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The California Coast is a destination worthy of taking your breath away, especially with the rugged cliffs and deep blue seas of the northern part of the state.
Celebrated by the likes of authors John Steinbeck and Robert Louis Stevenson, and even the rugged actor Clint Eastwood, people come from all over the world to bask in the beauty of this area of the U.S. Once you see it for yourself, you’ll have no doubt as to why! I’ve lived in Northern California for nearly two decades and the landscape here never ceases to amaze me.
If you’re looking for some great ideas on what to do when visiting Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur, you’ve come to the right place! This California Coast travel guide focuses on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat and drink in the areas of Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur!
Where to Stay in Monterey & Carmel
So you’ve decided to visit the California Coast, but where do you stay? You can find lovely accommodations in Downtown Monterey, near Cannery Row, and in the charming village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Carmel and Monterey are in very close proximity to one another, so whether you stay in one town or the other, activities in both are easily accessible to you. Big Sur is a bit farther south, but if you’re looking to get out of town and into relaxation mode, there are many options there as well.
Here are a few hotels that I recommend:
- Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa (budget-friendly centrally-located Monterey hotel)
- Svendsgaard’s Inn (budget-friendly hotel with partner restaurant discounts in Carmel-by-the-Sea)
- Monterey Plaza Hotel (luxury Monterey hotel right on the water)
Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa
700 Munras Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
https://www.hotelcasamunras.com/
Casa Munras is a quaint hotel located in the Downtown Monterey area that provided us with both an affordable option as well as accommodation that was in close walking distance to restaurants, breweries, and Fisherman’s Wharf. I love its close proximity to Alvarado Street, which boasts numerous restaurants and shops!
We stayed in a room with a king-sized bed and a fireplace and it was very spacious. They also have an on-site restaurant (Esteban) and spa! To read more on Casa Munras and for more photos, check out my full review on our stay in this post.
Notable Hotel Features:
- Walkable location
- Free WiFi
- On-site Restaurant (Esteban) & spa
- Plenty of parking (does cost $15.00 per day, though)
Book this hotel via Hotels.com or Booking.com
Svendsgaard’s Inn (Carmel)
San Carlos St & 4th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
https://www.svendsgaardsinncarmel.com/
We stayed at the Svendsgaard’s Inn on our most recent trip to Carmel and it was charming and cozy. It was also relatively budget-friendly compared to the rest of the accommodation options in the Carmel area!
We booked a room with a king-sized bed and fireplace, and our room was very spacious. No complaints! It was nice to have the fireplace on rainy days for extra warmth and cozy charm.
Notable hotel Features:
- Svendsgaard’s partners with local restaurants for discounts on meals (like free desserts or wine flights – we took full advantage of this!). Just show your room key and mention where you are staying.
- Complimentary onsite parking
- Walkable distance to restaurants
- Welcome chocolate chip cookie upon checkin!
Book this room via Hotels.com or Booking.com
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa (Cannery Row)
400 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
https://montereyplazahotel.com
It’s been quite a few years since I’ve stayed here, but the Monterey Plaza is a beautiful hotel! This hotel is located right on Cannery Row, so if you plan on spending a lot of time in that area, this is a great spot. This hotel is also right on the water with oceanfront rooms available. It’s awesome to hear the soothing sound of the waves crashing against the shore as you fall asleep.
The Plaza does come at more of a premium price as it’s a luxury waterfront hotel, but if you’re lucky (like I was), you can scoop up a good deal every so often!
Notable Hotel Features:
- Excellent location on Cannery Row – oceanfront with awesome views of Monterey Bay
- On-site restaurants (Schooners & Coastal Kitchen) & Spa
- Valet-only parking (this service is covered in the nightly resort fee)
- Courtesy Land Rover shuttle service to nearby attractions
Book this hotel via Hotels.com or Booking.com
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Where to Eat & Drink
My favorite part of any destination is finding the best places to eat and drink. There are so many great restaurants in the area, including Monterey, Carmel Valley, and Carmel-by-the-Sea!
Folktale Winery
8940 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
https://www.folktalewinery.com/food-wine/
Folktale is an amazing find in the Carmel Valley area. Not only can you do a wine tasting here, but they have a full kitchen with the most amazing food to enjoy in their wine garden! I highly recommend the Charred Spanish Octopus and the Short Rib Flatbread (which is made in an outdoor pizza oven).
Note: Reservations are a must, so be sure to book a time slot on their website. I recommend taking the first slot of the day so you can spend the rest of the time wine tasting in the valley!
Alvarado Street Brewery
Locations in Monterey & Carmel-by-the-Sea
https://asb.beer/
Alvarado Street is one of our all-time favorite breweries, and we’ve even planned a trip to the area just to sip our favorite beers! Who else plans their trips around where they want to eat and drink?
Alvarado has two locations in the area – one in Monterey and another in Carmel. Both locations are in prime spots, meaning they are in close proximity if you want to piggy-back a visit here with taking in some other sights.
The food at Alvarado Street is also quite delicious, including their savory veggie burger, served up with melty vegan cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles and their secret sauce. For meat eaters, I also recommend the pork belly pizza. Garlic cream sauce, mozzarella, pickled chilies, oranges, cilantro and hoisin sauce are a winning combo for this guilty pleasure!
And don’t skip on dessert! Their churros paired with a nice dark stout are perfect to end the night.
La Bicyclette
Dolores St &, 7th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
http://www.labicycletterestaurant.com/menu
La Bicyclette is one of the most popular restaurants in Carmel, and one that I see on almost every travel guide to the area! The servers are friendly and attentive and the restaurant is small and cozy, decorated in the fashion of an outdoor European town. It gives off all the feels you might be looking for from a European-style bistro!
Their wood-fired pizzas are absolutely delicious. We loved the Salumi Pizza! The Linguini Pescatore is indulgent with pesto sauce, prawns and a lobster tail – a bit pricey but this dish drew me to the restaurant. I just had to have it. For dessert, you cannot go wrong with the crème brulée. It was divine, and I recommend a glass of the tawny port to pair with it.
Note: Due to the popularity, reservations are highly encouraged for lunch or dinner (seriously call at least a week ahead, especially for dinner).
Mission Bistro
Mission St. 2 SW of, Ocean Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921
https://www.carmelmissionbistro.com/
If you’re looking for something light and seafood-forward, Mission Bistro has a great lineup on their menu! Start with some fresh oysters and the most perfect Caesar salad. Then, work your way through the crudo and order the Black Cod for an entrée! The Black Cod, served over soba noodles, was one of the best fish dishes we’ve had in a long time.
Svendsgaard’s Inn also got us a free dessert here, which is typically chef’s choice but they let us choose the bread pudding that night!
From Scratch
3626 The Barnyard Building C, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
https://fromscratchrestaurant.com/
I was influenced by Guy Fieri! We needed a brunch spot on one of our trips to the area, and as luck would have it, we saw the episode of Triple D featuring From Scratch shortly before we left. We were sold!
Their biscuits and sausage gravy are a must, along with the fried cheese grits and the brisket chili. The corned beef hash was pretty good too!
We went after the brunch rush (after 12 p.m.) and had no issues snagging a seat. Food portions are also gigantic. I definitely recommend sharing if you aren’t able to take leftovers with you.
Crown & Anchor
150 W Franklin St, Monterey, CA 93940
https://crownandanchor.net/
We must have had England on our minds when we visited Crown & Anchor (it was actually a few months before we hopped on over to London) and I must say, it was a good prequel for visiting the English pubs in the U.K. We walked down into a cozy pub with maritime decorations on every wall, and settled in for a hearty and satisfying meal.
The food at Crown & Anchor is excellent, especially their flavorful veggie curry. I would absolutely recommend this to any vegetarian out there! They also have a chicken and prawn version for the meat eaters if you want to give this tasty dish a try.
My husband chowed down on the Plymouth Platter, which came with a heaping pile of battered cod, scallops, and shrimp, along with a hefty serving of chippies. The batter on everything was so good! It is a giant plate of fried food so you may want to consider sharing this one to split up the calories.
Bagel Kitchen
1132 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
https://bagelkitchen.wixsite.com/website
The Bagel Kitchen is located a hop, skip and a jump from Monterey in the town of Pacific Grove. I wanted something easy for breakfast one day since we were heading out on a drive down the coast. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t crave a good bagel in the mornings?
On the menu: I got the Original Veggie sandwich on an everything bagel, which comes with tomato, avocado, sprouts, and onion, and I added the vegan tofu sun-dried tomato spread. My, was it tasty! Husband had the Classic with bacon, eggs and cheddar cheese on a jalapeno cheese bagel.
Fieldwork Brewing
560 Munras Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
https://fieldworkbrewing.com/monterey/
Fieldwork Brewing is THE spot for hazy beer lovers, and another one of our all-time fav breweries. While the Monterey location is not the original (you can find that spot in Berkeley), this compact little beer garden in Downtown Monterey is an awesome spot in the area to hang out.
There’s no food served here, but it’s right next to a Chipotle. Burritos and beer have the perfect marriage according to me! You can grab some grub there and bring it out to enjoy with your beer.
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches
570 Munras Ave Unit 70, Monterey, CA 93940
https://locations.ikessandwich.com/ca/monterey/115/
Ike’s is one of my favorite sandwich chains in California! Each location has different menu specialties, but a lot of them do have many sandwiches in common.
If you’re traveling on a budget, this is a good stop for food to-go. Not only do Ike’s sandwiches taste delicious, they have many vegan and vegetarian options to choose from so there’s something for everyone.
Brophy’s Tavern
San Carlos St &, 4th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921
https://www.brophystavern.com/
Brophy’s Tavern is an Irish Pub located next to Hotel Carmel and across the street from the Svendsgaard’s Inn. If you want a casual meal with a sports pub atmosphere, Brophy’s is the spot! Their giant pretzel with bacon & chive cream cheese is a delicious drink companion and their Bloody Mary’s are a great way to start the day.
Find carmel & Monterey activities with viator
What to do in Monterey & Carmel
Whether you are staying in Monterey, Carmel, or anywhere in Big Sur, any of these activities can be included in your itinerary!
Scenic Drive to Big Sur (McWay Falls & Bixby Bridge)
If you’re an Instagram stalker like me, there’s no doubt you’ve come across the likes of the stunning Bixby Creek Bridge and McWay Falls. You might also recognize the bridge from the HBO show, Big Little Lies, which features the Bixby Bridge in its opening credits. It is a wonderful piece of architecture and a must-stop for photos.
There will probably be hoards of people also stopping at the bridge, so parking can be a little difficult to find. There’s a main, paved parking lot on the ocean side, and across the road, there’s a dirt turnout with some parking spaces. Either side gives you a different view of the bridge, and I recommend checking it out from all angles!
McWay Falls is another iconic California Coastal destination that you must see for yourself in person! It’s just a short walk from the road on a trail in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. You don’t really need special walking shoes, although your shoes do get a little dirty so keep that in mind.
The color of the ocean is just an amazing blue and while the actual 80 ft. waterfall is a bit tiny, it’s one of the most beautiful seascapes I’ve ever seen.
Pertinent Info:
- Location: McWay Falls is located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park – about 37 miles south of Carmel (it took us about an hour or so to drive down to this spot)
- Beach Access: You aren’t supposed to access the beach here, so forget that thought. Yay for preserving nature! It’s also just dangerous and should be avoided. Just enjoy the view from above (and avoid a potential fine)!
- Parking: There’s a parking lot at the park entrance, but that can often fill up quickly on the weekends. If you’re lucky to snag a spot, parking will cost you $10.00 per vehicle. However, there is quite a bit of space to pull over on the roadside and park safely and for free (as we had to do).
The entire drive down Highway 1 is pretty much views of stunning cliff-sides and the endless blue sea, which are enough to satisfy any nature/landscape fanatic.
17-Mile Drive
17-Mile Drive is another scenic drive located in the Pebble Beach area. There are a few entry/exit points to start the drive, but I recommend starting with the Highway 1 Access Gate.
- Once on Highway 1 South, take the 68 West (Pebble Beach/ Pacific Grove) exit
- At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and bear to the right onto 17-Mile Drive, then enter through the Pebble Beach gate
- Stay to the right and start at Interest Point 1
Cost: $12.25 per vehicle. This fee is reimbursed if you spend $35 or more at any Pebble Beach Restaurant.
Pro Tip: Get a map! They’ll provide you with a map at the access gate that highlights each point of interest (there are 21). Figuring out how to stay on the path and not wander into a residential neighborhood is quite easy because they’ve marked the path on the road with red lines in the center divide. Each point of interest is also marked with a numbered sign (as you can see in the pic below).
Some of our favorite stops were:
- Stop 7: Point Joe – An incredibly scenic and rocky portion of the shoreline. You’ll be able to see some of the links from the Pebble Beach Golf Course here also.
- Stop 14: Cypress Point Lookout – The beach below is a prime seal viewing opportunity! They were basking in the winter sun when we were there, and swimming around in the little bay. Note this point of interest is closed April – June for seal pupping season.
- Stop 16: The Lone Cypress – One of the most photographed trees in the world (and also a very iconic California Coast sight).
Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey will likely be lively any time of day, but I actually recommend going at night for an after-dinner walk! Grab some saltwater taffy and take in the lights and the sights.
Restaurants on the Wharf tend to be a little mediocre, but some of them do have some good happy hour deals if you want an ocean-front restaurant experience.
Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
We really enjoyed walking this trail from Fisherman’s Wharf over to Cannery Row, even though it rained a little on us and was a bit chilly. The rain brought a beautiful rainbow, and we saw a ton of seals hanging out on the rocks below!
Cannery Row
Cannery Row is certainly the most bustling location in Monterey. There are a lot of shops, restaurants, and accommodations in this particular area, including the ever-popular Monterey Bay Aquarium.
I kind of prefer the vibe of the Downtown Monterey area to Cannery Row simply because it’s less crowded, but it’s definitely worth checking out if not for the restaurants and wine tasting rooms!
Point Lobos
Point Lobos is on my hit list for our next trip. When we were there last, we arrived a bit too late in the morning and it was incredibly crowded so we decided to skip it. If you enjoy beautiful scenery, this is definitely a place you want to be.
Pertinent Info:
- Vehicle Entry Fee: $10.00 per vehicle
- Arrival Time: For your best chances of getting into the reserve with your vehicle, arrive before 9:30 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. The reserve fills up rather quickly, especially on weekends and holidays.
- More Info: https://www.pointlobos.org/plan-your-visit/general-info
Fairytale Cottage Hunting in Carmel
Carmel-by-the-Sea is the perfect little fairytale village, largely in part to a lot of the European-style architecture on a lot of the buildings and homes in the area. American designer Hugh Comstock designed close to two dozen storybook cottages in Carmel, most of which are now private residences.
If you’re short on time, you can swing by the Tuck Box which is one of his original buildings located right in town. I also recommend popping by the Cottage of Sweets for some fudge!
Carmel Valley Wineries
If you’re staying in or visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea, there is a plethora of little wine tasting rooms right in town. However, I recommend the drive to Carmel Valley Village (about 20 to 25 minutes away from Carmel-by-the-Sea) to visit the wineries there.
You can have a delicious lunch at Folktale Winery to start your day (tastings are available as well), and then work your way to some of the wineries in the village. I recommend Twisted Roots or Joyce Winery!
Thanks so much for checking out our guide to the California Coast! Don’t forget to watch our YouTube video of one of our visits to Monterey (forewarning, it’s a bit of a long one since I packed 3 days into one video!).
Can you provide a 2 1/2 -day itinerary for Carmel? Including wine tastings, restaurants, a spa and hikes? I’m taking my daughter on a mother / daughter birthday trip. Thank you!