Monterey: So Much to Discover

Monterey County highlights everything that's best about California. From Monterey's hotels and seaside restaurants to the hillside vineyards and intimate tasting rooms of the Salinas and Carmel Valleys, from Big Sur's redwood groves to Pebble Beach's perfectly groomed golf courses, from Salinas' old-fashioned rodeo to Carmel-by-the-Sea's elite music and art festivals, Monterey has a feast of fun just waiting to be sampled.

See Monterey

Monterey offers iconic California experiences. Experience the top road trip in the United States as you wind along the breathtaking Big Sur coastline on Highway One. Book a Monterey hotel on the beach, then explore the shops and attractions of iconic Cannery Row. Sip handcrafted wines at tucked-away tasting rooms where the winemaker might just be the person pouring. Take a surfing lesson and catch a glimpse of a barefoot beach wedding as you ride your board to shore. Play 18 holes at legendary golf courses, or just hang out at the 19th hole and watch the pros practice. Monterey County has a little something special for everyone.

Monterey County's Destinations

Visit Monterey and see the amazing Monterey Bay Aquarium, as well as Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row, made famous by Nobel Prize-winning Salinas writer John Steinbeck. Experience the legendary golf courses of Pebble Beach. Take a California wine country vacation in Carmel Valley, Soledad or Salinas Valley, or go art gallery hopping in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea or buzzing Sand City. For an outdoor experience, hike the wild trails of Big Sur, go surfing in Moss Landing, or watch the hang gliders in Marina and Seaside. Dine in centrally located Del Rey Oaks, and relax in an old-fashioned, seaside home town among the Victorian cottages and Monarch butterflies of Pacific Grove. Monterey County is your destination for a perfect California vacation.

Monterey County In the Media

Monterey County received a special gift this past Earth Day. The White House formally designated 14,600 acres of Fort Ord as a national monument!

Pick up the May issue of Outside Magazine and check out the "Exposure Special." It features the jellies at the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

Congratulations to L'Auberge Carmel, Bernardus Lodge and Post Ranch Inn for appearing on Conde Nast Traveler's 2012 Awards for Excellence for the USA & Canada!

For more recent awards, see the Monterey County Press Accolades page.

Meet in Monterey

Monterey is the perfect place for your next meeting or conference. The Monterey Conference Center, with its three adjoining major hotels and 58,000 feet of flexible space, is the largest facility of its kind on the coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Other venues in Monterey County have meeting capacities ranging from 40 people to 2,000 or more. For more information on meeting in Monterey, see our Meeting Planners section.

Book Your Monterey Hotel and Plan Your Monterey Trip

The resources on this site make planning your trip a snap. Book a  hotel instantly, or book an all-in-one travel package that showcases the best of Monterey County. Sample itineraries on the website offer ideas on how to spend a family-friendly vacation, a romantic Monterey getaway and other options. Order a Monterey visitors guide, or browse the online version. Keep up with the latest news, events and specials with Monterey County’s monthly eNewsletter. And Monterey’s Facebook page, Twitter, YouTube channel, and blog all ensure that, wherever you are, you can find out about us. 

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