The Best Vacation Spot on the California Central Coast,
Ragged Point all inclusive Big Sur Ocean View Resort!

Best California Coast Vacation Spot!:Ragged Point is a popular all inclusive vacation spot on its own situated on the border of two other of California's best vacation spots, Big Sur and San Simeon California. Ragged Point is on the Pacific Coast Highway 1 at the very north end of the fantastic Hearst Castle Country vacation spot which features the visitor attractions Hearst Castle, San Simeon as well as the Paso Robles California Wine territory and the southern end of the magnificent Big Sur Coast whose tourist attractions are the breathtaking Big Sur Pacific Coast Ocean Views, Coastal Redwood forests, and the coast mountain wilderness.

The Ragged Point Inn cliff top ocean view resort is an all-inclusive resort so you can make it your best romantic getaway and spend your whole vacation on or near the property but get in your car and no matter what way you go you are in for a beautiful scenic treat. Many fun activities, recreation spots and travelers points of interest are a near scenic drive. Leave Ragged Point Inn and head south on the incredibly scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1 and in a few minutes you can be visiting the elephant seal rookery or the famous Hearst Castle San Simeon; a little further is the quaint village of Cambria and all it has to offer like vacation shopping and fabulous eateries. Head north to fabulous PCH scenery like the pacific ocean view and giant redwood forests, park and take a hike, Big Sur's biggest and finest white sand beach, Sand Dollar is just a short scenic drive! Ragged Point makes the perfect base camp to enjoy California's best vacation spots.

Best Romantic and most Affordable Big Sur Vacation Romance Getaway Spot:

Ragged Point Inn and Resort
805-927-4502

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Ragged Point Inn and Resort: The top choice for a romantic Big Sur vacation spot would have to be the Ragged Point Inn, an all inclusive ocean view resort 15 miles north of Hearst Castle San Simeon on the Pacific Coast Highway 1. Everything you need is available on the resort property, romantic luxury ocean view hotel rooms, a fine dining restaurant or fast food and snacks, pathways among beautiful ornamental flower gardens, shopping, the stars, the sea, short nature hikes, breathtaking Big Sur Pacific Coast Views. The resorts hotel buildings sit on the top edge of a 350 foot cliff and the view side of the hotel rooms are entirely glass so you can enjoy the incredible ocean views; in the upper hotel rooms you can even run around naked with the curtains open! For a Big Sur California romantic coastal getaway the Ragged Point Inn and Resort is perfect and by Big Sur standards the prices are reasonable.

Post Ranch Inn Big Sur Luxury Resort
831-667-2200

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Post Ranch Inn, choice #2 for best Big Sur California Romantic Getaway: Placed second only because most people can't afford it is the best but Post Ranch Inn rates start at $525.00+ per night with a 2 night minimum, the popular Post Ranch Inn offers a world famous romantic atmosphere and experience that is unparallel anywhere on the Big Sur Pacific Coast. It is posh exclusive Big Sur luxury resort offering 30 unique luxurious guest rooms on a ridge above the Pacific Ocean on 98 unspoiled acres with two pools, private decks, spa tubs, deluxe amenities and complimentary activities. Post Ranch Inn Resort is designed and operated solely for adults seeking a romantic getaway; to support and promote this type of atmosphere, they discourage bringing children. Post Ranch Inn romantic resort is exotic, exclusive, and ridiculously overpriced, much too expensive $$$ for romance on the California Coast or any kind Vacation Spot anywhere.
ForbesTraveler.com chose Post Ranch Inn as one of the Top Twelve Sexist Hotels in the U.S. and said about the Big Sur California Post Ranch Inn "One of the most intimate resorts ever built...Privacy is paramount."

Best Big Sur California Family Summer Vacation Spot

Ripplewood Big Sur Family Resort
831-667-2242

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Ripplewood Resort, top family summer vacation spot in Big Sur:
There are a number of small resorts in Big Sur that are family oriented and offer cabins and camping; the Ripplewood Resort is the most popular and receives the best traveler reviews. Located in the Big Sur River Valley in the magnificent redwood forest with cabins and camping right on the Big Sur River the Ripplewood resort offers an unforgettable Big Sur family experience. There is a good breakfast / lunch restaurant on the property, kitchens in the cabins; you could barbecue at the cabin or other restaurants are near for dinner. The family can tube and play in the Big Sur River, beaches, hiking and shopping are all near.

Best Historical Journey Big Sur Vacation Spots

Top Historic Big Sur Vacation, the classic Big Sur Lodge:

If you would like your vacation immersed in Big Sur history and classical Big Sur ambiance then the Big Sur Lodge (1-800-424-4787) has to be top choice; originally the Pfeiffer's Ranch Resort founded in 1908, the Big Sur Lodge is rich in history and true Big Sur California atmosphere. Located in ancient groves of redwoods in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, the Big Sur Lodge offers beautiful views of the Santa Lucia Mountains, cabin style units available with fireplaces and/or kitchens, can The Big Sur Lodge resort includes redwood forests and the beautiful Big Sur River and hiking trails, seasonal heated pool, gift shop, restaurant and general store.

The Deetjen's Big Sur Inn (831-667-2377) and the Lucia Lodge should also be mentioned because of their history. Deetjen's Big Sur Inn is on the National Register of Historic Places; the Deetjens' settled in Big Sur in the 1930's and almost immediately began offering hospitality to the adventurous travelers of the brand new Pacific Coast Highway 1. Deetjen's Big Sur Inn offers a motel and restaurant in a unique Norwegian-style setting nestled in the redwoods of Castro Canyon.

Lucia Lodge (831-667-2391) is a historic cliff-side resort located in the heart of the Big Sur coast. The lodge was built in the 1930's and was completed even before Coast Highway One reached its south coast location. The Lucia Lodge occupies land pioneered and settled by the Harlan family in 1865 and is now operated by family's fifth generation.

Best Big Sur Luxury Spa Vacation Getaway Spot

Ventana Inn
1-800-628-6500

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There are spa services available at many Big Sur California resorts but only one features itself a Health Spa Resort, the Ventana Inn and Spa. Combine their excellent spa facilities and services with luxury Pacific Ocean view lodgings and a world class restaurant, you have the makings of a memorable and winning health spa getaway vacation spot! Ventana has the top spa facilities in the Big Sur area but Ventana Inn and Spa is not cheap, lodging starts at $425.00.

Best Romantic Getaway Vacation Ocean View Resort and Best Family Vacation Spot near Hearst Castle San Simeon

Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
805-927-6472

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Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, best Romantic Getaway Spot near Hearst Castle San Simeon:
The Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort won the Travelers' Choice 2006 Best Hotels for Romance Award; cozy motel rooms with Pacific Ocean Views, fireplaces, the beach just outside your personal patio, and exceptional friendly service made the Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort an award winning spot for romance. Although it is further from Hearst Castle the Ragged Point Inn Ocean View Resort should at least get an honorable mention.

Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, best Family Vacation Spot near Hearst Castle San Simeon:
Interestingly the Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort would be the best family vacation spot near Hearst Castle San Simeon also. The kids love the ocean and beach too, combine this with a wonderful restaurant that caters to families this family owned and run resort would be the top family vacation spot in San Simeon near Hearst Castle!

Best Hearst Castle California Historical Journey Vacation Spot

Hacienda Guest Lodge
Hearsts' historic hunting lodge
831-386-2900

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Hacienda Guest Lodge and Restaurant, Hearsts' historic hunting lodge, Top Hearst Castle California Historical Journey Vacation Spot: If you are looking to flavor your vacation with Hearst Castle and California Mission History you should stay, eat, and explore the Hacienda Guest Lodge area near Jolon California. The Hacienda Guest Lodge and Restaurant were originally the William Randolph Hearst eastern ranch headquarters and his "Hunting Lodge" designed by Julia Morgan, the same architect that designed Hearst Castle planned the Spanish style Hacienda for Hearst and it was built in1929. The Hacienda, Hearst's hunting lodge provided guest accommodations for famous visitors like Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Teddy Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover to name a few. The prices are quite reasonable at the Hacienda Guest Lodge and there is a good restaurant, comfortable lounge, swimming pool, hiking, Army bowling alley, an Army theatre, and the third Spanish Mission in California, Mission San Antonio de Padua, is a short enjoyable walk away from the lodge. When Hearst Castle was the Hearst residence there was a road connecting the two; today the Hearst Hacienda Guest Lodge is isolated on the US Fort Hunter Liggett Military Reservation and can be reached from US Highway 101 through Jolon California or from the Pacific Coast Highway 1 via Nacimiento-Fergusson Road.