It's the most magical time of the year! Use this Monterey Gift Guide to bring in the holiday spirit with unique Monterey County experiences and locally-made gifts.
For the Outdoor Adventurer
Sometimes, the best gift isn’t something you can wrap—it's the thrill of outdoor adventure. Treat your loved ones to unforgettable experiences in the stunning landscapes of Monterey County.
Go Car Tours (Monterey) - Explore Monterey County in a little yellow car or a small electric vehicle! These GPS-guided, self-driving cars lead you to top sights and hidden gems, making sightseeing exciting and easy.
Monterey Bay Eco Tours (Moss Landing) - Enjoy a 90-minute electric catamaran cruise to view the variety of wildlife in the Elkhorn Slough. From sea otters, sea lions, birds and more.
Monterey Bay Football Club Tickets (Seaside) - Experience the excitement of Monterey Bay's pro soccer games! Enjoy local vibes, mingle with fans, sip on Alvarado Street Brewery’s "Land & Sea" pale ale and savor food from various vendors. Season and single-game tickets are available.
Whale Watching Tours (Monterey) - Give the gift of a whale-watching adventure in Monterey Bay! Witness majestic whales and marine life up close while enjoying the scenic beauty of the coast. Tours are available year-round for an unforgettable experience.
THE GOLF ENTHUSIAST
Treat the golf lover in your life to unforgettable tee times and world-class courses in Monterey County.
Del Monte Golf Course (Monterey) - Give the gift of a round at the oldest course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi.
Bayonet and Black Horse (Seaside) - Any golf lover would love a round at one or both of the courses here. Known for their scenic beauty and rich history, these courses provide an unforgettable golfing experience for players of all skill levels.
The Hay (Pebble Beach) - Give the gift of a round at The Hay, a fun and scenic golf course at Pebble Beach, designed by Tiger Woods. Perfect for golfers of all abilities, it offers a memorable experience with breathtaking views.
Indoor Golf Experiences - Give the gift of fun with a round at The Links Club, a premier sports bar & event venue with golf simulators or a playful outing at Tipsy Putt in Monterey. Whether it’s a laid-back, scenic golf experience or a mini-golf adventure with drinks, these unique spots offer great times for friends and family alike.
THE ART CONNOISSEUR
Here are some one-of-a-kind gifts the art lover in your life would enjoy.
Edi Matsumoto Art & Design (Carmel-by-the-Sea) - Fine art paintings and wearable art by award-winning Carmel artist Edi Matsumoto.
Photo Credit: Edi Matsumoto
Monterey Glassworks (Sand City) - Monterey Glassworks produces custom glass art, including artisanal glassware, decor and lighting. The studio also offers glass art services and private events for a unique experience in glass blowing.
Photo Credit: Monterey GlassWorks
The Haute Enchilada Cafe & Gallery (Moss Landing) - The Gallery showcases artists from a wide range of mediums including Mayan weaving, wood sculptures and stained glass.
THE FOODIE
Gift the foodie in your life a culinary adventure through Monterey County.
Big Sur Salts (Big Sur) - Hand-harvested straight from the Big Sur coastline, their craft salt and salt blends represent Big Sur in color, taste and aroma.
Photo Credit: Big Sur Salts
Carmel Honey Company (Carmel-by-the-Sea) - Carmel Honey Company began with Founder and Beekeeper Jake Reisdorf's 5th-grade project and a passion for bees. Their customizable mini gift sets are the perfect way to share a little sweetness—just bee-cause!
Photo Credit: Carmel Honey Company
Lula's Chocolates (Monterey) - Using recipes passed down from Grandmother Lula herself, Lula's Chocolates are hand-crafted in small batches, including Sea Salt Caramels, Truffles, Nut Clusters, California Toffee and everything in between.
Photo Credit: Lula's Chocolates
Thai Is Fun Cooking Class (Monterey) - Experience a hands-on class that teaches authentic Thai cooking techniques in a fun and engaging atmosphere.
Photo Credit: Thai is Fun
The Quail and Olive (Carmel Valley) - This boutique offers high-quality olive oils, vinegars and specialty oils for tasting and purchase.
Photo Credit: The Quail and Olive
THE WINE AND BREW LOVER
Treat the wine and brew lover in your life to a taste of the finest wineries, craft breweries and coffee shops in Monterey County.
Alvarado Street Brewery (Monterey) - Give the gift of craft beer at Alvarado Street Brewery in Monterey, Salinas or Carmel-by-the-Sea! Known for its innovative brews and vibrant atmosphere, it’s a perfect destination for beer enthusiasts to savor unique, locally-crafted flavors.
Photo Credit: Alvarado Street Brewery
Captain + Stoker Small-Batch Roasted Coffee (Monterey) - This coffee shop and roastery focuses on direct trade specialty coffee.
Photo Credit: Captain + Stoker
Holman Ranch Wine (Carmel Valley) - Holman Ranch is the only 100% estate vineyard and winery in the Carmel Valley AVA. Wine can be purchased by the bottle or in Holiday Gift Sets. They also have a tasting room that offers personalized tastings and retail bottles.
THE BOOK WORM
Give the gift of literary delight from the unique bookshops in Monterey County.
Pilgrim's Way Community Bookstore & Secret Garden (Carmel-by-the-Sea) - This is the last remaining bookshop in Carmel-by-the-Sea offering many gift offerings such as jewelry, greeting cards, candles, garden items, crystals and, of course, books.
Photo Credit: Pilgrim's Way Community Bookstore and Secret Garden
Old Capitol Books (Monterey) - This bookstore offers local new and used books from fiction, sci-fi, mystery, biographies and more.
Photo Credit: Old Capitol Books
Olivia & Daisy Books (Carmel Valley) - Olivia and Daisy is a bespoke, neighborhood bookshop for all ages located in the heart of Carmel Valley. They offer selections of literary fiction, historical fiction, non-fiction, thriller, cookbooks, children's books and plenty of other options that any book lover would enjoy.
Photo Credit: Olivia and Daisy
THE RELAXATION SEEKER
Give the gift of tranquility with relaxing experiences in Monterey County.
Sanctuary Beach Resort (Marina) - Guests can get the ultimate sleep with the soothing waves on the shoreline of Marina State Beach in a private oceanfront cottage. The property offers daily wellness activities, such as yoga and stretching along with a variety of spa treatments in The Renewal Studio & Spa. This property is also a Kind Traveler Partner.
Photo Credit: Sanctuary Beach Resort
Intercontinental The Clement Monterey (Monterey) - Give the gift of luxury with the Intercontinental The Clement Monterey. There are panoramic ocean views, a spa to rejuvenate and relax along with an award-winning restaurant renowned for its Californian coastal cuisine.
Photo Credit: InterContinental The Clement Monterey
The Refuge (Carmel Valley) - This unique day spa offers a tranquil retreat with hot baths, cold plunges and soothing treatments—perfect for anyone in need of a serene escape.
Photo Credit: Refuge