• King bed
• Large room
• No air, opened window
• Friendly staff

Cambria -- Castle Inn ($212/night)

• Good location right across street from beach
• Pool with large beach towels for use
• Friendly staff
• Breakfast included
• Yummy cookies in room
• Average sized room
• No air, opened window
• Overpriced when compared with San Simeon room above 

San Luis Obispo -- Madonna Inn ($253/night)

• Amazing hotel!
• Lots of amenities
• Restaurant/cafe
• Pool/hot-tub
• Gardens
• Free postcard picturing each room
• Each room is unique
• Friendly staff
• Large room

Solvang -- King Frederik Inn ($129/night)

• Very friendly staff, desk clerk remembered my name the day after I checked in
• Good location right in center of town
• Great price
• Delicious breakfast included (brought in from local bakery)
• Pool/hot tub
• Loud people in room next door

Oceanside -- Rodeway Inn ($120/night)

• Not such a friendly staff
• Breakfast included, but I didn't have it
• Not that safe of an area, homeless man in a secluded area near hotel
• Location just okay, long walk from beach, one restaurant nearby
• Large room

This is the end of my hotel saga. I hope that this will assist some of you as you plan your trips to California. The one I most recommend is Madonna Inn, of course. Because I loved Solvang so much, King Frederik Inn is probably my second place recommendation. 

PCH -- Day 1 -- Santa Cruz

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." -- St. Augustine

Today I picked up my rental car and began my journey south down the Pacific Coast Highway. I was slightly apprehensive initially because I had to get from the San Francisco Airport to Highway 1 via a California freeway. (Ahhhhh!) My prayers though, along with those of some faithful warriors got me through the anticipated rough spot with great ease. I was on the PCH in no time and was immediately in awe.

My first glimpse of the Pacific was just that, a glimpse, but I didn't have to drive far before there was a place to pull off at Half Moon Bay. I got some great pictures. I continued south, pulling off every time I saw something I wanted to get a picture of. There are several state beaches with safe parking lots, bathrooms, and trails to the beach. The fee is $10 for the day and is on an honor basis. Since I just pulled in for a few pictures, I paid at the first beach but not afterwards. I hope that was ethical; I didn't feel like I cheated them. Enjoy these beach pictures.

I chose to spend my first night on the road in Santa Cruz. I made this decision for two reasons: the boardwalk with an amusement park and the wharf with sea lions. I was not disappointed with either and was also surprised by the downtown area of Santa Cruz. The central downtown area is about a mile off the beach which helps with keeping congestion down. It is two main parallel streets with boutiques, gift shops, restaurants, and book stores including Bookshop Santa Cruz. I ate at Betty's Eat Inn downtown and had a hamburger and french fries. The hamburger was pretty good, the fries not so much. While downtown, I learned that Santa Cruz was directly affected by the 1989 earthquake when 40 buildings were damaged, killing six people. There are plaques downtown commemorating the lives lost and the rebuild.

The amusement park on the boardwalk was awesome. I compare it to Coney Island. There were a few of the same rides even. Santa Cruz has more rides and midway games, arcades, mini golf, and laser tag. Like Coney Island, there is the option of purchasing a bracelet for unlimited rides. Yes, I bought it. I rode my favorite swing ride four times. Unlike Coney Island, there is a sky glider. I rode it four times too. I also rode several others and totally got my $40 worth.

I walked out to the end of the half-mile long wharf to eat at Dolphin Restaurant. It was probably the best deal of any place I've eaten yet. I got the meal below for $24, tip included. The salmon was delicious. While eating I got to watch the fog roll in over the water, listen to the gulls and sea lions, and smell the salty beach air. So enjoyable. After dinner I visited with the many sea lions who hang around on the underside of the wharf. I highly recommend the entire wharf experience!

So ends another spectacular day. I get a little tired of just my own company sometimes, but a Facetime call to Kathryn and Saber tonight and some special encouraging texts from friends help with any loneliness which might pop up. This trip is exposing me to so many sights and experiences, and I am so grateful for this opportunity. Stay tuned for more adventures of the travel junkie teacher!