10 Great Ways to Celebrate Your Birthday in and around Monterey, CA

As we made our first steps into May, I gracefully embraced turning 41 this year and as always, I was on the lookout for great places to travel and explore.  One of my all time favs is the Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea area. If you’re looking for a great way to celebrate your birthday I would highly recommend a trip to Monterey. I don’t even mind driving the 6 hours it takes to get up there.  I enjoy the greenery, the rolling hills the long passage of just fields and hills.  It’s peaceful, calm and nurturing to my soul. 

I also make sure to have a great selection of Audio Books to listen to on the somewhat long ride from San Diego to Monterey, CA.

My recent listens: 

1. Judgment Detox: Release the Beliefs That Hold You Back from Living a Better Life
   Gabrielle Bernstein
2. Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be
   Rachel Hollis
3. The Wife Between Us
   Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen, Julia Whelan
4. 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos
   Jordan B. Peterson, Norman Doidge MD

Obviously, I didn’t listen to all of these on the drive up and the drive back but I do like to have a selection.

Once in Monterey, and you may just happen to be looking for ways to celebrate your birthday like I was.  May I suggest these magnificent 10 ways to celebrate your bday in and around Monterey!

1. Stay at the Hyatt Regency Hotel

   Located conveniently by the airport this resort style hotel expands across acres of property. Enjoy the lush greenery, beautiful golf course views, grand gazebo firepit, 3 beautiful pools, a great rec area for families with ping pong tables, bing bag toss and more.   Settle into cozy rooms with ample space, that are clean and aesthetically pleasing.   A long wide desk, comfy bed and fluffy pillows and comforters await you.  You will love the spa like bathroom to enjoy while getting ready for the day or an evening out.

   
   
   
   

2. Dine at Tusca

   Located conveniently inside the Hyatt Regency, Tusca is open for breakfast or dinner. Local residents often stop by to enjoy the locally sourced dishes, many which contain sustainable seafood and meats, organic produce, artisanal cheeses, and creative dressings, sauces, reductions, syrups, remoulades and gremolata. 
    
   While staying and exploring the fine menu options at Tusca we got to sample some of their soon to be menu with great wine pairings from Bernardus Wines.

   1st Course  – Warm Salad of Smoked Mary Chicken, Farout Ranch Baby Gold Beets & Striped Beets, Endive, 51F Egg, Chicken Cracklins, Gooseberry Vinaigrette.  Served with 2016 Sauv Blanc Signature Griva Arroyo Seco

   

   2nd Course – (First of the Season) Monterey Bay Salmon, Farotto, Salmon Roe, Sunchoke Barigould.  Served with 2015 Pinot Noir Rosellas Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands.

   

   3rd Course – Brandt Farm Local Ribeye Filet, Ras El Hanout Roasted Parsnips “Coke Farms”, Onion Miso Demi.  Served with 2012 Marinus Estate Carmel Valley Bordeaux Blend

   4th Course – Last but not least, for the dessert, we were served Chocolate Orange Mousse Bombe, Caramel Orange. 

   

3. Enjoy Jazz at the Fireplace Grill

   Another great place to dine inside of the Hyatt is the Fireplace Grill.  Classy and soothing jazz will appease your senses and what better way to enjoy jazz than by sitting by the fireplace. Our waitress recommended the Tuna Poke Nachos.  They were amazing!  They switch out wonton chips for tortilla chips, the wakame seaweed gave it a sublte sweet flavor while the sriracha aioli and wasabi gave it perfect spice!

   

4. Monterey Bay Aquarium

   So many options to explore at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  My favorite exhibits were the Jelly Fish and the Sea Otters.  Have fun in the Splash Zone, Take a look through the spyglass at creatures in the Ocean.  Observe the captive birds who can not fly or are not well.  This aquarium is a must see if you are in the area.

   

   
    

5. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

   This has quickly become one of my favorite “must see” spots when visiting Monterey. There are dozens of hiking trails with different levels of difficulty.  If you’re looking for a simple hiking trail or only one to spend an hour or so at the park.  I would recommend taking the “Point Lobos Loop Trail”  where you can visit and explore the whaler’s cottage to find out the history of this beautiful location.  Climb up the steps next to where the divers find curiosities under the ocean and get a magnificent view of the bay and surrounding forest.

   
   
   

6. Carmel by the Sea

   One of the most beautiful beaches I have visited, the white sand beaches, the most beautiful blue ocean water. A great place to watch the sunset. Just a little hike up through some beautiful homes in a quiet residential area and you will arrive at one of the most picturesque towns with cute boutique shops, restaurants galore and of course wine tasting.

7. Wine Tasting

   If you are in the mood for wine tasting you won’t be disappointed with a visit to Carmel- by- the – Sea.  It seems around every corner there is a cute little place to taste the local wines.  

8. Presidential Suite

   If you’re celebrating your bday with a large group of friends or family – The presidential suite is an excellent place to stay.  Conveniently located right within Hyatt Regency Hotels.  Each bedroom has it’s own room key, so you won’t have to worry about someone just walking into your room.   A shared kitchen and your own private pool are also well worth noting.  Large gathering rooms make group discussions fun, and one cozy room off to the side with a fun looking fireplace has games to enjoy.

   
   
   

9. 17 mile Drive

   This is one of my all-time favorite tourist attractions and I make sure to check it off my list everytime I’m up this way.  Miles and miles of breathtaking views await you.  You will find plenty of turn off spots to pull your car over, get your camera out or just enjoy the view.  Make sure to stop at Pebble Beach for great shops and restaurants.

   
   

   

10. Room Service – When you feel like taking it easy and don’t feel in a rush to get up get ready and head out the door.  Give the Hyatt Regency room service a try.  With plenty of options to choose from your appetite is sure to be satiated whether you’re a health-nut, vegetarian or a foodie (or all of the above 😉

If you ever decide to visit the Monterey, CA area and visit one of the places suggested above.  Drop me a line and let me know how your visit was.

More about Hyatt Regency Resort  & Spa in Monterey, CA

While the innovative food and drink are delicious, the resort boasts a bounty of recreational activities, like their full-service Racquet Club, 2000-square-foot Fitness Center and neighboring Del Monte Golf Course. Two sparkling pools surrounded by gardens beckon swimmers and sunbathers alike. Rent a bicycle to tour the scenic grounds, or take the trails that skirt the nearby bay up to historic Cannery Row. (The hotel’s Les Clefs d’Or Concierge can arrange everything from Aquarium tickets to wine tasting.)

The Regency Grand Ballroom, the largest in the county, can host a gala dinner for 600 and still have plenty of room for dancing. Soft teal blue-and-beige décor reflect Monterey’s serene coastal palette; high ceilings with inset lighting bays and a bank of windows provide gentle illumination. The adjoining foyer opens to a terrace with a retractable awning, perfect for an indoor/outdoor social hour.

For a more intimate setting, the Monterey Ballroom still holds up to 400 guests but can be reduced to accommodate as few as 25. While the Regency takes its inspiration from the sea and sky, the Monterey recalls the region’s mountains and meadows: Rustic hues are enlivened with a sunny yellow reminiscent of springtime daffodils. An adjacent patio increases your staging possibilities.