DESTINATION:
Monterey, California

Sponsored by the RunAway GetAway Vacation Rentals Alliance

Monterey Tourist Information, Weather, and Travel News

Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
The Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce promotes business through member services, educational programs, cooperative partnerships, and legislative advocacy that balances prosperity with the quality of life.

The Monterey County Herald
Knight Ridder is a communications company engaged primarily in newspaper and Internet publishing.

The Salinas Californian

Monterey County Weekly
The mission of the Monterey County Weekly is to inspire independent thinking and conscious action, etc.

Monterey Peninsula
The magnificent Monterey Peninsula has been called the greatest meeting of land, sea and sky and is recognized as an ideal vacation and business destination.

Monterey County
Described as the greatest meeting of land and sea, Monterey County encompasses some of California's most stunning scenery while offering world-renowned Monterey Attractions and recreation.

Big Sur and the Monterey Peninsula
Whether you just want to sit back and relax or sample the myriad of outdoor activities this unique area's mix of land and sea provides, this is a place like no other.

Weather

Monterey Bay Weather
Weather news for the area around Monterey, CA.

Monterey Transportation

Monterey Airbus

Your Maitre d'Limousine
Limo Service Limousine Monterey Peninsula. Carmel Limousine California Wedding transportation services. Wine Tour.
www.yourmaitred.com/

Main Event Limousines
Transportation specialists for any size group or function based in Monterey California. Professional chauffeurs that pride themselves on excellence that will make your event a memorable one.
www.maineventlimousines.com/

Monterey Restaurants

Restauranteur
Monterey Restaurants for Fine Dining in California.

Monterey County, Dining Guide
Monterey County is home to hundreds of delightful places to eat—from casual family-oriented cafes to elegant, award-winning restaurants, and every kind of eatery in between—so don't leave home without your appetite.

Monterey Bay - A GuestLife Destination Guide
The Monterey area has long been known for its delectable choices in seafood.

Monterey Sightseeing, Touring and Attractions

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Lauguna Seca's 11-turns, with names like Andretti Hairpin, The Corkscrew and Rainey Curve, have to be considered among the sports most demanding. And when you combine this challenging race course with its stunning setting in the oak-studded hills less than 10 miles from scenic Monterey Bay, you have what many race fans consider the perfect venue.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
The mission of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the oceans. Learn more about the amazing fishes, animals and plants of the sea through our engaging auditorium programs and exciting live shows. Experience the wonders of ocean life_out on the bay, behind the scenes and underwater.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is a Federally protected marine area offshore of California's central coast. Stretching from Marin to Cambria, the MBNMS encompasses a shoreline length of 276 miles and 5,322 square miles of ocean, extending an average distance of 30 miles from shore. At its deepest point, the MBNMS reaches down 10,663 feet (more than two miles). It is our nation's eleventh Marine Sanctuary and its largest- larger then Yosemite or Yellowstone National Parks. The variety of visitor activities in the Sanctuary region include kayaking, boating, diving and whalewatching, visiting one of the region's many coastal parks, or simply admiring the spectacular coastline.

Cannery Row
Anchored by San Carlos Beach on one end and the Monterey Bay Aquarium on the other, Cannery Row stretches along the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and offers unmatched access to natural marvels. Visitors will find no better place to explore the bay, whether they choose to peer into coastal tide pools, watch sea lions splash, kayak along kelp beds or dive at one of several walk-in scuba spots. Browse and shop at the 84 retail stores, then wine and dine at any of the 20 restaurants, all within walking distance, on Monterey's Restaurant Row.

Santa Cruz Beach Broadwalk
Located on a mile-long beach between Monterey and San Francisco, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is your ADMISSION-FREE hot spot for beach vibes and classic rides!

Old Fisherman's Wharf
A visit to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula just isn't complete without a rendezvous with Old Fisherman's Wharf - a myriad of great restaurants, seafood, unique shops, whale watching, fishing, and bay cruises, theatre, and the sights and sounds of Monterey's past!

Point Lobo State Reserve
"The greatest meeting of land and water in the world". Landscape artist Francis McComas's brief but extravagant comparison remains unchallenged.

Point Sur Lighthouse Station
Navigation was treacherous and in 1889, the Point Sur Lighthouse Station began sending its powerful beam to protect ships from the hazards of the coastline. Big Sur is located along scenic Highway One approximately 150 miles south of San Francisco and 300 miles north of Los Angeles. Historically, the name Big Sur was derived from that unexplained and unmapped wilderness area which lays along the coast south of Monterey. It was simply called El Sur Grande; The Big South.

San Carlos Borromeo (Carmel Mission)
San Carlos Borromeo is believed by many to be the most beautiful of all California missions. It is here that Fr. Serra made his headquarters for his California missionary work, and where he was buried upon his death in 1784. A year after its founding, the mission was moved from Monterey to a beautiful site in Carmel Valley.

Monterey Bay Museums

John Steinbeck Spirit of Monterey Wax Museum
The newest major attraction on Monterey's famous Cannery Row, John Steinbeck’s Spirit of Monterey Wax Museum features more than 100 life-size wax figures imported from London and Paris.

Colton Hall Museum
California's first Constitution was drafted in this historic site in October, 1849. Colton Hall is a landmark in the City of Monterey, once the Capital of Alta California.

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History is located at the Corner of Forest and Central Avenues in Pacific Grove, California. The Museum is dedicated to interpreting the natural history of Monterey County, California.

Monterey Bay Wineries

A Taste of Monterey
Our world-class Central Coast wine region is renown for it's Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but this region also produces excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and more.
www.tastemonterey.com/

Bargetto Winery
Bargetto Winery has produced hand-crafted wines in the Santa Cruz Mountains since 1933. We specialize in estate grown varietals from our vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, overlooking the beautiful Monterey Bay.
www.bargetto.com/

Hahn Estates
Imagine tasting fine wines, fun shopping and unforgettable hospitality all under one roof! That's Hahn Estates premium wine tasting room....
www2.ibgcheckout.com/hahn/index.jsp

Château Julien Wine Estate
The Wine Estate is open daily for wine tasting, picnicking and tours. As one of the few local wineries that offer tours daily, we look forward to sharing our knowledge of the local wine industry amongst our vineyard and the hills of the Santa Lucia Mountains.
www.chateaujulien.com/

Monterey Outdoor Activities

Golf

Pebble Beach Resorts
The game of golf is at its worldwide best at Pebble Beach Resorts, ranked the No. 1 golf resort in America by Golf Digest Magazine in 2004. Designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, the course hugs the rugged coastline, providing wide-open vistas, cliffside fairways and sloping greens. It is a delightful challenge for all players.

Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Spyglass Hill is rated one of the toughest courses in the world from the Championship tees, boasting a course rating of 75.3 and a slope rating of 148. After six years of planning, Spyglass Hill opened on March 11, 1966. The design features two distinctly different kinds of terrain that influence the way the holes look and play. The first five holes roll through sandy seaside dunes challenging the golfer to carefully pick the safest path. The following 13 holes are cut through majestic pines with elevated greens and strategically placed bunkers and lakes to grab the errant shot.

Poppy Hills Golf Course
The game of golf is at its worldwide best at Pebble Beach Resorts, ranked the No. 1 golf resort in America by Golf Digest Magazine in 2004.

---

Asilomar State Beach
Asilomar State Beach is a narrow one-mile strip of sandy beach and rocky coves.  A 3/4-mile coast-walking trail is open to pedestrians.  Bicycle riding is allowed on the paved road bike lane in close proximity to the trail.

Garland Ranch Regional Park
Throughout the park there are reminders of Carmel Valley's past: Rumsien Indian habitation sites; homestead, hunting and logging remains; livestock trails, ponds and springs; and Rancho Don Juan.

Monterey Bay Whale Watch
Monterey Bay Whale Watch offers year-round whale watching trips to observe the spectacular diversity and abundance of whales and dolphins inhabiting the Bay.

Monterey Events

Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
Each year, the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is hosted by three of the Monterey Peninsula's premier golf courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Poppy Hills Golf Course.

Gilroy Garlic Festival
Whether you are a first-time visitor or a "seasoned" veteran, the Gilroy Garlic Festival is always a fun and fragrant experience. Over 3 million honored guests have made the pilgrimage. A trip to the Festival is not validated until you've visited Gourmet Alley and enjoyed an array of delicacies that include stuffed mushrooms, peppersteak sandwiches, pasta con pesto, calamari, scampi, Italian sausage sandwiches, garlic bread and garlic fries.

WineCountry.com Monterey County Events Calendar

Monterey County Fair
Welcome to the Monterey County Fairgrounds! Tucked away in the sunbelt of the Monterey Peninsula under a canopy of oak trees. Enjoy three stages of entertainment, carnival rides and games, pony rides, children's art and activities area, food from around the world and wine tasting. View the wonderful hand-made exhibits and experience our livestock shows up close and personal. You'll discover that the Fair is timeless fun for the young and young at heart.

Castroville Artichoke Festival

California Rodeo Salinas
Known for its week-long cavalcade of events, California Rodeo "Big Week" is the largest community event held in Salinas. Parades, barbecues, cowboy poetry, fireworks, concerts, a carnival, and much more. Big Week offers something for every member of the family, and a chance for the entire community to participate in the California Rodeo.

California International Airshow
US Air Force Thunderbirds, US Navy FA-18 Hornet, US Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle, Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet, P-38 Heritage Flight, SkyHawks Canadian Forces Parachute Team... and more.

The Arts in the Monterey Area