Weddingbee Blog

Part I

Although there are many things to see and do in Monterey, due to time constraints, we chose to take the 17 Mile Scenic Drive. This road is located entirely within a wealthy residential community. The contrast between the beaches of Monterey and Highway 1 can be summarized as feminine and masculine, respectively. The beaches of Monterey are white and pretty.

The famous Lone Cypress is one of the stops along this drive.

The residents of this neighborhood are truly blessed. They are surrounded by beautiful forests, beaches, and golf courses. Pebble Beach, perhaps one of the most famous golf courses in the world, is the last stop on the 17 Mile Drive.

Right next to the exit of this neighborhood, you enter a more lively and charismatic town known as Carmel. Clint Eastwood was once the mayor and the atmosphere here cannot be found in another California city. There are many art boutiques, restaurants, as well as wine tasting shops. Carmel is clean, cute, and romantic. My wife and I preferred it to Solvang since it has more of an authentic feel to it.

We then headed south on Highway 1 back toward San Simeon. The sun was about to set, but we made a few stops along the way.

There is no doubt that the sights we saw along Highway 1 were the highlights of our trip. If we had more time, we would not have missed Big Sur, we would have seen more of Monterey, as well as spent some time in Santa Barbara - all of which are within driving distance of each other.

The Central Coast of California truly has something to offer for everyone - beautiful beaches, quaint towns, world class golf courses, luxurious spas, wineries, and endless sightseeing options. It’s a wonderfully laid back locale for a honeymoon, a vacation, or even a weekend trip if you live in California. I must say that this was perhaps the best road trip I have had since I was a child.