Touring the Monterrey area in January. Is it better to stay in Carmel or Monterrey? Which is better for restaurants? Best nearby wineries? Any comments are appreciated.

Purely an opinion, sure to draw objections, but: Carmel is cute, quaint, easy to get around, better IMHO for dining, but seriously overpriced and impressed with itself. Monterrey will not cost so much, is more spread out, has a few really seedy places, and is much more standard-tourist in feeling. That said, if you are not trying to escape getting around by car, there are some lovely places with nice views on the outskirts of both.

i usually stay in monterrey just because it's cheaper. but if you want quant, more romantic feel, carmel would be the place. they are just a short drive from each other.

I second Carmel. To me, much nicer, more to do, nice wineries. No contest.

It is really a personal choice depending on what you are looking for. Some people absolutely love Carmel. I tend to agree with Cassandra's assessment that Carmel is overpriced and impressed with itself, so I wouldn't choose it.

May I suggest that you look into Pacific Grove which is just between Carmel and Monterey. All three places are in very close proximity to one another, and all have something special to offer.

I like to visit Carmel, but stay in Monterey, because there's more to do. Carmel is a short, 10 min. drive from Monterey, so you can easily eat in Carmel or Pacific Grove or Monterey.

All true, but in Carmel you have the village right outside your door - and it is entirely possible to enjoy a few days there without ever having to drive your car. Yet, you are within a few minutes drive of Monterey and Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, 17 Mile Drive, Big Sur, Point Lobos.
Monterey and Pacific Grove can be cheaper - but there are plenty of reasonable smaller places to stay in Carmel, if cheap is not the entire goal.

Yes, Carmel is a bit cute - but it is so comfortable and the beach is so real!

If I were to live in that area, it would be pacific grove - definitely not Carmel. But for a few days....you are never bored just walking around.

Only minutes away, I have found I love best to stay in the Carmel Valley. Not inexpensive but so rewarding.

Carmel is totally artificial and pricey. We ate on the Fishermans wharf in Monterrey. Great. Try the clam chowder. Out of this world and we know what we're talking about being Belgians. Paul

IMO Cabovacation nailed it. If you stay in the village in Carmel, your car can stay put most of the time because everything is so walkable. That is not possible in Monterey, Pacific Grove, certainly not Carmel Valley. But Carmel is central enough to be able to drive quickly to other spots.

Hi bodi! How ya been? We love the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa for Monterey but Carmel is very, very nice. We have enjoyed stays at the Highland's Inn & Tickle Pink in the Highland's area. (This was nice when we went to Sierra Mar @ Post Ranch Inn for dinner) and recently stayed at La Playa in the heart of Carmel. Everywhere we have stayed has been really nice.

If you do stay in Carmel, Monterey is just a very short drive away as is Pacific Grove. Carmel Valley is wonderful, make sure you go to Bernardus Lodge and have a lunch at Wickets out on the back patio. Beautiful property and great food. www.bernardus.com Cheers! ***kim***

OT;
Hi Kim! Have you been to San Francisco Hotel Vitale across from the Ferry Building? Please check my photo link in the thread I posted. I think you'd love this hotel and the view!

No, bodi I haven't stayed there yet. We were briefly in SF in early June after a nice lunch in Palo Alto for a dear friend's 95th birthday. We had dinner at Farallon which we loved and vowed that we must come back when we can spaend more time in SF.

With our son getting married in a couple of weeks, we've been really busy but the Hotel Vitale sounds very nice. A friend there wants us to come and visit and wants to treat us to a meal at Aqua, is it nice? We will definitely consider the Hotel Vitale when we visit, I hotels with water views. ***kim***

FYI: Carmel is near Monterey; MonteRRey is in Mexico. Useful when Googling.

Reminds me of a single panel cartoon I saw in a major publication during the 50s.

A youngish couple are having a picnic in a verdant field...

HE: "Do you like Kipling?"

SHE: "I don't know, you naughty boy, I've never Kippled!"

LOL SO many one-liners come to mind, but I dare not type....

Regarding the peninsula, I feel you would enjoy any of the three cities to stay in, they are all close to each other. Personally, we enjoy staying in Carmel village, parking and walking for a couple of days.

Thanks for all of the input. I think we will stay in Carmel which generates the next question: where to stay? We like central locations and don't mind paying up for quality and service. Great input. Thanks to all! I am especially thankful for the spelling correction (suggestion: acquire a life). Thanks again!

Have a life, thanks. I do think the difference in spelling and hence locale are important enough to be noted.

Go to www.pacificgrove.org. This will list a lot of great places in Pacific Grove. The SEVEN GABLE INN faces the Monterey Bay with some great water views as does the GREEN GABLE INN. There are no water views available in downtown Carmel.

THE PINE INN is located in downtown Carmel on Ocean. You can walk all over town with no car. Nice old place, quaint. Historic.