A lot has already been covered, but my $.02. DO NOT MISS Point Lobos, the white sand beach at Carmel, Big Sur or the 17 Mile Drive. I love Carmel, but you can walk the entire downtown in an hour or so unless you like overpriced art galleries, etc. If you have 2 nights in Carmel, go to dinner one night at Passion Fish in Pacific Grove. If you have only one night in Carmel, go to dinner one night at Passion Fish in Pacific Grove.
Personally, I am done with Napa/Sonoma and the whole ‘experience’ ($$$). But if you’ve never been to CA, hit a couple of your favorite wineries.
Hi Matt - A few Sonoma suggestions near the Square:
Lodging
Sonoma Bungalows*
The Lodge
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
Inn At Sonoma*
MacArthur Place*
Cottage Inn*
*all within walking distance to the Sonoma Square
Dining
ENCLOS
Wit & Wisdom (at The Lodge)
Layla (at MacArthur Place)
Valley
SMASH
The Girl & the Fig
OSO
La Sallette
Golden Bear Station, Stella, Glen Ellen Star*
*these are in Kenwood and Glen Ellen respectively, about a 20 minute drive from downtown Sonoma into Sonoma Valley
Wineries (around the square)
Bedrock
Three Sticks
Moon Hollow
Winery 16600
Kamen
Auteur
Sangiacomo
Pangloss Cellars*
*i’m affiliated
On Tuesday nights, there’s a Farmer’s Market on the Square. Starts at 5:00pm and goes until 8:00 or so. Food trucks, music, etc. It’s one of a few state parks in CA that allows open container, so most folks bring a bottle and some glasses, lay down a blanket, and just enjoy the scenery.
Just spent some time in Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel.
It’s been a few years since we were in Carmel. It feels very European and super laid back. Lot of old people. Lot of galleries. A few more tasting rooms than I remember. Quiet, secluded, exclusive if not slightly boring.
Monterey was nicer than I remember. The waterfront is super touristy, but the views and walking trail are fantastic. Old town is where it’s at. Lively restaurants and cafes. Not an overly apparent wine scene. I asked about wine shops and was told to go to Carmel. So there’s that. A more fun experience than our last visit. Way more energy than Carmel.
Pacific Grove is more elegant, quieter and less touristy than Monterey. We ended up walking there from our hotel in Monterey and had lunch on the main drag. The ocean views are killer. There was a beached whale in the cove. Kind of sad to see.
Carmel feels like Aspen. Monterey feels more like San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara, young and hipper. Pacific Grove feels like a quiet up scale suburb.
Highway 1 was an f’n zoo. People stopping in the middle of the road to let people out, u turns everywhere. Popular spots had cars parked on the shoulder for 1/2 mile or more. Drive it, be patient. It will take longer than you think,
Thanks for this. Going in a few weeks with my son and have been looking for hotels, so tough to decide when everything is overpriced. And online reviews are the bane of our modern existence, perfectly pitched to create doubt!
