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Travel Alerts: Road Conditions

Travel Alerts: Road Conditions

Highway 1 into Northern Big Sur is Now Open

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The Right Path

The Right Path

How to Travel Responsibly in Monterey County

Responsible travel minimizes negative impacts, brings economic benefits to host communities, and preserves the cultural and natural resources of the destinations. Responsible travel is about more authentic holiday experiences that enable you to get more out of your travels, and give more back to destination and local people; maximizing the benefits and minimizing the negative impacts of travel.

Are you expecting more from your holiday than a brief stay somewhere? Perhaps you need to completely disconnect from your routine life and escape into nature. Maybe you are looking for inspiration from a new environment. Contributing to the preservation of your host destination helps you tap into the benefits of altruism. This is all a part of traveling responsibly. In Monterey County, we understand the importance of this practice and are here to guide you toward taking the right path. 

Tips for Responsible Travel

Travel Like a Local Expert
  • Choose an eco-friendly tour operator or accommodations
  • Consider local conservation or social projects that you could visit or support during your trip
  • Buy local goods and produce instead of imported goods
  • Hire a local guide
  • Do not buy products from endangered species, hard woods and ancient artifacts
  • Respect local cultures, traditions and holy places
  • Use public transport, rent a bike or walk when convenient
  • Bring a reusable water bottle and shopping bag to reduce the amount of single-use plastics
  • "Pack in, pack out” and “leave no trace”
  • When you leave your hotel room, turn off the lights and all electronics
  • Consider leaving the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door so that housekeeping staff won’t clean your room every day
  • Stick to marked trails to avoid harming native flora, and consider taking a bag to pick up trash along your hike
  • Take time to immerse yourself in the local music, art and cuisine
  • Embrace the cultural differences that make a place unique

Each of our destinations is unique with its own tips for sustainable travel. Click on the links below for  tips on how to travel like a local expert specific to each area.

Resources:

Be a Kind Traveler

Give+Get Hotel Booking Platform

sanctuary-beach-resort-hotel-marina

See Monterey and partner hotels are proud to partner with Kind Traveler, a responsible travel initiative that empowers travelers to make a positive impact through charitable donations with every hotel booking they make. Learn more about how this Give+Get hotel booking platform works and how you can support the important work of Rancho Cielo Youth Campus in investing in all young people in Monterey County facing challenges for success by booking with participating hotel partners here.

Regenerative California

Regenerative California is an initiative devoted to making the Golden State the first regenerative economy in the nation – an economy that benefits our diverse populations and epic natural environment while generating economic prosperity now and for generations to come.

Learn more and watch the video here: https://www.regenerativecalifornia.org/

Avoid a #TravelFail

Enjoy our natural beauty and endless activities and be safe. Here’s your handy cheat sheet to help avoid a #TravelFail on your next adventure. Learn more here.

Ecotourism Guide
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©  See Monterey

(888) 221-1010

Funded in cooperation with the Monterey County Board of Supervisors and the communities of Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Marina, Monterey, Moss Landing, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Salinas Valley, Sand City, Seaside and South County.

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