Our favorite coffee shop in Monterey- we often bike here on the weekends and take our coffees with us to the nearby Municipal Wharf II to watch the sea lions.
Beautiful little bakery/coffee shop. We got a light bite for breakfast here the day that Aidan proposed. Everything is absolutely delicious, and situated in a great spot to be able to walk downtown with coffee in hand.
This is Aidan and I's favorite restaurant- we come here every other week! It's an understated sushi spot with the best quality fish we have found. Our favorites are the Japanese KFC, Mamma Mia roll, Alaska roll, and sashimi sampler.
A great spot downtown to grab pastries to-go. Closes usually at 9 (same with everything else in Carmel), so it's a great option for an after-dinner sweet treat.
Amazing ice cream shop with dairy free options. Usually open until 9 or 10 pm.
If you haven't yet been to the aquarium, it is truly magical. Be warned that tickets are $65 a person and it can get very busy.
If you're in the mood to hike, this is a gorgeous nature reserve with coastal trails. Our favorite is the North Shore Trail (includes lots of stairs and uneven terrain).
This is our favorite spot for tide pooling, beach combing, and sometimes even whale watching. Try to come at low tide if you can. In the nearby "Great Tide Pool" often see starfish, sea anemones, crabs, and nudibranchs. It's a bit tricky to maneuver this area- wear tennis shoes and be careful on the rocks because they can be slippery.