๐ Relaxing 2-Day Weekend Trip to Monterey (Incl. Parking Tips)
This itinerary is perfect for those who like to sleep in ๐, prefer driving ๐, and donโt feel the need to check off every attraction โ adjust based on your preferences! Main spots: 17-Mile Drive, Lovers Point, Carmel-by-the-Sea. ๐ Saturday Morning: Slept till 10AM, left San Jose around then โ arrived in Monterey in about 1.5 hours, just in time for lunch. ๐ Lunch: We ate at Old Fishermanโs Grotto โ pretty tasty! โ๏ธ Clam chowder in a garlic bread bowl ๐ฅฃ๐ง โ๏ธ Lobster pasta from the daily special ๐ฆ โ๏ธ Crab tower โ light and refreshing ๐ฆ Recommended! ๐ ฟ๏ธ Parking: Heritage Harbor Parking Garage โ 5-min walk to restaurant, affordable. Alternatively: Street parking on 99 Pacific St (hard to find spots though โ we didnโt get one ๐ ) ๐ Afternoon: Strolled around the wharf after lunch โ ran into a classic car show ๐โจ and live performances! Very lively and fun. Then drove to 17-Mile Drive โ absolutely gorgeous! ๐ฒ๐๏ธ Mix of forests and beachesโฆ but super windy ๐จ โ wear windproof layers! Planned for 1 hour but ended up staying 2-3. Perfect for stacking stones, taking photos, and soaking in the views ๐ธโค๏ธ ๐ฆช Dinner: Had reservations at Schooners Monterey (book a few days ahead). Food was just okay โ not as good as lunch. Sat outside with heaters but still chilly โ๏ธ. ๐ ฟ๏ธ Street parking ๐ Sunday Morning: Slept in again till 10AM ๐, had breakfast at the hotel, then headed to Lovers Point โ a small but lovely seaside park ๐๏ธ. Lots of seabirds and squirrels ๐ฆ๐ฟ๏ธ๏ฝ30 mins was enough. ๐ ฟ๏ธ Street parking ๐ Afternoon: Drove from Lovers Point to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Walked around Carmel Plaza โ cute area for shopping/window browsing ๐๏ธ. The storybook cottages? I only spotted Tuck Box ๐ฐโจ, but the church garden was also pretty โช๏ธ๐ฟ. Thereโs a nice beach too โ white fine sand ๐๏ธ, though we didnโt go down. Overall very chill โ not tons to โdoโ but perfect for a relaxed wander. ๐ ฟ๏ธ Free 2-hour street parking OR Sunset Center Public Parking (we couldnโt find a spot though ๐ฌ) Headed back to the hotel around 3PM to check out, then drove back to San Jose โ perfect timing for dinner ๐ before home. #BayArea #WeekendGetaway #Monterey #CarmelByTheSea #SanJose #CaliforniaTravel #USStudyLife
