Lodging in a Nutshell |
Beth D'Addono, Contributing Writer |
 The Monterey Peninsula is a shining jewel on the crown of California’s scenic Central Coast. Encompassing the towns of Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove and Big Sur, the Peninsula is known for everything from golf -- 18 courses from which to choose - to butterflies - thousands of Monarchs migrate through the area each year.
Most people come for the view -- no other California county can boast 99 miles of breathtaking Pacific coastline, an attraction that has brought visitors to the area since 1880. But, tourists are also drawn to the concentration of shopping, fine dining, vineyards and hiking and biking opportunities that abound in this diverse and historic region.
Located between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Monterey County is accessible by both Coastal Highway One and Highway 101, which travels along the agricultural byways of the Monterey Valley corridor. The Monterey Peninsula Airport is just three miles outside of town, with United Express, America West and American Eagle offering direct flights via San Francisco, L.A. or Phoenix.
This beautiful meeting of land and sea has something for everyone. Families love the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the MY (Monterey Youth) Museum, the Dennis the Menace Park, and the Wild Things Exotic Animal Facility; foodies swoon over the robust flavor of Salinas Valley produce, locally grown artichokes (95 percent of the nation’s artichokes are grown here), a global table of restaurant dining and outstanding Monterey County wines; history buffs can travel on Monterey’s Path of History, which charts the area’s earliest days under Spanish rule through California statehood and beyond. Not many people know that Monterey is not only the oldest city in California, but it was also the state’s first capital.
For outdoors lovers, blading and biking along Monterey’s waterfront recreation trail, kayaking the Monterey Bay, hang gliding along coastal sand dunes and whale watching are just a few options. Shoppers usually head to Carmel, known for its quaint village atmosphere and plethora of inns, shops, boutiques and art galleries.
A range of accommodations are available along the Monterey Peninsula, from large chains like Marriott, Doubletree and Hyatt to upscale B&Bs and family-friendly budget properties including Travelodge and Quality Inn.
If you’re looking for a bargain, winter and spring deliver the best rates, without the crowds that are always part of the summer landscape. The weather is best in spring and fall, usually with sunny temperatures in the 60s, minus the chilly coastal fog that often rolls in during the summer season.
But then again, the Monterey Peninsula is a destination for all seasons. Novelists John Steinbeck and Henry Miller, poet Robinson Jeffers and photographer Ansel Adams all documented the singular natural beauty and unique history of Monterey County. There’s nowhere else quite like it in the world.
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