Monterey County Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

Beautiful valley of flower

Calla Lily Valley which is located near the beach town of Carmel by the Sea is well know for it lily flower which bloom at the bottom of the trail. This place is a hidden gem as it not so well know lucky for my I did some research and manage to discover this hidden gem The only possible way to get here is by car and there are ample of roadside car park along the road the the trail. The hike to and back will take about 45min it not so tired but will be memorable one

Charming little city by the sea called Carmel

#celebratewithtrip Carmel by the sea is a lovely, charming small city town in Monterey county California. Due to its uniqueness and easy access to the Bay Area, Carmel by the sea is one of the most expensive places to live in the US. Carmel by the sea is known for the art galleries and the historic Carmel Mission which was built by the great Spanish priest Junípero Serra in 1771, and the fairytale cottages. #carmel #california #mustvisit

Carmel Town | Just like a fairy tale world

Located on the winding slopes, surrounded by lush forests, overlooking the rugged coastline covered by cypress trees. This dreamy fairy-tale town 'settled' many art galleries, boutiques, historic inns, cafes and fairy-tale cottages. Walking in this one-square-mile town, the scent of eucalyptus, pine and jasmine is everywhere, and the sound of waves hitting the rocks can be faintly heard. The residential streets seem to be hidden behind the trees, blending with the lush vegetation. In 1900, James Franklin Devendorf and Frank Powers from San Francisco bought most of the land here, intending to establish a haven for intellectuals and independent individuals. Soon they attracted many artists, writers and poets, such as Robert Lewis Stevenson, the author of 'Treasure Island', Jack London, etc. Interesting things about the town ✨Bing Crosby (if you love old musicals, you definitely know him) hosted a winter golf pro-am (a competition between professional and amateur golfers) here, called 'Clam Bake' 🌟Clint Eastwood (my idol!!) served as the mayor of Carmel from 1986 to 1988. During his tenure, he added public toilets by the sea and lifted the ban on eating ice cream 🍦 in public places (there are so many strange bans in the US) 💫 The houses here still have no addresses, only names, and residents have to go to the post office to get their mail. Check-in architecture 📸 La Bicyclette🥐 Beautiful Brunch Kris Kringle of Carmel 🎄 Christmas decoration shop, where you can buy ornaments made from candy house templates, and under the guidance of the shop owner, you can find the small house built in the town based on the candy house. Hansel & Gritel 🍬 Named after the world-famous fairy tale 'Candy House', the owner lives nearby and will come back from time to time. Hog’s Breath Inn 🍔 You can order a burger Normandy Inn 🇫🇷 A half-timbered French country inn, surrounded by flowers, is quite photogenic. Various retro music boxes, those who love them naturally understand Excellent rugged coastline observation point nearby Bixy Creek Bridge, a popular check-in bridge

Hidden Gem Adventure in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a picturesque coastal town tucked away on California's stunning Central Coast. From charming cobblestone streets to breathtaking ocean views, this hidden gem offers a truly unforgettable experience. As you wander through the town, you'll be captivated by its fairytale-like architecture and art galleries. Don't forget to stop by the historic Carmel Mission, a beautiful and serene place that reveals the town's rich history. For nature lovers, the nearby Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a must-visit. Explore the rugged coastline, hike along scenic trails, and spot seals and sea lions basking in the sun. The beauty of this place is truly mesmerizing. When it comes to dining, Carmel-by-the-Sea won't disappoint. From quaint cafes to upscale restaurants, there's something to satisfy every palate. Treat yourself to a seafood feast or indulge in a wine tasting experience at one of the local vineyards. To make the most of your trip, make sure to plan a visit to the famous Carmel Beach. Relax on the sandy shores, watch the sunset, and take in the calming waves. It's the perfect spot for a romantic stroll or a picnic with loved ones. Remember to grab a map and explore the hidden courtyards and secret passageways that make this town truly special. You never know what hidden treasures you might stumble upon. Overall, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a destination that will steal your heart with its undeniable charm and natural beauty. It's a place where relaxation, adventure, and enchantment intertwine, leaving lasting memories. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for an unforgettable trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea! Another world awaits you in this hidden gem on the California coast. #falltrip#mytravelhacks#historicallandmarks#familytrip

The 17-Mile Drive

#timetotravel I'm so thankful that my cousin volunteered to show us around Monterey and took us on the 17-mile drive. I love the views—they were amazing. Lots of trees, sea lions, birds, the beach, and the wind in yout hair. We also ended up in the golf course of the champions so we took pictures with their standees and read about their successes. #travel #california #usa #monterey #drive #awesomepic

Take the baby, the United States, the first road, the essence of 17 miles, self-driving tour of the US Highway 1, the favorite is this self-driving route, like a scenic area to circle up, when driving in, you have to charge 10 dollars per car, enter the door I will get a map at the beginning. I just started to be cloudy and yin, I cant see any beautiful coastline. I didnt expect to go to the famous pebble beach. The weather became superb, the dark clouds were blown away, and the whole mood was getting better. I dont want to go to see the beach and the sea, Im playing with the stone pile, Im not thinking about it, we stayed here for a while, enjoying the beautiful scenery and the pleasant vacation.

Beautiful coastline beach on road trip

✔️ Pebble Beach 📍 Del Monte Forest, Monterey County, California, United States of America My family and I went on a road trip in California and we embarked on the iconic 17-Mile Drive route, passing by many breathtaking scenic seaside spots! One of them was Pebble Beach, an area known for its natural beauty and stunning golf courses. The weather was quite cold when we went there so there weren’t many people, but we enjoyed soaking in the views and observing the wildlife. Be sure to snap a photo with the famous Lone Cypress, a tree that has flourished on a rock cliff that protrudes along the Californian coastline! My overall rating of the experience: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #beachlife #tripmoments #tripblazers

17 Mile Drive - California, USA

Nice drive and takes around 3-4 hours to complete. Entry is 12$ per vehicle. Pebble Beach Golf links and resort is worth a visit even if you don't golf. Amazing piece of land on the ocean, shops, restaurants. Played golf at Spyglass, another elite property, and course, also has a restaurant, grill. Probably one of the nicest spots to eat, or have a drink is Spanish Bay. Golf course there also, but they have an outdoor patio overlooking the ocean and beach, and at sunset or so, a bagpiper plays. There is quite a lot of seating - very cool. Tons of deer in the area. #beautifuldestinations #travelusa #california

Big Sur→A wonder on the California Highway coastline

Big Sur, the first place in the 'Rural Landscape' section of the 50 classics recommended by National Geographic. Big Sur is not a fixed attraction, but a road about 90 miles long on Highway 1 in the United States, from Carmel to Hearst Castle, every place is worth stopping, and any casual shot is a blockbuster. Big Sur (Big Sur) is located in the middle of the California coastline, connecting Carmel Fish Saint Simon. The origin of the name Big Sur is Spanish, meaning 'Big South', but the south here refers to the southern part of the Monterey Peninsula. Half cliff, half ocean, this road that combines oddity, danger, and handsomeness, in addition to beauty, is also a test of the driver's skills. This winding road can definitely be called a charming, romantic, thrilling and exciting section in the American coastline, the magnificent Pacific Ocean, the beautiful sunset, the deep canyon, the deep forest, the rugged mountains Various natural landscapes are integrated into this section of the journey, just like a natural art gallery, and you will not feel tired of visiting 100 times. Big Sur✅Must experience ➡️Driving on the coastal highway Driving on California Highway 1 along the cliff, passing through the towering red shirt forest, stopping at the viewing platform, enjoying the beautiful scenery ➡️Feel the beautiful atmosphere of Nepenthe If you come to Big Sur and don't go to Nepenthe, the whole journey is incomplete. ➡️Hike to the secluded bay Go to the small road of Partington Cove, 3 kilometers back and forth, but 90 meters high, the vegetation on the road is rich, you can choose to go left or right halfway (the end point on the left is a small bay with few people), go to the right and pass the small bridge , There will be a tunnel (Paddington made, once walked S wine), pass through it, you can see the slag of Pa Gong Yang. 🧳Preparation before departure: Check the weather: Be sure to choose a sunny day, everything has two sides, how charming the sunny Big Sur is, how terrifying the rainy Big Sur is. Map: Download the offline map in advance, it is common to have no signal on the way. Refuel: Fill up the car before entering Big Sur, there are few gas stations in this area and the price is expensive. Driving time: It gets dark early in winter, it is recommended to play for 1 whole day, 7-8 hours in summer. Check-in point The two big bridges Rocky Creek Bridge and Bixby Creek Bridge have been built for more than 90 years. The two bridges are close in distance, similar in construction style, but the latter has a more magnificent view and is easy to produce big shots. Beach purple beach This beach is not a romantic and leisurely style, it is more like a desert in the forest, an oasis in the desert, to get here you have to cross a forest, drive a very narrow road, we come for the purple, but the naked eye But I can't see the obvious purple. After peeling off the surface yellow sand, the shallow purple will be revealed underneath, so many bloggers take pictures of the purple so obvious, it is really confusing, although I didn’t see the purple beach, but the wild and unruly temperament here also attracts me very much. Smugglers Cave A charming treasure cave, quiet with few people, very filmable.

Pine Ridge Trail Big Sur

Unreal experience seeing Pine Ridge Trail in Big Sur! This breathtaking view is just simply amazing. We can’t believe that we hiked only a few hours just to get this amazing scenery. Imagine seeing your Apple iMac wallpaper to life, this is it! The sweet summer breeze just added to the overall experience. Overall, an amazing trip that I would truly recommend to friends #beachlife

On the No. 1 road, there are many places marked by points. Every place will have two or three cars, and we will stop and walk around to see the scenery. There is a place where we saw dolphins. Big Sur is the most beautiful coastline in the legend. Big Sur will stop every time you open it. If you happen to be able to separate in big sur at sunset, then you can see the sunset in the Pacific Ocean, it must be the ultimate beauty. I can only make up here. So it's hard to say how much time you have to spend on Highway 1. This can be decided by yourself. You can go all the way in a hurry and walk slowly for a week. On the 1st road, you will encounter two very similar bridges. The second one is the most famous Bixby Bridge on Highway 1, which is the longest concrete arch bridge in California. . It is also beautiful to see the magnificent coastline of big sur at the viewpoint here. It is recommended to take Highway No. 1 from north to south, so that the position of the co-pilot is the Pacific Ocean on the right hand side, and the left hand loves the right hand Pacific Ocean. This life has no need to hurry.

Mushroom Jun's American Travel USA, California Continue the journey of California Highway 1, live at the Peak Hotel in Big Sur, this is a must-see for the National Geographic Awards One of the ten attractions. The guests are doing nothing here, just sitting on a double bench and wearing a blanket to watch the sea and see the trees. You don't have to look for it, you can greet the beautiful sunset above the mountains and the middle of the woods in the cold air.

Victoria Inn

The Victoria Inn in Monterey Bay is small and exquisite, the rooms are a bit old, the decoration style is very Victoria, the lobby and restaurant are very small, parking is very convenient, $17 per day, a few minutes drive from the Fisherman's Wharf. The breakfast is acceptable, slightly better than the ordinary American breakfast. Address: California, 4320 El Camino Real, Los Altos, CA 94022

Whale watching at Monterey!

I went to watch whales at Monterey bay. The weather is nice and cold. We took a boat about 2 hours to the whale spots. It was stunning and great experiences! Around the bay, there are so many shops and restaurants. We got a yummy ice cream. #whalewatching #trip #monterey #california

Mastering the Art of Carry-On Travel

Embarking with just a carry-on offers convenience, cost-efficiency, and speed. Escape baggage fees and long waits at check-in and baggage claim. These six tips help you navigate the challenge: Utilize your personal item Opt for layered clothing Embrace packing cubes Roll, don't fold Wear what you can during check-in Choose the right shoes In my current nomadic journey with eleven pieces of luggage, these principles remain valuable. 🧳✈️

Monterey's Charms Unveiled

Monterey beckons with its idyllic coastal allure, inviting exploration in every nook and cranny. From historic streets to pristine beaches, the city offers a canvas of experiences waiting to be painted. Traverse Cannery Row, indulge in seafood delights at Old Fisherman's Wharf, and journey along the iconic 17-Mile Drive. Monterey's tapestry of attractions leaves an indelible mark on the soul. 🏖️🍽️

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Stepping into the Monterey Bay Aquarium is like submerging yourself in the deepest, most mysterious parts of the ocean. It isn’t a rinky-dink pet store where you watch goldfish swim around in circles. It boasts massive, multi-story tanks that hold back millions of gallons of water and are larger than apartment buildings, and more than 35,000 sea creatures call them home. The animals range from cute little starfish to deadly hammerhead sharks. While most of the creatures live in the water, there are also birds, penguins, amphibians and crustaceans on land. Visitors can explore the dark, shadowy corridors with the gigantic tanks above them and beside them. They can also step outside to the observation decks that overlook the bay; many free-range animals can be seen splashing in the water and staring curiously at tourists. If you’re wondering what to see in California, consider the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Between its size, scale and biodiversity, it’s definitely one of the top 10 destinations in the state. Address: 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940, United States Ready to travel to Monterey? Don’t miss our list of the best things to do in Monterey!

#awesomepic Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium must not be taken with the baby. At first, the aquarium is not on our travel list. In the morning we walked along the cannery street and found a long queue of factory buildings. This is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is known as the largest in North America. Traveling with children, I believe that you will not miss this popular science, dream, fun and industrial wind building. It is also a window to explore the magnificent underwater world, with 6,500 kinds of marine life and more than 300,000 marine life in the museum. Show it in a variety of fun ways. Featured recommendation

What a dreamy aquarium!

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is indeed well-known. As soon as you enter, it's like falling into a dream. The super high glass outline is full of aquatic plants, and the fish shuttle freely among them, as if the sea has really been moved indoors. Outside, you can overlook the blue and wide ocean, and your mood will improve. Finding such bright photos in the album in winter will really improve your mood. Next time I have the chance, I will summarize the tour route of the aquarium~