Monterey is a city located in Monterey County on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on California’s Central Coast. Founded on June 3, 1770, it was the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico. During this period, Monterey hosted California’s first theater, public building, public library, publicly funded school, printing press, and newspaper. Given its proximity to Big Sur and Carmel, there is a lot to like about this coastal city and we’ll take you through it!

This was after the Mexican period when, in addition to several battles between Mexico and California in the 1800s, many Mexican traditions (not Spanish) started to take hold (clay/adobe buildings, coastal food, tacos, etc.). More recently, Monterey has been recognized for its significant involvement in post-secondary learning of languages other than English and its major role in delivering translation and interpretation services around the world.

Where to Stay

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
https://www.portolahotel.com/

Monterey Plaza Hotel
https://montereyplazahotel.com/

Seven Gables Inn
https://thesevengablesinn.com/

What to Do

Monterey Bay Aquarium
https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/

Cannery Row
https://canneryrow.com/

Fisherman’s Wharf (so many places for chowder and salmon)
https://www.montereywharf.com/

Monterey Museum of Art - annex museum La Mirada and the Salvador Dali Museum
http://www.montereyart.org/

Asilomar Beach View
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=566

Where to Drink

Bright Coffee
http://www.bright.coffee/

Crown and Anchor
https://crownandanchor.net/

Jeninni Kitchen & Wine Bar (Pacific Grove) (great happy hour, $5-6 beers and wines, $8 cocktails)
http://jeninni.com/

Chart House (great view happy hour with $7 cocktails and fish tacos!)
https://www.chart-house.com/location/chart-house-monterey-ca/

Where to Eat

Cannery Row Brewing Company
http://canneryrowbrewingcompany.com/

Happy Girl Kitchen Co
https://happygirlkitchen.com/

Parker-Lusseau Pastries (desserts)
http://www.parker-lusseaupastries.com/

Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill (outdoor beer garden, cool dishes - crawfish mac n cheese, )
http://www.alvaradostreetbrewery.com/