Monterey Hotels and City Guide

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Is it possible to enjoy a getaway that includes horseback riding and whale watching? How about playing a round of golf and kayaking? Make your way to Monterey and you’ll soon find out that it is. You’ll find this picturesque city located along the Pacific Coast on Monterey Bay. These ideal surroundings provide you with a variety of options to enjoy the spectacular beauty, whether you find it at the mountain ranges or beaches, on the ocean or under the water.

Need to keep busy? Monterey has got you covered. There are endless options to keep you occupied. For the land lovers there are many hiking and biking trails as well as the amazing Recreation Trail, a great walking path. Aqua persons will really enjoy the chances to do a little whale watching above the water or see the fantastic life that thrives under the ocean. Don’t be too surprised to see a few scuba divers alongside you though. The underwater life here is a huge attraction to divers from around the globe.

Exploring the fantastic Cannery Row is quite the experience. Whether you’re searching for the latest deals at the fashion outlet malls, finding the ideal pair of earrings or simply want to enjoy a fabulous dinner, you’ll find what you’re looking for on the Row. And the added bonus is that it’s along the river. Cannery Row is also home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium where you’ll see beautiful exhibits on the smaller ocean life that include jellyfish and seahorses as well as exciting displays on sea otters and sharks. How about a look at a gigantic kelp forest or a look out of some great viewing areas? There are so many exhibits you could spend an entire day here and still not visit everything it has to offer. You’ll soon see why it’s one of the very best attractions California has to offer. If you prefer to explore the ocean life a bit more up close, explore the Monterey Bay Sanctuary. Divers from around the globe find it to be a fantastic location, especially because the water tends to be quite clear. The beaches provide you with plenty of space to get a great tan, just make sure you watch out for the tides. The Marina State Beach has more sand than you’ll know what to do with. There are fantastic sand dunes ideal for walks, flying kites or, if you’re daring enough, hang gliding. Enjoy the water whether you surf, kayak or simply want to swim. And if you’re worried about walking on the hot sand going from dune to dune, there’s a great boardwalk that’ll help protect your footsies.

Some of the most recognizable architecture in Monterey are the adobes. Dating around the late 1700s, you’ll enjoy viewing some of Mexico’s history here. Most of them have been restored and can be found best when traveling by foot. You’ll find great examples in Old Monterey so keep your eyes open for the yellow tiles that will mark your way. Perhaps you’d like to catch up on some reading while visiting Monterey. Take a short drive to Salinas and enter the birthplace of John Steinbeck. Notably one of American’s most well known writers, the National Steinbeck Center provides great insight into the life of this author. You might recognize a few of his titles, for example, Cannery Row. If you enjoy wildlife, you’ll love visiting the Los Padres National Forest. This fantastic place stretches over 200 miles. That’s a lot of trails to cover. You might be lucky enough to see some of the wildlife that thrives here but even if you don’t, or they’re just playing shy, you’ll enjoy the hot springs, streams, trails and rest areas that it offers.

Choose to fill your evenings with a lot of activity or relax and enjoy the beautiful views. It would be impossible for you to not have a fantastic meal in Monterey. With an abundance of fresh seafood and locally grown produce, the chefs have what they need to create amazing dishes and you can enjoy it with wine created in the nearby wineries. In fact, if you’re a wine connoisseur or simply want to learn more about it, there are many wine tasting venues for you to learn about merlots, chardonnays and pinot noirs. No idea what those are? Then perhaps you should book a tour. If you’re able to catch the Monterey Jazz Festival, you’re in for a real treat. Famous headliners come to showcase their talents every year.

However you spend your time in Monterey, this Californian getaway will make your vacation one worth remembering.