Monterey Bay is located on the coast of California just south of San Francisco. When you are discovering the Monterey Bay area you will find such towns and regions as on the southern peninsula Big Sur, Carmel by the Sea, Carmel Valley and Pebble Beach, on the northern peninsula Monterey, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, Seaside and Sand City and Marina, inland you will find Salinas Valley, North County, and South County.

When visiting the Monterey Bay area there are many different activities to enjoy according to which town or city you visit.

The climate around Monterey Bay is quite pleasant if not just a bit on the cool side with an average temperature of 57 degrees Fahrenheit year round. During the spring and summer months you can expect warm days and cool evenings with rain from November until April. During the summer months, you can expect fog usually in the early morning and late evenings. Inland temperatures are a bit warmer with temperatures rising into the 90’s during the summer months.

Big Sur as of the 2000 US Census had less than 1500 residents. Big Sur is located around 120 miles from San Francisco and about 245 miles north of Los Angeles. The various attractions include beaches, art galleries, and campgrounds. Two of the most popular attractions include the Hot Springs and the Point Sur Lighthouse.  Accommodations in Big Sur include the Ventana Inn & Spa, Treebones Resort, Post Ranch Inn, Fernwood Motel, and Big Sur Campground & Cabins among a few more.

Let’s discover what is in store for visitors to the Southern Peninsula of Monterey Bay.

Carmel is five miles south of Monterey and 26 miles north of Big Sur right off Highway One. In the 2000 Census, Carmel had 4,081 residents. The most popular attractions in Carmel by the Sea include The Serra Shrine, the beaches, and City Gardens. A few of the lodging facilities you will find include Pine Inn, Tradewinds Carmel, La Playa Hotel and Carmel Oaks Inn & Suites to name a few.

Carmel Valley is located a few miles east of Carmel off Carmel Valley Road. In the 2000 Census, there were 4,700 residents in this quiet valley. Carmel Valley offers golf and tennis which includes the Carmel Valley Tennis Camp, Carmel Valley Athletic Club, Carmel Valley Village Golf, Sarah Cruse Quail Lodge and Golf Club, Rancho Canada Golf Club to name a few. Other activities around Carmel Valley include wine tasting, hiking, swimming, riding, and unique tours. When it comes to where to stay, you can many wonderful and relaxing accommodations such as the Bernardus Lodge, Gardiner’s Resort, and Sandy & Frank Dobronte, Las Fuentes Villa.

Pebble Beach is located on the very southern tip of the Peninsula just a bit west of Monterey and north of Carmel by the Sea. Peach Beach is an unincorporated residential and resort area. As of the 2000 Census, there were 4,590 residents. The major attraction of Pebble is their seven world-class golf course which include Cypress Point Club, The Links at Spanish Bay, Poppy Hills Golf Course, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, the Monterey Peninsula Country Club that has two courses the Dunes Course and the Shore Course and Pebble Beach Golf Links that has two courses the Golf Links Course and the Peter Hay Par Three Course. Pebble Beach mainly has spas and resorts for your accommodations, which include The Lodge at Pebble Beach, The Inn at Spanish Bay and the Casa Palmero Pebble Beach to name the most popular.