Hotel At a Glance: Hotel Pacific

With its Spanish-style adobe and close proximity to the Cannery Row waterfront district, the all-suite Hotel Pacific is a luxurious spot for a romantic getaway. The hotel is a boutique hotel in the middle of it all: you'll be within walking distance of Monterey's galleries, restaurants, and shops, as well as the beach and Wharf 1.

• Stretch out in an extra-spacious suite, which features a fireplace, a separate living and dining spaces, and a private balcony.
• Must-see attractions: The Monterey Aquarium and the area's beautiful rocky beaches are a few minutes away.
• Hike and bike along the Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail. You can hop on the trail just two blocks from the hotel.

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

The city of Monterey is at Monterey Bay’s southern end, in an area considered one of the world’s most scenic thanks to its rugged cliffs and dramatic ocean views. Author John Steinbeck lived for several years in the neighboring town of Pacific Grove, and he immortalized this part 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.

Among the city’s must-see attractions is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Its mesmerizing displays include a living kelp forest filled with leopard sharks and wolf eels. For those who want to get closer to the sea, there’s the oceanfront Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, where sea lions sunbathe on the rocks and otters play in the surf. A variety of whales pass by the shores of Monterey all year; visitors might also spot a few dolphins from aboard one of the popular harbor cruises.