Monterey, CA Hotels

Monterey, CA Rundown

Monterey, CA, is a very relaxed and elegant historical city where tourists enjoy cultural and natural attractions. It is far removed from the urban metropolitan pace of nearby San Francisco and Los Angeles. While people go to those cities for clubbing and sun bathing, Monterey, CA, is more for wine tasting and gallery hopping. Places like Ventana Vineyardsand the Scheid Wine Lounge offer samplings of the finer things in life.

That isn't to say that Monterey residents and guests are snobs, however. This charming town offers a homey feeling and a relaxed seaside atmosphere that greatly inspired some of John Steinbeck's famous literary creations. If you enjoy his work, Steinbeck's Spirit of Monterey Wax Museumoffers a 3D interpretation of his classic fiction. If the sea is what draws you to Monterey, CA, as it did Steinbeck, then you have many treats in store for you. Old Fisherman's Wharf is a historic seaside site where you can watch sea lions, otters and seals frolic. This is also a premier spot for whale watching during the winter when the grey whales migrate to the warmer waters of Monterey, CA.

Monterey, CA Top 10

Monterey History

• Monterey State Historic Park – Featuring restored and authentically decorated houses that date back to the 1800s.
• Colton Hall – A museum that was once a town hall meeting place, public school and jail.
Cannery Row – Named in honour of John Steinbeck, Cannery Row features specialty stores,
• restaurants, bars, hotels, wine tasting rooms and art galleries.
• Fisherman's Wharf – Grab a cup of hot clam chowder and go whale watching, take a tour in a glass-bottomed boat or watch the fishermen unload the catch of the day.
• Steinbeck's Spirit of Monterey Wax Museum – A fairly new attraction where you can learn more than 400 years of Monterey history.

Monterey Art & Culture

• Golden State Theatre – This theatre has been around since the silent movie days and is still used for movies, orchestras and music concerts.
• Pacific Grove Art Centre – Offers ballet and art classes and features art from up-and-coming artists in more than 10 studios.
• San Carlos Cathedral – Built in the 1700s, this is the oldest place of worship in Monterey and showcases Spanish and Moorish architecture.
• Laguna Seca Recreation Area – A park with great views of the hillsides, a serene camping environment and a shooting range.
• Pebble Beach – A community featuring eight golf courses, gourmet restaurants, awesome spas and top-drawer shopping.

Monterey Shopping

• Cannery Row Antique Mall – A 21,000-square-foot mall with two floors of great shopping.
• Fleurs du Soleil – Floral design studio specializing in extravagantly designed arrangements.
• Embracing Moments – A metal jewellery store specializing in sterling silver, copper and brass necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
• Monterey Farmers' Market – A weekday outdoor market offering fresh produce, seafood, natural meats and farm fresh eggs.
• Cannery Row Bay View Tasting Room – One-stop place to sample wine from more than 65 regional wineries.

Gay & Lesbian Monterey

• Pride of Monterey County Festival – This festival typically happens in mid-July.
• Baylands Frontrunners – A friendly running and walking LGBT club.
• Alternative Café – LGBT-friendly local café that hosts open-mic night, music, poetry, comedy and art shows.
• Vagabond’s House – LGBT-friendly bed and breakfast and artist's retreat.
• Mafinfesta Safaris for Women – A women-only vacation that encourages friendship, confidence and self-esteem.

Monterey, CA Events

The Gilroy Garlic Festival takes place in Monterey, CA, in late July/early August and features garlic-laden gourmet foods, cook-offs, and many fun family activities.

California Rodeo Salinas is a venue in Salinas, which is just north of Monterey, CA. The rodeos are sponsored by nonprofits that benefit the local community. Various other events are held throughout the year such as the Miss California Rodeo Queen pageants, the Electric Rodeo Gala in May, and a number of prominent motocross events in the summer.

Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival is a unique event in Monterey, CA, held in July each year. Participants enjoy wine tasting, music and poetry readings at the Steinbeck Institute of Art & Culture.

Monterey, CA County Fair features a number of fun events such as a carnival with rides and games, a farmers market and musical performances. The excitement kicks off in July.

Big Sur Marathon is a 26.2-mile (about 16 km) athletic challenge that spans from Big Sur to Carmel, passing through Monterey, CA. Proceeds are donated to charity, and the race takes place in April.

AT&T Pebble Beach National ProAm is a prestigious tournament for professional golfers and celebrities. It takes place in Monterey, CA, each February at Pebble Beach Golf Links, the MPCC Shore Course and Spyglass Hill Golf Course.

Blue Ocean Film Festival features independent and short films with oceanic themes. You can catch it in September each year in Monterey, CA.

Monterey, CA Blues Festival is a treat for those who love the blues. It is held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in June and features the talents of a variety of famous and local musicians.

September is the month to enjoy the fabulous Monterey, CA Jazz Fest. Fans of both modern and classical jazz will be pleased to know that they can watch both orchestral and band performances during this celebration. Many big names like Joshua Redman have played at this major annual event.

Celebrate Rastafarian culture and music any way you like at the Monterey, CA, Reggae Festival in July. Along with live music, there will be food andmerchandise booths, moon bounces, slides and lots of dread locks.

When to Go

The weather in Monterey, CA, is typically very pleasant and tolerable even in the summer and winter months. This makes Monterey a great destination any time of year.

Monterey, CA, experiences the warmest temperatures during the months of August through October with highs in the mid 70s F (21-22°C). The coldest time of the year is from December to February with lows in the low 40s F (5°C).

There is more precipitation from January to March than any other time of year, with an average of 9-10 cm of rain during this period. Snow is uncommon but not impossible for Monterey, CA.

Getting There

If you intend to drive to Monterey, CA, you will arrive there via State Highway 1. There are a number of routes to use but most will merge into State Highway 1 via US 101 or State Route 68.

You can take an Amtrak train into the city of Salinas, which is adjacent to Monterey, CA. The train service offers shuttle buses from the station to most major hotels in Monterey. There are also Amtrak buses that will run between San Jose and Monterey for only $10.

Major airports in Nevada, Colorado, Utah and Arizona offer services to the Monterey Peninsula Airport. You can fly into LAX or San Francisco to connect to Monterey as well.

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