A Day in Monterey Bay

I frequently get asked for more recommendations for things to do, places to eat, and shops to explore around the Monterey Bay. I have a blog post with some fave spots here, but will share some additional faves below if you're looking for even more. When visiting these local spots please remember to treat others, staff, and the locations with respect and kindness.

Food and Drink:

These are some of my favorite places around town for various reasons (some are cozy, some are fancy, some are super tasty, some are all of the above). Please remember to be kind to the waitstaff and drive/park with kindness when visiting these spots. You can find more reccies here.

• Il Vecchio - really great pasta and such an adorable setting

• Happy Girl - great canned jam/etc, and they also have really fresh yummy food and a great soy lavender cappucino

• Folktale - the setting, food, and wine all make for quite a dreamy outing

• La Bicyclette - amazing pizza and such a cute interior

• Buds at La Playa - gorgeous views and interior design, great spot for pre dinner cocktail or glass of wine

• Tuck Box - a carmel classic, the cutest fairytale atmosphere

• Brophys - very chill spot to grab a beer, some fries, and play some foosball

• Casanova - admittedly I've never been here, but I've heard its amazing and it looks so cute

• Stokes Adobe - Their happy hour is fantastic! Great outdoor fire pits too

• Cowgirl Winery - such a pretty tucked away spot, so nice for an afternoon glass of wine

• Corkscrew Cafe - such a pretty spot right next to Cowgirl that has amazing food and the prettiest setting (inside and outside)

Coffee Shops

• Bookworks

• Stationaery

• Happy Girl

• Carmel Valley Creamery Co.

• Mad Dogs

• Alta

Local Shops:

Sharing a few fave local shops below. Supporting small businesses is a massive way to say "thank you" to communities when you visit! Your dollar goes so much further when you shop local vs big box shops, so thank you in advance!

• Hart Habitats

• Pilgrims Way Community Bookstore and Secret Garden

• Somewhere

• ElizabethW

• Home Alchemy

• Tejido Collective

• Ami Carmel

Thrifting:

I do believe in sharing thrift shops because I think buying second hand over new is the way to go when you can, but I also think half the fun/reward of thrifting is stumbling upon thrift shops on your own. I also know a lot of people say "don't gatekeep!!" along with a lot of people who say "don't share the secret spots!!" so you can see how my hands are tied. I've spent months exploring thrift shops along the peninsula and I don't think we need to worry about there being a lack of stuff flowing into these shops, so I'm going to share a few more commonly known spots, but if you're looking for even more you can always type "thrift" into google maps and explore the ones that pop up. That is how I have found all my faves over the last couple years. If you visit, please search and purchase with intention.

• Pickings Antiques

• AFRP Treasure Shop

• Second Chance

• The Treasure grove

• Cannery Row Antiques Mall

• Vintage Finds

• Yellow Brick Road

• Joining Hands

Hikes and Walks:

I feel similarly about sharing hiking spots as I do to thrift shops. Half of the fun is finding it yourself and being so elated when you're enjoying a magical spot you stumbled onto. I truly do think you appreciate a place more when you find it on your own without expectations. With that said, I know not everyone has time to find great spots and I would want some good recommendations too if I were visiting a special place. When visiting any natural place, please treat it with so much kindness, respect, and stay on marked trails. Please clean up after yourself and leave it as it was or better when you leave. If you choose to listen to music please use headphones so you don't disrupt wildlife and other hikers. Thank you!

• One of my favorite hikes, about 20 minutes away, is the Soberanes Canyon Trailhead. I've gone many times since living here and each time I find myself saying "oh my god" out loud the whole trail. It feels like a fairy forest secret garden redwood magical land. With all the rains lately it's been extra green and the river that runs through the entire trail has been full and rushing.

• Point Lobos - when visiting this state park, please make sure to stay on marked trails and keep noise low to not disturb local wildlife. Point Lobos is a beautiful stretch of nature that has incredible views and many trails to choose from.

• Partington Cove - a very short trail that leads you to stunning views (the tunnel is a bit creepy but it's worth it haha). There is another beautiful hike across the highway from this one.

• Lovers Point - The walking/biking trail that stretches along Pacific Grove never fails to amaze me. It's so beautiful and a lovely area to go for a walk. Please remember to keep voices low if local wildlife is around and please pick up after yourself.

• Walking up and down Monterey Beach - Walking on the beach from Seaside to Monterey (and vice versa) is a lovely way to start or end the day while admiring the rocks and shells that wash up along the shore.

• I love just driving up highway one and peeling off (when safe to do so) to a look out or walking along a marked trail. You'll find lots of wonderful spots all through Big Sur.

  
  

And thats a wrap! I hope you enjoy your visit :)

xx Rose