Monterey and Carmel

Monterey itself can fill an entire weekend itinerary. Begin your day on Cannery Row, immortalized by John Steinbeck's novel, where today its streets are lined with stylish restaurants, antique stores, art galleries, hotels and shops. The Monterey Bay Aquarium features more than 6,500 sea creatures, from otters to sharks to immense sun fish.

Fisherman's Wharf, originally a pier where schooners unloaded cargo, is now a promenade of fish markets, wine-tasting bars, shops and restaurants. From the wharf, it's easy to spot Monterey's seals, sea lions and otters. You can also charter a fishing boat at the wharf or join a whale-watching tour. Nature lovers and divers will want to spend some time around the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the largest marine sanctuary in the U.S.

The exclusive town of Carmel, originally artist's colony, is just a few miles south of Monterey. The town has a refreshingly calm atmosphere that results, in part, from strict zoning laws than ban neon, traffic lights and other trappings of urban development. The residential district has no sidewalks or streetlights, and there is no mail delivery. Homes are known by their names rather than addresses. Travelers are drawn to the town for its old-world feel and its meandering streets of cafes, restaurants and antique stores.

Pebble Beach is known for its beautiful homes, spectacular resorts and one of the finest and most famous golf courses in the world, Pebble Beach Golf Links. Other area courses include the highly-acclaimed trio of Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill and Cypress Point. Pebble Beach is a paradise for the non-golfer as well, with two world-class resorts, the Lodge at Pebble Beach and the Inn at Spanish Bay, each offering gracious hospitality, stately architecture and exquisite amenities and services for the most discriminating visitor.

Monterey and Carmel are served by our member DMC, ACCESS Destination Services. You can learn mor e about ACCESS Destination Services or