What to Do in Monterey – FULL TRAVEL GUIDE

Pat and I are fully vaccinated, so now is the moment to get back out there and travel again! We decided for our first trip we would explore a region close to home but still far enough away that it felt like a vacation. We love Monterey County so it was a natural choice. It’s just an easy drive from San Francisco but feels like you have truly escaped from the hustle and bustle of the city.

I’m happy to report we felt very safe during our trip. Most people in the area wear masks consistently, even outdoors. There is plenty of outdoor seating and all cleaning COVID protocols seem to be meticulously followed.

You can tell tourism is starting to pick back up in the region, so I definitely recommend making reservations ahead of time and booking in advance when you can.

Read on for my guide to Monterey, in partnership with the Monterey County CVB…

Here are all the places below in an easy interactive map form:

Sand City, California Travel Guide

You may not have heard of Sand City, but it’s quickly positioning itself as the place for public art along the Central Coast of California. Thanks to we.Art, an entire neighborhood in Sand City has been transformed with enormous colorful murals. It’s so impressive!

Sand City we.Art Murals

Sand City, California has an incredible street art scene. Many are clustered in the West End neighborhood, making an art tour easily walkable. This is such a fun – and free – activity that everyone from kids to grown-ups can enjoy. There are also several artist studios within the West End District. Check in advance because hours and availability vary. You can find a charming community garden located at the corner of Diaz Street and Holly Street.

If you’re planning a visit in August, check out Sand City’s 20th Anniversary West End Celebration August 28-29.

https://www.wecreateart.co/sandcity

Sweet Elena’s Cafe & Bakery Sand City

Sweet Elena’s is an artisan bakery, where everything is made from scratch. Elena, the owner, was previously the pastry chef at the famous Ventana in Big Sur. You’ll find everything from delicious pies to quiche made with fresh and local ingredients. Don’t forget to try their famous homemade granola! They also have a tradition of showcasing local artists. This is a cozy gathering place that’s perfect for a bite to eat while you’re exploring the public art scene in Sand City.

Sweet Elena’s Cafe & Bakery
465 Olympia Avenue
Sand City, CA 93955
https://www.sweetelenas.com/

Post No Bills Craft Beer House Sand City

Once you’re done with your mural tour, stop for a refreshing craft beer at Post No Bills Craft Beer House. They allow guests to bring in food to enjoy and there is also often a local food truck parked outside.

Post No Bills Craft Beer House
600 Ortiz Avenue
Sand City, CA 93955
https://postnobills.net/

Guide to Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Carmel-by-the-Sea just oozes with charm. From the magical storybook cottages to the cobbled streets, you’ll feel like you’re transported back to a simpler time. Carmel is rich in arts and culture. There are so many art galleries to explore. The village is tiny, so the best way to explore is on foot. That way you can wander through the courtyards and pop into the many shops that dot the downtown.

We were spoiled with absolutely perfect weather during our trip. Spring really is my favorite time to visit Carmel. The flowers were in bloom, the skies were blue and crystal clear and the sand sparkled in the sunlight. 

Review of Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea

If you are a fan of the #CottageCore trend, you’ll love Hofsas House Hotel. This pastel pink hotel is about as charming as it gets! Female-founded Hofsas House has been run by the same family for the last seventy years. The current owner and innkeeper, Carrie, got her start showing guests to their rooms when she was just 8 years old. You can tell Carrie loves being the hostess of the hotel. She went out of her way to make us feel welcome and comfortable.

Carrie’s most recent project is a partnership with local artist, Marie-Clare Treseder Gorham. Marie Clare is adding her artistic flair everywhere around Hofsas House from the headboards to a new large mural. I even got to take a peek at her studio while we stayed there.

Our room was simple and charming, with an amazing view of Carmel Bay and the Hofsas House pool. Every morning there is a full continental breakfast you can take back to your room to enjoy. The location is excellent for exploring Carmel. It’s just a few blocks from Ocean Avenue and a short walk to the beach. 

Hofsas House Hotel
San Carlos Street
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921
https://www.hofsashouse.com/

Art Galleries in Carmel-by-the-Sea

As I said, there are art galleries all over Carmel. I definitely recommend popping into a few while you’re there. While we were exploring downtown, the colorful floral artwork of Kathy Sharpe captured my heart. Her darling paintings really are my love language. 

Kathy Sharpe Studio & Gallery
Dolores Street between 5th and, 6th Ave
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923
https://www.kathysharpestudio.com/

Dog-Friendly Carmel Beach

Carmel’s creamy white sandy beaches are certainly its defining feature. They are lovely to walk on and dog-friendly! Make sure you bring a jacket as the beach tends to be windy even on the nicest days. The beach is backed by a trail and lined with cypress trees. If you’re lucky you’ll see dolphins playing in the waves or even whales right off the shore. You can find current COVID precautions here.

Carmel Shell Mural

Next to the shell is an “artist inspiration map” with historic and cultural points from around the village. You might also recognize the pink color from Hofsas House Hotel! The artist for the mural is Marie-Clare Treseder Gorham, the artist in residence at the hotel. Make sure you stop by and take a shell-fie. 🙂

Carmel Shell Mural
Corner of Mission Street and Sixth Avenue
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Where to Find Storybook Houses of Carmel

One of the most recognizable features of Carmel is the charming Storybook houses. The building codes in the village are very strict so you’ll find amazing old-world architectural details everywhere. I spent a morning wandering the streets and came across so many cottages. I put a few of them in a Reel on Instagram that you can enjoy by clicking the image above. If you are hoping to get good photos, it’s best to walk on a cloudy day or get up very early in the morning as all of the lush greenery casts lots of shadows when the sun is high in the sky.

Allegro Pizzeria in Carmel

Great service, fun and casual atmosphere, and amazing pizza! We ordered a 14-inch pizza for the two of us and devoured it. They also have a variety of pasta, salads, and other dishes on the menu. You can eat inside or outdoors, and they also offer take-out and delivery.

Allegro Pizzeria
3770 The Barnyard
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923
https://allegropizzeria.com/

La Bicyclette Restaurant Carmel

When I asked for recommendations on where to eat in Carmel, the number one response was La Bicyclette. They have ample outdoor seating, but you still may end up waiting as the secret is definitely out on this one! Reese Witherspoon even named it a favorite spot. The restaurant is expensive but worth the splurge. You’ll find classic French and Italian favorites, made with local and sustainable ingredients. Their wood-fired pizzas are not to miss!

La Bicyclette Restaurant
Dolores St & 7th Avenue
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923
http://www.labicycletterestaurant.com/

Garrapata State Park Carmel

Just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea is the loveliest state park that is worth a stop, especially if you are headed to Big Sur. You’ll find stunning coastlines with views of the famous sapphire blue waters of that area as well as unspoiled redwood groves. It’s also much less crowded than many places in Big Sur. The park itself is discretely marked, with only one sign and nineteen discreetly numbered turnout markers – truly a hidden gem! There are so many hiking trails to enjoy without fighting the crowds you find in Big Sur.

Garrapata State Park
34500 CA-1
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=579

Calla Lily Valley & Garrapata Beach

From late January to mid-May, something truly magical happens. A field of calla lilies blooms in Garrapata State Park. It’s absolutely stunning! By late April, the lilies will start to turn brown but are still beautiful to behold. There are also enough paths within the lilies for you to explore and snap photos without trampling on them. Just make sure to stay on them and leave the park as beautiful as you found it. 

There is no official sign for Calla Lily Valley. To find it, just put “Calla Lily Valley” in Google Maps. Make sure you have the maps available offline as cell phone reception can be spotty. Once you find the trailhead, it’s relatively easy to take the trail down to Calla Lily Valley. It’s about 0.5 miles and there are some stairs but nothing too steep or treacherous. The hike also leads you to Garrapata Beach, which offers stunning soft sands and relative solitude. Make sure you watch out for poison oak on the trail! The trail is dog-friendly.

Calla Lily Valley & Garrapata Beach
Garrapata Trail
Carmel, CA 93923

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What to Do in Pacific Grove

Wow! This was our first time in Pacific Grove and we truly fell in love. Nestled in between Monterey and Carmel, it has a little of everything. You’ll find culture, charming boutiques, historic old homes, and an amazing food scene.

Pacific Grove is nicknamed Butterfly Town U.S.A. It’s the home of a monarch sanctuary and also traditionally has been an overwintering spot for monarch butterflies. Sadly, the west coast monarch butterfly population is down by almost 99% due to climate change and habitat loss. Pacific Grove takes monarch protection seriously. The fine for harming a monarch is $1,000 and scientists in the area are focused on protecting and restoring the population.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Pacific Grove Purple Magic Carpet Flowers Superbloom

Every year in April and May, something magical happens. The ice plants on the coast of Pacific Grove bloom into a literal carpet of purple flowers. It’s a stunning sight to see and easily visited via the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail south of Monterey along the Pacific Grove coast, starting at Lover’s Point.

For a video of the magic and to see the location of the superbloom, check out the Reel I posted to Instagram that is linked above.

Passionfish Restaurant in Pacific Grove

The best meal of our trip and one of the best meals we’ve had in California was at Passionfish restaurant in Pacific Grove. In an area known for fresh seafood, Passionfish stands apart. Every dish we ate was memorable, unique, and flavorful. You cannot pass up their delicious buttermilk biscuits – worth every calorie. Not only is the food exceptional, but you can also feel good about enjoying it. Passionfish was one of the first restaurants to follow the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch and is a designated Monterey County Green Business. 

Passionfish Restaurant
701 Lighthouse Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
http://www.passionfish.net/

Red House Café Pacific Grove

Located in a charming old red Victorian house, Red House Café in Pacific Grove is a must for breakfast! We loved all the dishes we tried and of course the bottomless cups of coffee! Pat had the cinnamon brioche french toast and I had a yogurt parfait. Both were devoured with no crumbs remaining. The cafe is conveniently located across the street from Gosby House Inn (where we stayed) in a scenic and walkable part of Pacific Grove.

Red House Café
662 Lighthouse Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
https://www.redhousecafe.com/

Gosby House Inn Review Pacific Grove

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’m obsessed with the Victorian homes of San Francisco. Turns out, Pacific Grove has an amazing collection of historic homes, including Gosby House Inn. This stunning inn was built in 1886 by a cobbler and has been lovingly and carefully refurbished. We absolutely loved our dog-friendly room with a private patio.

It had a four-poster bed and was decorated in an authentic way without feeling tacky or outdated. Our expectations were exceeded at every turn, from a welcome cheese and wine reception to a full breakfast delivered to our room in the morning. I appreciated their sustainable approach as all food items were in reusable or compostable containers.

Gosby House Inn
643 Lighthouse Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
https://www.gosbyhouseinn.com/

What to Do in Monterey, California

Monterey is the biggest town in Monterey County and best known for Cannery Row and the amazing Monterey Bay Aquarium. I love checking out the antiques at Cannery Row and spending time on their amazing Monterey Recreation Trail that lines the coast.

Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bicycle Rentals

Our vintage e-bike rentals from Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bike Shop were definitely a highlight of the trip. They even have a sidecar attachment to the bikes so we were able to bring our dog, Maddie! She was a little nervous at first but quickly got used to it. It was so fun to have her along for our adventures. Bike rentals were the perfect way to explore neighboring town Pacific Grove’s purple magic carpet superbloom along the coast.

The shop has two locations in Monterey County – Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey. They also have locations in Mill Valley and Montecito, California. If you are in Carmel, they are the closest bike shop to the famous 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. If you are interested in mountain biking in Big Sur, they can set you up with rentals for that too. The Monterey location is right on Cannery Row at the start of the Monterey Recreation Trail connected to Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa.

Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bicycle Rentals Carmel
SW Corner of Ocean Ave and Mission Street
Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921

Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bicycle Rentals Monterey
Plaza Hotel, 400 Cannery Row Suite C
Monterey, CA 93940
https://maddogsenglishmen.com/rentals-tours

Lalla Oceanside Grill Restaurant on Cannery Row

You’ll find dinner with the best view in Monterey at Lalla Oceanside Grill. Located right on Cannery Row, the back wall of the restaurant features huge windows that give expansive views of Monterey Bay. It’s the perfect place to catch the sunset. Lalla features tasty and filling fresh seafood, creative cocktails, and a large array of sides and salads.

They focus on fresh, local, and organic ingredients and it shows in the food. The service was truly exceptional. You must try the fish tacos!

Lalla Oceanside Grill
654 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
https://www.lallaoceansidegrill.com/

Alta Bakery & Cafe Monterey

Located in the historic Cooper-Molina Adobe building, Alta Bakery is the place to get coffee and a pastry in Monterey. Everything in the bakery is made fresh daily in house. We tried a couple of pastries and both were flaky and delicious. They have an absolutely beautiful outdoor patio where you can enjoy your meal. Getting married soon? They also make wedding cakes.

Alta Bakery & Cafe
502 Munras Avenue
Monterey, CA 93940
https://www.altamonterey.com/

Monterey State Historic Park & Path of History

Monterey has so much history! The city served as California’s capital under Spanish, Mexican, and U.S. military rule. Monterey State Historic Park is a collection of significant historic houses and buildings located in Old Monterey. The best way to explore is by following the Path of History. You can catch the path all over downtown Monterey – just look for the yellow markers in the sidewalk.  Do a self-guided tour by picking up a brochure outside the Pacific House or with the Adventure Lab app. You can see more details on their website.

Monterey State Historic Park
20 Custom House Plaza
Monterey, California 93940
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=575

Moss Landing Guide

Moss Landing is a charming little fishing town north of Carmel and Monterey. It’s perfect for a quick stop to break up the drive back to San Francisco. What it lacks in size it makes up in charm. You can go to the marina and watch the fishing boats come in before enjoying a delicious meal at The Haute Enchilada.

The Haute Enchilada Café

The Haute Enchilada marries sustainable seafood and homemade Mexican dishes. It’s a fun and charming place that is a true hidden gem. They are currently closed for indoor dining but have a “Secret Garden” heated patio that is truly lovely. Their art gallery has original works from over 70 artists. If you’re driving back to San Francisco, it’s a great place to stop for a “last meal” before you head home.

The Haute Enchilada Café
7902 Moss Landing Road
Moss Landing, CA 95039
https://www.hauteenchilada.com/

The Power Plant Coffee in Moss Landing

For a delicious caffeine fix in a charming and welcoming space, try The Power Plant coffee shop. It’s filled with natural light and plants as well as a few artistic goods for sale. If you’re a sucker for fancy toast, The Power Plant has you covered with both sweet and savory options.

The Power Plant Coffee
7990 CA-1
Moss Landing, CA 95039
https://www.thepowerplant.store/

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