A while back, I went to Monterey with my mother and sister to escape the Sacramento heat. We recharged and hit the summer off on a happy note! Here’s what we got up to:

Friday

Monterey is about 3+ hours away from Sacramento (depending on traffic). We departed in the late afternoon and traffic was pretty heavy. As we got closer to our hotel, we stopped by Other Brother Beer Co. in Seaside for some beer and eats. This place gives off “healthy and cute” energy since their food menu consists of whole ingredients.

We had their Hummus Plate, Beet & Goat Cheese Toast, Sun-Dried Orzo & Arugula Salad, and a few of their sandwiches. To be honest, their Hella Cheese sandwich was just okay. I felt the cheese wasn’t as high quality compared to the other dishes’ ingredients. For a brewery, I was quite surprised by their healthy-ish menu. I was craving deep fried chicken, or a fat burger, but instead I devoured plenty of sourdough and crunchy vegetables. Everything was tasty, but I probably wouldn’t go again just because I prefer a more junk food-y brewery. The beer was fantastic though! Crisp and refreshing.

We then checked into the Monterey Marriott, which is in a central location. It’s close to all of Monterey’s main attractions, like the Old Fisherman’s Wharf, the aquarium, and it’s close to nearby cities, like Carmel.

We were tuckered out from the long drive, so we ended up calling it an early night so we could be well-rested for the next day!

Saturday

After sleeping in, we got breakfast at Alta Bakery and Cafe in downtown Monterey at the historic Cooper Molera Adobe. If you’re planning on going there in the morning, get there early! We got there around 9am and shortly afterwards, the line was looping out the door!

We had coffee (their drip coffee was okay, but their cappuccino was excellent!) and a few of their breakfast items. The egg sandwich was delicious and had a unique tomato shallot jam. I wish it was a bit spicier, but nonetheless, I destroyed it! The salmon toast was fresh and their donut was so good and not as greasy.

Then, we went to hike the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Saying it’s a “hike” almost feels wrong, since the terrain isn’t that crazy…You can get away with just running shoes here, but I would wear hiking boots since there are occasional rocks you need to climb!

The scenery here is gorgeous. Walk alongside the ocean, take in that lovely breeze, but remember to keep your eyes peeled for poison oak.

After our exercise, we headed off to the beach for a little power nap. We then went back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner at Passionfish. If you are a seafood lover, you have to go here! Plus, they have an excellent wine list. From the menu, the highlights were their asparagus, buttermilk biscuit, rainbow trout, and the sea scallops (my favorite!)

the scallops!

Post-dinner, we went to Pearl Hour for a nightcap. The vibe was cute and they had a live DJ. However, the drinks weren’t that great. My Espresso Martini was made with just brewed coffee (not espresso RIP) and it was very sour. *sigh* They tried though!

my muses ❤

Sunday

We spent the entire day in Carmel. First, we had a late brunch at Stationæry Restaurant, which was SO delicious. Make sure to make reservations ahead of time, since this place gets busy.

still thinking about these chilaquiles

Then, we window-shopped along the main street. Once we got our steps in, we chilled at the beach and then went to dinner at Toro Sushi. The food was so wonderful and I’d recommend the Gyoza, Ika Sansai (marinated octopus and squid salad), and the Geisha Roll, which had tempura sweet potato that was so unique and tasty!

my cuties

roll city, baby!

Monday

For our last day, we kept it easy by grabbing coffee in the morning at Captain + Stoker. This coffee shop has such a cute vibe, so bring a book with you, so you can stay a while longer.

We then packed our bags and went to Cafe Guarani for some delicious South American food. Make sure to order their empanadas. I really enjoyed the baked smoked brisket ones, but all were fantastic. I’d also recommend the Yucca Fries, Cheese Sopa, and croquettes. I was all caffeinated from earlier, so I didn’t try their Yerba Mate, but people say it’s a must!

Once we got fueled with food, we headed home! Nothing beats a little getaway by the sea. 😉

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Where do you like to go for little getaways? Let me know in the comments down below!