Can anyone recommend an upscale restaurant or some interesting attractions in Monterrey, California? We'll be spending one night there on our way from LA to San Fran.

Monterrey is in Mexico. Monterey is in California.

Sharon
ignore the smart ass above

One biggie is the Aquarium, a must see. One of the best, if not THE best, in the world.

Lots of good places to eat. If you have car drive along shore to the west and there are some really nice places out that way. There is a large selection on Fisherman's Wharf, some very good, some pretty awful. There is a very good authentic English pub down by the wharf and there is another very good English pub right across the street from the Marriott by the convention center.

You can also drive just south to Carmel and it is chock full of good places to eat and shop. Also very senic little town as well. This whole area is great too bad you only have one night. Where are you staying?

The best in Monterey is Fresh Cream--not on Fisherman's Wharf but near there. Another good one is Montrio. A casual place for calamari with an Italian flavor is Albalonetti's on Fisherman's wharf about 2/3 of the way on the left. Fisherman's Wharf is touristy and boardwalk like but fun for a bit. You can easily spend a couple hours in the aquarium and then drive the 17 Mile Drive down to Carmel to browse. As other poster said, many places to eat in Carmel and Pacific Grove too.

You wanted an upscale restaurant: Try FANDANGO'S in Pacific Grove (downtown).
Great food, great service and ambiance. Well known in the area. Not far from Monterey.

The attraction of the Monterey Peninsula area is the beauty of the setting. Drive the coast and enjoy the sights. The Aquarium is great and well worth the visit.

You may want to stop at NEPENTHE on the way up from LA. It is about 30 miles south of Carmel on HWY 1. Great place to stop for lunch or dinner and enjoy the setting overlooking the ocean. Also has a gift shop with nice items.

Sharon, while I agree with stopping at Nepenthe if you're coming up hwy 1 through Big Sur, you go there for the view, not for the food. Food's not bad, just very typical---burgers, salads etc. on picnic tables. But, the view is outstanding.

Go kayaking in Monterey Bay. You can rent a kayak from a couple of companies, including Monterey Bay kayaks. You'll see lots of wildlife.

I had the most wonderful sand dabs at Fandango last time I was in town.

I just returned from 4 days in Carmel/Monterey. I agree that Fandangos in Pacific Grove is supposed to be excellent. I'd also recommend Roy's at the Inn on Spanish Bay. It is an Asian fusion place that he started in Hawaii. Lots of seafood and some meats - very creatively done - excellent flavor! And great service. It's right next to the ocean. Kind of expensive but very good. Can get loud. You'll need a reservation. It is within the 17 mile drive but you can get your $8 back when you pay your bill, just give them your car receipt. The appetizers are excellent - yummmmmmmm.

Fandango's is excellent, basque food

One in Monterey is the Whaling Station, my favorite Joe Pisto restaraunt. It is steak.

I did not think the food outstanding at Fresh Cream. But the view and ambiance were. Good service, and drinks. It is French.

Fandango's is fabulous. A couple of fun places actually open LATE 9unlike most places in Monterey) are Lallapalooza (California and great martinis) and Hula's (Hawaiian). Another place that is beautiful and has good food is Tarpy's, which is slightly out of town but worth the short drive. As far as things to do, you will pretty much want to stick to Cannery Row (including the Aquarium and a path along the coast that will take you to the Fisherman's Wharf and Lover's Point).

We live in the area and I forgot HULA's. It is not fancy, but great food. The sweet potato fries are outstanding.

TARPYS...also good.

We did not care for the food at Hula's about 1.5 years ago. Lolapalooza's has good drinks, but we did not think the food smelled too good. Tarpy's is very good food.

Big Sur Highway 1,Sierra Mar dining at www.postranchinn.com Right across from Ventana) is upscale excellence 1200 feet above the spectacular Pacific Ocean. Reservations a must. The Highland Inn dining is another upscale best. We have also enjoyed reservation in the sitdown dining room at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Have a fabulous time!

Re HULA's.....we live in the area. It is a good place to eat. We ate there last week, not 1 1/2 years ago.

I have to agree with Kam. Had dinner in June at Fresh Cream, beautiful view, terrific service and wonderful food. Perfect for your restaurant request. Enjoy!

Bob

I did not mean to step on your toes. I put when we ate there so people could see that there may have been a change. I also live in the area.