Sample Guide

Romance in Monterey and Pacific Grove

Summary:
Monterey and Pacific Grove are good romantic getaways, because of their beautiful location and the fact that many restaurants, hotels, and activities cater to young couples. Both cities have many nice places where couples will feel comfortable and relaxed; truly on vacation. The Monterey Peninsula is a 1.5 hour drive away from the Bay Area, and is a nice spot to get away from work or the kids for a weekend.

Recommended Places to Stay:
The Monterey and Pacific Grove area seeks to cultivate the image of attracting young couples with its fine hotels and dining. The Monterey scene is centered around downtown, east of Cannery Row. Pacific Grove's restaurants are centered on Lighthouse Ave., with hotels and inns scattered along Ocean View Boulevard and in the forested area north of downtown Lighthouse Ave. Pacific Grove tends to be more moderately priced and relaxed, as well as less crowded.

I recommend The Light House Inn (www.lighthouseinn_pg.com). It is s small (8 room) bed and breakfast. Call ahead for reservations!
Also try The Beachcomber. It is larger, and less expensive, but still very nice.

Recommended Places to Eat:
Miguel's on Lighthouse Ave. is very quiet and romantic, with an excellent wine selection.
The best place for brunch is Charlie T's overlooking the ocean. It is very casual, with a gorgeous patio and views. Brunch is served until 2 and they have excellent bellini's and cape cods!
For local seafood you can't beat Welborn's. The menu changes daily, and while it is a bit pricey, it is well worth it. They don't take reservations, so go early, or expect to spend some time waiting in the bar.
For a romantic, flavorful meal, try Fandango (fandangorestaurant.com) or Passionfish (passionfish.net), both in downtown Pacific Grove . Both have good wine lists and inspired food for reasonable prices.

Recommended Things to Do:
Go wine tasting. There are several tasting rooms in downtown Monterey , sponsored by wineries. Try the Taste of Monterey on Cannery Row for a good selection of local wines. They also have wine subscriptions, where they send you wines monthly. See them at http://www.tastemonterey.com.

Walk on the beach. There are several good beaches in Monterey and Pacific Grove- try Asilomar State Beach , the beaches around Lovers Point in Pacific Grove , or San Carlos Beach or Monterey State Beach in Monterey. If you want a nice walk on the beach, try walking the length of Asilomar State Beach. If you are feeling up to it, walk all the way out to Point Joe, on 17 Mile Drive .

Walk down Lighthouse Ave. in Pacific Grove . The downtown district has several nice coffee shops- try a smoothie at Pacific Grove Juice and Java, bookstores, and nice restaurants.

To get more in touch with nature, rent a tandem kayak and explore Monterey Bay 's kelp forests. Try Adventures by the Sea or Monterey Bay Kayaks, both located on Cannery Row. Alternatively, go whale watching with Monterey Whale Watching, which has boats departing from the end of Fisherman's Wharf.

Insider Tips:

No matter what time of year, always bring a jacket. The ocean air is very chilly at night, and there isn't a time where I have been in Monterey and not seen at least 1 tourist buying a sweatshirt at a souvenir shop to stay warm. Also, very few hotels and inns provide interent connectivity, so if you must do some work or rely on email there are several internet cafes near Cannery Row.

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