Carmel is more quaint village with beach access
. Monterey is more family friendly working coastal/pier town. If it was a relaxing trip, I'd definitely pick Carmel- better food, better browsing, more picturesque.
How many days do you need in Monterey?
A night in Santa Cruz might be fun, but that's not my area of expertise. Do allow
at least two full days
for the Monterey Peninsula.
How far apart are Monterey and Carmel?
There are
3.47 miles
from Monterey to Carmel by the Sea in southwest direction and 4 miles (6.44 kilometers) by car, following the CA 1 and CA 68 route. Monterey and Carmel by the Sea are 7 minutes far apart, if you drive non-stop . This is the fastest route from Monterey, CA to Carmel by the Sea, CA.
Is it worth staying in Monterey?
The
Monterey/Carmel area
is well worth a visit . The two areas are quite different, Monterey is very touristy but the Aquarium is worth a few hours of your time,Carmel is beautiful the beach is totally unspoilt and the views along the coast are wonderful.
Is it better to stay in Monterey or Santa Cruz?
Re: Road Trip: Where to stay Monterey or Santa Cruz?
Both are good choices
. Santa Cruz is more of a classic CA beach town with a surf culture and an eclectic downtown. Its kind of a funky sort of place, a bit off-beat.
What is the best time of year to visit Monterey CA?
The best time to visit Monterey is
between April and May
. Spring offers warmer temperatures, fewer crowds and food festivals dishing out delectable eats, including Pebble Beach Food & Wine and the Artichoke Festival in Castroville.
How do I spend a day in Monterey?
- Grab something to eat at Earthbound Farms.
- Explore nature by taking a mid-morning hike.
- Relish in Carmel's art scene.
- Head to Monterey via the 17-Mile Drive.
- Take a break for lunch.
- Visit Monterey Bay Aquarium.
- Touring Cannery Row.
- Have dinner at Peter B's Brewpub.
Is Big Sur worth the drive?
Big Sur is a very
worthy road
trip destination for anyone who loves to be outdoors and experience nature. … Sure, it takes a little longer, but the views of the Pacific Ocean, rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, towering redwoods, and vibrant green hills make it worth the extra time spent on the road.
What is there to do between Carmel and San Francisco?
- Viewpoint from a coastal walk at Big Sur.
- Bixby Creek Bridge in Big Sur.
- View of San Francisco from San Bruno Mountain.
- Beautiful Half Moon Bay.
- Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz.
- Cannery Row in Monterey.
- Carmel, California.
- Sunset at Point Lobos State Reserve.
What airport do you fly into for Carmel California?
San Jose International Airport
The closest major airport to Carmel is in San Jose, an hour's drive from Carmel. San Jose International Airport (SJC) services 16 airlines that make nonstop trips in and out of San Jose from 54 domestic and international destinations.
How many days do you need in Carmel?
Carmel-by-the-Sea is the perfect long weekend trip to tack on to a trip to San Francisco or wine country. It's a charming village on a large scale and can easily fill
3-4 days
, particularly when you factor in trips to the surrounding areas like Big Sur.
Is Carmel-by-the-Sea worth visiting?
Finally, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is overflowing with fine wine and dining, luxury hotels and sweeping golf courses, and outdoor activities and naturescapes galore, it's also
worth visiting for the charming, laid-back village vibes
. The area is nothing if not incredibly Instagrammable, like a storybook come to life.
What is there to do in Monterey at night?
- Alvarado Street.
- Cannery Row.
- Old Fisherman's Wharf.
- Lighthouse Avenue.
- Pearl Street.
- Pebble Beach.
- Carmel Valley.
- Del Monte Avenue.
Is Monterey safe?
With a
crime rate of 38 per one thousand residents
, Monterey has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes – from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 26.
What are the best months to visit Carmel?
With a mild and a moderate temperature throughout the year, there is no best time to visit Carmel by the sea. Visit the city when you are most comfortable with, preferably during the months of
September and October
. Highest temperature in Carmel-by-the-sea is recorded as 91.4°F in September.
What is the best month to play Pebble Beach?
For the best time to go in terms of access and affordability, the smart money is on
November through March
. Holidays are a slower time at Pebble, especially so between Christmas and the start of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in early February.
