(831) 588-3232‬ [email protected]

May 2014
Design Destinations Magazine
by Karen Kefauver

Monterey displays the best of the California lifestyle with a unique blend of natural beauty, stellar dining, a variety of festivals, and of course, superb golf courses. Add to this mix excellent shopping, interesting historical sites, beautiful beaches and fun outdoor activities and there’s something for everyone. Situated next to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Monterey County is a two-hour drive south from San Francisco (112 miles /180 km).

To get started, visit the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf and 17- Mile Drive, a scenic drive from Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach. The aquarium, with nearly 200 award-winning exhibits and galleries, is located on Cannery Row, a fun place to stroll, people-watch and dine. Named for the novel by John Steinbeck, a Monterey resident, Cannery Row is a bustling hub filled with wonderful restaurants, galleries, shops and an IMAX theater.

Fisherman’s Wharf is a destination for fresh seafood as well as a departure point for whale watching, sailing and other activities. Walking along Monterey’s dramatic waterfront is a great way to explore some of the most popular sites in the area. Look for sea otters, whales, sharks and fish native to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

When it comes to dining, Monterey County boasts some of the best farmland and freshest produce in the country, so restaurants and markets feature locally grown fruits and vegetables while regional vintners produce the finest wines.

For exercise, go on garden walks, bicycle tours, kayak outings or for the more adventurous — skydiving! The world-renowned golf courses in Monterey attract top-notch players to star-studded events and there’s still plenty of room for golfers of all skill levels. For beach lovers, there are 99 miles of fabulous coastline with many places to paddle, scuba or surf. Or explore hundreds of acres of parks and gardens.

Whatever length of time you stay in Monterey, there will be something to do that suits you.

Contributing Writer

Karen Kefauver a freelance journalist and social media coach based in Santa Cruz, California. Since 1996, she has specialized in writing articles about adventure travel and endurance sports with an emphasis on road biking and mountain biking tours. Karen also offers business training for social media marketing. A former triathlete and competitive cyclist, Karen enjoys yoga and world travel. She has published in the San Francisco Chronicle , the Christian Science Monitor and dozens of other print and online publications.
www.karenkefauver.com

Share This