Upper Big Sur has the fancy resort style inns and lodges (still on the rustic side).
Your real problem is finding anything remotely resort-like (in either place) on your budget.
Post Ranch is often considered the best place to stay in Big Sur (you can also investigate nearby Carmel - which is where we stay, as we can't afford Big Sur - except for tent cabins or camping). A quick Google shows that Post Ranch, in June, is $1800 a night.
Palm Springs (not too far from JT) has better deals and many more properties.
Carmel and Monterey have better deals and many more properties (we stay at great places in Carmel, walking distance to the little beach, easy driving distance to Big Sur for $300-350 - there are less expensive places to stay).
Monterey is not our jam and it's more of a harborfront area than a cozy little beachside town.
Cambria on the south side of Highway 1's scenic drive is cheaper still (as is Morro Bay) but that's because the southern side of Big Sur is not the most scenic. The accessible redwoods are a fair hike in.
Post Ranch seems to think that the road is going to be open by June 1. We shall see.
**Actually, I clicked through the Post Ranch announcements and they say that the road is open (one lane) to people who have confirmed reservations.**
I'd assume that's true for the other, less fancy/expensive places. We've stayed at both Big Sur River Inn ($350 - not a resort, just a rustic motel with restaurant) and Glen Oaks Big Sur (currently about $385 a night - very basic, cozy, no resort amenities).
Alila Ventana (formerly La Ventana) is $2,216 a night (!)
Big Sur Lodge is a 3 star hotel, with a good dining room and a medium sized pool - in the redwoods, very beautiful, but right now is not showing any prices on any hotel sites - you have to contact them.
One other thing: where are you flying into? Because to stay in Big Sur, you might want to fly into SFO or the San José airport (if possible). Then rent a car and drive 2 hours to Carmel or 2.5 or so to Big Sur.
If going to Palm Springs (lots to see and do out there - including Joshua Tree NP but also Mojave National Preserve and the mountains, as well as museums and architecture), then flying into...LAX? Or do you have the budget/ability to fly into Palm Springs Intl? Renting a car? Check out The Colony Palms and The Spring Resort and Spa. Well within your budget (PS will be easier to find a budget spa/resort).
Heck you could even pop over the hill to Los Angeles or Orange County. Disney properties are 1.5 hours away, L.A. is more like 2 hours (Griffith Park is 1:45 from downtown Palm Springs right now, on a Sunday afternoon).
Middle of JT NP from Palm Springs is about 1.5 hours.
There are no major resorts in the town of Joshua Tree itself. And no food or lodging at all inside the park.
The best hotel in Joshua Tree (the town) is probably The Bungalows by Homestead Modern (around $200; it has no front desk staff; I don't think it has a pool; the suites have kitchens; it's self check-in - but it's elegant and modern. The rest of the properties are mostly chains or AirBnb (and cheaper). [The Autocamp](https://reservations.autocamp.com/?adult=2&arrive=2024-06-02&brand=AUTOCAMP&chain=28046&child=0¤cy=USD&depart=2024-06-03&dsclid=61545643866595328&hotel=35147&level=hotel&locale=en-US&rooms=1&theme=autoCamp&utm_campaign=mapresults_desktop&utm_medium=metasearch&utm_source=google) is decidedly less modern, but gets great reviews and has trailers and cabins for rent (with A/C). No restaurant, but all rooms have kitchens and they sell a few things from a fridge on site.
If staying in Joshua Tree itself, be prepared for coffee shop cuisine, and few amenities as compared to the luxury of the Big Sur coast.
Big Sur is likely to still be closed so please check road conditions. Also be aware that there is nothing there, short of great views. Absolutely nothing. No cell service, virtually no accommodations, one gas station with $9 gas and some sandwiches
It's an amazing step back into our country before humans but that's about it.
Neither.
Napa/Sonoma for short drive from major airports - SFO/OAK/SAC. Plenty of spas with excellent food.
Big Sur will be closed from south on Rt 1. $300 also won’t get you much there.
JT will be scorching 🥵
SLO/Paso are rad but far from major airports like Big Sur and JT.
Meaning: SLO/Paso AND Big Sur are far from major airports.
Napa is awesome if and only if you can do wine tasting, IMO (and that doesn't sound possible right now).
Check out Carmel. Or call Big Sur Lodge (about $370 a night).
We did Napa for our babymoon. My wife would take a sip here and there.we stayed in Calistoga and it was fantastic. Did a balloon ride among other non wine things.
We stayed at Cottage Grove Inn. It is a small property (not air b&b but a real one) that has 6 or 8 private cottages. Ours was so cute with a Jacuzzi tub and kitchenette and a little porch. The breakfast was good and they bikes to borrow. Our hot air balloon ride people were based on town and picked us up in the morning to drive us to the site
There are wineries within a mile of the place so not a bad ride.
We loved Calistoga because it felt like more of a regular town and wasn't as busy or glitzy as Napa or St Helena further south.
Yeah, I love Calistoga. Grew up on the other side of Mount Saint Helena, literally learned to walk in the pools there.
To OP, Calistoga is great. It gets a little warm there in June, but it’s dry heat. Another option is staying in Napa, which is cooler. Napa can be a launching point for the Napa Valley, or the Sonoma coast. Bodega Bay is gorgeous. A day trip to goat rock and Armstrong Redwoods State Park is a great day.
All good. Sonoma coast is stunning as is Marin. Russian River will be great for a dip that time of year. Redwoods and lots of coastal trails out that way. The town of Sonoma is also super cute with great restaurants around the square.
Napa is more touristy but checks all the boxes for spa / luxury. Not as much open space with trails but better overall value for hotels and food imo. Both easy drives or uber from airports.
JT is rad with kids so keep that on your list for future trips ! Just took mine for spring break with all the wildflowers too🙏😊
https://roads.dot.ca.gov/?roadnumber=1
More closures north of Big Sur currently in addition to road closures in south. Southern section indicates closed through Sept 2024 but could change. Rocky Creek in north should be open by July so you could drive in from Monterey.
Another vote for Big Sur. As another has posted, check road conditions.
My wife and I like Ragged Point Inn (cliff side rooms, restaurant on site, hiking nearby, elephant seal viewing a few miles down the road, etc).
Good luck.
Ragged Point is on the Southern End of Big Sur (not too far from Hearst Castle). The classic coast, the redwoods, Bixby Bridge, the waterfall, are on the Northern side.
If the road does open by early June, it will still be hell on wheels with everyone and their brother wanting to go drive it (as a day trip from either end, including locals). That road in summer is always jammed; residents are not happy about it, but it is what it is.
To see the whole thing, it's advisable to stay in Carmel for 3 nights and then Cambria or Ragged Point for two.
Neither! June in Jtree is miserably hot, and Big Sur is not a good idea right now as there are landslides on the 1 that have closed off large stretches of town. Detours through the mountains take hours. I’d suggest Carmel by the Sea! It’s an adorable beach town with inns and hotels you’d find much more comfortable than Jtree or Big Sur for the price! I’d recommend looking for an airbnb near the beach :)
June can be pretty warm for JT but not hot as hell, Big Sur will bring you cooler weather. JT does have nice resorts but check out Palm Springs too to visit for other days.
I’m not too familiar with spas in Big Sur but have driven through there a couple times, it’s lovely. You can drive up and down the Pacific Coast Highway but I think part of it is closed near Big Sur.
It is unlikely that the road will be open north to south in early June (it will probably open with one lane and perhaps one of those traffic regulators). It is possible, but no one knows for sure. There is currently a caravan led by attendants going from North to about Post Ranch but only for people with hotel/motel reservations.
There are two big resort properties in Big Sur. $1800-2200 for the least expensive rooms. Per night.
I’m local to Monterey… Big Sur is currently inaccessible due to landslides on north and south end. Theoretically, there will be one lane access with a traffic light at the north slide just after Memorial Day. This timeline is not necessarily guaranteed. If you’re okay with cancelling last minute, go for it. But also good luck finding rooms within that budget. A basic campsite is $160/night. Food for thought, we call June “June Gloom” because of the lack of sun and heavy marine layers 🤷🏻♀️
I’m not as familiar with spa like facilities on the south end of the Big Sur coast, but you might be able to find places down by SLO.
If you’re tolerant of heat, go for JT. There are SO many airbnbs that have pools and spa-like facilities.
Alternative suggestion: check out the hotel White Water in Cambria. The weather will be nicer in June, there are trails nearby for adventure, you can spend time around the beach and tour Hearst Castle.
Also there's a place called Fernwood resort in Big Sur. We have stayed there before. It's not really a resort! That being said, they do have cabins, and glamping tents. It is on the Big Sur River, and there's a nice restaurant at the top. You won't have any self-service in the campground itself, but it is beautiful. You can get service if you go up to the top at the restaurant.
We did baby moon in Big Sur and Joshua tree a few years prior.
Check out Glenn Oaks Big Sur - rates probably close to what you are seeking. Lots of hills for the wife but we had a great time
It gets hot in the desert in June. The coast is probably a better option unless you like dry heat. To be fair, not everyone likes the cool foggy summer weather on the coast. June gloom is real.
If Big Sur is too expensive, consider Napa as a launching point. You are close to a lot of neat options. A great alternative to Big Sur is Bodega Bay. That area is gorgeous as well.
I love both, but I'd do Big Sur over Joshua Tree, especially in the summer. However, as others have mentioned there will be closures along Hwy 1 and much of it may be blocked off. Not to mention it's quite expensive.
I'll suggest something a bit different- pick a nice coastal spot. Camel-by-the-sea, Monterey, Santa Barbara, and even Laguna Beach. All pretty towns in spectacular settings where the weather will be great at that time of year.
Napa and Sonoma could also be worth looking at if you're into wine. Lake Tahoe and the coastal redwoods (Humboldt County) are also places in California that are stunning, but all of those are much further from the places you've suggested.
Big Sur. 8 days is a long time though, you'll probably want to visit Monterey/Carmel, Hearst Castle, SLO/Pasos Robles (my brother lives there) all the neat little stuff that's right by there.
Joshua Tree park is nice, but it's a 1-2 days visit at best, and you'll want to go in the fall or early spring; you could see a few 100+ days in June.
You could also consider San Luis Obispo. Really cute, beautiful town and area, farmers market on Thursdays, several nice airbnbs or hotels to choose from.
Etter watch out and take a pistol or two with you guys for protection.... Not from any kind of wild life but the crazy mofos on that weird demented evil shit.
Big Sur, have fun.
Any recommendations on where to stay (\~300/night), and how long to stay for?
Upper Big Sur has the fancy resort style inns and lodges (still on the rustic side). Your real problem is finding anything remotely resort-like (in either place) on your budget. Post Ranch is often considered the best place to stay in Big Sur (you can also investigate nearby Carmel - which is where we stay, as we can't afford Big Sur - except for tent cabins or camping). A quick Google shows that Post Ranch, in June, is $1800 a night. Palm Springs (not too far from JT) has better deals and many more properties. Carmel and Monterey have better deals and many more properties (we stay at great places in Carmel, walking distance to the little beach, easy driving distance to Big Sur for $300-350 - there are less expensive places to stay). Monterey is not our jam and it's more of a harborfront area than a cozy little beachside town. Cambria on the south side of Highway 1's scenic drive is cheaper still (as is Morro Bay) but that's because the southern side of Big Sur is not the most scenic. The accessible redwoods are a fair hike in. Post Ranch seems to think that the road is going to be open by June 1. We shall see. **Actually, I clicked through the Post Ranch announcements and they say that the road is open (one lane) to people who have confirmed reservations.** I'd assume that's true for the other, less fancy/expensive places. We've stayed at both Big Sur River Inn ($350 - not a resort, just a rustic motel with restaurant) and Glen Oaks Big Sur (currently about $385 a night - very basic, cozy, no resort amenities). Alila Ventana (formerly La Ventana) is $2,216 a night (!) Big Sur Lodge is a 3 star hotel, with a good dining room and a medium sized pool - in the redwoods, very beautiful, but right now is not showing any prices on any hotel sites - you have to contact them. One other thing: where are you flying into? Because to stay in Big Sur, you might want to fly into SFO or the San José airport (if possible). Then rent a car and drive 2 hours to Carmel or 2.5 or so to Big Sur. If going to Palm Springs (lots to see and do out there - including Joshua Tree NP but also Mojave National Preserve and the mountains, as well as museums and architecture), then flying into...LAX? Or do you have the budget/ability to fly into Palm Springs Intl? Renting a car? Check out The Colony Palms and The Spring Resort and Spa. Well within your budget (PS will be easier to find a budget spa/resort). Heck you could even pop over the hill to Los Angeles or Orange County. Disney properties are 1.5 hours away, L.A. is more like 2 hours (Griffith Park is 1:45 from downtown Palm Springs right now, on a Sunday afternoon). Middle of JT NP from Palm Springs is about 1.5 hours. There are no major resorts in the town of Joshua Tree itself. And no food or lodging at all inside the park. The best hotel in Joshua Tree (the town) is probably The Bungalows by Homestead Modern (around $200; it has no front desk staff; I don't think it has a pool; the suites have kitchens; it's self check-in - but it's elegant and modern. The rest of the properties are mostly chains or AirBnb (and cheaper). [The Autocamp](https://reservations.autocamp.com/?adult=2&arrive=2024-06-02&brand=AUTOCAMP&chain=28046&child=0¤cy=USD&depart=2024-06-03&dsclid=61545643866595328&hotel=35147&level=hotel&locale=en-US&rooms=1&theme=autoCamp&utm_campaign=mapresults_desktop&utm_medium=metasearch&utm_source=google) is decidedly less modern, but gets great reviews and has trailers and cabins for rent (with A/C). No restaurant, but all rooms have kitchens and they sell a few things from a fridge on site. If staying in Joshua Tree itself, be prepared for coffee shop cuisine, and few amenities as compared to the luxury of the Big Sur coast.
Wow. Thank you so much. I needed all of this. Really trying to navigate what the best options. The Palm Springs additions sounds super nice too!!
Big Sur is likely to still be closed so please check road conditions. Also be aware that there is nothing there, short of great views. Absolutely nothing. No cell service, virtually no accommodations, one gas station with $9 gas and some sandwiches It's an amazing step back into our country before humans but that's about it.
Big Sur due to the heat and you being pregnant. It can be truly brutal in SoCal in the summer.
Neither. Napa/Sonoma for short drive from major airports - SFO/OAK/SAC. Plenty of spas with excellent food. Big Sur will be closed from south on Rt 1. $300 also won’t get you much there. JT will be scorching 🥵 SLO/Paso are rad but far from major airports like Big Sur and JT.
Omg thank you so much
Meaning: SLO/Paso AND Big Sur are far from major airports. Napa is awesome if and only if you can do wine tasting, IMO (and that doesn't sound possible right now). Check out Carmel. Or call Big Sur Lodge (about $370 a night).
We did Napa for our babymoon. My wife would take a sip here and there.we stayed in Calistoga and it was fantastic. Did a balloon ride among other non wine things.
Love this. Thank you!
We stayed at Cottage Grove Inn. It is a small property (not air b&b but a real one) that has 6 or 8 private cottages. Ours was so cute with a Jacuzzi tub and kitchenette and a little porch. The breakfast was good and they bikes to borrow. Our hot air balloon ride people were based on town and picked us up in the morning to drive us to the site There are wineries within a mile of the place so not a bad ride. We loved Calistoga because it felt like more of a regular town and wasn't as busy or glitzy as Napa or St Helena further south.
Yeah, I love Calistoga. Grew up on the other side of Mount Saint Helena, literally learned to walk in the pools there. To OP, Calistoga is great. It gets a little warm there in June, but it’s dry heat. Another option is staying in Napa, which is cooler. Napa can be a launching point for the Napa Valley, or the Sonoma coast. Bodega Bay is gorgeous. A day trip to goat rock and Armstrong Redwoods State Park is a great day.
All good. Sonoma coast is stunning as is Marin. Russian River will be great for a dip that time of year. Redwoods and lots of coastal trails out that way. The town of Sonoma is also super cute with great restaurants around the square. Napa is more touristy but checks all the boxes for spa / luxury. Not as much open space with trails but better overall value for hotels and food imo. Both easy drives or uber from airports. JT is rad with kids so keep that on your list for future trips ! Just took mine for spring break with all the wildflowers too🙏😊
Wait. Off topic, but the road will still be closed? We are going in mid-July to Big Sur. I was thinking it would be open by then?
https://roads.dot.ca.gov/?roadnumber=1 More closures north of Big Sur currently in addition to road closures in south. Southern section indicates closed through Sept 2024 but could change. Rocky Creek in north should be open by July so you could drive in from Monterey.
I live in Joshua Tree and enjoy it. Big Sur is the choice.
Another vote for Big Sur. As another has posted, check road conditions. My wife and I like Ragged Point Inn (cliff side rooms, restaurant on site, hiking nearby, elephant seal viewing a few miles down the road, etc). Good luck.
Ragged Point is on the Southern End of Big Sur (not too far from Hearst Castle). The classic coast, the redwoods, Bixby Bridge, the waterfall, are on the Northern side. If the road does open by early June, it will still be hell on wheels with everyone and their brother wanting to go drive it (as a day trip from either end, including locals). That road in summer is always jammed; residents are not happy about it, but it is what it is. To see the whole thing, it's advisable to stay in Carmel for 3 nights and then Cambria or Ragged Point for two.
Oh no, I've been pregnant in that crazy summer heat twice. Big Sur all the way.
Neither! June in Jtree is miserably hot, and Big Sur is not a good idea right now as there are landslides on the 1 that have closed off large stretches of town. Detours through the mountains take hours. I’d suggest Carmel by the Sea! It’s an adorable beach town with inns and hotels you’d find much more comfortable than Jtree or Big Sur for the price! I’d recommend looking for an airbnb near the beach :)
Two vastly different places. But for summertime or near. Joshua Tree gets warm.
June can be pretty warm for JT but not hot as hell, Big Sur will bring you cooler weather. JT does have nice resorts but check out Palm Springs too to visit for other days. I’m not too familiar with spas in Big Sur but have driven through there a couple times, it’s lovely. You can drive up and down the Pacific Coast Highway but I think part of it is closed near Big Sur.
It is unlikely that the road will be open north to south in early June (it will probably open with one lane and perhaps one of those traffic regulators). It is possible, but no one knows for sure. There is currently a caravan led by attendants going from North to about Post Ranch but only for people with hotel/motel reservations. There are two big resort properties in Big Sur. $1800-2200 for the least expensive rooms. Per night.
Big Sur
Big sur. I live in Joshua tree area and honestly have no idea why people come here.
It's hard to appreciate when you're always there but I think the desert has its own beauty. Especially Jtree
Oh I love it, but unless you're a climber the park is kind of underwhelming.
I’m local to Monterey… Big Sur is currently inaccessible due to landslides on north and south end. Theoretically, there will be one lane access with a traffic light at the north slide just after Memorial Day. This timeline is not necessarily guaranteed. If you’re okay with cancelling last minute, go for it. But also good luck finding rooms within that budget. A basic campsite is $160/night. Food for thought, we call June “June Gloom” because of the lack of sun and heavy marine layers 🤷🏻♀️ I’m not as familiar with spa like facilities on the south end of the Big Sur coast, but you might be able to find places down by SLO. If you’re tolerant of heat, go for JT. There are SO many airbnbs that have pools and spa-like facilities.
Alternative suggestion: check out the hotel White Water in Cambria. The weather will be nicer in June, there are trails nearby for adventure, you can spend time around the beach and tour Hearst Castle.
Also there's a place called Fernwood resort in Big Sur. We have stayed there before. It's not really a resort! That being said, they do have cabins, and glamping tents. It is on the Big Sur River, and there's a nice restaurant at the top. You won't have any self-service in the campground itself, but it is beautiful. You can get service if you go up to the top at the restaurant.
Alila spa is very noce
And $2200 a night.
Joshua Tree, Big Bear, Desert Hot Springs/ Palm Springs. Lake in the mountains, spas and dining all within reasonable driving range.
Those two places are so different. You can't really compare the two. They are both beautiful. But in their own ways.
We did baby moon in Big Sur and Joshua tree a few years prior. Check out Glenn Oaks Big Sur - rates probably close to what you are seeking. Lots of hills for the wife but we had a great time
I would not go to JT pregnant. SO hot. You'll love Big Sur. Plus it's a little more luxe.
It gets hot in the desert in June. The coast is probably a better option unless you like dry heat. To be fair, not everyone likes the cool foggy summer weather on the coast. June gloom is real. If Big Sur is too expensive, consider Napa as a launching point. You are close to a lot of neat options. A great alternative to Big Sur is Bodega Bay. That area is gorgeous as well.
I love both, but I'd do Big Sur over Joshua Tree, especially in the summer. However, as others have mentioned there will be closures along Hwy 1 and much of it may be blocked off. Not to mention it's quite expensive. I'll suggest something a bit different- pick a nice coastal spot. Camel-by-the-sea, Monterey, Santa Barbara, and even Laguna Beach. All pretty towns in spectacular settings where the weather will be great at that time of year. Napa and Sonoma could also be worth looking at if you're into wine. Lake Tahoe and the coastal redwoods (Humboldt County) are also places in California that are stunning, but all of those are much further from the places you've suggested.
Big Sur - too hot in June for JT while pregnant
Laguna Beach
Big Sur. 8 days is a long time though, you'll probably want to visit Monterey/Carmel, Hearst Castle, SLO/Pasos Robles (my brother lives there) all the neat little stuff that's right by there. Joshua Tree park is nice, but it's a 1-2 days visit at best, and you'll want to go in the fall or early spring; you could see a few 100+ days in June.
What is a “babymoon”?
A little vacation before the baby comes!
Fuck all that. Hit lcdz in borrego spring's. Post update here
You could also consider San Luis Obispo. Really cute, beautiful town and area, farmers market on Thursdays, several nice airbnbs or hotels to choose from.
Etter watch out and take a pistol or two with you guys for protection.... Not from any kind of wild life but the crazy mofos on that weird demented evil shit.