Monterey Boutique Hotels
The area around Monterey is fair game for a day trip. Yes, there’s the Aquarium, there’s the 17-mile drive, and there’s Cannery Row, but the beauty — aside from the plethora of Monterey boutique hotels — is it’s proximity. A day trip from the city can put you in an art gallery in Carmel or cruising down the scenic Pacific Coast highway. Where else will a day trip land you?
Have you ever been east of Soledad, down by the trails of the Pinnacles National Monument? A day trip will put you at the head of a trail leading into some of the most breathtaking country in the state. Prepare for a hike, mind you, and bring plenty of water. Or, if you prefer a glass of wine, you could short-change the hike and head over to Chalone Winery nearby.
If you head north for the day, you’ll soon be in Santa Cruz. There you will be delighted by the charming Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and its quaint oceanfront roller coaster and arcade. If you’d like to test the sparkling water around the pier, you won’t be alone — Santa Cruz boasts slightly warmer waters favored by a cabal of dedicated surfers. Again, if a glass of wine is in order, wine country is all around.
The nature lover in you will be thrilled should you find yourself a day out of Monterey and down in Big Sur, The area is famous (or infamous depending on your point of view) for it ability to draw in artists, writers, and musicians. Mind you, Big Sur it’s an actual place — it’s more of an area, or a state of mind for the more philosophically inclined.
Finally, if you’d like to wade deeper into the artistic waters, you can take a day trip out to Salinas. There, nestled in the quaint, slightly dusty town, you’ll find the National Steinbeck Center. Take a few hours to appreciate one of the finest writers of his generation and learn how his masterpieces, like CANNERY ROW and THE GRAPES OF WRATH came together. See unpublished photographers of the writer and shop the gift shop while you’re at it.
The very best Monterey boutique hotels are the ones that can accommodate your needs, whether they’re personal or professional.
