I just signed up for the Big Sur marathon next April. Can you recommend a good hotel close to places to see/eat? What should I see or go visit while I am there?
How much $$$ do you have? I have eaten at Ventana’s restaurant, and have heard wonderful things about the Post Ranch, but both are pricey as hell to stay at. A drink at Nepenthe isn’t bad—the view is breathtaking, but I’d avoid the food. (Unless things have changed in the last fifteen years—it’s certainly possible.) Ditto for Rocky Point Restaurant. Maybe stay and take a class or two (or just soak in the hot tubs) at Esalen?
There are cheaper cabins in Big Sur proper, but I thought most competitors stayed in the Monterey-Carmel-Salinas area? There really isn’t much in Big Sur and environs, other than God’s-own fantastic scenery.
As far as things to see and do, I’ve mentioned the Monterey Bay Aquarium in the past. If you like golf, the Pebble Beach Resorts can’t be beat. (Though the Pacific Grove Golf Links is 70% of the fun for 15% of the price.) If you want to play golf there, you’ll want to stay there. (Bring a pallet of cash.) Carmel and Monterey are filled with good to very good restaurants. The Carmel Valley is a lot of fun to go wine-tasting in, with still more golf. So’s the Salinas Valley, sans golf. If you want to go south on Highway 1 from your race, Hearst Castle looks like a fun tour.
Sounds like fun. Enjoy your race, and don’t try to P.R.
Edit: We stayed at the Bay Park Hotela few years ago when visiting Monterey. It was competent, but I’ve no doubt you can do better for your money.
There are campgrounds, too - Pfeiffer State Park; a lot cheaper vs Ventana and Post Ranch, which are world class luxury resorts.
There are plenty of inexpensive hotels and motels along the 30-min stretch of Hwy 1 between Carmel and Big Sur. But a meal at those high end places would be very fun, too 
I assume you’re aware of how you’ll get to the start line? Just want to make sure since I and a friend once who signed up for it and didn’t know any of that until he got there and was quite put out at having to catch a bus at 3am. Since you must take one of the official buses to the start line, camping or staying in Big Sur itself is not a good idea.
I’d suggest staying downtown in Monterey near the Expo since that is where catching the bus to the start line will be easiest. There’re plenty of options (generally, don’t know what’s sold out due to the marathon) at all kinds of price points. How long are you staying and how much are you willing to spend?
And congratulations and hope you enjoy it. I very intentionally avoid races that include phrases like “two mile ascent” or “4.5% grade”. But it is a beautiful course (I stick to the misnamed Big Sur Half Marathon, which is nice and flat).