Guest Nomad: California Road Tripping

Highway I-5 in California

This week’s “Guest Nomad” is the Enlightened Traveler who works in market research, but finds his passion in travel. He grew up in the New York City area, and is fulfilling a lifelong dream to visit and explore “the world beyond the eastern United States.” Past jaunts include Munich, Barcelona, Paris, French Riviera, London, various Caribbean islands, and the South Pacific.

After the airline bumped us off our flight, my wife and I received vouchers to anywhere in the continental states.

“Anywhere in the lower 48 for free? Let’s make the most of it – NY to San Francisco!”

“How about a road trip from San Fran to Santa Monica?”

“How can we stay on a budget and do the four star treatment?”

“REWARDS POINTS!!!”  This is how we did it.

In San Francisco, we rented a Ford Mustang on Amex Reward points.  For accommodations in California , we used Hilton Honors Rewards.

We stayed two nights at the Hilton Downtown Financial District Hotel, good for both business and leisure travel, with attentive service.

Fisherman’s Wharf is less than fifteen minutes away by car or public transportation.  Seafood lovers must try Crab House 39 and have the roasted crab in garlic sauce. After a day trip to Napa , we did a night tour of Alcatraz (more fun at night).

Off to Monterey. We explored Cannery Row and stayed at the Embassy Suites Monterey Bay Seaside.  Again, on points, as they are Hilton affiliated. (FYI, you do need more than more than a day in Monterey.)

On the drive from Monterey to San Luis Obispo, we visited Pebble Beach (truly a beautiful meeting of sand and sky), and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Wanting to savor the California vistas, we drove Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur to San Luis Obispo. What I didn’t realize: this winding highway puts you smack on the edge of the mountainous coastline with only a guard rail. We survived, and despite the harrowing drive, I recommend it.

We only paid for two hotels, both worth it for wildly different reasons. In San Luis Obispo, some call The Madonna Inn and its 110 themed rooms “over the top” and “tacky”.  We say, “Yes, but they’re just plain fun!”  We stayed in Highway Suite.  Fair warning – a shower made of rock and granite is slippery!

The journey moved next to Santa Barbara for a two night stay. The mountain backgrounds of Santa Barbara and crisp air made for a relaxing time. Here, we stayed at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort, a beautiful luxury hotel with fantastic vaulted ceilings.

Finally, we arrived at Santa Monica. Having pulled off the “hotels for points” expedition, we used what would have been the hotel budget for a stay at Shutters.  Shutters began my love of luxury hotels.  Every need, every concern, every issue, you will feel like the only guest.  Shutters isn’t far from the legendary Santa Monica Pier, a must visit.

For the return trip, we drove I-5 back to San Francisco. This felt like cheating compared to the meandering path taken, but it made us appreciate the journey.  A journey that taught us the value of using, not hording, reward points!

Saving on San Francisco, CA hotels is just a click away!

Image: Flickr christian.terboven