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Destinations
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Monterey
- Hotels
- Things to Do
- Monterey County on a Budget
- Itinerary: Midweek Monterey Getaway
- Monterey Beaches
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman's Wharf
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Historic Monterey
- Monterey Wine Tasting Rooms
- Monterey State Beach
- El Estero Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Guided Tours
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Monterey Expert
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Big Sur
- Travel Like a Big Sur Expert
- Hotels
- Camping & Hiking
- Big Sur Beaches
- Arts & Culture
- Bixby Bridge
- Big Sur Itinerary
- Big Sur Live Webcam
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- McWay Falls
- Limekiln State Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Pebble Beach
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Pacific Grove
- Carmel Valley
- Marina
- Seaside
- Salinas
- Moss Landing
- Sand City
- Castroville
- Spreckels
- South County
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Monterey
- Lodging
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Things to Do
- Free Things to Do in Monterey County
- Attractions
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Itineraries
- Now is the Moment Itineraries
- Highlights Itinerary
- Outdoors Itinerary
- Family Itinerary
- Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary
- Golf Itinerary
- History and Heritage Itinerary
- Road Trip Itinerary
- Romantic Itinerary
- Shopping Itinerary
- Spa Itineraries
- Steinbeck Itinerary
- Wine and Dine Itinerary
- Three Days in Monterey Wine Country
- Outdoor Activities
- Animals and Wildlife
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Parks
- Top 10 Campsites
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
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Beaches
- Undiscovered Beaches
- Asilomar State Beach
- Big Sur Beaches
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel River State Beach
- Fort Ord Dunes State Park
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Marina State Beach
- Monterey Beaches
- Monterey State Beach
- Moss Landing State Beach
- Pebble Beach Beaches
- Salinas River State Beach
- Zmudowski State Beach
- Arts and Culture
- Family Adventures
- Golf
- Guided Tours
- Literary Sites
- Romance
- Shopping
- Spas
- Nightlife and Entertainment
- Historic Attractions
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Events
- This Weekend
- Annual Events
- Music Festivals
- Sporting Events
- Food & Drink Events
- Art Festivals
- Community Events
- Holiday Events
- Submit an Event
- Food & Drink
- Resources
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Destinations
-
Monterey
- Hotels
- Things to Do
- Monterey County on a Budget
- Itinerary: Midweek Monterey Getaway
- Monterey Beaches
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman's Wharf
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Historic Monterey
- Monterey Wine Tasting Rooms
- Monterey State Beach
- El Estero Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Guided Tours
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Monterey Expert
-
Big Sur
- Travel Like a Big Sur Expert
- Hotels
- Camping & Hiking
- Big Sur Beaches
- Arts & Culture
- Bixby Bridge
- Big Sur Itinerary
- Big Sur Live Webcam
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- McWay Falls
- Limekiln State Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Pebble Beach
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Pacific Grove
- Carmel Valley
- Marina
- Seaside
- Salinas
- Moss Landing
- Sand City
- Castroville
- Spreckels
- South County
-
Monterey
- Lodging
-
Things to Do
- Free Things to Do in Monterey County
- Attractions
-
Itineraries
- Now is the Moment Itineraries
- Highlights Itinerary
- Outdoors Itinerary
- Family Itinerary
- Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary
- Golf Itinerary
- History and Heritage Itinerary
- Road Trip Itinerary
- Romantic Itinerary
- Shopping Itinerary
- Spa Itineraries
- Steinbeck Itinerary
- Wine and Dine Itinerary
- Three Days in Monterey Wine Country
- Outdoor Activities
- Animals and Wildlife
-
Parks
- Top 10 Campsites
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
-
Beaches
- Undiscovered Beaches
- Asilomar State Beach
- Big Sur Beaches
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel River State Beach
- Fort Ord Dunes State Park
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Marina State Beach
- Monterey Beaches
- Monterey State Beach
- Moss Landing State Beach
- Pebble Beach Beaches
- Salinas River State Beach
- Zmudowski State Beach
- Arts and Culture
- Family Adventures
- Golf
- Guided Tours
- Literary Sites
- Romance
- Shopping
- Spas
- Nightlife and Entertainment
- Historic Attractions
-
Events
- This Weekend
- Annual Events
- Music Festivals
- Sporting Events
- Food & Drink Events
- Art Festivals
- Community Events
- Holiday Events
- Submit an Event
- Food & Drink
- Resources
Visitors can once again experience the breathtaking beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes that make Big Sur a world-renowned destination.
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Big Sur
Rocky cliffs, lush mountains, coastal redwood forests and hidden beaches combine to create an epic backdrop for recreation, romance and relaxed exploration. Hike trails through fragrant forests to scenic overlooks and beaches. Grab a table with a view, soak in the surroundings and settle into euphoric state of relaxation. This bucket-list worthy destination with its charming, eclectic populace and cosmic vibe makes for some unforgettable moments.
Carmel-By-The-Sea
No exploration of California’s central coast is complete without a sojourn to Carmel-by-the-Sea. This quaint town is a delightful fusion of art galleries, boutiques, hotels, white-sand beaches, fine restaurants and whimsically styled homes. Make time to wind down its charming, historic streets and courtyards for a storybook ambiance that can be appreciated by romantics of all ages.
Carmel Valley
Sun-kissed days make Carmel Valley one of Monterey County’s prized wine appellations, and the perfect rustic wine country getaway. Whether you set off on a self-directed tasting adventure or sign up for a guided tour, you can sip your way down Carmel Valley Road, the main artery of the lush countryside. Dine at award-winning restaurants with menus crafted to showcase local vintages. Get active at one of Carmel Valley’s championship golf courses, tennis courts or fitness clubs that offer day use.
Marina
Marina is wonderfully diverse, teeming with options for food, culture, and adventure. On top of the bay its scenic trails and seascapes afford endless possibilities for fun and exploration, attracting bicyclists, hang-gliders, paragliders, kite enthusiasts and admirers of Mother Nature. Vast stretches of dunes and rolling hills, ethnic cultures and cuisines, and historic and renowned attractions make Marina a destination to see, stay and play.
Monterey
Monterey has a robust and remarkable history attracting visitors from around the world since the 1700s. Today, restaurants, boutiques and attractions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row and Old Fisherman’s Wharf have helped Monterey continue as a favorite international tourist destination.
Moss Landing
What started out as a wharf in 1866 is now a bona fide destination. In addition to a quaint fishing village vibe, the area features several antique shops, art studios, fresh seafood markets and delightful restaurants all within strolling distance of each other. Take a look at a sample Moss Landing itinerary for ideas on how to spend a quiet getaway weekend.
Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove (P.G. to the locals) has a classic Main Street feel. With one of the oldest continually operating lighthouses in the country and a classic 1932 Neville golf course, Pacific Grove holds many old-fashioned charms. Its status as one of the top Monarch butterfly migrating spots has earned it the nickname of “Butterfly Town, USA.”
Pebble Beach
Experience the awe-inspiring, harmonious marriage of golf course topography and coastal majesty at Pebble Beach. From the famed 18th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Links® to 17-Mile Drive® and The Lone Cypress™, a visit here will leave you spellbound. Even before the first commercial automobiles came along, historic 17-Mile Drive® was one of Monterey County’s top scenic drives. It began as a carriage road in the early 1880s, and since then has been lauded for its magnificent scenery.
Salinas
At first blush, agriculture and literature might seem to be an incongruous pair, but not in Salinas. As the county seat of Monterey, it is a vibrant agribusiness hub and is most famous for being the ancestral home of Nobel Prize laureate John Steinbeck and the nationally renowned National Steinbeck Center Museum. Noshing on locally grown delicacies, such as artichokes, at The Steinbeck house—boyhood home of Mr. Steinbeck and now a favorite eatery is a must. Plan ahead to attend one of the many Salinas festivals or events such as the California Rodeo Salinas or the California International Airshow. Traveling by train? Salinas is home to Monterey County’s only Amtrak station.
Sand City
Sand City is blessed with an abundance of, well, sand. But this isn’t your garden-variety beach sand. We’re referring to spectacular dunes formed during the Pleistocene era at the tail end of the last ice age somewhere in the neighborhood of 6,000 to 15,000 years ago. These dunes are the highest found on California's Central Coast.
Seaside
Seaside began with the Hotel Del Monte in 1880 and was later used by the military. The former site of Fort Ord is now an up-and-coming destination complete with two previously “off-limits” golf courses, an easy entrance to Fort Ord National Monument and some of the best beach access on California’s Central Coast.
South County
South Monterey County offers wide open spaces, lush scenery and the agricultural bounty of the region. Also known as the "Salad Bowl of the World," South County has a rich heritage of agriculture, growing much of our nation's produce. The riches of South County are showcased daily at local restaurants, farmers markets and wineries along Monterey Wine Trail. Pinnacles National Park and Los Padres National Forest are also in South County, offering spectacular hiking trails with sweeping vistas.
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