Looing for a Cheap Coastal Location

I live near San Francisco. My wife and I (wiht our two small children - 2.5 yrs. and 7 mos.) are looking fo find an affordable way to drive up or down the coast and spend a few days vacationing. We would love some advice for some fun activities and cheap places to stay.

Can anyone recommend anything? The cheaper = the better.

Looing for a Cheap Coastal Location

Hi. The Monterey Peninsula is a beautiful place to visit, but nothing is really cheap here. My advice is to go to the Monterey hotels page on this site and where it lets you specify price, click on %26lt;100. This will show you hotels under $100 a night, along with reviews by people who have stayed there. The aquarium is a great place for kids, but that, too, is pretty pricey. There are a lot of outdoor things to do that won%26#39;t cost too much: Point Lobos State Reserve; renting a paddleboat on Lake El Estero; a picnic on Carmel Beach. There is also a small children%26#39;s museum here called the MY Museum (they have a website).

Looing for a Cheap Coastal Location

Yes--the Monterey Peninsula could be a great choice for you! Here%26#39;s a list of a couple dozen free things to do in and around Monterey: www.sandpiper-inn.com/freethingstodoMC.htm Re: places to stay, you should be able to get a comfortable room at the El Adobe Inn (www.el-adobe-inn.com) at 936 Munras Ave. for under $80/nite. For a bit more, try the Comfort Inn at 1262 Munras. If you can be flexible about the days you stay, that will really help keep the rates down. Also, be sure to search the Monterey Forum for other recommendations, as well as www.montereyinfo.org

Hi there fremontfamilyof4 and welcome to the Tripadvisor Forums! I would check out the Best Western Monterey Beach Resort. It is located directly on the beach, just a short five minute drive to downtown Monterey. The pool, jacuzzi, restaurant, oceanview lobby are all very nice. You could get a Garden View Room for a good price mid-week. When are you planning on visiting? Monterey also has the aquarium, the Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf and the Carousel at Cannery Row that your kids would love at their ages. Have fun! :)

When are you going? What do you want to do? At that age my kids were happy just playing on the beach. I would consider the Avila Beach-Shell Beach-Pismo Beach area. It%26#39;s probably cheaper then Monterrey and they get some of their best weather in November %26amp; December.

If you can avoid Fri and Sat nights the rates will be a little better. Marina Beach Motel in Santa Barbara has some decent rates, also check Mason Beach Inn. At roomsaver.com you can find some ';last minute coupons';, and if you%26#39;re hitting weeknights in Sept or Oct you should find quite a bit of availability down the coast.

Just be sure to check out the trip advisor reviews of the places that you find coupons/deals for.

I think this place looks so neat, I would definately stay there if I didn%26#39;t live here. I%26#39;ve stayed in the castle hostels in Germany -- very family friendly (If you can get a private room)...

http://www.norcalhostels.org/montara/