A WEEKEND GUIDE TO MONTEREY

The California Coast has endless of places to explore and Monterey is one of them. Anyone can easily pass through on the way to Big Sur but spending a weekend in Monterey is recommended. Monterey is roughly 2 hours south of San Francisco, which makes it the perfect weekend getaway. Here is a complete weekend guide to Monterey, California.

Where To Stay

I stayed at Hotel Pacific and loved it! Hotel Pacific has 105 modern suites with gas fireplaces and private balconies. Each room has complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast. The location of the hotel was perfect, it was walking distance to Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf.

What To Do

1. Monterey Bay Aquarium – This was one of the highlights of my trip. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is $50 a ticket per adult and $30 per child. I easily spent 2 hours exploring the Aquarium.

2. Cannery Row & Old Fisherman’s Wharf – Great place to walk around, shop and eat seafood!

3. 17 Mile Drive – This famous 17 mile coastline drive starts at Pacific Grove through Pebble Beach to Carmel. The drive is scenic and one of the main reasons tourists visit. There are plenty landmarks to see through out the drive, if you’re lucky you may see seals!

4. Pebble Beach – Explore Pebble Beach while driving the 17 mile drive. Stop by the Pebble Beach Golf Link to explore and shop.

5. Carmel by the Sea – Carmel is a cute beach town and a must visit!

6. Wine Tasting – Carmel Valley has some of the best wineries. Here’s a guide to the wineries & tasting rooms.

On the way back to San Francisco make sure to make stops in Santa Cruz, Davenport and Half Moon Bay.

Where To Eat

First Awakenings – 125 Ocean View Blvd – Awesome brunch! Located next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Fish House – 2114 Del Monte Ave – Awesome seafood! Reservations is recommended

Old Fisherman’s Grotto – 39 Fisherman’s Wharf – Great Clam Chowder and great for lunch or dinner

Hula’s Island Grill – 622 Lighthouse Ave – Asian fusion/Hawaiian food. Great for lunch or dinner

Shop my Califonia look:

Have you been to Monterey? Comment below on your favorite thing to do!

 

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33 comments

  • Hallie

    December 14, 2016 at 7:41 pm

    Seals, wine tasting and that bfast.. it all sounds worth it. I haven’t done nearly enough exploring on the west coast. This is a great little guide to get started though. Did you see any of the seals though?

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 14, 2016 at 8:24 pm

      Thanks Hallie! Sadly I didn’t get to see any seals =(

  • Christina

    December 14, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    Carmel is probably one of my favorite places in the US! The town is so quaint and the shore is so beautiful – I miss it so much. Need to get back to this area.

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 14, 2016 at 8:24 pm

      It really is the cutest town!

  • Megan Jerrard

    December 14, 2016 at 11:40 pm

    Monterey was one of our favorite stops along the California coastline – we did an epic roadtrip from San Diego to Alaska and everywhere inbetween 😀 Didn’t have the chance to get to the aquarium though everyone said it was a fantastic spot – but we did enjoy walking to the warf in the evening and hanging out with some California Sea Lions which was a wild experience to see them naturally in the wild!

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 16, 2016 at 4:42 pm

      Thats amazing Megan!! A road trip from San Diego to Alaska sounds epic!

  • Shobha

    December 15, 2016 at 1:22 am

    We were in Monterey for a couple of days this summer. It was very pretty, and we had a great time but those sea lions do smell quite a bit and it was cold. I was not expecting it to be so cold in August! I can see why you needed your cover up.

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 16, 2016 at 4:42 pm

      haha yea it gets cold there!

  • Nicki

    December 15, 2016 at 1:36 am

    Carmel by the Sea is hands down my favorite place in the United States. Did you stop there long enough to see some of the houses? They have no addresses, but names. Good luck being that post man lol

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 16, 2016 at 4:43 pm

      Oh cool I had no idea about the homes with no addresses! I wish I had more time to walk around there

  • nisha

    December 15, 2016 at 2:08 am

    Very scenic! From the photos it looks like it is not much populated. The aquarium looks so beautiful like a painting. I have yet to explore that part of the world.

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 16, 2016 at 4:43 pm

      Hopefully you can visit one day Nisha.

  • Katie @ The Katie Show Blog

    December 15, 2016 at 2:25 am

    I have never been so I don’t have any tips to offer but I wanted to stop by and say that this makes me want to visit! All your photos look so gorgeous and you had me at wine 😉

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 16, 2016 at 4:43 pm

      Thanks Katie! Wine is always on my list =)

  • Gina

    December 15, 2016 at 5:48 am

    When I first read this post I thought you meant Monterrey, Mexico! I’ve never been here, although I would like to go wine tasting and experience Pebble Beach.

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 16, 2016 at 4:44 pm

      Haha I didn’t know there was a Monterey, Mexico!

  • Thelittlelai :Beyond limits

    December 16, 2016 at 10:40 pm

    This is really beautiful and the places are very scenic. I like how you write your weekend guide, very concise, but informative. I would be very happy to be able to visit this place soon, I’ll surely penned them all in my bucket list. Thank you so much for sharing!

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 17, 2016 at 9:50 am

      You’re welcome! Hope you enjoy your time when you visit!

  • Christina

    December 18, 2016 at 6:49 am

    It has been awhile since I have been to Monterey. This article brings back many good memories from my trip. It has also reminded me that I need to go back! I bet my kids would really enjoy the Monterey aquarium along with the outdoor beauty of Monterey.

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 18, 2016 at 9:47 am

      Your kids will love visiting Monterey and the aquarium! Looks like you will need a trip soon =)

  • Suzanne – Travelbunny

    December 18, 2016 at 6:55 am

    I had a couple of nights in Monterey last year during our road trip. One of our favourite things of the whole trip was a whale watching trip – we had an epic afternoon seeing killer whales, humpback whales and a pod of over 300 dolphins. I’d love to go back and do it all over again!

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 18, 2016 at 9:48 am

      Wow, that sounds amazing! I have actually never gone whale watching. I should definitely do this next time I’m back in Monterey!

  • Claire Summers

    December 19, 2016 at 6:56 am

    Interesting post. I’m especially tempted by the 17 mile drive. The food also looks yummy!

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 19, 2016 at 5:31 pm

      Thanks Claire! The 17 mile drive is beautiful!

  • Sridhar @InterludJourney

    December 19, 2016 at 10:55 am

    love the way you tell about this place. It’s amazing information the places with wonderful pics. I’ve never gone there before. Noted it!

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 19, 2016 at 5:32 pm

      Hope you get to visit soon!

  • Mimi

    December 20, 2016 at 10:58 am

    Aw man this makes me regret we didn’t spend more time in Monterey. Lovely pictures they are sure inspirational! We went for a drive from SF to SD, was very tight schedule 🙁 Next time for sure!

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 20, 2016 at 6:02 pm

      An excuse to go back =)

  • Stephanie Langlet

    December 20, 2016 at 3:04 pm

    That’s a nice place but a bit far for a weekend from France 😉
    These pancakes seemed delicious!

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 20, 2016 at 6:02 pm

      Hopefully you can make it out to California one day.

  • Mel

    December 20, 2016 at 9:56 pm

    I love Monterey and Half Moon Bay. The aquarium is amazing, of course, but just looking out on Monterey Bay and searching for otters is pretty great, too. Next time I go, I’d like to rent a kayak. Love all the cute outfits, too!

    1. Tour de Lust

      December 20, 2016 at 10:18 pm

      Thanks Mel! I would like to try kayaking myself around there next time =)

  • Jasmine Katie

    July 31, 2019 at 9:46 am

    Thansk for sharing this posts with us, keep it up and make posts like these.

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