I'm thinking of surprising my husband with a trip for his birthday at Thanksgiving. Is Monterey and the surrounding area a seasonal place, or are the interesting things (sites, shops) open year round? Will the weather be too unforgiving for exploring the area? What is your favorite place to stay in the area? It will probably be a 4 day trip. Thanks!

There are things going on year round, but the summer season is the high season. November should be nice because pretty much everything will be open, but you wont have the crowds. As for weather, it's really a crap shoot. November is the 1st month of the rainy season, so rain is a definite possibility, but not guaranteed. It could be totally sunny the entire time. Even if it does rain, it probably wont rain during your whole trip, so I'd go.

Prime season to see the Monarch Butterflies in Pacific Grove --very cool!!

And a Thanksgiving Day walk at Point Lobos should be just the thing!

Late Autumn is a great time on the central coast. It may in fact be warmer in Nov than it is in July/August. For sure there will be less fog.

Sept/Oct are my favorite times for travel there, but late Nov is still usually decent weather. As J_Correa says, you may hit rain but heavy storms are unlikely.

I'm spending T'giving week farther up on Monterey Bay (near Aptos) and am looking forward to it. I'm actually hoping for storms since I love to watch them coming in on the surf.

Hey Janis - I think I am spending Thanksgiving near Aptos too - along with Labor Day, last July 4, last Easter, last Christmas...It's so nice to HAVE to go there to visit family - LOL.

We used to live in Monterey, and just loved the off season--waitstaff were friendlier and less harried, everything was less crowded. I think you'd have a great visit in November, even if it rains a bit. Bring something wind-proof for a romantic walk along the windy surf! (But it may be balmy after all--I remember one Christmas Day we walked along the beach in shorts.)

We often go to Monterey at Thanksgiving. It's really not off-season as a lot of school children visit the aquarium that week. We always stay at the state run Asilomar conference center. A number of the buildings were designed by Julia Morgan. They have a big Thanksgiving dinner bash that we have attended where they feed hundreds of people. It's really fun. The hotel rooms themselves are nothing fancy but it is adjacent to a spectacular beach and is very reasonably priced. The per night charge includes breakfast. Many families go there for reunions, etc. Check it out. My family always enjoys going there.

Wow! So many encouraging words! Looks like I will plan the trip! Any suggestions, other than Asilomar, on lodging? I might like something romantic and/or scenic.

Stay at The Green Gables Inn in Pacific Grove. Ask for the Chapel room. You will not be dissapointed. Ocean View. Beautifu Victorian. Very Romantic. My husband loved it!
Their number is 800-722-1774 Web: www.foursisters.com

Also very nice is HOTEL PACIFIC, which is in walking distance of the downtown area. They have great rooms with fireplaces,which would be nice for a rainy evening! They used to have a wonderful continental breakfast and evening appetizers included in the price of the room, too. I think the website is hotelpacific.com.

Thanksgiving is great in this area. Weather may be cool, but it could also be very nice. At least all the summer rush is over.

GREEN GABLES in nice along with SEVEN GABLES...both in PG and on the Monterey Bay. GOSBY HOUSE is also well done and in downtown PG but easy walk to the ocean.

Grand View Inn, a gorgeous Victorian next to Seven Gables on the bay in Pacific Grove. Not at all frou-frou--very tasteful traditional decor. The Seascape Room! (or any of the rooms) would be a wonderful surprise for you both.

I just reserved a room in Monterey for my husband and I for our 24th Anniversary for Nov. 24th & 25th, we usually end up there during the Thanksgiving holiday. I got a room at the Hotel Pacific on Travelnow.com $117 a night, it's a very nice place with fireplace, wetbar and featherbeds, so comfy! There is alot to do while there, the weather is always unpredictable, so plan alternate activities. "Montreo's" is a nice place to dine, great ambiance and food. "Rio Grill" in Carmel is good for lunch (same owner as Montreo's), and "Made from Scratch" in the Barnyard Shopping Center in Carmel has GREAT breakfasts, and daily has Eggs Benedict, their specialty. Have fun.

Thanks again for all the helpful information! I'm convinced that planning a trip is almost as much fun as the trip itself!