<p>H and I love a particular Hotel on moon beach in Cambria. Guests come from all over and the daily wine reception is always a nice place to chat with other guests. We usually go in September but we were already there in June for a graduation and two weeks ago for a birthday. Any suggestion of places that are cool, it’s warm at home right now. San Diego is ok but we live so close we often go there for day trips. </p>
<p>We like the ocean, being able to take quick hikes, nice restaurants we can walk to, just hang out and relax. We live near wineries so while we might enjoy one or two, it’s nothing we can’t do at home. </p>
<p>We have passports but rather not fly or go to Mexico. </p>
<p>We find that there are friendly chatty guests at hotels like Residence Inn and Embassy Suites. The bountiful breakfasts and evening offerings encourage interactions. </p>
<p>Also, the Hilton’s version of Residence Inn…I think it is called Home Suites? We stayed in one a year ago. </p>
<p>The Cottage Inn in Carmel is pricey but wonderful. There are other less expensive cottage type places all over Carmel and you can’t beat the restaurants, shopping, hiking and scenery. It is a lovely community and very friendly. Take your dog (or borrow one) with you or you will be one of the 3 people there w/o one lol!</p>
<p>What about a B&B instead of a hotel? We often stay at B&Bs when we travel in part because we enjoy meeting other guests at breakfast and hanging around the common areas. (Years ago we stayed at a B&B in Cambria called the Shaw House but I think they’re out of business.)</p>
<p>It isn’t near the ocean, but the Elan hotel in Beverly Hills is like that. They have wine in the afternoon, no breakfast. I don’t know what it is close to for fun, we go there for Cedars Sinai visits, which aren’t fun. But there is a mall between them and the hospital. I would guess that Hollywood Blvd is a long walk away if you like that sort of thing and perhaps something is on at the theaters. Might be nice for a mini break like you say. </p>
<p>This is NOT a game changer but the Elan Hotel is not in Beverly Hills. It is (I believe) closer to the Grove and the Beverly Center. I don’t know the hotel at all, just saying.</p>
<p>We (as a place, not as individuals, aren’t that friendly in general. If I see people (obviously tourists) looking befuddled I will ask them if I can help them find something I will…As to friendly tourists hotels forget the “big” ones. There are a few small hotels here…a Villa de los Flores and one (a show business (meaning I really want to be in the business, not I have arrived) on South Reeves…but I don’t know how friendly they are. I have never been inside them. I don’t know if they are friendly or not. </p>
<p>We do have a lot of tourists buses going through. I imagine that people strike up conversations on board…but other than that…I got nothing.</p>
<p>Is Dana Point too close to where you live? I have friends who have stayed at the Blue Lantern Inn and really enjoyed it. It seems to have the vibe you are looking for. </p>