There's no need to cross the Pacific for
worldly wanderlust with this California region's inspiring paths
beckoning
MONTEREY, Calif., May 8, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- California's Monterey County, from coastal
Carmel-by-the-Sea to the rich Salinas Valley, is a testament that
there is no need to travel out of the country for sublime views,
world-class adventures, rich culture and fine dining. Put the
international bucket list aside to uncover parallel, if not
preferable, travel experiences all within the state's Central Coast
that boasts the best of California. Agriculture, art and natural
beauty deliver rolling hills and ocean sunsets to anyone bold
enough to venture beyond the obvious, and each corner of Monterey
offers an authentic experience that is as harmonious as it is
distinctive within the County.
There's no need to cross the Pacific for
worldly wanderlust with Monterey
County's inspiring paths beckoning
Pass on Provence, Come to Carmel
Valley
Carmel Valley
has all the characteristics of Provence with grapevines abounding —
45,000 acres to be precise. Housing more than 20 tasting rooms,
Carmel Valley's wineries, such as
Georis Winery and Folktale Winery & Vineyard, mimic
chateaus. Grosso lavender, a French-hybrid variety characterized by
its signature purple bushiness, thrives in Carmel Valley's climate. Carmel Valley
Ranch grows Grosso lavender across the expansive property,
resulting in blooms reminiscent of fields in the south of
France. Bernardus Lodge & Spa celebrates the
season of lavender with an annual Harvest festival, where visitors
are invited to explore more than 1,000 lavender plants with a glass
of wine in hand. For a literal taste of Carmel Valley's two exports in one, "Carmel
caramels," produced out of Lion Springs
Lavender Farm, blend notes of lavender and honey.
Looking for Lush? Indulge in Salinas Valley + South County
over Ireland
Salinas Valley
has been dubbed the "salad bowl of the world" due to its production
of half the country's lettuce, a third of its spinach and nearly
all of its artichokes, making for an array of greenery. A visit to
The Farm — an agricultural education center offering farm
tours and ample produce for sale — allows visitors to taste the
freshest and most vibrant shades of green. Pinnacles National
Park is a major draw of the region — a hike through its
signature caves, often covered in green moss, will make for an epic
adventure. For a post-hike refresher, head to The Cork & Plough
in King City for a house-made soda
and one of their daily specials – maybe even a little Irish whiskey
from the bar.
Miss Morocco, Make it to
Marina
Skip the Sahara and check out Californian sand dunes
that overlook the sea. Marina Dunes Preserve's main attraction is
its towering dunes — the highest on the central coast. For those
daring enough, hang-gliding from the top of the dunes is a
thrilling activity option. Adjacent to the preserve is Marina State Beach, a popular spot for taking in
the sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, particularly for a
spectacular sunset. Directly between the two parks lies Salt Wood
Kitchen and Oysterette, where diners have the choice between three
distinct dining environments — a full-service dining room, lively
bar and lounge or al fresco patio.
Find a European Fairytale in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is
famously out of a storybook, dotted with whimsical architectural,
historic family-owned bed and breakfasts and artistic spectacles
aplenty. Carmel has everything one could need within its town
limits — there are more restaurants per capita than any other small
town in America and about 100 art galleries in just one square
mile. The art scene celebrates both the heritage and the future of
the community with Zantman Art Galleries fitting within the
theme of "having it all" as one of the longest running fine art
galleries in the U.S. featuring contemporary paintings to
traditional masterpieces from artists all over the world.
Carmel-by-the-Sea's culinary offerings are equally enchanting, with
a highlight being Portabella's French and Italian fare
featuring fresh locally sourced seafood articulated by a serene al
fresco dining setting. Vagabond's House Inn is an excellent
lodging option close to artistic cottages designed by the legendary
architect, Hugh Comstock.
Pacific Grove over the
Painted Ladies
While San Francisco's Painted
Ladies and world-famous strip of Victorian-era homes have
international allure, Pacific
Grove offers distinctive architectural charm of nearly
identical dwellings without the crowds. Dr. Hart's Mansion is
one of California's beloved
historical treasures, a Victorian mansion built in 1893 with
preserved original grandeur that has stood the test of time. While
this one is not open for overnight stays, look no further than
Seven Gables Inn or Green Gables Inn for a relaxing B&B
experience with top-notch views and nods to history around every
corner.
Old Fisherman's Wharf for Fishermen's
Fare
Skip one of San
Francisco's busiest tourist areas and head south to Old
Fisherman's Wharf, a picturesque pier over the Monterey Bay with
wildlife encounters and some of the Peninsula's top seafood dining.
To get your hands on fishermen's finest, visit historic staples
like Old Fisherman's Grotto, or opt for more laidback settings at
Abalonetti. Beyond the obvious seafood samplings, the area's
many candy shops offer everything from saltwater taffy to rich
chocolates. While in Monterey, tap
into the European hostel-hopping trend and book a stay at the newly
reopened Monterey Hostel.
Skip St. Andrews in
Scotland, Try
Pebble Beach
Widely
considered America's greatest public golf course, Pebble Beach Golf
Links is a golfer's paradise, and no venturing across the pond
is necessary. Play the round of a lifetime, just like the pros, on
a lush course that has been home to six U.S. Open championships.
Off the course the area can be explored by foot and by car via 27
miles of hiking trails in the Del Monte
Forest, as well as the famous 17-Mile Drive, a visually
stunning stretch of roadway which hugs the pacific coastline from
Pacific Grove to Pebble
Beach. For a real taste of Scotland, snag a table at STICKS at
The Inn at Spanish Bay to be serenaded by the nightly bagpiper
performance at sunset.
Safari at Sea
Skip a savanna safari and head to Moss
Landing and Elkhorn Slough for wildlife viewing in
wetlands and estuaries. A cradle of biodiversity in Monterey, Elkhorn Slough has a fascinating
history: it was slated to become an oil refinery in 1960, but the
community banded together to preserve it as the sanctuary known
today, housing a diverse population of birds, plants, marine
mammals and fish. Visitors can kayak through and appreciate the
natural beauty that surrounds them. Moss
Landing is a popular docking spot for whale watching boats;
booking time with eco-friendly Sanctuary Cruises will allow
opportunity to find the best views of humpback whales, sea otters
and even orcas, as tours are capped around 25
people.
Salinas for the Savory –
From Pints to Plates
Salinas, widely known as the hometown of
famous literary great John
Steinbeck, could very well be considered the region's hub
for craft beer and authentic Mexican cuisine, even rivaling
San Diego's food culture. With a
meteoric rise in brew offerings on the city's Main Street, from the
female-owned Brew-N-Krew Ale House to Farmers Union Pour
House and local favorite Alvarado Street Brewing Company, beer
lovers will find Salinas' downtown
both welcoming and walkable. For more flavor-driven exploration,
the Salinas Farmers Market on Saturdays year-round captures
the best of the city's authentic Mexican cuisine through its
variety of food trucks, as well as produce from mere miles away in
the Salians Valley. As for brick-and-mortar Salinas institutions, El Charrito is a
local favorite known for traditional cuisine and homemade
tortillas, and family-owned Villa Azteca has inventive fare,
like lobster enchiladas, capturing the intersection of heritage and
fresh seafood. If further recommendation is needed, take it from
the stars and head to Justin and Hailey
Bieber-vetted Los Grullenses for next-level tacos.
Oaxaca on the
Water
The city of Seaside is home to one of the largest
Oaxacan populations outside of Mexico. Find authentic Oaxacan
restaurants like La Tortuga
or sip mezcal at one of the local watering holes. Come September,
Seaside hosts the annual "Oaxaca
by the Sea" event with live entertainment, authentic Oaxacan
cuisine, and more. Seaside is also home to local watering hole
Other Brother Beer Co., and The Meatery, a locally owned modern,
sustainably minded meat market with small-batch charcuterie, deli
items and gourmet retail.
Big Sur — No Duped
Destination
Big Sur is one of America's most
sought-after vacation destinations — so much so that comparisons
don't feel appropriate. In addition to the area's rock formations
that mirror Cabo or Capri's signature seabound sights, there are
multiple easy-access state parks that are teeming with wildlife and
spectacular surroundings, including Julia Pfeiffer Burns State
Park and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Beyond the parks'
sweeping seaside views, 300-foot redwoods and hiking trails await
where forestland meets the beachfront. Following recent closures on
Highway 1, access to the northern Big
Sur area, and all hotels, restaurants and parks, is
anticipated to be fully available to visitors as of Memorial Day –
just in time for summer season.
For more information on Monterey
County and to inspire your next trip, visit
www.SeeMonterey.com.
ABOUT SEE MONTEREY
See Monterey is a 501c6 non-profit
organization that drives tourism for Monterey County. Tourism is the largest
industry on the Monterey Peninsula
and the second largest in the County. See Monterey is a partnership of the hospitality
community and local governments that aims to generate community
prosperity and enrich economic vitality for Monterey County through the responsible
promotion and growth of the tourism economy. Travel spending in
Monterey County was nearly
$3 billion in 2022, supporting 25,370
jobs and generating $307 million in
state and local tax revenue that directly benefited the community.
For more information, visit www.SeeMonterey.com and follow us
on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter).
MEDIA CONTACT | Lou Hammond Group |
SeeMonterey@LouHammond.com
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SOURCE See Monterey