Guidebook for Monterey
Food Scene
Great Thai food that our Peace Corps returnee friends always recommend.
9 locals recommend
Baan Thai Restaurant
1760 Fremont BlvdGreat Thai food that our Peace Corps returnee friends always recommend.
Excellent, sustainable seafood and affordable wines in a lovely ambiance.
68 locals recommend
Passionfish
701 Lighthouse AveExcellent, sustainable seafood and affordable wines in a lovely ambiance.
German Restaurant Stammtisch
1204 Echo AveGenuine German food and interesting ambiance. One of a kind!
Mundaka Restaurant
San Carlos StreetTerrific tapas and a happening scene in Carmel.
Excellent for lunch or dinner! Specials several days a week--and the interior is handmade by the owner's daughter. Our favorite by far!
33 locals recommend
il vecchio
110 Central AveExcellent for lunch or dinner! Specials several days a week--and the interior is handmade by the owner's daughter. Our favorite by far!
Great breakfast place for everyone. I always get the eggs Benedict.
8 locals recommend
Old Monterey Café
489 Alvarado StGreat breakfast place for everyone. I always get the eggs Benedict.
Gusto Handcrafted Pasta & Pizza
1901 Fremont BlvdGreat pizzas and other Italian fare
Essentials
An amazing spa experience that melds the best of experiences in water, steam and fire.
65 locals recommend
Refuge
27300 Rancho San Carlos RdAn amazing spa experience that melds the best of experiences in water, steam and fire.
Drinks & Nightlife
Estéban Restaurant
700 Munras AveDelicious tapas restaurant and a good happy hour.
If you're headed out for a late bite, Lalla's may be the only place still open. Great martinis and full menu. Or Denny's after hours...
13 locals recommend
Lallapalooza
474 Alvarado StIf you're headed out for a late bite, Lalla's may be the only place still open. Great martinis and full menu. Or Denny's after hours...
Parks & Nature
Point Lobos offers amazing vistas along the hiking trails and access to multiple geological zones and fault lines.
Note there is talk of making this a reservation-necessary visit, so please check their website in advance!
309 locals recommend
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1Point Lobos offers amazing vistas along the hiking trails and access to multiple geological zones and fault lines.
Note there is talk of making this a reservation-necessary visit, so please check their website in advance!
A white sand beach and amazing dog scene. This is the beach where we celebrate birthdays and have bonfires south of 10th. Also our favorite boogie boarding break.
142 locals recommend
Carmel City Beach
A white sand beach and amazing dog scene. This is the beach where we celebrate birthdays and have bonfires south of 10th. Also our favorite boogie boarding break.
Sightseeing
A classic view of the Monterey Peninsula winds around the links of Pebble Beach. Stop for a beverage at Spanish Bay and hear the pipers at sundown.
20 locals recommend
17 Mile Drive
17 Mile DriveA classic view of the Monterey Peninsula winds around the links of Pebble Beach. Stop for a beverage at Spanish Bay and hear the pipers at sundown.
Adventures by The Sea
299 Cannery RowRent a bike! Tour the Peninsula the eco way!
A more remote and wild feeling beach, Asilomar Beach is next to a beautiful state reserve and conference grounds.
9 locals recommend
Asilomar Beach Boardwalk
Asilomar Beach BoardwalkA more remote and wild feeling beach, Asilomar Beach is next to a beautiful state reserve and conference grounds.
Everything Else
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowMay well be the best aquarium in the world. Don't miss it.
Shopping
Get out on the water! See the bay close up! MBK has been doing it for a long time and has a great location if you just want to paddle around the marina. And they do stand up paddleboards too.
20 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Kayaks - Monterey Location
693 Del Monte AveGet out on the water! See the bay close up! MBK has been doing it for a long time and has a great location if you just want to paddle around the marina. And they do stand up paddleboards too.