Julie’s guidebook
Favorite Restaurants
Passionfish
701 Lighthouse AveMake a reservation.
Fish Hopper
700 Cannery RowGreat food, great views
Great food and views. Breakfast hear is good as well but I mainly go for the apps and drinks.
14 locals recommend
Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar
400 Cannery RowGreat food and views. Breakfast hear is good as well but I mainly go for the apps and drinks.
I use to love the food but the last few visits were not as good. Love the bar with the view and the chocolate martini (made by the woman bartender)
Monterey Tides
2600 Sand Dunes DrI use to love the food but the last few visits were not as good. Love the bar with the view and the chocolate martini (made by the woman bartender)
Googie Grill
1520 Del Monte BlvdNew local favorite in Seaside.
Casanova
5th AvenueHaven't been in awhile but use to go all the time, we loved the food.
I have the crepes over lightly every time. Can't go wrong with this place. Be prepared to wait.
55 locals recommend
First Awakenings
300 David AveI have the crepes over lightly every time. Can't go wrong with this place. Be prepared to wait.
His hours seems to be hit and miss but the food is great and you must have the lemonade.
Paprika Cafe
309 Lighthouse AveHis hours seems to be hit and miss but the food is great and you must have the lemonade.
Beautiful view! Can get very busy. Great after a hike or drive down the coast.
94 locals recommend
Nepenthe
48510 CA-1Beautiful view! Can get very busy. Great after a hike or drive down the coast.
Favorite Hikes
If you start to the right, you will go up a very steep hill...it can be challenging. Keep right most of the way and it brings you back to the parking lot. Bring water, it is about 1.5-2 hour hike.
39 locals recommend
Fort Ord National Monument
Toro Creek RoadIf you start to the right, you will go up a very steep hill...it can be challenging. Keep right most of the way and it brings you back to the parking lot. Bring water, it is about 1.5-2 hour hike.
You can miss this hike, it is gorgeous! Bring a picnic.
309 locals recommend
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1You can miss this hike, it is gorgeous! Bring a picnic.
This provides great views. Can be steep at times with a lot of poison oak. Bring a bottle of wine and sit at the bench to enjoy the view. Good shoes needed for the way down.
Soberanes Canyon Trailhead
Soberanes Canyon TrailThis provides great views. Can be steep at times with a lot of poison oak. Bring a bottle of wine and sit at the bench to enjoy the view. Good shoes needed for the way down.
Loved hiking here, go to the North entrance, through Hollister I found this better than the southern entrance. There is a fee to enter.
79 locals recommend
Pinnacles National Park
Loved hiking here, go to the North entrance, through Hollister I found this better than the southern entrance. There is a fee to enter.
Nice easy walk through Monterey and Pacific Grove. Get breakfast after at First Awakenings. There is usually a wait.
Monterey Bay Coastal Trail
Monterey Bay Coastal TrailNice easy walk through Monterey and Pacific Grove. Get breakfast after at First Awakenings. There is usually a wait.
Spas
Spa On the Plaza
201 Alvarado StThis is my go to spa, can be pricey but I love the place.
Hot & cold water. No talking. Massages available. Awesome experience on a sunny day.
65 locals recommend
Refuge
27300 Rancho San Carlos RdHot & cold water. No talking. Massages available. Awesome experience on a sunny day.
Fun things to do
Mount Hermon Adventures
17 Conference DrDid this with girlfriends last year. Had a blast!
Must visit, best aquarium and I have been to a few. Yes it is pricey but well worth it. Spend the day to get you money's worth.
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowMust visit, best aquarium and I have been to a few. Yes it is pricey but well worth it. Spend the day to get you money's worth.
City Lights Booksellers
261 Columbus AveHaven't been yet but it is on my to do list.
Must see while in California
These are some of my favorite things about California
You will be in awe! Bring a camera and some good shoes and get out there and explore
995 locals recommend
Yosemite National Park
You will be in awe! Bring a camera and some good shoes and get out there and explore
Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridgejust don't jump!
Golden Gate Park
I spent a lot of my childhood here...I absolutely love this place. Hike, scuba, swim, party...you name it you can do it here. Great place for making memories!
188 locals recommend
Santa Catalina Island
I spent a lot of my childhood here...I absolutely love this place. Hike, scuba, swim, party...you name it you can do it here. Great place for making memories!
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast BlvdTorrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadDana Point Harbor
Mammoth Mountain
10400 Minaret RdTahoe City
Napa
Mendocino
Hearst Castle Road
Hearst Castle RoadAlthough I didn't enjoy this, so many people do. The drive is incredible.
Lombard Street
Lombard StreetGotta do it once!
Did a half marathon here, hard on the feet and ankles but the course and view was incredible.
60 locals recommend
Avenue Of The Giants
Avenue of the GiantsDid a half marathon here, hard on the feet and ankles but the course and view was incredible.
Was just here, I forgot how I love this little town. Traffic can be crazy, but good shops and good foods and of course the beaches
845 locals recommend
Laguna Beach
Was just here, I forgot how I love this little town. Traffic can be crazy, but good shops and good foods and of course the beaches