# Driving from Napa to San Diego - where to stay overnight? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 30, 2011, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572 "2011-11-30T17:14:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bike\_Rider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Bike\_Rider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bike_Rider)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/1 "2011-11-30T17:14:07Z")
I will be driving down from Napa to San Diego on Thursday and Friday, following the coastline as much as possible. Does anyone have suggestions on a place to stay overnight along the way? We are into historic areas, architecture, and science/technology, so anyplace that hits on one or more of those items would be great. Anything that is interesting/scenic for other reasons would be cool too. Also, if there are any unusual/quirky places to stay, that would be cool. Ideally it would be reasonably close to halfway. If anyone has suggestions for roadside attractions or places to eat along the way, that would be great also. Thanks for any help you can give ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Violaceous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Miss\_Violaceous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Violaceous)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/2 "2011-11-30T17:25:56Z")
The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo is hilarious if you like that sort of thing. [www.madonnainn.com](http://www.madonnainn.com) Reservations for sure… you can specify the room you want. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/3 "2011-11-30T17:28:21Z")
Unusual/quirky? [How about The Madonna Inn](http://www.madonnainn.com/)? eta: beaten to the punch! If you’d like ocean front lodgings, the [Best Western in San Simeon](http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/US/CA/San-Simeon-hotels/BEST-WESTERN-PLUS-Cavalier-Oceanfront-Resort/Hotel-Overview.do?propertyCode=05173) is pretty nice. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/4 "2011-11-30T17:32:24Z")
Third the Madonna Inn. ---
**Author:** ![Bike\_Rider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Bike\_Rider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bike_Rider)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/5 "2011-11-30T17:48:36Z")
I looked up the Madonna Inn and it looks perfect! Anyone have a recommendation for the most fun/unusual room? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/6 "2011-11-30T18:29:11Z")
I was hoping there would be a Rio room that I could suggest :(. There is a Portugal room at the Inn. If only I could remember what the name of that place was… ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/7 "2011-11-30T18:30:53Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > I was hoping there would be a Rio room that I could suggest :(. There is a Portugal room at the Inn. If only I could remember what the name of that place was… I stayed there once. In 1960. ---
**Author:** ![Bike\_Rider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Bike\_Rider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bike_Rider)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/8 "2011-12-01T18:01:38Z")
Thanks to the input everyone! We are booked in the Madonna Suite for tonight - looks fun! We are on the way (currently in Pacifica). Anyone have tips for roadside attractions along the way? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/9 "2011-12-01T19:59:56Z")
Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur ---
**Author:** ![Stendhal\_Syndrome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@Stendhal\_Syndrome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stendhal_Syndrome)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/10 "2011-12-01T20:12:29Z")
Stop by Fernwood Resort and you can park outside for free and walk down the path and enjoy the redwoods for a while. There is also a stream but the water is going to be cooooold. However, the fresh air is fantastic. Oh and…grab a bite at Nepenthe if possible. > **[Nepenthe](https://www.nepenthe.com/)** > > Nepenthe Restaurant in Big Sur California has world class views. Nepenthe sits 800 feet above the ocean and we also have Cafe Kevah for brunch and The Phoenix Shop where you can find treasures from your Big Sur trip. ---
**Author:** ![PigArcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@PigArcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PigArcher)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/11 "2011-12-01T20:45:13Z")
If you’re really going to stick to highway 1 as much as possible while stopping to check things out it’s going to take you more than 2 days. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/12 "2011-12-01T20:56:18Z")
If you’re interested in butterflies at all, you’ll be passing by a great spot to see thousands of Monarchs just south of SLO: [The Pismo Beach Monarch Grove](http://www.monarchbutterfly.org/) ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/13 "2011-12-01T21:14:08Z")
I stayed in a Wild West Room at the Madonna Inn. Be sure to visit the mens room off the lobby. I second Carmel/ Monterey. The Aquarium and Cannery Row are worth visiting, though Cannery Row is full of tourist stores. Downtown Monterey has a historic plaza, and was the first capital of California. Carmel is definitely worth a visit. You might be interested in the [17 mile drive](http://www.yelp.com/biz/17-mile-drive-scenic-tour-pebble-beach) at Pebble Beach. It costs money, though. As you’ve probably already noticed, there are tons of state parks and beaches on the way. There are some with interesting tidal pools, where you can see seals and otters at times. You can see elephant seals at the Ano Nuevo state park. [Link.](http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523). This is a good time - the elephant seals should be there, but it is not close enough to mating season to require a guided tour to see them. ---
**Author:** ![Wednesday\_Evening](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Wednesday\_Evening](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wednesday_Evening)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/14 "2011-12-02T23:55:30Z")
Hope you enjoyed the Madonna Inn, **Bike Rider**! I live in San Luis Obispo so I’ve been to the Madonna Inn to eat, but have never had the opportunity to stay in one of their rooms. How was it? ---
**Author:** ![Bike\_Rider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Bike\_Rider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bike_Rider)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-from-napa-to-san-diego-where-to-stay-overnight/604572/15 "2011-12-04T18:05:26Z")
The Madonna Inn was excellent! Way over the top on the cheesiness scale, but couldn’t stop smiling. The waterfalls in the shower and bathroom sink were great. Loved it! Thanks for the tips everyone!