Monterey, located on California's central coast, is an excellent city for a romantic break or a fun-packed family vacation. Surrounded by white-sand beaches and verdant vineyards, this bustling city is packed with hip galleries, elegant boutiques, and restaurants serving freshly caught local seafood.

If you’re traveling with kids, a trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium is essential. This state-of-the-art attraction is home to an amazing array of ocean dwellers, from otherworldly jellyfish to majestic hammerhead sharks. Split across 2 beautifully preserved period buildings, the Monterey Museum of Modern Art boasts a comprehensive collection of Californian masterpieces.

What to see & do in Monterey

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Where & what to eat in Monterey

  • 10 Great Restaurants in Monterey

    Restaurants in Monterey offer fine dining and casual bistros with menus inspired by the California coast. The food scene in the county is made up of modern American cuisine and dishes inspired by the other cultures and communities in California. Monterey’s restaurants are well known for serving fresh, local seafood and dishes inspired by nearby Mexico and European countries Italy and...

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Where to shop & what to buy in Monterey

  • 10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Monterey

    Looking for the best places to go shopping in Monterey City in California? While it's best known for outdoor experiences, its fishery business, and an abundance of historical sites and vineyards, beyond the sightseeing you'll find great shopping destinations for goods such as fresh local produces, rare books and vinyl, as well as world-renowned vintage wear. Most stores are independently owned...

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Where to go & what to do at night in Monterey

  • 10 Best Nightlife Experiences in Monterey

    Monterey is a wave-washed ocean town with a darn buzzing nightlife scene. It's famed around the globe as the setting for John Steinbeck's classic novel Cannery Row, but also draws crowds of beach lovers, history buffs, surfers and marine wildlife aficionados. When the sun sets in Monterey, you'll only need to mosey down to the shrimp shacks and beer bars of...

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