Monterey & Carmel Trip - The best drive in SF

Monterey & Carmel 

Hi, everyone! Today, I wanna introduce an amazing driving course near San Francisco. I can call this trip the best drive in San Francisco. Fantastic, amazing, awesome, marvelous, cool, romantic, tremendous, Wow, I tried to list proper words to describe, but there' be no end to do it.

Then, Let's go to this amazing world in San Francisco!

If u r planning a Monterey trip, I would recommend to combine Monterey & Carmel, surely including 17 Mile Drive. It's possible to look around most of them but if u wanna take more ur time, it would be also a good way to stay 1 Day or more. On your trip, you'll enjoy amazing coastal views while driving along Highway1, passing by Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz to Monterey Bay. 

1. Monterey

Recommended Itinerary

Some of my friends told me they were disappointed about a trip to Monterey & Carmel which was less than they expected. However, I heard a lot about this destination from my Korean travel guidebook and also when I worked at the tour company in SF, Monterey & Carmel trip is one of the bestselling tour of them. Thus, I decided to go there just once in my life without much expectation.

When I arrived at the Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, that's WOW!!!! Amazing itself!!! Views, atmosphere, people, a lot of seafood(But, we didn't eat seafood u.u;;)..... Paradise here!!!

* Old Fisherman's Wharf

In SF city, there is a Fisherman's Wharf area and I went there almost 100 times because my working place was near Fisherman's Wharf area in the city. BUT, the atmosphere of the old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey is totally different than that of San Francisco city. Smaller but Looks more friendly, chilling cafes, Nice seafood and different styles of Clam Chowder(U can try lots of sample Clam chowder from many restaurant! Also, they have *Happy hours), Gift shops for a souvenir(For me, Always postcards!!yay) Whale watching tour, wonderful historic places, Music, wow, amazing as it is with amazing views. In addition, U can see see lions at the pier and take a picture with them.


What I do like is Monterey had California's first theater, public building, public library, publicly funded school, printing press, and newspaper. The city and surrounding area have attracted artists since the late 19th century and many celebrated painters and writers have lived there. 

Discover the history and culture of the Monterey Bay on this monterey trip!

They're preparing for the Christmas:) 

Nice patio :)

They are selling Seafood in a cup! Cup eafood!

Salt Water Taffy shop

Street food

Monterey Bay

Painter, Caricature

Historic building in the Historic Park

First Theater

All historic buildings turned to be a museum currently.

Ice Skating Season

My cutie friend, Josep! Take Magazine photo shot!

Small painting on the wall in front of the Ice Skating link

plus provable photo^^*

** Cannery Row & Aquarium



Actually, we didn't have much time to stay here so we just passed by the Cannery Row and Aquarium. If I had more time, definitely I would go there. But It looks like a coooool place to look around and see sea lions!


Cannery Row itself is now a tourist attraction with many restaurants and hotels, many of which are located in former cannery buildings, and a few historic attractions. Some privately owned fishing companies still exist on Cannery Row, housed on piers located a short distance from the historic district frequented by tourists(Refer to Wikipedia)

In recent years, Cannery Row has become increasingly popular  among sport fisherman due to extensive public fishing facilities; popular spots for kayak-launching and scuba-diving spots.

Cannery Row

Aquarium

2. 17 Mile Drive

17 Mile Drive is widely recognized as one of the most scenic drives in the world. The famous coastal landmark runs through Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach, from the dramatic Pacific coastline to the majestic Del Monte Forest.

There are a lot of amazing views on this road. Everywhere could be the best place for your memorable photo. It reminded me of driving my country's coastline in my hometown. I could make a wondrous journey with ur friend, family, boyfriend or girlfriend. Especially for a couple, It would be one of the best place to date.

Bird Rock

Bird Rock

Best provable photo at Bird Rock!!^^*

Telescope at Bird Rock

*Note : At the entrance to 17 Mile Drive, it costs $10. But, it's worth it!!!!!!! BUT, motorcycles are prohibited entry onto 17 Mile Drive. Plus, this Drive is way shorter than I thought!! Keep that in mind:)

* Recommended course : Enter the Pacific Grove entrance and find the Exit, Carmel exit, then u can enjoy most of scenic places.

Marvel at nature's treasures found along 17-Mile Drive including the Lone Cypress tree(The Lone Cypress has prevailed on its rocky perch for over 250 years) and scenic outlook points of the Pacific Ocean- one of California's best-known landmarks. Also, Pebble beach golf course, Bird Rock, Ghost tree.. U should stop by there!! but I couldn't stop by all because we couldn't find any parking space...u.u;;; But, we had really great time for sure^^;;

Lone Cypress Lookout

Ghost Trees

3. Carmel

Carmel Beach

Known for its natural scenery and rich artistic history, Carmel is a small city in Monterey county. We went to the Carmel beach to enjoy the sunset at the beach. It's always marvelous and romantic to watch the sunset by the beach. A lot of people was having a bonfire and enjoyed time with their companies. I was so envy them to have a bonfire on the beach. It reminded me of camping memories when I was a child! <3 Near the ocean, there are lots of picturesque houses looking like there would be in a novel. I love them!!!!!

Sunset at the Carmel beach

Bonfire

If you drive a little bit more, u can reach to the Ocean ave where u can walk around and drop by many pretty shops, restaurants, cafes etc in a town(They r really beautiful enough!!!!!!!). Pretty long, beautiful avenue that You will love! Here America, the Christmas is a Big Holiday for them so they r also preparing for the Christmas.

If u have time or even though u don't have time, u should go there to make one of perfect days of ur life!!! I do recommend to check them. There is a reason many travel guide books always introduce this places. Time to go for ur vacation!! Yay!!!!

Don't sleep all the day on the weekend instead of this perfect day!! Enjoy ur life!!