If you need some reasons to come out to California for a visit, here's an excerpt of a recent email I se
nt to friends, helping them with ideas for their trip. If any of it perks your interest, we can work on your visit next. It's written in a pretty shorthand method, but I think you'll get the idea.
Hotels
Monterey - Portola, I've stayed once, it's decent in the rooms, much liked because of its location to the wharfs, downtown, and ocean (as in Pacific)
Carmel - Mission Ranch - likely booked up, but could be worth a call, especially if you have time to plan
Monterey - Colton Inn - no frills, but reflected in the prices. You also may not spend a lot of time in the room... too much time sightseeing!
There are so many hotel rooms in Monterey, it's obscene
Restaurants, all in Monterey (below, for now)
Alvarado Street Brewing - see below.
Mission Ranch - see above. Even for dinner, this place has views for days. They have sheep in a meadow. The crowd does skew older, but that's likely a testament to the place's longevity and hold in the community. They have a piano bar too. I'm not kidding
Revival - like a new hipster ice cream place, but good too
Hula's - I mean, a tiki bar is fun - c'mon!
There's a pretty vibrant modest downtown in Carmel-by-the-Sea too. They have tons of places to stop in and try. Their downtown promenade makes a wonderful and simple afternoon or evening (shops, eats, etc.)
Breweries
Santa Cruz/Soquel - Beer Thirty - I have not been yet, but I do hear people love it
Monty - Alvarado Street Brewing - I very much like the food, solid brews, but sooo many hoppy ones, which I'm not a fan of
Coralitos Brewing - tiny little spot, with a great big front porch. Often has a food truck out front
Watsonville - Wooden Nickel - hole in the wall, but so choice b/c of it. Good food, normal brews on tap
Like most of the US, there are many more breweries all around, most I've never been to yet
Wineries
Morgan Hill - Clois La Chance - I've never been to one yet here/locally, but they all look good/wine-ish. This one is a fave of boss/friend. Most of them have tasting hours F-Su, if not all week.
Hiking/Nature/Etc
Monterey - Monterey Bay Aquarium!! This is a huge draw in the area, and well-worth the trip, IMO. It is pricey, about $50 for an adult ticket, but the money does go to supporting their programs and ocean research... plus the sea otters
Pacific Grove - This city is next to Monterey (you'd almost not know it's a new town). There's a very simple flower garden walk along the ocean here, I could easily spend an afternoon sitting on or near their beach and walking the coast. They have food and beer near too
17-mile Drive - this is a toll drive along the ocean, from Monterey to Carmel. It's very picturesque and affords opportunities to get out of the car and see the ocean. The price is modest per car. It also "ends" at Pebble Beach Golf Course, which is impressive and has their own fancy restaurant as well.
Point Lobos - picturesque hiking, I've never been yet, always heard good things, little drive south from Monterey
Carmel City Beach - it's so great! Most of the beaches here can vary in quality by day and by weather. I've never been one to hang out all day and play beach volleyball with my shirt off (insert college buddy name here), but this one is so wide and such a variety of folks, can go at anytime. Sundown is very pretty.
I can do this all day. Let me know if you need more ideas. Bring your sunblock (or buy it when you arrive, TSA be damned).
