Local

Where to Stay

Savor your morning coffee in a luxury tree house perched above the Pacific. Base yourself in a historic hotel blocks from the shops and galleries of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Drift off to sleep with the windows open, a cool breeze blowing in from the adjacent vineyards or salty ocean. Whether you stay in Pebble Beach, Carmel and its environs, Big Sur or beyond, you’ll enjoy a variety of sophisticated inns, resorts and boutique properties. This is your getaway, so plan a stay that is memorable. Hotels here in Monterey County spoil the senses and boast upscale options that you’ll only find on the central California coast.

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Where to Eat

When it comes to culinary trends and buzz-worthy eateries, we tend to think of urban environments. Restaurants in Pebble Beach and the surrounding communities, however, are just as likely to fill the pages of major food magazines. Gourmet, Bon Appetit, Diversion and Coastal Living have all praised Carmel’s Bouchee Restaurant & Wine Bar, for example, and Monterey’s Montrio Bistro was once Esquire’s “Restaurant of the Year.” In 2006, USA Today gave Pacific’s Edge a nod in its “Top 10 Restaurants with a View” listing. For a more low-key locals’ secret, check out the handmade ravioli at Joe Rombi’s in Pacific Grove.

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What to See

Perhaps you’ll choose to start your day on the Monterey Bay, paddling your kayak along scenic shores or watching migrating whales from the deck of a seafaring vessel. After lunch, you might experience the area’s star-studded history with Monterey Movie Tours or explore Carmel’s hidden courtyards with Carmel Walks. As the sun sets, why not cruise the 17-Mile Drive in an open-air Model A from Monterey Rent-A-Roadster? With so many attractions and cultural activities, your options are limited only by time. So extend your stay – in fact, stay forever – and make time for the best this area has to offer.

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Where to Tee Off

Just the sheer number of golf courses in and around Pebble Beach is impressive. In fact, you could play a different course here every day and keep yourself busy for nearly a month. But what makes the region even more impressive is the quality of those golf options. Monterey County is home to 25 public and private courses, including the exclusive Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Cypress Point Golf Club, to name a few. Here, you can step up and swing on the most illustrious greens in the world – and if you purchase a residence in Pebble Beach, you might find yourself living along those same celebrated fairways.

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Where to Shop

Sophistication and style mark the shopping scene in and around Pebble Beach, where you’ll find everything from chic apparel to culinary goods to rare art. At Carmel Plaza, a by-appointment personal shopping concierge guides you through fashion-forward boutiques and classic retailers such as Tiffany and Co. and Louis Vuitton. The Barnyard Shopping Village and Crossroads Shopping Village opt for small and cozy specialty shops instead of big box warehouse stores. Down the road, the Carmel Valley Village and Moss Landing draw lovers of antiques, art and wine. Alternatives here are sure to delight even the most discerning customers.

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Where to Relax

Think of it as pampering in paradise. Sanctuary by the sea. Stress relief with a view. The day and resort spas across the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur coast take full advantage of their shoreline settings with open-air pools and gardens, rooftop sun decks and fitness centers overlooking crashing waves. The Spa at Pebble Beach spoils guests with indulgences such as the brown sugar scrub and Swiss crème wrap. Big Sur jade stone therapy and shamanic consultations are on the menu at Post Ranch Inn. In the Carmel Valley, guests of the spas at Bernardus Lodge and Quail Lodge relax in sun-soaked outdoor areas and enjoy soothing facials, aromatherapy and body treatments.

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Who Can Help

Let’s be honest. There are times when you just need a helping hand. Maybe an important client is landing soon and you want a town car waiting at the airport. Perhaps it’s your anniversary and you plan to surprise your sweetheart but don’t have time to book a hotel and sprinkle the room with rose petals. Or, maybe you’re leaving town and need someone to watch Fido for a few days. Luckily, you don’t have to do it alone. Providing everything from animal boarding to transportation, the services available to Pebble Beach residents and visitors save you time and make you look good when it matters most.

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Where to Explore

Look across the water from the shores of Pebble Beach, toward the craggy Big Sur coast, and you’ll notice a promontory of land jutting out from the hills. This is Point Lobos, said to be the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. With its jagged coastline, hidden coves, lush meadows and forests, it’s just one of the local landscapes that is a favorite among hikers, divers and individuals seeking natural solace. From the sand dunes of Marina to the surreal spires of Pinnacles National Monument, Monterey County’s parks and beaches are so spectacular that you’ll want to lose yourself among the trees and trails.

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What Locals Love

You can read all the tour books and travel websites highlighting Pebble Beach and the surrounding area, but it’s the locals’ favorites that really showcase the character of the region. On foggy evenings, head to Spanish Bay to hear the bagpiper and then grab a rare cognac at Pebble Beach’s Club XIX. Sunsets are spectacular from high above the ocean in Big Sur – check out the deck at Nepenthe or just drive a few minutes up Old Coast Road. While you’re in Big Sur, follow Sycamore Canyon Road down to the purple-hued sands of Pfeiffer Beach, or kick back at Big Sur River Inn where live music happens on select Sunday afternoons. If you want to pick up some organic veggies and wine for a picnic at Carmel Beach, consider the Tuesday night farmer’s market in Monterey and local blends from A Taste of Monterey on Cannery Row.