We just got back from Santa Barbara and it is our second trip in two years. We love the area. We did the drive you are doing last year.

We can recommend the J. Patrick House in Cambria for a great place to stay just below San Simeon. (And if you have never been to Hearst Castle, you need to go!) The J. Patrick House is a wonderful B&B. Great food, comfortable beds and a beautiful setting.

Further down the coast try to do lunch in San Luis Obispo at the Art Cafe. It is an easy on-off highway 101. This is the place that Oprah rescued when she tried the chicken salad sandwich. Stop and try it. It is outstanding.

If you wind up staying nearby you'll find a great ocean side hotel in Pismo Beach called The Cottage Inn. And there is a super little diner in a railroad car in nearby Oceano. You'll love their cinammon rolls, especially if you share them with the waitresses.

Then in Santa Barbara we stayed at the Bath Street Inn, a nice B&B that is walking distance (if you like to walk) from State Street. And we loved the Italian food at Ca'Dario a wonderful Italian place.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Jim in Redmond, WA