$100–150

A cute, small, budget motel, the Monterey Bay Lodge (55 Camino Aguajito, 831/372-8057, www.montereybaylodge.com [1], $134) brings a bit of the Côte d’Azur to the equally beautiful coastal town of Monterey [2].

With small rooms decorated in classic yellows and blues, a sparkling pool with a fountain in the shallow end, and an on-site restaurant serving breakfast and lunch, the Lodge makes a perfect base for budget-minded families traveling in the Monterey region.