Planning a coastal escape to California? This Monterey weekend itinerary covers everything we did (and loved!) in just a few days—from whale watching and Big Sur views to a Michelin-star meal and the cutest coffee shop in town. Whether you’re mapping out a California road trip or planning a romantic weekend getaway, here’s what to do, where to eat, and what to skip in Monterey, Big Sur, and Carmel-by-the-Sea.
🛏 Where to Stay in Monterey
We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Monterey and it was perfect for what we needed: clean, comfortable, and centrally located. It was super easy to get to downtown Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Carmel without spending hours in the car (a must if you’re trying to squeeze a lot into a long weekend).
📍 4-Day Monterey Weekend Itinerary
Saturday: Arrival & Dinner
After a long travel day, we kept things low-key. We checked in, unpacked, and grabbed dinner at the hotel before getting some rest for the days ahead on our Monterey weekend itinerary.
Where we stayed: Hilton Garden Inn Monterey
Sunday: 17 Mile Drive, Big Sur & Carmel-by-the-Sea
We kicked off the morning with pastries from Paris Bakery in Monterey, then headed for the iconic 17 Mile Drive—a scenic route with stunning ocean views and plenty of photo-worthy stops.
17 Mile Drive Highlights (Cost: $12.25 per vehicle): There are 17 official stops, but you definitely don’t need to get out at every single one. Here are the ones we recommend:
- Spanish Bay Beach
- The Restless Sea
- China Rock
- Bird Rock
- Seal Rock
- Cypress Point Lookout
- The Lone Cypress
- Pebble Beach Golf Links
From there, we continued south along Highway 1 toward Big Sur, with a few must-see stops:
- Bixby Bridge – one of the most photographed spots on the West Coast
- Point Lobos – we returned to hike this later, but the coastal drive view is gorgeous. It gets incredibly busy so keep that in mind if trying to visit mid-day. We found going closer to dusk when they close made for fewer crowds.
- Pfeiffer Beach – famous for its purple sand (spoiler alert: it’s more grayish-purple than full-on violet). It’s $15 to enter and requires a nerve-wracking drive down a narrow, winding road. Beautiful cliffs, yes. Worth it? Debatable—but I’ve heard it’s magical at sunset.
Pit Stop: We swung by Big Sur Taphouse for lunch and a beer.
Later that afternoon, we explored Carmel-by-the-Sea, a dreamy town full of fairytale cottages, boutique shops, and coastal charm. Great for an afternoon of shopping fueled by Carmel Valley Coffee.
We ended the night with a sunset walk at Lover’s Point Park in Pacific Grove, followed by dinner at Pepper’s Mexican Restaurant—casual, cozy, and super flavorful. This area is known for the magical “purple carpet” of flowers.
Monday: Coffee, Aquarium & Downtown Monterey
You can’t go to Monterey without stopping at Captain + Stoker. It’s a local coffee favorite for a reason—great vibes, better espresso. I had the avocado toast and the strawberry pistachio latte this morning.
From there, we headed to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is incredible. We loved watching the penguin feeding and seeing all the jellyfish. We are spoiled by having a world-class aquarium in Tampa Bay, but thoroughly enjoyed what Monterey’s aquarium had to offer (except the crowds—I could do without that.)
After exploring Downtown Monterey, we took a scenic walk along Ocean View Blvd to Seal Beach.
We wrapped up the evening with dinner at Montrio—a Michelin-rated restaurant that serves creative, elevated dishes in a cozy setting. We had the heirloom tomato salad, sea scallops, and the steak. We had a fabulous experience and really enjoyed chatting with the staff who provided us with wine recommendations and pairings for each dish.
Tuesday: Whale Watching & Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
We started our morning (surprise!) at Captain + Stoker again where I had the avocado toast again and the shaken sesame drink (which was fab!), then headed out for a whale watching tour—and yes, we saw humpbacks and orcas! We heard that orcas are rare at this time of year so it was extra special. Absolutely incredible.
After whale watching, we warmed up with a cozy lunch at Alta Bakery & Cafe, where I had the most delicious goat cheese and mushroom soup. The attached restaurant, Cella, looked fabulous and it’s on my list for next time. There’s a beautiful garden area to explore in the back as well.
In the afternoon, we hiked Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, which quickly became one of our favorite parts of the trip. The ocean views, cliffs, and hidden coves with wildflowers galore made it feel like a real-life postcard.
Dinner that night was back in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and honestly, I could wander that fairytale town forever. Note: most places do close early, so plan to get your shopping done in that area prior to 6PM.
Wednesday: One Last Coffee Before We Hit the Road
Before we left town, we made one final stop at—you guessed it—Captain + Stoker. Some things are worth repeating on this Monterey weekend itinerary. This time I had the shaken espresso again but opted to try a new toast — the peanut butter and banana. So good.
🍽️ Places to Eat in Monterey & Carmel (Still on My List!)
We didn’t get to try everything, but these places came highly recommended and are top of my list for next time:
- Terra Superfoods – smoothies + acai bowls
- Hula’s Island Grill – Tuesday night drink specials + a hidden speakeasy
- Heirloom Pizza Co. – great casual spot
- First Awakenings – brunch favorite
- Other Brother Beer Co. & Dust Bowl Brewing Co. – best local breweries, according to friends
- La Bicyclette in Carmel – supposedly Taylor Swift has eaten here, and that’s enough for me 💁♀️
☕️ Quick Recap: My Monterey Weekend Itinerary Musts
- Best Coffee: Hands down, Captain + Stoker
- Best Hike: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
- Special Dinner Spot: Montrio
- Must Do Activity: Whale watching
- Cutest Town to Explore: Carmel-by-the-Sea
Already dreaming about going back—maybe next time I’ll finally make it to La Bicyclette. If you’re planning your own Monterey weekend itinerary, I hope this guide helps you make the most of every minute. Save it for later or send it to your travel buddy! 🐋🌊💫
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