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Visitor's Guide

Thank you for choosing the Big Sur Half Marathon for your race destination weekend. In addition to the activities and dining options listed below we encourage your to check out MontereyBayAdventures.com. This website offers locals and travelers information on all Monterey County cities, things to do, attractions, winery maps, media galleries, blogs, forum topics, beaches, dining, travel booking and more. It's the definitive source to everything happening in one of the most spectacular and scenic coastal destinations in California. Your adventure is just a click away at www.montereybayadventures.com .

Monterey Bay Adventures

Here is a sampling of what the Monterey Peninsula has to offer…

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

The Monterey Bay Aquarium

Kelp Forest

Located at 886 Cannery Row in Monterey, the world-renowned Aquarium offers a diverse collection of exhibits including the Kelp Forest, Sea Otters, Giant Pacific Octopus, Sandy Shore, Rocky Shore, Secret Lives of Seahorses, Splash Zone & Penguins, Open Sea and more.

 The Aquarium is open daily (except Dec. 25) from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information visit www.mbayaq.orgor call 831.648.4888

The Path of History: Retrace the footsteps of the early pioneers on this clearly marked, self-guided tour of Old Town Monterey. From the State Parks’ building located at the Custom House Plaza, guides in period costume share stories of life in early California.

Cannery Row: Made famous in the novels of John Steinbeck, Cannery Row today is home to many shops and fine restaurants while still retaining the flavor the old canneries which once lined the street. www.canneryrow.com

Fisherman’s Wharf:

An adventure in seafood dining, the Wharf is still a working pier with whale watching and guided bay and fishing trips. For more information contact

Carmel-By-The-Sea: A quaint seaside village known for its shopping, art galleries, boutiques, shops, fine restaurants and beautiful white sand beach. Only one-square mile, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a wonderful place to stroll and discover hidden courtyards, whimsically styled homes and fine art. The area around Carmel-by-the-Sea, known simply as Carmel, has breathtaking scenery, wonderful parks and the historic Carmel Mission. To learn more visit www.carmelcalifornia.org or www.carmel.com
Elkhorn Slough Safari: Enjoy a guided tour of one of California's largest wetlands and it's abundance of wildlife aboard a 27-foot pontoon boat. During your seven mile journey you can photograph and enjoy otters, harbor seals and a wide variety of shorebirds. Refreshments are provided. For more information visit www.elkhornslough.com.

17-Mile Drive: Discover nature's treasures tucked into the Del Monte Forest along with world-renowned golf courses. During your drive, visit the Lone Cypress, Seal and Bird Rocks, Fanshell Beach, Point Joe, the Restless Sea and Pescadero Point. Be sure to stop for lunch at one of the fine restaurants of the Pebble Beach Resorts.

GOLF

Pebble Beach Call 800.654.9300 or visit www.pebblebeach.com

  • Links at Spanish Bay
  • Pebble Beach Golf Links
  • Poppy Hills Golf Course

The Monterey Area

Carmel Valley

MUSEUMS

LIGHTHOUSES AND MISSIONS

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Cycling

Boating/Sailing/Kayaking

Scuba Diving/Snorkeling

PARKS AND BEACHES

SPAS

WINE TASTING

JUST FOR KIDS

DINING
A sampling only! For many more fine restaurants visit www.pacificgrove.orgor www.SeeMonterey.com

Pacific Grove

    • Max’s Grill, 209 Forest Avenue, www.maxgrill.com or 831.375.7997 (California)
    • Red House Café, 662 Lighthouse Avenue, 831.643.1060 (American)
    • Fandango, 223 17th Street, www.fandangorestaurant.comor 831.372.3456 (European)
    • Passionfish, 701 Lighthouse Avenue, www.passionfish.net or 831.655.3311 (Seafood)
    • Alberto’s, 1219-B Forest Avenue, www.albertos-ristorante.comor 831.373.3993 (Italian)
    • Pepper’s Mexicali Café, 170 Forest Avenue, 831.373.6892 (Mexican)
    • Fishwife at Asilomar Beach, 1996 Sunset, www.fishwife.comor 831.375.7107 (Seafood)
    • Toasties, 702 Lighthouse Avenue, 831.373.7543 (American)
    • Il Vecchio, 110 Central Avenue, www.ilvecchiorestaurant.com or 831.324.4282 (Italian)

Monterey

Carmel

Carmel Valley

    • Baja Cantina, 7166 Carmel Valley Road, 831-625-2252 (Mexican)
    • Will’s Fargo, 16 East Carmel Valley Road, www.willsfargo.comor 831.659-2774 (American)

Big Sur

Pebble Beach