Destination - Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur

"Cannery Row in Monterey in California is a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream. Cannery Row is the gathered and scattered, tin and iron and rust and splintered wood, chipped pavement and weedy lots and junk heaps, sardine canneries of corrugated iron, honky tonks, restaurants and whore houses, and little crowded groceries, and laboratories and flophouses."
- John Steinbeck, Cannery Row

Drive from Big Sur to Monterey
on Hwy 1

If you are planning a vacation to Northern California you cannot miss the coastal areas, especially around Monterey Bay, Carmel and Big Sur.  Some of the prettiest coastline in California is along this stretch of coast.  And both Monterey and Carmel are charming towns worth exploring.  So spend a few night in this area, which can easily be combined with a vacation to San Francisco and the Northern Wine Country. 

The top tourist things to see in this area are - Cannery Row, The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, Big Sur, the 17 mile drive, Pebble Beach and the California Missions - there are 3 in this county.

Cannery Row

The historic waterfront district of Cannery Row on Monterey Bay was made famous by John Steinbeck.   Today it is full of shops and restaurants which are located in the old cannery buildings.  There are more than 85 shops, there are art galleries, spas, entertainment and wine tasting.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium  (opened 1984) is located at the north end of Cannery Row. Discover life in Monterey’s bay without leaving dry land.  The aquarium is dedicated to marine research and conservation, and is known throughout the world for its interactive exhibits and ability to present marine life on a truly grand scale. It's been called "one of America's most captivating aquariums".

Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf in downtown Monterey should be on the "must-do" list of every visitor to the area. This is a great place to take in the sights and sounds and smells of Monterey. Because neighboring Wharf 2 is the heart of the area's thriving fishing industry, you can usually watch the working trawlers unloading the catch of the day — just look for all of the seagulls hoping for a handout to know who's had a successful day on the Bay! Stroll down the wharf with a cup of hot clam chowder, or stop by one of several restaurants. You can photograph sea lions and otters frolicking in the calm inner harbor waters.  I actually like this wharf area better than the one in San Francisco because it is less touristy.

Big Sur

Big Sur is just south of Monterey on Hwy 1.  There are a multitude of things to do while you are in Big Sur, one of which is to "Do Nothing." Sit by a stream and listen to the breeze drift through the redwoods.  Lay on a beach and watch for whales and dolphins.  Your "do nothingness" is limited only by your imagination,

The Lone Cypress tree

The 17-Mile Drive is a road that passes through an exclusive neighborhood and the Pebble Beach Golf Course.  You pay a small fee to drive it (motorcycles are not allowed).  Once you get inside, you'll find signs and red-painted dashed lines on the pavement to help you follow the 17-Mile Drive route. The 17-Mile Drive winds through a forested area and along some of the most scenic oceanfront, passing three golf courses, two luxury hotels and the famed Lone Cypress tree. The 17-Mile Drive guide map you get at the gate will give a brief description of each point of interest.  Allow 3 hours or more, especially if you stop to eat or take a lot of photographs.

Mission San Antonio

There are 3 missions in the county - Mission Carmel, Mission San Antonio, and Mission Soledad.  The California Missions are part of our history.  They are unique to this area.  When they were built they were all within a day's walk of each other, and stretched from Mexico up into Northern California.  They are worth a visit, simply for the history.

Downtown Carmel

Make sure you get over to Carmel while here, it is right next door to Monterey and it has its own charm.  There are wonderful shops and restaurants, and Carmel is known for being one of the "dog friendliest" towns in the country.  If you have your 4 legged friend with you, they will be welcome just about everywhere.  And who knows, you may run into the former mayor of Carmel, Clint Eastwood.  He owns the Mission Ranch where you can spend the night or enjoy their restaurant, which is said to have really good prime rib.

There is much more to do here, including the Pt. Lomas State Reserve, Garland Park, and the National Steinbeck Center.  You can go whale watching (in season), sailing, kayaking, biking or just sit back and watch the crashing waves and sea otters playing at Point Lobos.  This area has incomparable ocean views hidden around every corner and relaxed ambiance to calm the most frenetic of souls.