Where To Stay On California’s Highway 1

The United States has many scenic destinations to entice travelers, and California is one of the most popular. And why not? California has it all; beaches, mountains, wildlife, culture, and world-renowned food and wine scene. 

In January, I packed the car and headed north to discover California’s Central Coast and drive iconic Highway 1 from Los Angeles to Monterey County, staying in Cambria, Big Sur, and Carmel. If driving the serpentine highway hugging the mountains on one side and plunging to the sea on the other doesn’t leave you breathless, the scenery will.

The perfect soundtrack for this road trip would include California Dreamin’ by the Mamas and the Papas, and Wilco’s California Stars. The landscape varies from rugged and wild,  to rolling hills and verdant fields, redwood forests, and the jigsaw coastline of Big Sur, where it is common to see whales and sea otters offshore. 

No matter what time of year you go, you’will need  a place to lay your head.  I’ve compiled a list of lodging options from Cambria to Carmel based on desirability, cost, and personal experience. You’ll find a wide variety of accommodations to suit all budgets. Let me know if you have a great place to add to this list.

Where to stay in Cambria

Cambria is the most northern beach town in San Luis Obispo County. I stopped here to spend one night before resuming my drive to Monterey Bay. Pacifica Hotels offers several lodging options to choose from along Cambria’s Moonstone Beach, voted one of America’s Top 10 Beaches by USA Today readers. Moonstone Beach gets its name from the clear-colored stones that shine like the moon. Walk the mile–long boardwalk or comb the beach for sea glass and multi-colored stones.

Pelican Inn And Suites

Pelican Inn And Suites is a lovely boutique-style inn just steps away from the beach. Luxury amenities include jacuzzi tubs, plush robes, upscale bath products, gourmet coffee, luxury linens,  a spa, and a workout room. Some rooms and suites feature private terraces and fireplaces as well.

My room was large, stylish, and comfortable, with a king-size bed, luxurious sheets, and a fireplace. I also had a jacuzzi tub along with a separate shower and an additional sink and vanity – perfect if you’re sharing the room.

Complimentary breakfast is served every morning from 7:00 am to 10:00 am and includes fresh coffee, hot tea, and an assortment of cereals, bread, waffles, eggs, and juices. In the evening a wine and cheese happy hour features Central Coast wines from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Rooms start at $199 per night.

Pelican Inn and Suites is a great base for visiting other area attractions like Hearst Castle, and the Elephant Seal Rookery. Paso Robles wine country is just a thirty-minute drive inland.  You can book your room here or on Tripadvisor

Where to stay in Big Sur

 About 60 miles North of Cambria, you’ll come to the coastal area known as Big Sur – this is the ultimate Highway 1 experience. Travelers who want to immerse themselves in the great outdoors come from all over the world to experience the magic that is Big Sur. There’s a great variety of accommodations from camping to luxury spa resorts. The peak season is April to October. I’ve not listed any campgrounds here but please feel free to share your experiences in the comments or via my contact page.

Big Sur River Inn

The Big Sur River Inn is better known as “the place with the chairs in the river,” a tradition that was established when guests began to move the big Adirondack-style chairs into the river where they would sit with their feet in the cool soothing water under the shade of tall redwood trees.
The chairs have become a trademark of the River Inn, one of the oldest lodgings in the area. Established in 1934, it was originally named the Apple Pie Inn. Yes, apple pie is still on the menu today.

In 1943 it became the River Inn and remains one of the most preferred accommodations in the central part of Big Sur for quiet respites (there are no phones or televisions in the rooms), family vacations, and even intimate wedding celebrations.

The Big Sur River Inn features a full-service restaurant, a general store, an outdoor pool, and several state parks located nearby. It’s the ideal destination for travelers who prefer to be conveniently located near numerous points of interest. It’s also one of the few places where you can fill your tank up with gas and has been so since it opened. In fact, in 1934 when the Inn was first established, Highway 1 between Cambria and Big Sur didn’t exist.

There are twenty casual but comfortable guest rooms and rates here start at $200 per night. Wi-fi is available however I found it worked best outside the rooms. Compare rates on Tripadvisor and Expedia.com 

The rooms facing the river are big enough for up to four people. You enter a small sitting room with a trundle bed and table that can serve for dining or a desk. The bedroom has a king-size bed and a color scheme that took me back to the 70s. However, the website looks like there may have been an updates since I was there.

Ventana Inn and Spa Big Sur 

Ventana Inn is a luxury resort and was included in Conde Nast Traveler’s list of Top 100 Best Resorts in the Continental U.S. in 2014. The resort offers five-star accommodations and a wide variety of services that range from complimentary yoga or Pilates classes to intimate and luxurious Japanese hot baths.

These services set Ventana apart from other resorts in Big Sur. Thanks to its refined, romantic, and iconic appeal, this hotel is well-appreciated by both local and foreign tourists. The room rates at Ventana Inn and Spa start at around $2000 per night depending on the season and room type, which range from guest rooms to private cottages.

Be sure to dine at the Restaurant at Ventana where the food, atmosphere, and service is equally impeccable. Many of the employees have been there for over twenty-five years and take great pride in providing an unparalleled level of service to all diners and guests.

Lucia Lodge – updated

Lucia Lodge is one of the most famous places to stay in Big Sur. It was constructed by one of the first families that settled in the region, and it is currently being maintained by the fifth generation.

Lucia Lodge gets its name from the mountains that surround the vicinity. Perched on the edge of these mountain cliffs, guests enjoy unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean. It’s the place for travelers who want a quiet tranquil retreat where they can merge with nature, but don’t want to camp. A room here is a front-row seat to a sky filled with shooting stars and the Pacific Ocean.

But, since the pandemic, there have been several landslides making the property almost inaccessible. There was a fire in 2021 that burned the office and the little shop that was there.  Reviews are not looking good. It is very remote and there’s no cell phone service. Maybe not the best choice unless you love feeling isolated.

Where to stay in Carmel

Quail Lodge Golf Club and Resort

If a great golf course is a must,  you’ll want to stay in Carmel Valley at the lovely Quail Lodge Golf Club and Resort. There are 75 guestrooms and 18 suites right on the golf course and decorated in a California hacienda-style -suites have private patios and face a lovely pond and water fountain.

Standard features with each room include complimentary wifi, luxury bathroom amenities, guest parking, a gourmet coffeemaker, and bottled water. Breakfast for two is served each morning and features a good selection of gluten-free and dairy-free options along with plenty of fresh fruit. The room is huge and well-appointed – I warmed my toes by the fireplace one chilly night. Another fun feature was a remote-controlled skylight; I was able to gaze upon a full moon over my bed one evening. Guestroom rates start at $500 per night for suites. I think the suite is a deal.  You can book through the hotel website or try Expedia website or Booking.com

Quail Lodge Golf Course features an 18-hole course originally designed by golf architect, Robert Muir Graves. The course has been recently updated with an eco-friendly design. I’m not a golfer but I still enjoyed the environment and you don’t need to be a golfer to stay at Quail Lodge. I can only imagine that if you do play golf, this is a great place to play. 

Holman Ranch

Holman Ranch feels like a world of its own, nestled high in the hills of Carmel Valley. The original stone hacienda-style property has ten guest rooms all built with Mexican terracotta tile, local stone mined in Carmel Valley, and exposed dark wood beams. A unique historic property, built in 1928, Holman Ranch has always been a guest resort, a place of serenity and luxury on a 400-acre ranch. This is the place for the person who wants something special and elegant but also comfortable and casual.

Holman Ranch is equipped to host weddings (there’s a small chapel on the property), corporate retreats, and other large-scale events. Activities include horseback riding, swimming, vineyard tours, and wine tasting. All wines are estate-grown and bottled at Holman Ranch.

Will’s Fargo Dining House & Saloon

Holman Ranch also has a great restaurant on Carmel Valley Rd. called Will’s Fargo. The ambiance is old west and the atmosphere is very fun. While the decor is Western the food is modern, which might have something to do with having a French chef in the kitchen. I tried the quail with pomegranate sauce, grilled artichoke, and some kind of crazy chocolate dessert that was truly decadent. Each course was paired with one of the Holman Ranch Estate grown wines.

Carmel-By-The-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a large variety of accommodations. No matter where you stay you really can’t go wrong; the whole town is only a mile wide so you can easily walk it. There’s great shopping, wine tasting, dining, and of course, there’s the beach. Carmel is also known as a pet-friendly town and you will see plenty of furry friends everywhere you go. If you like traveling with your pet(s), you’ll love Carmel.

Hofsas House

Hofsas House is a family-owned hotel that has been operating in Carmel for sixty years. The current owner, Carrie Theis, inherited the hotel from her grandmother and it’s clear that her roots are deeply planted in Carmel. She knows her way around and clearly, enjoys her role as a lady of the house…you can ask her anything about Carmel.

Carrie’s grandmother once lived here and many of the rooms are furnished with her original furniture. There are 38 rooms of various sizes, each decorated differently – no frills, but comfortable. Continental breakfast is available each morning and wi-fi is also complimentary.

My room came with a small kitchen and a wood-burning fireplace. The best part though was the gorgeous sunset view from my balcony every evening. Paradise is affordable sometimes. If you are looking to splurge on food, wine, art, and shopping in Carmel, but save on accommodations, try Hofsas House. You can check rates for Hofsas House on Booking.com

Cypress Inn

If it’s luxury you are seeking, check out The Cypress Inn, a  luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The old-world charm of the hotel can be observed even from the exterior. Stepping into the hotel lobby, I received a warm reception and was offered a chance to tour the hotel.

With 44 elegant rooms and suites decorated in Mediterranean style, Cypress Inn is part of an elite collection of Carmel Boutique Inns. It is perhaps best known as the hotel owned by Doris Day and was the first pet-friendly hotel in Carmel.

The Cypress Inn also offers eco-friendly amenities like reverse-osmosis filtered water (allowing guests to fill their own water bottles) and eco-friendly soaps, shampoos, and conditioners. The hotel has a strong tradition of providing an environmentally safe and welcoming environment for guests.

Have you stayed at any of these places? If you are planning a trip to California’s Central Coast don’t miss my article the Ultimate California Road Trip: Tips For Driving Highway 1. If you find this article useful please share!