Places to Stay

Monterey is a very small town. Hotels in Monterey, Carmel, Seaside, and Pacific Grove are very close to the wedding.

Some options are Monterey Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn Monterey, Case Munras, Hotel Abrego. These are medium priced hotels. Carmel is the fanciest area around and Pacific Grove is the next fanciest. I’d stay away from hotels on Fremont Street in Monterey. Not the best reputation.

Places to Visit

Many of you may not of heard of Big Sur but it’s an area where the hills meet the ocean and it’s amazing. It’s my #1 recommendation. Most people go to Bixby Bridge and some of the shops/restaurants. If you visit Big Sur go to the River’s Inn and wade in the river behind the restaurant.

Monterey Bay Aquarium is world famous

The Aquarium is in Cannery Row (made famous by John Steinbeck). Lots of food places and little shops. Has an arcade and a place for family fun.

The Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf is something to see.

Downtown Carmel is beautiful and leads to the Carmel beach. Our area is not really warm enough to swim. Not even in July.

Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant in Carmel (Clint Eastwood owned picturesque place with a sheep farm).

Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove is the best option for getting in the water and is a beautiful area to see and possibly picnic.

Pebble Beach (for the golfers) is 10 minutes from Monterey. There are other local courses as well that we hear are very nice.

Santa Cruz Boardwalk (made famous by The Lost Boys) and the Santa Cruz beach is less than an hour away.

Avila Beach is 2.5 hours south and is a great place to swim in the ocean.

The area has many wineries and breweries as well.

Food

Our area has its own kind of food. We call it Central Coast Cali Cuisine. It is generally fresh and has old school California, Latin, Polynesian, and Asian influences.

In N Out in Monterey

Alverado Brewery in Carmel

Stokes Adobe/Cella in Monterey for fine dining

Papa Chevos burritos in Marina or Seaside

Wagon Wheel in Carmel Valley is Ellie’s favorite breakfast

Old Fisherman’s Grotto at the Fisherman’s Wharf is a touristy seafood place and it’s awesome!

Alta Bakery in Monterey

Sushi Kuma in Monterey

Turn 12 in Monterey for family dining

Visit Nepenthe in Big Sur for the amazing ocean view

Demetra in Carmel for Mediterranean food

Revival Ice Cream in Monterey

There is a Whole Foods and a Trader Joe’s in Monterey. We have Safeway and Lucky’s close by.

Tips

Our weather is fairly predictable. Usually around 50 in the morning. Warms up to about 65 in the afternoon and then cools off to 60 or so at night. It doesn’t often rain in July and it’s rarely very hot. It’s best to wear layers.

San Francisco is about 2 hours away. Santa Barbara is around 4 hours. Napa is 3 hours from us.

Monterey has an airport and it’s very small and easy to get in and out. I think it has 2 gates. Tickets aren’t very cheap though. San Jose is the next closest airport. San Francisco is the next closest. I recommend San Jose’s over San Francisco’s due to distance and ease of use.