Unique Inns
on the Pacific Coast Highway

Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

Casa Laguna
A Unique Inn in Laguna Beach

Unique Inns aren't limited to the Pacific Coast Highway, but they provide some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, inns, and lodges along the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington, as well as in Napa Valley wine country. 

The organisation also has members in Idaho and in Canada's British Columbia Province, in Vancouver, Mayne Island and Victoria.

Our Pick of the California Guides

Rough-Guide-California-2023.png

There are Unique Inns in other places along the Pacific Coast Highway, including Monterey, Elk, Occidental, Muir Beach, San Francisco, La Jolla, and Santa Catalina Island in California, and in Seaview in Washington. But the Inns listed below are ones we ourselves have actually stayed in, and can recommend from personal experience. They're all different, but we found something special and memorable in each of them. 

CALIFORNIA
Laguna Beach
Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa
2510 South Coast Highway
Tel: 800-233-0449
Luxury Unique Inn right on the Pacific Coast Highway, but even though our room was overlooking the highway we didn't experience traffic noise. Other rooms (only 16 rooms in all) are further up on the Laguna's terraced hillside, and amenities include a small spa and business centre. We loved the genuinely gourmet breakfasts!

Carmel-by-the-Sea
Cypress Inn
Lincoln & 7th
Tel: 1-800-443-7443
The Cypress is right in the centre of Carmel, and a short stroll from the Demetra restaurant where we had one of the best meals of our recent Pacific Coast Highway trip. The Cypress is famous for being co-owned by movie star Doris Day, and there's plenty of movie memorabilia around the place. It's an upmarket inn that's also well-known for being very pet-friendly, going the extra mile to look after its visitors' four-legged friends.

Vagabond's House Inn Bed & Breakfast
4th & Dolores
Tel: 1-800-262-1262
We loved this place, which does have a laid-back vagabond/bohemian flavor to it, with most of its 13 rooms off a central stone courtyard filled with plants, waterfalls and a big oak tree. Many have their own private entrance, like little cottages. This is one we're definitely going back to, for longer.

Napa Valley
Wine Country Inn
152 Lodi Lane, St.Helena
Tel: 888-465-4608
We arrived here when the complimentary afternoon wine-tasting and gourmet appetizers were being enjoyed in the large and relaxed lounge area. We felt instantly at home. The Wine Country Inn has 20 rooms, four suites and five luxury cottages, overlooking acres of vines on the edge of St Helena. It's the perfect place for a romantic wine country break.

1801 First
1801 First Street, Napa
Tel: 800-518-0146
Right in Napa town itself, 1801 First is a boutique inn/bed and breakfast with just five luxury suites in the main building, which dates from 1903. There are two separate cottages behind the mansion, and the Carriage House too. The gourmet breakfast was something special, as was the complimentary wine tasting when we loved the chance to meet our fellow guests. Lots of people come here for special birthdays, honeymoons, and anniversaries.

Mendocino
Stanford Inn by the Sea
Coast Highway and Comptche Ukiah Road
Tel: 800-331-8884
Close to Mendocino is this truly unique Unique Inn. It's built in rustic lodge style on a hillside and is run on eco-friendly lines, with a certified organic garden whose produce is served in the outstandingly good Ravens Restaurant, which has won many accolades for its vegetarian and vegan cuisine. There's a heated indoor pool, a Massage in the Forest spa with yoga sessions too.

Eureka
Carter House Inns
301 L St., Eureka
Tel: 800-404-1390
This inn and its Restaurant 301 have both been called the best in Northern California, and the restaurant's wine cellar is one of the best in the entire country. It's a block or so back from the Pacific Ocean on the edge of Eureka's historic downtown district.

Our Pick of the Oregon Guides

Fodor-Oregon-Guide-2023.png

OREGON
Gold Beach
Tu Tu' Tun Lodge
96550 N Bank Rogue River Rd
Tel: 541-247-6664
The Tu Tu' Tun Lodge is one of the best lodges we've stayed in on the entire Pacific Coast Highway. In fact it's a few miles back from the Highway on the banks of the Rogue River, surrounded by woodland... and peace and quiet. It's great for hikers and nature lovers, and for gourmets too with top-notch gourmet food and a complimentary afternoon wine-tasting.

Yachats
Overleaf Lodge and Spa
280 Overleaf Lodge Lane
Tel: 800-338-0507
The Oregon coast is renowned for its rocks and tidepools, and its unspoilt beaches, and from the Overleaf Lodge we were able to walk right out the door and enjoy all these things. We watched the sun set from our balcony as children explored the tidepools (all rooms have ocean views), then drove into Yachats to eat, and in the morning enjoyed a walk along the paths and beaches. Really relaxing.

More Information about Unique Inns

For more details and for online booking information for all the Unique Inns in California, Oregon and Washington, as well as their inns in Idaho, and British Columbia in Canada,
visit the Unique Inns website. 

Some California hotels pages

  • Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

    Morro Bay

    Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends good cheap motels in San Diego including Super-8, Motel 6, Travelodge and Days Inn.

    Good Cheap Motels in San Diego

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends good cheap motels in San Diego including Super-8, Motel 6, Travelodge and Days Inn.

  • The Napa Wine Country Inn and Gardens in St Helena overlooks a vineyard and has free wine tastings every evening and offers guests help with booking wine tours.

    Napa Wine Country Inn

    The Napa Wine Country Inn and Gardens in St Helena overlooks a vineyard and has free wine tastings every evening and offers guests help with booking wine tours.

  • The Madonna Inn is a historic landmark resort hotel in San Luis Obispo, California, with 109 uniquely decorated rooms, steak house, and fitness centre.

    Madonna Inn, California

    The Madonna Inn is a historic landmark resort hotel in San Luis Obispo, California, with 109 uniquely decorated rooms, steak house, and fitness centre.

  • The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

    Stanford Inn by the Sea Mendocino

    The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

  • The Viceroy Santa Monica hotel is one of Los Angeles' best, a favorite of celebrities like Dustin Hoffman, Sting, Demi Moore, and Leonardo DiCaprio,

    Viceroy Santa Monica

    The Viceroy Santa Monica hotel is one of Los Angeles' best, a favorite of celebrities like Dustin Hoffman, Sting, Demi Moore, and Leonardo DiCaprio,

  • The Grande Colonial La Jolla luxury hotel is downtown, close to restaurants and shopping, with historic charm, and a highly acclaimed restaurant.

    La Jolla Luxury Hotel

    The Grande Colonial La Jolla luxury hotel is downtown, close to restaurants and shopping, with historic charm, and a highly acclaimed restaurant.

  • The Inn at Morro Bay offers accommodation in Morro Bay State Park, close to beach and wildlife, with outdoor pool, just off the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Inn at Morro Bay

    The Inn at Morro Bay offers accommodation in Morro Bay State Park, close to beach and wildlife, with outdoor pool, just off the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • If you’re looking for a Cambria Lodging then the Cambria Pines Lodge in Cambria is a few miles from San Simeon and Hearst Castle.

    Cambria Lodging at the Cambria Pines Lodge

    If you’re looking for a Cambria Lodging then the Cambria Pines Lodge in Cambria is a few miles from San Simeon and Hearst Castle.

  • The Napa Bed and Breakfast, 1801 First, is an award-winning romantic b&b near the center of Napa, with good food, and spa treatments available.

    Napa Bed and Breakfast

    The Napa Bed and Breakfast, 1801 First, is an award-winning romantic b&b near the center of Napa, with good food, and spa treatments available.

  • The Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel is Ventura 's only beachside hotel with ocean front swimming pool and rooms with ocean views.

    Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach

    The Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel is Ventura 's only beachside hotel with ocean front swimming pool and rooms with ocean views.

  • The Oceana Santa Barbara beachfront hotel has a perfect seafront location, close to Stearns Wharf and State Street, and whale watching cruises.

    Santa Barbara Beachfront Hotel

    The Oceana Santa Barbara beachfront hotel has a perfect seafront location, close to Stearns Wharf and State Street, and whale watching cruises.

  • The California Coast's hotels, inns, guesthouses, b&bs and other places to stay include 5-star luxury hotels and resorts, motel chains, RV parks and camping.

    California Coast Hotels and Inns

    The California Coast's hotels, inns, guesthouses, b&bs and other places to stay include 5-star luxury hotels and resorts, motel chains, RV parks and camping.

  • There are many Santa Monica luxury hotels and while Le Meridien Delfina is not right by the beach it has a great bar, pool, restaurant.

    Santa Monica Luxury Hotels

    There are many Santa Monica luxury hotels and while Le Meridien Delfina is not right by the beach it has a great bar, pool, restaurant.

  • The historic MacCallum House Inn and Restaurant is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Mendocino Village, which includes cottages and suites.

    MacCallum House Inn

    The historic MacCallum House Inn and Restaurant is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Mendocino Village, which includes cottages and suites.

  • If looking for Paso Robles accommodation you could stay on a vineyard at the luxury JUST Inn Bed and Breakfast, in the grounds of the JUSTIN winery.

    Paso Robles Accommodation

    If looking for Paso Robles accommodation you could stay on a vineyard at the luxury JUST Inn Bed and Breakfast, in the grounds of the JUSTIN winery.

  • Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

    Vagabond's House Inn

    Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

  • Los Angeles Airport hotels include Hilton, Radisson, Marriott, Embassy Suites, Crowne Plaza and other top names, all of them within a mile or so of LAX.

    Los Angeles Airport Hotels

    Los Angeles Airport hotels include Hilton, Radisson, Marriott, Embassy Suites, Crowne Plaza and other top names, all of them within a mile or so of LAX.

  • The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo

    The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • The Hotel Pacific is a Monterey boutique hotel in a good location close to Fisherman’s wharf and downtown restaurants and bars and with its own parking garage.

    Monterey Boutique Hotel, the Hotel Pacific near Fisherman's Wharf

    The Hotel Pacific is a Monterey boutique hotel in a good location close to Fisherman’s wharf and downtown restaurants and bars and with its own parking garage.

  • The Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa is north of San Francisco and near the Point Reyes National Seashore, a beautiful California coast hotel with Pacific Ocean views.

    Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa

    The Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa is north of San Francisco and near the Point Reyes National Seashore, a beautiful California coast hotel with Pacific Ocean views.

  • For a Dana Point hotel next to the beach and near the harbor for whale watching cruises, the Doubletree Suites by Hilton with its ocean views is hard to beat.

    Dana Point Hotel

    For a Dana Point hotel next to the beach and near the harbor for whale watching cruises, the Doubletree Suites by Hilton with its ocean views is hard to beat.

  • Of all Eureka inns, The Carter House Inns are the most romantic and historic, with one of the best restaurants in Northern California.

    Eureka Inns

    Of all Eureka inns, The Carter House Inns are the most romantic and historic, with one of the best restaurants in Northern California.

  • For a Monterey Inn just off the Pacific Coast Highway in California, the Mariposa Inn and Suites is hard to beat, providing good accommodation close to PCH.

    Monterey Inn

    For a Monterey Inn just off the Pacific Coast Highway in California, the Mariposa Inn and Suites is hard to beat, providing good accommodation close to PCH.

  • Where to Stay in Carmel include reviews of the Mission Ranch, Sea View Inn, The Cypress Inn, Lamp Lighter Inn and Vagabond's House Inn.

    Where to Stay in Carmel

    Where to Stay in Carmel include reviews of the Mission Ranch, Sea View Inn, The Cypress Inn, Lamp Lighter Inn and Vagabond's House Inn.

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Popular stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway closing nightly due to storm damage

    Oct 04, 24 03:51 AM

    section of the Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura County is closing nightly for the indefinite future because of road erosion worsened by the recent winter storms.

    Read More

  2. Unassuming northern California town surprisingly ranked as the No.1 place in America for food and wine

    Sep 11, 24 03:58 AM

    A tiny northern California town has been named the best small town in America for foodies and wine lovers. The quiet idyll of Elk, which is located three hours drive north up the coast from San Franci…

    Read More

  3. Summer doesn’t have to end yet with these fall getaways

    Sep 11, 24 03:58 AM

    From surfing in the Great Lakes to neon-lit kayaking in Florida, these destinations offer autumn adventures without the chill.

    Read More