Carmel & Monterey, California

The quaint coastal towns of Carmel and Monterey, on California’s Monterey Peninsula, are brimming with pretty beaches, secluded coves, fascinating local history, indulgent eateries and boutique hotels - all under the watchful eye of the Santa Lucia mountain range, and surrounded by dozens of sensational vineyards dotted throughout Carmel Valley.

Seafaring Monterey is known across the globe for its pioneering non-profit aquarium overlooking Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which helps conserve the dense kelp forests and a vibrant marine ecosystem of seals and sea lions, dolphins and whales. Monterey is the place to come to board an expedition vessel led by marine biologists and scour the glittering sea for humpbacks, blue whales, long-beaked dolphins and killer whales.

Back on dry land, every literature lover should visit the former sardine-packing district of Cannery Row, made famous by local boy John Steinbeck, now a popular hang-out lined with hotels, seafood restaurants and quirky boutiques. Monterey's charming downtown historic quarter offers a slice of small-town Americana, with restored and well-preserved Spanish adobe buildings and 1920s theatres like the legendary Golden State, which has played host to B.B. King and Willie Nelson.