I will be in Monterey for a conference in JUne and was just wondering if anyone had some good suggestions for restaurants and sight-seeing.

Thanks!

The Whaling Station is good if you're in for a huge slab of beef. Actually, it's very nice.

For sightseeing, the aquarium is definitely worth it. Other than that, get yourself down to the beach for some salt air and sand between your toes!

There are a few collective tasting rooms opening up in Monterey that are probably worth checking out. There are several very nice Central Coast wineries without tasting rooms. These collectives allow you to taste wines you might otherwise miss.

Enjoy. Monterey is wonderful!

I lived in Monterey for 7 years until 1999. Great place to eat, but depends on what your budget is. Fresh Cream will run you about $100/person, but it wouldn't be one of my first choices even if it was $50. Already mentioned is the Whaling Station which is very good. John Pisto owns this restaurant along with 3 others (maybe more by now). One of his others is a favorite of mine, Domenico's on Fisherman's Wharf. This one specializes in seafood whereas the WS caters more to prime beef, which is also excellent.

If you go to Domenico's try the Monterey Bay prawns on pasta if they have them. They may not be on the menu, you'll have to ask for them.

Other restaurants: The Sardine Factory has excellent food but not quite the portions I need to make a dinner. Their wine list (book) is quite impressive however. Tarpy's Roadhouse is also a great place to try. Good wine selection and they always have something on the menu like ostrich, alligator, or other exotic fare. If you want to just get away, suck down some margarita's, and have some great food, go to the Baja Cantina in Carmel Valley. The best restaurant for good food and great prices has got to be The Fishwife. They have two, go to the one in Pacific Grove (you'll need reservations).

Gosh, I haven't even mentioned the restaurants at Pebble Beach or Carmel yet. Like I said, it's a great place to eat. Too many choices. You'll have to go back again sometime.

As for sight-seeing just drive the coastline out of Monterey around Pacific Grove, through Pebble Beach and Carmel, then down the coast to Big Sur. Plenty of hiking trails if you're into that. Also, I would drive up Carmel Valley and visit some of the wine tasting rooms. Call Galante Vineyards and schedule a tasting and tour. You'll want to go to Carmel Valley anyway to get away from the fog at some point.

Two wines that I would highly recommend that you try during your stay are the Galante Blackjack Pasture Cabernet, and the Georis Merlot.

Best of luck to you. Let me know if you want any other info. Just typing this makes me want to go back and visit.

[This message was edited by louzarius on May 11, 2004 at 02:18 PM.]

Thanks very much for all the helpful suggestions weinfrauline and louzarius. I will be going to the aquarium and I will definitely be looking for the places you have both mentioned for wining and dining.
P.S: Do I need advance reservations for any of these places or can I make them when I'm there.

Thanks again for all the help.

I would definitely head to Carmel for dinner at least once. While I don't have a specific recommendation off the top of my head, I have had only good meals in that city.

quote:

---

Originally posted by geegee:
P.S: Do I need advance reservations for any of these places or can I make them when I'm there.

---

You can make reservations when you get there. I've never had a problem getting a reservation same-day or a day out. There are just so many good places to eat out there. If you're looking for something in particular let me know. I've got all my favorite places depending on what I want to eat.

May thanks to all for the information on Monterey. I had a wonderful time there catching up with old friends unfortunately the conference kept me busy most of the time so we did not get out much. What I did do was get to the aquarium which was very good and I also managed to get into Carmel for a half day. Carmel was very nice and friends and I had lunch at Bernardus lodge. Very good food, nice friendly service, beautiful view eating outside on the patio and we all enjoyed the Bernardus chardonnay (unfiltered, no overtly oaked taste, very clean lemon apple flavors with hints of vanilla and mineral background, almost chablis like).
The drive back to Monterey was very pretty as we went down 17 mile drive through pebble beach. All in all, Monterey was a nice place and I would definitely go back.

This is bringing back good memories. I lived in Monterey for two years in the late seventies. A few years back my husband and I vacationed in Carmel for a week and we really enjoyed outselves. Good food, good wine, and beautiful surroundings!