California’s Monterey Peninsula has been referred to as the Circle of Enchantment and Fulfillment. Once you’ve seen it, you’ll understand why. It’s an area of rocky shorelines, steep cliffs, windswept trees and beaches, and surreal blue waters. The Monterey Peninsula is the perfect place for anyone who loves natural beauty.
Located about five hours north of Los Angeles and two hours south of San Francisco on California’s Central Coast, the sublime scenery attracts artists, photographers, tourists, and locals, all of whom come for inspiration and renewal.
Imagine building bridges along this road.
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Monterey Is For History Lovers
Did you know that Monterey was the first capital city of California? Exploration of the California’s Pacific Coast by Spanish explorers began as early as the 1500s. The first sighting of the Bay has been credited to Juan Cabrillo in 1542. However, it wasn’t until 1602 that an expedition led by Sebastian Vizcaino sailed into the bay and went ashore. With a fleet of three ships, Vizcaino and his crew spent about a month in Monterey but left in January, seemingly without learning much about the area. It wasn’t until 1769, 167 years later, that the Spanish once again sailed into Monterey Bay.
This (and more) I learned on a walking tour via the Monterey State Historic Parks. I highly recommend this tour for history buffs and anyone interested in learning about the first capital of California. Find more tour information here.
The Commons House, Monterey State Historic Park
Fisherman’s Wharf
After a day touring Cannery Row, the Monterey Aquarium, or the historic buildings of the Monterey State Historic Park, take a walk around the harbor and Fisherman’s Wharf at dusk. Fisherman’s Wharf is a huge tourist attraction, and while today you find neon lights and seafood restaurants, these waters are some of the most historic in California! In 1770, Spaniard Gaspar Portola located the Monterey Harbor – and the city of Monterey was founded.
Delicious Food
To really understand a culture, I think you have to try the food. There’s a strong awareness of the environment and sustainability in Monterey.
The C At The Hotel Intercontinenal
I tried a new restaurant this trip – The C at the Hotel Intercontinental on Cannery Row. A beautiful light-filled room with ocean views, the C is a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of other restaurants on Cannery Row. I had the rock codfish tacos, with a glass of local sparkling wine from Monterey winery, Folktale.
Scales Seafood and Steaks
Another not to miss place is the new Scales Seafood and Steaks at Fisherman’s Wharf. This is a family-owned and operated restaurant that takes great pride in their sixty years history in Monterey. Along the back wall are some romantic booths to cozy up and enjoy the views of the harbor. The service is friendly and the portions are generous. I dug into the Sand Dabs, a regional favorite I tried on my first trip to Monterey. I couldn’t wait to dig into them again. If you haven’t tried Sand Dabs, they are small white fish, very tender and moist, with a savory buttery flavor. Very delicate and unique.
Harborside dining at Scales Steak and Seafood on Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, California
Phil’s Fish Market
Cioppino at Phil’s Fish Market in Moss Landing. Phil’s has been voted best beach restaurant by the BBC and so many other publications it’s ridiculous.
The Central Coast is known for wine too!
Local wine and cheeses. California’s central coast is known for chardonnays and pinot noir, though other varietals are grown. Cheese from The Cheese Shop, Carmel by the Sea.
The Monterey Aquarium
The Monterey Aquarium is an ocean-side aquarium receiving over 1,000,000 visitors per year. I especially liked the jellyfish exhibit.
Jellyfish at the Monterey Aquarium.
Carmel Walking Tours
To really know Carmel, take a walking tour with Gael Gallagher. A resident for over 40 years Gael’s love of the area and Irish wit will have you laughing while you learn all the juicy tidbit and discover the hidden byways of Carmel.
Gael Gallagher shares the secret alleys and byways of Carmel-by-the Sea on one of her renowned, Carmel Walks Tours. Check her out on Instagram @Carmelwalks
Incredible Monterey Bay Landscapes
Visit Moss Landing, just a short 10 minutes away, it’s a quirky place located at the mouth of the Elkhorn Slough estuary, the largest tract of tidal salt marsh in California outside of San Francisco Bay. One of the best things to do is to take a pontoon boat tour around the slough or, go kayaking, as I did, with Monterey Bay Kayaks.
My trusted guide at Monterey Kayak Tours. That’s a two seater kayak.
Monterey Bay Kayaks
During my private, ninety-minute tour around Elkhorn Slough, I saw otters galore, slumbering California seals, and a plethora of birds, and I touched a starfish! I went out in a two-seater kayak with my guide, who kindly did all of the steering (and most of the paddling), while I unsuccessfully tried to take a video of sea otters. Though not an adrenaline-pounding adventure, it will have you squealing with delight every time a sea otter pops up in front of you.
Those otters are so dang cute!
If you want to get off the beaten path, Moss Landing is the place. This somewhat Bohemian fishing village has a post office, several great restaurants, Phil’s Fish Market and the Haute Enchilada, and the charming Captain’s Inn. It’s definitely worth the fifteen-minute drive north of Monterey.
WHERE TO STAY
Make the most of your time by staying in the historic heart of Monterey.
Casa Munras
Casa Munras Garden Hotel and Spa is ideally located for exploring the culture of Monterey. The Inn, constructed in 1824, was originally a private residence built by diplomat Don Esteban Munras. The original residence was constructed of adobe bricks. A portion of this structure has been preserved and can be seen in the Marbella meeting room.
I adored this charming hotel with lush gardens, updated, tasteful furnishings, and a convenient location. Within a short five minute walk Is Parker Lusseau (a French patisserie), a delightful Japanese tea shop, and many other adobe structures of cultural significance. You can walk to the Fisherman’s Wharf, the Monterey State Historic Park, and the heart of the cultural area.
Bungalow at Casa Munras, Monterey, California
My room was on the second floor of a small casita with about sixteen rooms. There were many modern touches like the pattern in the coverlet on the bed, but the mahogany desk and Spanish tiles are true to the original heritage. The king-size bed with luxury linens and the gas fireplace in the room made it hard to leave. Winter evenings are chilly, even if the days are sunny, so the fireplace was very welcome.
Esteban, the house restaurant and bar features live entertainment that attracts both locals and guests alike. I’d love to go back for one of the jazz events in the spring and summer. A true delight, and an affordable luxury, Casa Munras is on my list of favorite Monterey experiences. You may get a better rate by booking direct with the hotel but check out Booking.com as well. If you book through my site I get a small commission which helps me keep the site running.
Deluxe King Room at Casa Munras
Captain’s Inn – Moss Landing
Located on the Salinas River tidal creek and surrounded by marshland, the charming Captain’s Inn is true to its name, featuring a nautical theme in every room. Be sure to have a look at the room with the fishing boat, which forms a headboard and footboard. Very fun! You can get some amazing sunsets there too, so take your camera. Rates are higher on weekends by quite a bit but check all options. You never know.
Check these rates on Hotels.com and Booking.com
Captain’s Inn, Moss Landing
The Best Time To Visit Monterey
January through March in California is off-season, which means no crowds and less traffic. People have time to engage with you. Dungeness crab is the fresh catch of the day and if you like crab, what could be better? The whales are migrating up the coast, and the weather is not too shabby, either.
I’ll be writing a lot more about Monterey, both here on Adventures of a Carry-on and on other travel sites. If your plans are taking you to Monterey this year, follow along!
Have you been to Monterey? What was your favorite Monterey experience?
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21 comments
[…] car and headed north to discover California’s Central Coast and drive iconic Highway 1 from Los Angeles to Monterey County, staying in Cambria, Big Sur, and Carmel. If driving the serpentine highway hugging the mountains […]
[…] sure to read 5 Things to Love About Monterey which includes information about restaurants and tours in the area. You’ll also find there are […]
Great post! I visited Monterey last year and I need to go back!
Amazing place. Hope I get to see this during my California Summer this August. Thanks for the inspiring travel tips.
Looks beautiful – very Mediterranean, yet wild and windswept too.
Very wild and very windswept
Your pictures of Monterey are beautiful and the food looks delicious. I’ve driven by Monterey, but never stopped to explore the nature activities in the area. I guess I’ll just have to go back!
It seems like the perfect destination for Green Global Travel
All the years I lived in California (8 in total on two separate occasions) I never visited Monterey. Beautiful! You’d have to pry me from the wine and cheese. 🙂
I’ve been dying to do a California roadtrip, and for reasons like yours! The food, the views and the quirky things you can only find when on a roadtrip!
Hi Cat, I’m not a fan of driving, but in the off season and when the views are like this, I love it. And yes, the freedom to stop and explore. Maybe I am becoming a fan and I don’t realize it? 🙂
Love this! I visited Monterey as a child and have very happy memories of it, jogged by this post. I need to go back!
It’s wonderful!
GORGEOUS!! I love those views.
Definitely! Wait til you see some of my sunset photos.
That’s some epic coastline right there – wow! Reminds me of the Australian coastline. Beautiful!
It is! I loved it. I want to do it again!
Penny, I’d never heard the Circle of Enchantment phrase before, but it’s surely applicable. Even having lived in the area for many years, I still find it to be extraordinary in many ways, some of which you mentioned. Every time I go down to Big Sur, Carmel or Monterey, which is often, I’ll see something new that’s fascinating or lovely. (And the “old” stuff I see is great too.)
Great fun to meet you, and hope we can do it again.
Well Tom I’m happy I a stump an old pro like you. Great meeting you as well, and yes let’s do!
The sunset view is beyond epic Penny! Loved the post and your breakdown of Monterey. I’ve meant to visit it for a while because a local tipped me off some 2 years ago. We were living in Bali at the time, in the rice fields. The other house in our compound – in the middle of nowhere – was being lived in by a gentleman from Big Sur. He raved about the place and its raw beauty. After reading this and seeing your images I have to agree. I also dig the artichoke thing; even if your dish wasn’t the most awesome I’d give it a go just to be sure 🙂
Thanks for the fun post, the beautiful images and for quite a blog too. Keep up the inspired work!
Ryan
Oh the artichoke WAS AWESOME. I better fix that! LOL I ate it all! I’d eat two! Castroville which is in the area is the artichoke capital! Thanks for the nice comments. Really appreciate it.