Monterey & Carmel. A Joie de Vivre Guide
Description:
It never ceases to amaze us that visitors coming either to San Francisco or the Monterey Peninsula expect to find sunshine, since both are famous for their cooling summer fog! For truly warm sunny days, September and October are definitely the best months to explore the beautiful Monterey Peninsula. This can be a fast-paced day trip or a leisurely overnight journey. Enjoy the beautiful scenery along Highway 1 as it winds its way down the coast. Along the way you’ll pass through the seaside college town of Santa Cruz, notable mainly for its boardwalk and amusement park. If you’re short on time, take the faster Highway 280 South to Highway 17 West, which drives through some scenic wooded mountains as it heads to Santa Cruz and Highway 1. (During rush hour both of these highways are heavy commuter routes to and from Silicon Valley.) If you’re really in a hurry, you can take Highway 101 South to Highway 156 West, and continue on to Highway 1. But frankly, if you’re that pressed for time this probably isn’t the place for you!
Author: Joie de Vivre
Day 1 - Monterey
Monterey
From Highway 1 take the “Downtown Monterey” exit onto Del Monte Road and follow this through a tunnel to The Cannery. You’ll find a parking garage at Foam and Prescott Streets where you can leave the car and head out on foot.
1
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Location:
view in google maps886 Cannery Row
(at the corner of David Avenue)
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone:
(831) 648-48882
Jacks Peak
Location:
view in google maps25020 Jacks Peak Park Road
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone:
831-755-48993
Montrio's
Location:
view in google maps414 Calle Principal
(at the corner of Franklin Street)
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone:
(831) 648-8880Day 3 - Carmel
Carmel
The town of Carmel is perfectly manicured and beautiful, in fact perhaps a little too perfect. With nonsensical restrictions, like no gum chewing after 9pm, Carmel can seem sugar coated. Don’t spend too much time in the town itself; just think of it as a byway to more magical places.
2
Flying Fish Grill
Location:
view in google mapsMission St.
(bet. Ocean & 7th Aves.)
Carmel, CA 93921
Phone:
(831) 625-1962Day 4 - Big Sur
Big Sur
The Big Sur region is a 90-mile stretch of spectacular rugged coastline which begins south of Carmel on Route 1. Watch for the magnificent Bixby Bridge, 13 miles south of Carmel, a dizzying structure that rises 260-feet above Bixby Creek Canyon. Another 12 miles along the coast you will reach the village of Big Sur, a mere wide spot in the road, but a good place to stop for lunch and to catch your breath after all of the glorious scenery.
1
Ventana Inn & Spa
Location:
view in google mapsOff Highway 1
(28 miles from Carmel)
Big Sur, CA 93920
Phone:
+1 831 667 2331 / +1 800 628 6500 (Reservations)