Support Us Button Widget

Great escapes: Our Guide to Monterey, CA

Planning a getaway? Check out Monterey, CA, a picturesque coastal town with quaint gift shops, local seafood eateries, and outdoor activities aplenty.

emily-beach.JPG

Multi-City Editor Emily Shea at Pfeiffer Beach. | Photo by 6AM City

Multi-City Editor Emily, here. Monterey, CA is easily one of the most memorable places I have ever visited. The area is bursting with lush coastal greenery, walking trails that bring you up close and personal with Big Sur wildlife (think: elephant seals, brown pelicans, and sea otters), and cliff laden seasides.

big-sur-coastline.jpg

One of the many breath taking views of the Pacific Ocean along California’s Highway 1. | Photo by Emily Shea

Photo by Emily Shea-Owen

Why go?

purplesand.JPG

The purple sand at Pfeiffer Beach almost looks iridescent. | Photo by SEAtoday

Act like a local

  • Food: Enjoy fresh seafood and Italian cuisine at Paluca Trattoria. The popular restaurant at Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf was featured in the award-winning HBO series “Big Little Lies.”
  • Drink: Visit downtown Monterey’s Hula’s Island Grill for tiki drinks (my favorite is the Painkiller) paired with tropical cuisine like seared ahi wontons, chimichurri barramundi, and bahn mi tacos.
  • Outdoors: Drive ~15 minutes to Point Lobos State Nature Preserve and embark on a 6.7-mile loop hike for breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, otherworldly seaside cliffs, giant plumes of seaweed that have washed ashore, and wildlife aplenty.
  • Explore: Take the scenic drive down Highway 1 for remarkable views of Big Sur’s craggy coastline, rolling sand dunes, and cypress forests.
  • Swim: If it is warm enough, drive ~1 hour to Pfeiffer Beach and take a dip. If it’s too cold for a swim or staying dry is the name of the game for you, pack a picnic and take in the beach’s beautiful scenery, including natural arches, rocky cliffs, and purple sand on the north end of the beach.
vrbomonterey.png

Enjoy coastal views from this VRBO’s large deck. | Photo via VRBO

Where to stay

More from RALtoday
Barking Dog NYC is set to make its North Carolina debut in the Park District of North Hills. Pup parents are welcome to bring their furry friends along, too.
Hit the road and head to Roanoke, Virginia — we’re sharing all the details about what to do and eat, plus where to stay.
Dreaming of free downtown parking? Snooze no longer — the City of Raleigh is launching a pilot program Friday, Nov. 15, and we’ve got the details you need.
Looking for things to do, but keep running across the same old stuff? Check out these local-approved (not-so) hidden gems.
Poole’s Diner, a Raleigh staple has opened and expanded into its new era.
College basketball is back, and NC State’s men’s and women’s teams are still riding the high of their Final Four performances last year. Here’s what you need to know in the early days of the 2024-25 season.
Fall colors are fun, but you have to get them out of your yard at some point. Here’s how leaves are collected in Raleigh, including important dates and pro tips.
Planning seasonal and annual photos can be a hastle — let us lessen the load and check out local photographers + photo spots for your holiday portraits.
With the holidays approaching and out-of-town relatives making their way to town, we have to know — how are you entertaining your company? From local coffee shops + restaurants to attractions and city views, we want to know your must-have experiences.
Take the stress out of prepping and planning on Thanksgiving Day with these 13 restaurants + eateries offering takeout and dine-in seasonal feasts.