What to Do in Monterey This Easter

If you’re looking for a break this Easter, then there are just so many choices. But if you aren’t too far from the sunshine state, then why not check out Monterey? Now to many people, Monterey means golf. And cheese. And not much else. But if that’s your attitude, you might want to have a little rethink.

If you love to read, then you’ll be pleased to find that Monterey has a whole literary history you might not have known about. Of course, it’s been a favourite destination of folks from all over the place for years. But the County has more than it’s fair share of visits from famous writers, too. The author of Treasure Island, R. L Stevenson stayed on the Island for a while, and Henry Miller used to live in the Big Sur. There are some amazing old school bookshops in Carmel; it’s a real haven for lovers of literature! Real book shops are so hard to come by these days; it’s almost worth the trip out alone!

Monterey Bay Aquarium has always been a favorite with those who live in the county, but in the last few days, it’s been on the news all over the world. They have an extensive otter conservation project at the aquarium, and one just gave birth to a pup. It was captured on camera and has caused a splash as far away as the UK! The aquarium is one of the best on the West Coast, if not the very best! The popular tourist attraction has been one of the jewels in Monterey’s crown since it opened in 1984.

Being so close to the sea, it stands to reason that the food here is pretty special. You can’t get much of a shorter journey from sea to the table than Monterey. Many places specialise in seafood, as you would expect. But that’s not all there is to eat in the county. It’s definitely worth grabbing a bite to eat in one of the Italian restaurants in Monterey. There’s a strong Italian community in the area, and the food is surprisingly authentic. If you can’t make it to Europe, this just might be the next best thing!

You can’t really talk about Monterey without mentioning golf. It’s probably the Golf Capital of the whole of the United States! Boasting 26, yep 26 public and private courses. But be warned – most of them are on the expensive side. For example, Pebble Beach Golf Links green fees are an exorbitant $600. If that’s going to break the bank, there are cheaper ways to get your golf fix. Try the Pacific golf course instead. It might not be the biggest course in the area, it meanders for just short of six thousand feet. It has a par of 70, with the first the holes being all par threes.

Why not choose Monterey for a break this Easter? It’s a great place to get out and explore. From the high-end golf clubs to sparse coastal scenery, Monterey County has something for everyone.

photo credit: Vue de l’aquarium de Monterey via photopin (license)