Leisure and Learning
Deep sea creatures, natural history, and the wine trail
By Eming Piansay
If you find yourself venturing away from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area, the California Central Coast offers planners a chance to catch their breath, grab a glass of wine (or a non-alcoholic alternative), and hopefully spot a whale or two.
Local Tip
“Monterey’s allure lies in its breathtaking coastal backdrop, world-class accommodations, award-winning culinary, breadth of outdoor activities and rich legacy of hosting esteemed organizations and thought leaders. Monterey County offers diverse options to suit various budgets and preferences. Unique meeting experiences, like brainstorming sessions at beach socials and wine tasting, leave a lasting impression on attendees.”
– Teresa Savage, Vice President of Business Development, Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau for the insider.
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5 Places to Meet in Monterey
Monterey Conference Center and its adjoining Monterey Marriott and Portola Hotel & Spa collectively offer planners the creativity of customizing their meeting experience.
89,600 sq. ft. of meeting space, 19,150 sq. ft. of exhibition space, 700 hotel rooms.
Located on 22 hidden acres, Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course offers free internet access, electric vehicle charging, a fitness center and swimming pool, as well as the 18-hole Del Monte Golf Course.
40,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space, 33 meeting rooms, 560 guest rooms.
InterContinental The Clement Monterey offers waterfront panoramic views and a chance to gaze out into the Monterey Bay waters. The hotel sits at the heart of Cannery Row, offering guests a wide selection of eateries.
15,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space, 12 meeting rooms, and 208 guest rooms and suites.
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa sits a block away from Cannery Row. For those looking for a day of self-care with a view, the hotel offers a rooftop spa and a fireplace if it gets too chilly. Monterey Plaza Hotel offers its guests high-speed internet.
30,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space, 18 meeting rooms, 290 guest rooms.
The recently renovated Hilton Garden Inn Monterey is a short stroll from Del Monte Beach and Monterey Peninsula College and only 2 miles from Monterey Regional Airport (MRY).
4,955 sq. ft. of event space, three meeting rooms and 205 guest rooms.
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Monterey Bay Aquarium housed on Cannery Row is home to over 35,000 creatures and over 550 sea life and marine species. Guests can see sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, sunfish and so much more! Fans of Pixar Studios will be excited to know that Finding Dory was inspired by Monterey Bay Aquarium! Currently the Aquarium’s exhibiting “Into the Deep: Exploring our Undiscovered Ocean”. Tickets to the Aquarium are only available online for purchase.
If you happen to be in Monterey at the appropriate time you may want to check out the Whale Watching Tours, which provides sights of different whales throughout the year. Blue whales are typically visible between May and October, killer whales show up between mid-April and mid-May, gray whales show face December to May and humpback whales should make an appearance between March and November.
For individuals looking to do some wine tasting in downtown Monterey, the area offers a selection that includes Pierce Ranch Vineyard, A Taste of Monterey and Bargetto Winery. Carmel-by-the-Sea has 18 wine-tasting rooms to explore. Guests can also view the Monterey Wine Trail, which can be traced back to the Spanish missionaries that planted the first vinifera in the 1790s.
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History allows for people of all walks of life to learn about science and the natural world. Guests can learn about the adaptions of birds, monarch butterflies, geology, native plants and the immigrants of the Point Alones Chinese Fishing Village. The museum also offers a wide variety of educational programs for young people and teachers.
If you’re staying on Cannery Row, there’s quite a bit to explore. Guests can rent kayaks and float down the waterfront. You can grab a sandwich or a coffee afterwards, then hop on a bike and explore the 18-mile Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Don’t forget to grab a selfie in front of the bronze monument inspired by John Steinbeck’s “Cannery Row.”
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Located on 300 wooded acres, Chaminade Resort & Spa offers guests a spectacular view of Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Guests can take a hike on the Redwood-lined trails or let off some steam on the golf course. Don’t forget to check out the taco truck by the poolside.
Chaminade Resort and Spa has 12,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 12 meeting rooms and 156 guest rooms.
Only a few blocks walk from the beaches and the Santa Cruz Beach Board Walk, Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz guests have access to free Wi-Fi throughout the facility, along with a made-to-order breakfast or breakfast on-the-go options if you don’t have time to sit down to eat.
Courtyard by Marriot Santa Cruz offers 3,399 sq. ft., 2 event rooms, 1 breakout room and 151 guest rooms.
Found just off Highway 1, Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is located by beaches, restaurants and shops. The hotel also features a 24-hour fitness center, an on-site restaurant, bar and a heated pool. Guests also have access to EV charging stations and free Wi-Fi.
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton has 3,139 sq. ft., 3 meeting rooms, and 148 guest rooms.
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz can be found near the Natural Bridges State Beach, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History and Santa Cruz Wharf. Hyatt Place offers 24/7 dining to guests, valet parking, a heated outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi.
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz has 1,500 sq. ft. of meeting space, 2 meeting rooms and 106 guest rooms.
