11 THINGS TO DO IN MONTEREY BAY

The Monterey Bay is assuredly one of my favorite areas in all of California — and each time I return, I’m reminded exactly of why that is. I continue to tell my boyfriend that we should move out that way — but that’s another blog post for a different day!

In the meantime, I’ll continue to visit and bask in the coastal magic for as long as I possibly can.

What does the coastal magic consist of you may be wondering: stunning views, fascinating sea-life, too many coastal trails to count, and copious amounts of good food and wine — and I’ll share what some of the MUST-DOS are when you do finally make your way to the Monterey Bay!                                                      

WHERE TO STAY

The Portola Hotel: I LOVED staying at this hotel. It was mere steps away from some of the cutest little shops, cafes, coastal trails, and beaches.

They are also spearheading eco-friendly initiatives and are one of the very first eco-friendly hotels in Central California.

The dining experience at Portola offers some exceptional California gourmet cuisine choices.  I would HIGHLY recommend the Butternut Squash Ravioli & the Strawberry Fields Forever Salad.

WHERE TO EAT

Wave Street Cafe:  The Wave Street Cafe is conveniently located one block away from the well-known Cannery Row. The outdoor eating area had me feeling like I had transported to one of my favorite little cafes in Europe. Surrounded by beautiful greenery and stunning ocean views, the ambiance is a compelling enough reason to stop by. I found the staff amiable and eager to share information about the surrounding area. And well, I, of course, saved the best for last – the food is AMAZING. Go for brunch and order the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict!

Crepes of Brittany: I loved finding a little taste of France just steps away from the Portola Hotel. I think this is a great breakfast or lunch spot. The outdoor seating certainly feels like a French cafe – large, open, and redolent of the nearby ocean breeze..I loved having the dirty chai as an afternoon pick-me-up along with a caramelized onion & brie crepe. I had every intention of ordering the banana, Nutella crepe for dessert after it was heavily recommended by the woman sitting next to me — but unfortunately found that to be a bit over ambitious since they’re very generous with their portions. Just another reason added to the list of many to return sooner than later!

Nepenthe: This restaurant deserves the equivalent of a standing ovation. I had long admired the views from my fleeting previous trips to their sister cafe (Cafe Kevah) — but I was always incredibly ardent to enjoy a long, sit-down dinner at Nepenthe. I finally got my wish on this most recent trip. Nestled high above the Pacific enveloped by the Saint Lucia Mountains – this place truly is pure magic. Sitting on the terrace while enjoying the sunset accompanied by your favorite glass of wine should be a Central Coast staple. I highly recommend the California Artisanal Cheese Plate & the California Beet Salad!

WHAT TO DO:

Carmel-By- The-Sea: Carmel-By-The-Sea feels very much like a European-style village. There is a myriad of art galleries, boutiques, and what are considered to be “densest concentration of restaurants in the entire country. 64 unique dining options in 1 square mile”. If you time it right, after a nice dinner & some shopping, you can catch the sunset at Carmel Beach at the end of Ocean Avenue. A bonafide fantastic way to spend the day in Carmel!

17-Mile Drive: This is one of my favorite things to do in Carmel and has done it a few times now. It considered by many to be the most iconic & recognizable drives in the country. You’ll feel compelled to capture the picturesque scenery every 100 feet or so. I’m notorious for asking my boyfriend every other minute to “please pull over so I can capture just one more shot” — when in reality, it’s more like one – thousand more shots.

Also, FUN FACT: my boyfriend’s grandfather, John H. Gamble, was a known local and widely published nature photographer who had photographed the Lone Cypress Tree over half a century ago. That photograph was distributed on a postcard throughout many gift shops in The Monterey Bay Area. He was also well-known for designing more than 100 homes & commercial buildings along the Monterey Peninsula. My boyfriend and I  always try to spot some of the homes that he had designed along the drive.

There is a $10.25 CASH fee that is collected at the entry gate.

Old Fisherman’s Wharf:  Add this is to your MUST-DO list now! This area encompasses all of the beautiful things that Monterey has to offer. Whether you’re watching local fishermen unload their many ‘catches of the day’ or eating a hot bowl of clam chowder, you won’t want to miss this iconic area.

Monterey Bay Whale Watch: this is a matchless way to experience the sea life in their natural habitat.  Monterey is arguably considered to be the best area within the U.S. to view a large variety of mammals and sea-birds. I was fortunate enough to view 20+ humpbacks — and one male Orca.

I just so happened to have my camera in hand & on the right setting while the orca started to display a series of jumps right at my 12 o’clock. It was such a memorable experience that I would unquestionably recommend to anyone visiting Monterey!

The Monterey Bay Aquarium: The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a non-profit — and their chief focus is to shed light on many amazing sea-creatures while inspiring the preservation of the ocean.

They have countless exhibits … ranging from penguins, the open sea, and my personal favorite – the sea otters! They’re endlessly playful and so entertaining to watch. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must and sure to be one of your greatest highlights!

The Bixby Creek Bridge – When most people look up the geo-tag for Big Sur — the Bixby Bridge is one of the highest ranked quintessential shots that shows up on Top Posts. The bridge is one of the highest bridges of its kind in the entire world. The bridge has become so widely well-known — & has even appeared many times on the hit HBO series ‘Big Little Lies’. 

McWay Falls: McWay Falls is located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park within Big Sur!

The waterfall is only 1 of 2 that flows directly into the ocean. I would say that a stop here should be mandatory. It’s such an otherworldly and dreamy view that it almost doesn’t seem like it should belong in the states. The water is a brilliant hue of turquoise and meets the beautiful blue waves that sweep in — it’s a magnificent view and definitely worthy of a photo!

There is still so much of the Monterey Bay Area that I want to visit  — so many wineries, farms, & parks that I still have yet to explore. I want to give a HUGE thank you to See Monterey for orchestrating an amazing weekend. I can’t wait to return!