One of the best parts of living in the Bay Area is its proximity to Pebble Beach, Monterey, and Carmel. These three destinations offer some of the best vistas, beaches, restaurants, and outdoor activities in all of California. A camera is required for this experience.
DAY 1
8:30 a.m. – Wake up in a plush bed at The Inn at Spanish Bay a beautiful resort nestled in Pebble Beach, among some of the most picturesque golf courses in the world. Take your time getting up and enjoying your view of the Pacific Ocean, then walk downstairs to STICKS, one of the hotel's on-site restaurants. Settle into a table near the windows and order the forest omelet, corned beef hash and huevos rancheros. Wash them down with a few cups of delicious coffee.
17-Mile Drive (Courtesy of famouswonders.com)
10:00 a.m. – Jump in your car and drive to the entrance of 17-Mile Drive, a drive that will take you through Pebble Beach, Cypress Point Lookout, and along several stretches of beach. Take your time on this drive; stop and snap dozens of photos of the coastline from all angles. The views are tremendous.
12:00 p.m. – Drive back towards you hotel and stop at The Lodge At Pebble Beach. Once there, walk into Stillwater Bar & Grill, a seafood bar that offers excellent lunch options. Start with the tuna crudo and the crab cake, and then move on to a helping of the grilled Angus rib eye and Yellowfin tuna.
1:00 p.m. – Ready to burn off some lunch calories? Grab your golf clubs, slather on a new layer of sunscreen and walk over to Pebble Beach Golf Links. Built in 1919, the course has hosted many major golf tournaments and was named America's #1 Public Course by GolfDigest. Note: make sure to book your tee times at least six months in advance. Also be sure you have four hours available for this experience. If you are planning a trip to Pebble Beach, try coming in February 2016, to witness the 2016 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Carmel Beach(Courtesy of Expedia)
5:00 p.m. – Finished with your round of golf, head back to the Inn at Spanish Bay, shower and then put on some casual dinner clothes. Drive six miles south to Carmel Beach, located at the end of Ocean Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Relax and watch the sunset, then walk up Ocean and duck into a few boutique shops and wine tasting rooms. Make a right on Dolores Street and ask for a table at La Bicyclette, a bustling European-inspired bistro with excellent service and even better pizza. Order a bottle of wine (ask the server for his or her recommendation; don't even look at the menu) and get a few pies for the table. Savor every flavor.
DAY 2
9:00 a.m. – Wake up and put on some active, breathable clothing. Remember to bring a light jacket, a hat, and sunglasses and put on your sunscreen before leaving the hotel. Pack a camera and head out to Katy's Place on Mission Street in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Dubbed “Carmel's Breakfast Tradition from 1982," Katy's is a relaxed, down-home eatery that has everything you need in a breakfast joint. The pecan waffle is to die for, as is the Vienna French toast, Nova Scotia Benedict, and San Francisco omelet. Tip: this place is cash-only, so make sure to go to the ATM in advance.
10:30 a.m. – Sufficiently full, it's time to think about lunch. Walk two blocks over to 5th Venue and Dolores Street and cozy up to the counter at 5th Avenue Deli. Grab a few sandwiches and bottles of water to go and stuff them in your backpack. Hop in your car and drive five miles south down Highway 1 to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
Park your car, make sure your sunscreen is applied and bring along your backpack with lunches inside. Spend the next few hours getting lost on the miles of hiking trails, stopping for photos on cliff-side benches, watching the wildlife on the shores and eating your lunch at a picnic table when you are hungry. Point Lobos is a true gem on the California coast and should not be missed. It is arguably one of the most beautiful coastal parks in the country.
2:30 p.m. – Ready for more adventure? Drive north seven miles on CA-1 to Monterey. Park near 299 Cannery Row and walk into Adventures By The Sea, a place to rent bikes and kayaks. Ask to rent a “surrey," or a pedal-driven carriage. Perfect for families, spend the next few hours riding your surrey up the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail. Stop to relax and look out on the water, noticing any wildlife, including breaching Orcas and sunbathing sea lions.
5:30 p.m. – Sufficiently starving after a full day of exercise, drive a mile south of the Adventures By The Sea office and grab a table atRestaurant 1833 (advance reservations are recommended). Start your experience with the artichoke dip and beet salad. Then move on to the yellowtail tuna, 1833 burger and tortellini. Finish it off with a helping of the raspberry custard and the blonde chocolate mousse. Delicious.
DAY 3
9:30 a.m. – Sleep in, enjoy the views out your window at the Inn at Spanish Bay and, after checking out, drive to 6 Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey and walk into Crepes of Brittany. This place serves excellent crepes, so start with the cinnamon apple caramel variety and then move on to peach melba and maybe even brie and caramelized onion crepe.
Monterey Bay Aquarium(via Wikipedia)
After breakfast, drive a mile west down Cannery Row to theMonterey Bay Aquarium. This aquarium is one of the best on the West Coast thanks to its multitude of exhibits highlighting everything from penguins and sea lions to jellyfish and turtles. Visitors can watch (and sometimes even participate in) animal feedings several times per day, just check the calendar online. This is the perfect way to end your 50-hour getaway in Pebble Beach, Carmel and Monterey.
// This article comes to us courtesy of the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee. It was originally published in October 2015.
