Hotel at a Glance: Hotel 1110

Take in views of Monterey Bay from the rooftop of Hotel 1110, a quiet, adults-only boutique hotel across the street from the shoreline. Steps from Del Monte Beach and about a mile from Fisherman’s Wharf, the hotel exudes a sophisticated, turn-of-the-century vibe.

• Complimentary refreshments: In the late afternoon, grab a glass of wine or beer from the hotel’s lobby bar and head to the rooftop deck to enjoy.
• Use your dining credit towards restaurant and bar offerings onsite.
• Guest-room amenities include cotton robes and marble bathrooms with whirlpool tubs.
• Borrow a movie from the front desk’s library to watch on your in-room DVD player.
• Wake up to a complimentary breakfast made from scratch.

Monterey, California: Scenic Beaches and Marine Wildlife on the Pacific Coast

The city of Monterey, California, is located at the southern end of Monterey Bay on the Pacific coast, about 120 miles south of San Francisco. The region, which includes the seaside communities of Carmel and Sand City, is considered one of the world’s most scenic areas thanks to its rugged cliffs and dramatic ocean views. Author John Steinbeck, who lived for several years in the neighboring town of Pacific Grove, immortalized this region of central California in works such as East of Eden and Of Mice and Men. In Cannery Row, Steinbeck depicted the Monterey fish-canning industry at the turn of the 20th century. Today, a tourist destination of the same name houses souvenir shops and eateries right where the sardine factories used to be.

One attraction that you don’t want to miss is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the largest in the world. Its mesmerizing displays include a living kelp forest filled with leopard sharks and wolf eels and a deep-water tank that’s home to schools of bluefin tuna.

To get even closer to the sea, hop on the Monterey Bay Coastal Bike Trail, which stretches for miles along the ocean; look out for sea lions sunbathing on the rocks and otters playing in the surf. A variety of whales pass by the shores of Monterey year-round; you might also spot a few dolphins from aboard one of the popular harbor cruises. For the best up-close encounters, however, do as the locals do and head to one of the scuba-diving sites nearby. Dive shops on Del Monte Beach offer rentals and lessons—the easily accessible reef system here is popular for first-time divers.

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.