Monterey holidays - Quaint, tranquil and welcoming

Discover a relaxed lifestyle with museums, vineyards and live jazz galore

The Californian history imbued in Monterey is one of the many reasons why it’s such a delightful location; couple that with the weather this region is famous for and you have yourselves something rather special. The classic buildings, historic charm and wonderful museums all cater to that lazy-day vibe you hope for in California – a world away from the vibrancy of Los Angeles, just down the road.

Explore the Old Fisherman’s Wharf to spot the sea lions, go shopping or sample some of the freshly made clam chowder. Alternatively, why not visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium? It’s enormous and houses more than 200 exhibits – a fantastic day out for the whole family. The great thing about Monterey is the old-time beach town ambience; it’s really relaxing. Want something livelier? Monterey is well-known for its annual jazz festival which takes place in September – music aficionados should not to miss this!

And it wouldn’t be California without finding yourself within reach of a few tranquil vineyards. Ventana vineyards, enclosed by towering pine and oak trees, is an elegant and memorable experience. Wander through the beautiful stone buildings, bask in the warm breeze and admire the scenery in this beautiful setting.

Top reasons to visit Monterey:

• The scenery really is as beautiful as it looks in pictures; the wide, winding coastal roads, the sunshine and the vineyards make this picturesque to say the least.
• It has a calmer vibe than some of California’s more popular destinations, making it ideal for relaxed beach breaks.
• Head to Cannery Row for shopping, the aquarium for fun family days out or to Pebble Beach for golfing – it has plenty to do.
• Touring is great if you want to explore Monterey but don’t want to miss out on other fun destinations.