SM Tops List of Priciest Destinations in California

When it comes to pricey stays in the Golden State, the city of Santa Monica is now number one, according to a survey released Tuesday.

The survey from CheapHotels.org compared hotelrates in the top 30 destination cities throughout California during peak tourist season - from Memorial Day and Labor Day - and found Santa Monica tops the list with an average rate of $213 per night for the least expensive double room.

The small Napa Valley town of Calistoga came in second at $184 per night and Catalina Island was third at $178 per night for the most affordable room, respectively, according to the survey.

Laguna Beach in Orange County ranked fourth with a $154 average nightly rate.

By comparison, two of the state's most populous cities - Los Angeles and San Francisco - ranked in the middle of the pack, with average rates of $109 and $103, according to CheapHotels.com.

The survey was conducted based on the average daily rate for the site's cheapest available double room at a 2-star hotel from May 26 through Sept. 1, 2014.