Anonymous
05/22/2026 13:40
Subject: Re:Big Sur recommendations
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’d second Carmel. Lots of cute boutique hotels and a short drive from Monterey plus close to Big Sur. You also have 7 mile drive.
Having just returned from Carmel on Tuesday, let me warn you. It is an overrun sh*thole filled with obnoxious Indian programmers. It is 100% different than it was even a decade ago.
I'd go down to Cayucas where the soul of Big Sur is still alive and well.
What???
What part do you not understand? SF is full of programmers from India making 7 figures.
Anonymous
05/22/2026 13:18
Subject: Big Sur recommendations
Anonymous wrote:Big Sur, for an overnight, was not for me. No or limited phone service, expensive lodging, and generally unfriendly customer service. There’s definitely an anti-tourist undertone to the town, even in the “hospitality” industry. But it’s a beautiful spot, and would make a great day trip from a home base in Carmel. Nepenthe doesn’t get a lot of love on this forum, but my travel companions and I really enjoyed it for lunch.
This is funny to me because I would describe Nepenthe as a beautiful spot with unfriendly service.
Mostly I go to Big Sur for the scenery not the service though.
Anonymous
05/22/2026 11:00
Subject: Re:Big Sur recommendations
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’d second Carmel. Lots of cute boutique hotels and a short drive from Monterey plus close to Big Sur. You also have 7 mile drive.
Having just returned from Carmel on Tuesday, let me warn you. It is an overrun sh*thole filled with obnoxious Indian programmers. It is 100% different than it was even a decade ago.
I'd go down to Cayucas where the soul of Big Sur is still alive and well.
What???
Anonymous
05/22/2026 10:05
Subject: Re:Big Sur recommendations
Anonymous wrote:I’d second Carmel. Lots of cute boutique hotels and a short drive from Monterey plus close to Big Sur. You also have 7 mile drive.
Having just returned from Carmel on Tuesday, let me warn you. It is an overrun sh*thole filled with obnoxious Indian programmers. It is 100% different than it was even a decade ago.
I'd go down to Cayucas where the soul of Big Sur is still alive and well.
Anonymous
05/21/2026 19:34
Subject: Big Sur recommendations
Big Sur, for an overnight, was not for me. No or limited phone service, expensive lodging, and generally unfriendly customer service. There’s definitely an anti-tourist undertone to the town, even in the “hospitality” industry. But it’s a beautiful spot, and would make a great day trip from a home base in Carmel. Nepenthe doesn’t get a lot of love on this forum, but my travel companions and I really enjoyed it for lunch.
Anonymous
05/21/2026 18:20
Subject: Big Sur recommendations
I just saw a recommendation for Treebones somewhere— more like glamping with yurts but I think they have restaurants (and it was like $400/night)
Anonymous
05/21/2026 17:08
Subject: Big Sur recommendations
Inn at Spanish Bay along 17 Mile Drive in Carmel. Get an ocean view room. So beautiful there. I love happy hour at Roy’s outside with the bag piper.
Anonymous
05/21/2026 15:00
Subject: Re:Big Sur recommendations
I’d second Carmel. Lots of cute boutique hotels and a short drive from Monterey plus close to Big Sur. You also have 7 mile drive.
Anonymous
05/21/2026 14:50
Subject: Big Sur recommendations
Thanks all. OP here. I’m familiar with the Post Ranch Inn and Alila Ventana, and neither have availability unfortunately.
Anonymous
05/21/2026 14:42
Subject: Big Sur recommendations
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Ventana or Post Ranch if you have no budget.
Post Ranch > Ventana, if you have the budget.
Alila Ventana Big Sur has become a Hyatt points factory (so if you have the points, stay there - although you should've booked before the big Hyatt devaluation today!)
Thanks, this is good context.
Anonymous
05/20/2026 22:22
Subject: Big Sur recommendations
Anonymous wrote:Ventana or Post Ranch if you have no budget.
Post Ranch > Ventana, if you have the budget.
Alila Ventana Big Sur has become a Hyatt points factory (so if you have the points, stay there - although you should've booked before the big Hyatt devaluation today!)
Anonymous
05/20/2026 14:49
Subject: Big Sur recommendations
You are going to get the best of Big Sur (the ocean, cliffs, views, peace) at Esalen. If you want something different, stop in Carmel before flying out. It's really cute and posh beach town.
Anonymous
05/20/2026 14:38
Subject: Big Sur recommendations
Anonymous
05/20/2026 14:33
Subject: Big Sur recommendations
Ventana or Post Ranch if you have no budget.
Anonymous
05/20/2026 14:02
Subject: Big Sur recommendations
Traveling for a workshop at the Esalen Institute in June and have two nights free before we fly back to DC from Monterey. Have stayed in Monterey before, fwiw. Could again, but looking for other recommendations? No major budgeting constraints.