The beautiful Monterey Peninsula is an ideal holiday destination with a variety of recreational and cultural activities. Within Monterey you will find the Monterey Museum of Art, the Colton Hall Museum (which offers a recreation of the meeting room where the town’s first constitution was drafted in 1849) and the impenetrable Old Monterey Jail Museum.  There are plenty of nightclubs downtown as well as a number of popular coffee shops also open late into the evening.  The “hot spot” in town has to be the famous Cannery Row where you will find live music, busy nightclubs, trendy restaurants and bars.  Cannery Row, made famous by the John Steinbeck novel of the same name, was once a busy industrial street where sardines were canned.  Now it has gained a reputation as being “the” place to be seen.  Nearby you will also find the Monterey Aquarium where visitors can learn more about life out in the Bay. 

Monterey Bay is twice as big as the Grand Canyon and offers a wealth of sea life from sea otters to Californian sea lions.  Boat and whale watching tours are popular with visitors but the Bay also attracts scuba divers, fishermen and surfers.  The Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary is a protected area along the coast with a diverse marine eco-system.  Although the habitat is protected, there are many beautiful beaches to enjoy and visitors are still welcome to get their feet wet with diving and kayaking activities permitted within the sanctuary.

Nearby you’ll find the picturesque yet sophisticated town of Carmel-by-the-Sea.  Situated on a stunning white-sand beach, Carmel is continually voted one of America’s most popular holiday destinations, drawing numerous holidaymakers, artists, writers and actors with its reputation for “European style”, creative ambiance, stunning coastline, fantastic shopping opportunities and gourmet dining.  Must-sees include the Point Lobos Murals, Carmel Plaza and the Carmel Mission.

The scenic drive down the Big Sur is an essential part of any visit to Monterey County.  Most visitors follow Highway 1, considered one of the most scenic drives in America, and there are fantastic coastal views all along the highway although motorists are advised to make the most of the frequent pull-ins with viewpoints. Development is limited so remember to fill up with petrol before you set off.  There are numerous State Parks along the Big Sur where visitors can immerse themselves in nature and stretch their legs.  Also popular is the Point Sur Lighthouse which has been guiding ships along the treacherous rocky coast for over 100 years.

Monterey County, blessed with cool sea breezes and plenty of sunshine, is also renowned for its wines.  The region produces a number of excellent varieties including Chardonney, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc.  There are plenty over 85 wine estates within the county, many open to the public and offering guided winery tours and tasting.
 
Hiring a car in California with Carhire3000 allows you to explore the beautiful scenery of Monterey County from the fertile Salinas valley to the scenic Big Sur.  Hiring a car in California allows you to take life at your own pace, enabling you to browse in Carmel, shop in Monterey and explore Los Lobos State Park.  Hire a car from Los Angeles or San Francisco and combine sightseeing in the big cities with scenic coastal drives for the true Californian experience.

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