TRAVEL ALERTS: Hwy 1 at Regent's Slide is open, restoring uninterrupted access through Big Sur. Learn More >

See Monterey County, CA
  • DESTINATIONS
  • LODGING
  • THINGS TO DO
  • FOOD & DRINK
  • EVENTS
  • PLAN YOUR VISIT
  • THE RIGHT PATH
  • MEETINGS
  • LUXURY
  • PLAN

Big Sur

Soulful.
Breathtaking.
Untamed.

Carmel Valley

Warm.
Rustic.
Relaxed.

Carmel-By-The-SEA

Artistic.
Whimsical.
Epicurean.

Marina

Diverse.
Coastal.
Evolving.

Monterey

Iconic.
Historic.
Trailblazing.

This is an image of Moss Landing

mOss Landing

Marine.
Wild.
Curious.

Pacific grove beach

Pacific Grove

Classic.
Coastal.
Connected.

This is an image of a golf course with a cypress tree and the ocean in the background at Pebble Beach Golf Links

Pebble Beach

Legendary.
Luxurious.
Pristine.

Salinas

Grounded.
Vibrant.
Visionary.

Salinas Valley

salinas Valley

Open.
Abundant.
Genuine.

This is an image of a person paragliding over a beach in Sand City, California

Sand City

Edgy.
Expressive.
Creative.

This is an image a couple of people running on a path in Laguna Grande Park in Seaside, California

Seaside

Bold.
Genuine.
Rising.

  • HOTELS
  • RESORTS
  • MOTELS
  • BED & BREAKFASTS
  • INNS & LODGES
  • CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS
California Highway 1 in Big Sur

Highway 1 at Regent's Slide is Officially Open

Experience uninterrupted access along California’s iconic coastline, from Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea to Ragged Point, San Simeon and Cambria.

  • Animals & Wildlife
    • Monterey Bay Aquarium
    • Whale Watching
    • Sea Otter Watching
    • Tide Pooling
    • Monarch Butterflies
    • Birding
    • Animal-Spotting Locations
    • Monterey Zoo & Exotic Animals
  •  Hiking
  • Attractions & Tours
  • Outdoor Activities
    • Biking
    • Kayaking
    • Fishing
    • Golfing
    • Horseback Riding
    • Sailing
    • Surfing
  • Parks
  • Beaches
  • Shopping
  • Spas
  • Family Activities
  • Nightlife
  • Arts & Culture
    • Museums
    • Galleries
    • Performing Arts
    • Literary Sites
  • History & Heritage
    • Monterey 1000
  • Wine Tasting

Take the Art Lover's Path

From the mural-lined streets of Salinas to the world-class galleries of Carmel-by-the-Sea, the arts are truly at home in Monterey County.

  • Events This Weekend
  • Annual Events
  • FIFA World Cup 2026™
  • Monterey Car Week 2026
Classic cars on display outdoors in the plaza in front of Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf

Summer Annual Events

The days are longer, and the event calendar is fuller during summer, including Monterey Car Week! Discover popular events by season and things to do during your visit.

  • Meetings
Group of people sat around an outdoor table at Carmel Valley Ranch with the Santa Lucia Highlands and vineyards in the background

Inspiration Pays Off – An Incentive Deal Worth $20,000*

For every night your group stays mid-week, you earn $20 back, up to $20,000*.

  • Restaurants
    • Michelin Rated Restaurants
    • Sustainable Seafood
  • Farmers Markets
  • Wineries & Tasting Rooms
  • Breweries
California Highway 1 in Big Sur

Highway 1 is Officially Open at Regent's Slide

Experience uninterrupted access along California’s iconic coastline, from Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea to Ragged Point, San Simeon and Cambria.

  • Travel Updates
  • Blog
  • Webcams
  • Deals & Specials
  • HOW 2 HWY 1
  • Getting to Monterey
  • Itineraries
  • Local Insider Tips
California Highway 1 in Big Sur

Highway 1 is Officially Open at Regent's Slide

Experience uninterrupted access along California’s iconic coastline, from Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea to Ragged Point, San Simeon and Cambria.

  • Destinations
    • Big Sur
    • Carmel Valley
    • Carmel-by-the-Sea
    • Marina
    • Monterey
    • Moss Landing
    • Pacific Grove
    • Pebble Beach
    • Salinas
    • Salinas Valley
    • Sand City
    • Seaside
  • Lodging
    • Hotels
    • Campgrounds & RV Parks
    • Resorts
    • Motels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Inns & Lodges
  • Things to do
    • Attractions & Tours
    • Outdoor Activities
      •  Hiking
      • Biking
      • Kayaking
      • Fishing
      • Golfing
      • Golfing
      • Horseback Riding
      • Sailing
      • Surfing
    • Parks
    • Beaches
    • Shopping
    • Spas
    • Family Activities
    • Nightlife & Entertainment
    • Local Insider Tips
    • Arts & Culture
      • Museums
      • Galleries
      • Performing Arts
      • Literary Sites
    • History and Heritage
      • Monterey 1000
    • Animals & Wildlife
      • Bird Watching
      • Whale Watching
      • Sea Otter Watching
      • Monarch Butterflies
      • Tide Pooling
      • Animal-Spotting Locations
      • Exotic Animals
  • Food & Drink
    • Restaurants
    • Farmers Markets
    • Michelin Rated Restaurant
    • Wineries and Tasting Rooms
    • Beer & Craft Breweries
  • Events
    • Events This Weekend

    • Annual Events
    • FIFA World Cup 2026™
    • Monterey Car Week 2026
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Travel Updates
    • Webcams
    • Deals & Specials
    • Blog
    • Itineraries
    • Transportation Services
    • Visitor Services
  • The Right Path
  • Meetings
  • Luxury
Stuart Thornton headshot

Stuart Thornton

While researching an edition of his Moon Monterey & Carmel Guidebook 10 years ago, Stuart Thornton took a guided history tour at Monterey State Historic Park. That one hour walk opened his eyes to the richness of Monterey County’s past and inspired him to become a part of the interpretive crew at the park. These days, Stuart works as a Monterey State Historic Park Guide and authors Moon Travel Guides. He loves to find little known stories from Monterey’s history to share with park visitors or to write about in various publications. To view more of Stuart’s writings, please visit www.stuartthornton.com.

Posts By:

Stuart Thornton

  • The Story Behind California's Highway 1

    The Story Behind California's Highway 1

    Inspired by America 250, Monterey 1000 broadens the lens to recognize histories that long predate the founding of the United States. Explore the history of…

    Learn More: The Story Behind California's Highway 1
  • Spanish Settlement of Monterey

    Spanish Settlement of Monterey

    Inspired by America 250, Monterey 1000 broadens the lens to recognize histories that long predate the founding of the United States. Over the coming year,…

    Learn More: Spanish Settlement of Monterey
  • Point Pinos Lighthouse front

    Keepers of The Light: The Women of Point Pinos Lighthouse

    Inspired by America 250, Monterey 1000 broadens the lens to recognize histories that long predate the founding of the United States. Over the coming year,…

    Learn More: Keepers of The Light: The Women of Point Pinos Lighthouse

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