Sometimes we all need a quick refresh from our daily grind. One of our top choices for a getaway is the Monterey Peninsula which consists of Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Pacific Grove. These towns are all next to the ocean and all have individual charm and specialties. We’ve put together a guide of some places we’ve visited and loved!

Carmel-by-the-Sea

This charming town has streets filled with small restaurants and art galleries. The beautiful Pebble Beach is right down the street and gorgeous neighborhoods can be found everywhere.

Stay

L’Auberge Carmel is a full-service Relais & Châteaux property located in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea just blocks from the famed Carmel Beach. The guest rooms are individually designed with special touches like heated floors, Japanese soaking tubs, and complimentary breakfast at their in house restaurant, Aubergine Carmel.

La Playa Carmel has everything you need for a relaxing getaway next to the ocean. Located in a quiet neighborhood in Carmel, this beautiful hotel is a short stroll to the beach and has amazing garden grounds. Spend the day strolling in the charming streets of downtown Carmel and end the night at @budsatlaplaya with their special Cocktail program inspired by Carmel history and local legends.

Eat

7D Steakhouse in Carmel is the place to go for a special meal. We loved everything from the crab cakes, to the grilled octopus, to the steak frites. They use seasonal, local, exclusively sustainable & ethically sourced ingredients including Niman Ranch dry aged steaks. In addition, they are Michelin & James Beard Featured!

Don’t miss Stationaery during your visit. They are a husband and wife team tucked away on courtyard in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. Their menu rotates with the seasons highlighting comforting flavors with elegant presentation for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with specialty coffee, beer & wine. They opened with breakfast/lunch and in September started their Thursday, Friday, Saturday night dinner service which is the perfect way to end your day!

Brophys Tavern in Carmel should be your first stop when arriving to this charming town. This cozy tavern serves up all the tavern staples like fish and chips, loaded fries, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Their quality menu and cocktails will not disappoint and the fun 1,000-can (vintage) beer wall with large screen TVs and a game room make it a great place to relax and hang out. Word of advice: don’t leave without trying some of their chocolate filled churros!

Monterey

Monterey is the biggest city on the Monterey Peninsula. One of their most popular areas to visit is Cannery Row which has tons of restaurants, shops, and other fun activities such as their bike path along the coast and of course the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Stay

Monterey Plaza Hotel is located right on the blue waters of Monterey Bay. Rooms have been recently refreshed with thoughtful amenities like these binoculars to get a closer look at migrating whales or the sea otters playing in the kelp below. We loved relaxing in our room listening to the water and sea life that surrounded us. Besides this amazing sun deck, the spa at Monterey Plaza Hotel also has amazing massages. Come early and spend the whole day here relaxing in the sun, soaking in the hot tub, warming up by the fire, or getting a work out in on one of their workout machines with windows facing the ocean.

Eat

At Pacific Bowls and Rolls you can get both if your heart so desires. This is the perfect lunch or dinner spot to grab a quick bite in Monterey. Everything is totally customizable so you can get exactly what you like. We loved the salmon, but all of the protein options are delicious

See

With majority of the world covered by oceans, there sure is a lot to discover under the sea! We love getting a glimpse of the underwater world at Monterey Bay Aquarium and learning about the ocean blue and all the life that it supports. There’s a lot to see for both adults and kids which makes for a great few hours here. It’s also educational to learn about their conservation efforts and what we can do on our part to help!

Pacific Grove

The lesser known town of the area, this town has a charm of its own. Cozy bed and breakfasts and hidden monarch groves plus much more can be found here!

Stay

Centrella Inn is the essence of Bed and Breakfast Inns with their delicious hot breakfast served every morning and their charming Victorian style rooms. Wake up and walk downstairs to their lovely sitting room to enjoy breakfast and plan out the rest of your day over some hot coffee or tea.