It’s become a tradition to plan a getaway for my birthday, even if it’s a short road trip. Great food and wine, a beach and spa treatments are all the necessary ingredients for my perfect birthday. My Cali birthday adventures in recent years have taken me to Paso Robles and Occidental. This year, I settled on a perfect Monterey weekend to celebrate with the girls. An easy two-hour drive from San Francisco, Monterey is home to great restaurants with fresh seafood, beautiful beaches and endless opportunities to relax and rejuvenate. If you’re headed to the area, here are six ideas for a perfect Monterey weekend.
1. Have a Beach Day
Driving on Highway 1, you will encounter this view countless times as you come around coastal curves in California. Seeing the waves and shore of the Pacific Ocean never gets old. After seemingly endless rain in the Bay Area for months, this gorgeous sunny Monterey weekend in late March was just what the doctor ordered for my birthday.
Take a walk at San Carlos Beach Park, breathe in the salty ocean air and enjoy the breathtaking views.
I was worried this little guy might be dead- until he rolled over and smiled contentedly, very much alive and napping blissfully in the sun. What a life…
As the sun begins to set, children begin the classic negotiation for ‘five more minutes’, playing in the surf and perfecting sand castles. Dogs bound up and down the sand, energized by endless space to run. Divers suit up in scuba gear, heading out in search of octopus and other sea life. A quintessential beach town afternoon in Cali.
2. Explore Under the Sea
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a beautiful collection of sea life, from majestic sharks to playful sea otters. Before this trip, I hadn’t been to the aquarium since I was about twelve. No matter how old you are, you will absolutely see something remarkable. The aquarium provides a glimpse into the amazing world that exists just beneath the surface of the ocean. Keep your camera ready!
3. Take a Wine Walk
Carmel by the Sea, just 15 minutes from Monterey Bay, is a quaint town with peaceful, tree-lined streets, just steps away from the ocean. With more than ten wineries, all within walking distance, you won’t have to negotiate a designated driver for the Carmel Wine Walk. Spend the day leisurely tasting, strolling and window shopping. Pick up the Carmel wine passport, either online or at Blair Estate (like we did). You can split your ten wine vouchers up between multiple people, or across more than one visit. We used about half of ours, so we have another trip to look forward to!
4. Say Cheese
On the first stop of our wine walk, TK and I wandered into Blair Estate- a tasting room in a lovely shopping plaza. We waited a few minutes, in the empty tasting room, when the owner Jeff came jogging in from across the plaza. Apologetic for making us wait, he shared that The Cheese Shop (just across the plaza) was amazing and he had been trying to sneak over all morning to get his favorite cheese. With an impressive collection of cheeses from all over the world, you can enjoy a complimentary tasting of as many selections as you’d like. Word on the street is someone sampled every cheese in the shop once. We didn’t go that far, but we enjoyed about ten samples before settling on an amazing Truffle Noir. That cheese, a baguette and a glass of Balletto Zinfandel took me back to Paris.
5. Find Hidden Gems
Exploring Carmel by the Sea, I stumbled upon a beautiful little shop that stopped me in my tracks. The Soiled Doves Bathhouse, looking much like a cottage from a children’s book, welcomes you in with delicate aromas of imported soaps, candles and cremes.
This is the kind of place I can get into serious trouble. After chatting briefly with the owner and sampling several things, I resisted breaking the bank and settled on an aromatic hand creme. This shop is the perfect spot to pick up a special gift- even if it’s just for you. Treat yourself!
6. Find Your Zen
What’s a relaxing weekend without a visit to the spa? Portola Hotel & Spa was our choice to melt away the stress on this trip to Monterey. There’s nothing like a pampering spa treatment, the aroma of herbs and oils, like a deep breath for your body, mind and spirit.
Treat yourself to a Riverstone Massage, complete with heated rocks, warm rosemary and sage oils. Your zen moment awaits.
This wonderful weekend wouldn’t have been complete without some perfect bites along the way. In fact, the weekend shaped up to be a bit of a Monterey food crawl. So much so, that the food deserves its own post! Next week, I’ll be back with everything from fresh seafood to decadent desserts.
If you’ve been to Monterey, what are some of your favorite things to do?