Spas on Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay spas - Vista Blue Spa
Vista Blue Spa: Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

After spending a day experiencing the beauty of world famous Monterey Bay, one must unwind, relax and rejuvenate the body.

Monterey Bay has a number of world-class luxury spas that will surely pamper you and treat you like royalty.

Two of our favorite Monterey Bay luxury spas are Vista Blue Spa and Energia Spa.

Vista Blue Spa:
Chocolate Bliss, Pumpkin Spice, Espresso Limon, Old World Salt and Peppermint. No, these aren’t ingredients for a gourmet meal; they’re sumptuous spa treatments offered at Vista Blue Spa at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa.

The 75-minute Espresso Limon Slimming Body Treatment is a detoxifying, firming treatment beginning with a citrus herbal body brushing followed by an application of Espresso Limon Slimming Oil, and  then a warm wrap. Your skin’s thirst is quenched by a perfect blend of South American coffee oil, Italian lemons and Madagascan cinnamon. Who knew coffee could be so relaxing?

Energia Spa:
Another spa offering food-inspired treatments is Energia Spa at InterContinental The Clement Monterey.

Indulge in a rich Chocolate Champagne Facial, an Anti-Oxidant Grape Seed Scrub or the Vino Therapy Spa Pedicure. The combination of Ghirardelli chocolate, herbs and Champagne in the Chocolate Champagne Facial helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and invigorates the skin and senses.




Wining and Dining on Monterey Bay

Sardine Factory - Captains Room (Monterey)
Sardine Factory – Captains Room

You can find over 175 unique vineyards, plus 85 vintners and growers in scenic Monterey County.

The Monterey area is one of the top producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the entire U.S.

Cannery Row is an oenophile’s playground. This top destination features five different tasting rooms and and variety of award-winning restaurants that serve world-class local wines.

Here a list of two of our favorite Monterey Bay restaurants on Cannery Row:

The world-famous Sardine Factory is a favorite among food and wine lovers. Its 32,000-bottle wine cellar is world renowned and is the recipient of the “Best Wine List in America” award from Restaurant Hospitality Magazine. The restaurant’s selection features both prestigious vintages, such as an 1870 Chateau Lafitte Rothschild Pauillac and many well-chosen, affordably priced domestic and imported wines. Try the Parmesan Crusted Calamari Steak, Diver Scallops & Wild Pacific Prawns Entrée paired with a delicious Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc. A “wine captain” will search the cellar for a palate-pleasing vintage.

Having spent years as executive chef for Wente Vineyards, Executive Chef Jerry Regester at the C restaurant at the new InterContinental The Clement Monterey focuses on using local organic ingredients to create seasonal fare with rustic elegance and refined flavors. The C restaurant and bar complies with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program and supports local, organic farming. The C bar offers a large selection of tasty appetizers and an extensive selection of local wines plus a delectable Champagne menu featuring sparkling wines from around the world.

Below is the list of our favorite Cannery Row wine tasting rooms:

Bargetto Wine Tasting Room http://www.bargetto.com/

A Taste of Monterey http://www.tastemonterey.com/

Scheid Vineyards Wine Lounge http://www.scheidvineyards.com/

Baywood Cellars http://www.baywood-cellars.com/




Fine Dining in Monterey Bay

The Fish Hopper restaurant - Monterey
The Fish Hopper restaurant – Monterey

For many people, fine dining is one of life’s most unforgettable treats. Why not enjoy a fine dinner in one of the most beautiful and scenic places anywhere in the world – Monterey Bay.

The Monterey Peninsula is well known for its fine dining restaurants. Many notable, Monterey restaurant chefs create incredible menus using locally-caught seafood, fresh as well as organic produce from local farms, plus farm-raised beef and lamb.

Many Monterey restaurants such as the Sardine Factory are consistently listed as tops in the U.S.

Several other fine dining establishments (listed in alphabetical order) include:

The Duck Club Grill – Offering panoramic views of the Bay, the Duck Club Grill offers innovative cuisine and impeccable service in an elegant ambiance. Its Wine Spectator award-winning wine list and selection of cocktails and after-dinner cordials complements a truly unique dining experience.

The Fish Hopper – Once an original sardine cannery, the Fish Hopper offers spectacular views of the Bay from every table. It serves seafood from sustainable sources, harvested by methods that do not harm the environment and that comply with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program.

Paradiso Trattoria – Choose from fresh seafood, pasta, prime steaks and antipasto while you soak in the spectacular views of the Bay and marine life. Paradiso’s colorful atmosphere, tantalizing appetizers, signature cocktails and large spirits lounge, make it a favorite for locals and visitors.

Schooners Bistro on the Bay – Suspended over the waters of the Bay, Schooners Bistro on the Bay offers fresh fare in a unique indoor-outdoor diningscape. The heated terrace invites al fresco dining year round, while the classic sailing vessel design makes indoor seating appealing in all weather conditions. The menu highlights fresh seafood, pastas, hot appetizers, unique salads, soups and hearty sandwiches. House-made desserts end every meal on a sweet note.

The Chart House – With views of the Bay, the Chart House offers top-of-the-catch seafood, succulent steaks and decadent desserts. Its renowned chefs have tailored a menu to complement Monterey’s local cuisine while introducing a hint of the exotic.

Whaling Station – ­The famed Whaling Station Restaurant serves the finest selection of dry aged, USDA Prime beef, the freshest seafood and locally grown vegetables. The restaurant offers daily specials created by Chef Pisto and his award-winning staff. The restaurant includes a full bar, an award-winning wine list and a California Mediterranean ambiance that is comfortable yet sophisticated.




Luxury Hotels on Monterey Bay

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Monterey Bay is known around the world as a beautiful destination and is tops on many travel lists.

Visitors to the scenic Monterey Peninsula can experience the Monterey Bay Bay Aquarium, in addition to Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row.

A stay in Monterey Bay allows one to enjoy fresh sea air, the area’s rich natural beauty, and the unforgettable luxury hotels.

Monterey Bay Inn – #3 TripAdvisor Traveler Choice Awards: Most Romantic Hotel

Located on the quieter end of Cannery Row steps from San Carlos Beach, Monterey Bay Inn is a boutique hotel whose design evokes the sense you’re cruising on a 1930s luxury liner. Its oceanfront rooms with balconies overlooking the Bay contribute to the feeling of opulence at sea. Granite countertops, marble baths and double-vanities in the bathroom contribute to opulence in-room. Complimentary with your stay is a personalized, in-room continental breakfast. 242 Cannery Row; Monterey, CA; 800-424-6242

Spindrift Inn – #1 TripAdvisor Traveler Choice Awards: Most Romantic Hotel

Known for romance and its breathtaking views of Monterey Bay, Spindrift Inn is a perfect retreat for couples. The marble bathrooms and plush canopy beds are made even quainter with in-room, wood-burning fireplaces. For a closer view of the coastline, the room comes with its own pair of binoculars. And like the Monterey Bay Inn, complimentary with your stay is a personalized, in-room continental breakfast. Enjoy it in the sitting nook next to the fire! 652 Cannery Row; Monterey, CA; 831-646-8900

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa – Monterey’s Only Forbes Four Star Hotel

Rising out of the sea like a terraced village on Italy’s Amalfi coast, the Forbes Four-Star rated Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is a gem on the California coast. Oprah Winfrey stayed in the Plaza’s Presidential Suite, an apartment-sized, penthouse luxury suite with views of the entire bay. Guests can enjoy the same view from one of the many Deluxe Ocean View rooms. With three eateries onsite, including the upscale, oceanfront Duck Club Grill; the more casual, yacht-inspired, Schooners Bistro on the Bay; and the piazza-style coffeehouse, La Strada, the resort satisfies guests at every meal, even snack time. 400 Cannery Row; Monterey, CA; 800-334-3999

InterContinental The Clement Monterey – AAA Four Diamond Award Recipient

The Clement Monterey’s exterior is reminiscent of the Row’s original cannery days but its interior is 100 percent modern posh. The spacious sitting room adjacent to the lobby has floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors that open onto a fire-pit patio overlooking the Bay. Many of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites feature fireplaces, balconies and ocean views and all sparkle with stylish décor.




Big Sur, Where Beauty Meets the Heavens

Big Sur - California coast

The stark bluffs and winding, golden beaches of Big Sur draw anxious visitors from across the globe.

This region, one of California’s most beloved natural wonders, is made sacred by the Santa Lucia Mountains that rise abruptly and dramatically from the shore, offering incredible views from both the sheer cliffs above and the white sand below.

Blanketed in colorful flowers, mighty ancient oaks, and swirling mist and fog, these cliffs and the state parks that encompass them have some of the best hiking trails and camping spots around. Full article