Honeymoon in Monterey Peninsula
 

I was wondering if anyone has honeymooned in Monterey Peninsula? I'm thinking the Highlands Inn in Carmel for the majority of the trip, with a night or two in Napa Valley and/or San Francisco. Thanks.

We didn't honeymoon there, but have spnet many anniversaries and special occasions in the area. The Plaza Hotel & Spa in Monterey is my favorite.

In Carmel, The Highland's Inn is very nice. We recently enjoyed our stay at the Tickle Pink Inn, located next door to the HI.

The area is very romantic, it will be great for a honeymoon. Have a nice trip. ***kim***

Sconti, if you do stay in the area, I would recommend a meal at Sierra Mar at the Post Ranch Inn, in Big Sur. Since this is a special occasion, it would be very nice.

We recently celebrated my husband's birthday there. Very romantic, excellent food, impeccable service. Try to time your meal to watch the sunset over the ocean. www.postranchinn.com ***kim***

You didn't mention what time of year you plan on honeymooning. I honeymooned in San Francisco, Monterey, and Carmel in October and it was positively beautiful. Not too hot, not too cold, good sunshine in San Francisco with little fog; it's been my experience that autumn in San Francisco has been lovely. It's been years so I don't recall the names of the hotels we stayed at (and since I'm no longer married, I can't ask the ex.)

You may want to check out the bed and breakfast places located on the Monterey Bay in Pacific Grove....GREEN GABLE INN OR SEVEN GABLES. The Seven Gables is yellow and was featured in a Visa commercial on TV a few years back. Plus, Pacific Grove is a great little town...we live there. And located only minutes from Carmel and Monterey, plus has about 3x the coastline of either city. Go to www.pacificgrove.org and check it out.

Actually, we would be honeymooning in late October. Glad to hear the weather should be nice. Weather.com says the average high in October is 70 and the average low is 51, with very little rain. Sounds great.

Message: traveldawg, lucky you. Seven years ago, I spent two weeks taking a course at Stanford. When I checked into my room and read the "what to do during an earthquake" warnings, I thought to myself, "what would possess anyone to live here." Well, after a week, I was wondering why I didn't live there. The weather was amazing. Mid-July, 75-degree weather, no humidity...wow! Then two years later, I went to Monterey and fell even more in love. My second favorite spot in the world, next to Hawaii. Enjoy your honeymoon, sconti, and I too second the Seven Gables. Congrats!

klw25 - It's funny that you say the Monterey Peninsula is "My second favorite spot in the world, next to Hawaii" because Hawaii is the other place we are considering for our honeymoon. Perhaps a split of Kauai (Hyatt) and Maui (Four Seasons). However, it seems like our honeymoon dollars will go considerably farther in the Monterery Peninsula. Even if we stay in high-end resorts.

Half Moon Bay is another option, especially if you want to include San Francisco, the wine country and Monterey. Landis Shores Inn, The Beach House and the Ritz Carlton are all very romantic and right on the ocean. Just a thought.

Sconti-It seems we have very similar taste. We spent our honeymoon at the Four Seasons Maui and it was absolutely phenomenal. I don't see how you can go wrong with either of your choices and I think you are right about your honeymoon dollars stretching farther in Monterey. Whatever you decide, have a wonderful time.

For klw25: Thanks for the comments on the Monterey Peninsula.

We have lived in the heat and tornados of the south and the snowstorms of the midwest. Never tried Florida.

This is the place for us. Great weather year around, the ocean and Monterey Bay and great scenery. Last earthquake was in 1989, but all those people in the midwest KNOW the snow will be there year in and year out. Here we have year around outdoor living with no getting bundled up and staying indoors.

Pacific Grove is now home and we love it.

Message: Traveldawg: I know where you're coming from. Winters here in the Northeast can be miserable (esp. Feb. and March), but I will say that glorioius fall days like we've had all this week almost make up for it. But then when you consider our almost nonexistent springs...well, let's just say that if weren't for our family (all close by), we'd probably be joining you! I'll be thinking of you, though, come January!

KLW25: A great fall is hard to beat. We have cool and fog on the Monterey Peninsula this weekend but plenty going on and the cruise ship is in. Area always has something happening.

As long as you're checking out Pacific Grove, also take a look at the Seven Gables sister property, the Grand View Inn. My DH took me there for my 40th birthday and it was incredible. We stayed in the Seal Rock room directly across from the Pacific. We loved watching the seals that played in front of the inn every morning.

I ditto the reply for Tickle Pink Inn and then the drive to Big Sur to eat at Post Ranch Inn. Tickle Pink Inn is just lovely and so romantic. The Sierra Mar Restaurant at Post Ranch Inn is an amazing place. If you don't have time for lunch or dinnner, at least have drinks on the deck there.