A laid back Retreet: Solitude, Hike & Tranquility thats what sums up "GOKARNA" 

It really doesn't matter whether you are a beach bum or mountain person. Gokarna is the place which can satiate your love in the both department. The place is studded with cleanest beach and outrising hills. Here's the lovely image!

Getting by to gokarna from Bangalore:
The cheapest and best option is take a bus from Anand Rao circle. The buses are easily available and are cheap you can choose AC and non AC. The buses run at convenient time at 9-11pm also so one can catch after office too.
You would incur cost of 1500 INR. My recommendation is to take SRS & VRL.

Stay:
There are multiple options for stay suitable for everyone's need. I particularly stayed at Zostel gokarna which is situated at top of the hill and has a view to die for. Dorms and individual huts are available. If zostel is not your thing head to Kundle beach where you plenty of options to stay in shacks. Though Zostel is like 10 min walk from Gokarna and Kundle beach both. If you are traveling solo please stay in Zostel where you can chill with fellow travellers too
Here is the image to show off superb location.

Beach hopping:
To start with just to give you the overview I'll write down the list of beach from sequence.
The moment you enter gokarna you will find the main beach called gokarna beach further when you move uphill there's Kundle beach then Om beach then half Moon beach and last Paradise beach.
Kundle and Om beach are accessible by vehicle further half Moon and Paradise is only accessible by foot. The beach trek is very beautiful and it's a must do those who ain't thrilled by trek you can take a boat from Om beach to Paradise beach only catch is they don't let you get down and last boat from Paradise is at 5pm.

My recommendation is to njoy your time at peace. Get up lazily and have belly full breakfast and head out for beach around 4 when sun is not that strong and you can njoy your time.
Those want to trek make sure you leave early so that you can come by daylight.

Gokarna beach is little crowded and by crowded I mean 50 times less than beaches of Goa. Though when you walk further you will plently full of place to sit back, laze and dip in water. On Gokarna middle beach, there is a French cafe which has hands down the best food in city. Coffee, butter crossiant and view is just out of the world. A tip: walk to the cafe from beachside. It's easier to find

Kundle beach is again a lil crowded but you will find lot of foreigners laying a market and it's a lovely beach. The beach is clean and has lot of options to eat and chill. Trust me sunset from beach is unparallel. There's a cafe called Little Paradise in which is like in middle of the beach and has lounge chair, you can lounge sip your coffee or beer and watch sunset. It very pretty though food is okayish. The people are lovely and will interact with you. Gokarna has such laid back vibe here nobody will bother you can lie down read , laze or endlessly look at water. The place will take your heart away.

Om beach is  little far and you would need some vehicle or you can trek but its pretty long. This is by far less crowded and you will see most of foreigners here chilling and smoking up. It's a clean beach and absolutely great crown, it also further connects the trekk to Half moon and Paradise beach.
To eat don't go Namaste cafe. Yes it is most famous but at the same time overrated and crappy food instead head to NIRVANA CAfe it's a affordable one with great food and also only firang tourist. The juices are out of the world there.

Half moon & Paradise: do a trek or go via boat. The trek is lovely though the beaches are Rocky and small. Be careful a bit while hiking and don't forget water, shades, hat and sunscreen :)

Place to chill:
Gokarna beach: Chez Christophe & Prema ( for Indian & cheap food)

Kundle beach: Little Paradise ( best sunset view) and La Pizzeria

Om beach: Nirvana cafe ( a must go and it is situated towards the end of beach)

In the last I would say Gokarna is a great place where you can experience a slow and good vibes of life. It is clean and way less crowded and chill than beaches of Goa. It sure doesn't have party places but you can just be at peace and spend time here.
Ohk guys..just drop in your query or any other recommendations you have :)