Things To Do
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a world-renowned establishment. There are numerous exhibits and the sealife is exciting for people of all ages! If you've never been before, we recommend allotting approximately 2-3 hours. The aquarium is at the end of Cannery Row which is a fun area to walk around, have a nice lunch, and explore. Tickets can be bought on the website!
Old Fisherman's Wharf
Old Fisherman's Wharf is a classic Monterey attraction. Here you can admire all the many beautiful boats in the harbor and peruse the many various souvenir shops and restaurants that line the wharf promenade. You can even just walk along the wharf and try all the many samples that restaurants hand out! Growing up, Kristina and her family often frequented Abalonetti's. You can also check out whale-watching tours if that is something that interests you!
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming coastal town known for its stunning scenery and vibrant art scene. Nestled along the picturesque Monterey Peninsula, this area features breathtaking beaches, enchanting cottages, and an array of boutique shops and galleries. Some favorite restaurants in this area are Demetra's for more casual Greek food or____. Vesuvio is also fun for a drink and a bite on their rooftop bar! Carmel's beach is gorgeous, dog-friendly, and technically swimmable (for those with a high cold tolerance! Cold plunge?) If you continue along the one-way road that lines the coastline, you will find Carmel River Beach (shown in the main photo of this webpage). Carmel River Beach is also a bird sanctuary and is a stunning place to enjoy the natural beauty of this piece of California!
Big Sur
Hop on the Highway 1 South to explore the northern part of Big Sur and the Carmel Highlands! It is an absolutely breathtaking drive with wonderful hiking trails along the way. We really enjoy Garapata which has a leisurely, coastal walk that is family-friendly and a steeper, more time-consumptive mountain-side hike. Beyond Garapata, you can find an amazing calla lily gorge and a sandy beach walk. Here is a link to the Google Maps pin of that location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eEvJD3NzyeRhuFRX9 If you continue further south from there you can see the historic Bixby bridge or even continue further south to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (a site with redwood trees and the characteristic Big Sur waterfall to the ocean). Julia Pfeiffer is gorgeous but does require a bigger time commitment (about an hour drive from Carmel-by-the-sea). We would recommend 2-4 hours to explore Big Sur depending on how far down the coast you'd like to go and how much hiking you'd want to do!
Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Perhaps one of the best views Mike and Kristina could recommend in the Monterey and Carmel area. The Highlands Inn has a full restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and their Sunset Lounge which offers light bites and delicious cocktails. It is an absolutely wonderful environment and a very fun spot, especially on a beautiful clear day!
Carmel Valley Wine Tasting
A bit inland from Carmel-by-the-Sea, you will find Carmel Valley Village: a charming area with loads of wineries, shops, and cafes. Some of the favorite wineries in this area are Folktale Winery, Corral Wine Company, Twisted Roots, and Pelio. The Corkscrew Cafe is a wonderful spot for a midday lunch. Along the way from Monterey/Carmel-by-the-Sea to Carmel Valley, you will pass by Baja Cantina: a wonderful local favorite for margaritas and Mexican food. This place is also family-friendly with a funky vibe. There are many options to choose from and it's hard to go wrong in this area!
Mission Ranch Restaurant
The Mission Ranch in Carmel is a hotel and restaurant that overlooks grazing sheep and Carmel River Beach. It is a stunning atmosphere with delicious food and drinks. This is an excellent spot for lunch, a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or dinner. Just a heads-up, they do not take reservations!