Monterey, California is a charming little beach village located about 2 hours south of San Francisco and 45 minutes north of Big Sur, California. The unparalleled beauty of the coastline in this region, especially along the iconic 17-Mile Drive, is one of the many reasons that visitors have been drawn to the area for decades. When it comes to leisure and recreation, Monterey is a great destination for kayaking, fishing, whale and dolphin watching, surfing, and more. In addition to the beautiful coast; fabulous restaurants, cafes, and shopping; and wonderful spa, leisure, and recreation opportunities, it also has a rich cultural history. Ansel Adams photographed the landscape, and John Steinbeck did his best writing here -- as did Henry Miller.  Whether the dramatic panoramas of the Big Sur coastline to the fairytale cottages of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey County is a truly inspired California getaway.