Sausalito visitors are often looking for a day trip or weekend getaway to get out of the Bay Area and enjoy a more peaceful and relaxing environment. The Monterey and Carmel area just south of the San Francisco Bay Area provides just that quiet and relaxed atmosphere and is within an easy drive from Sausalito. With miles of white sand beaches, sea otters and seals playing in the surf, and restaurants and boutiques to keep you occupied and entertained, the Monterey Bay Area makes the perfect getaway from Sausalito without the need to travel far.

The Lure of the Coast

The Monterey Bay is among California’s top tourist attractions because of its relaxed and unpretentious attitude and the enormous amount of cultural, historical, and outdoor activity available in such a small collection of coastal towns. From fine dining and world class artwork to unforgettable views and physical challenges, Monterey has something for everyone.

Restaurants and shops dot the main street areas of both Carmel and Monterey and offer visitors the opportunity to indulge in every imaginable type of cuisine and to shop for everything from souvenirs and mementos of their visit to the finest in home furnishings and personal decorations. Famous for its jewelry stores and art galleries, the Monterey Bay Area attracts discerning buyers from around the world in these categories.

If you are in the mood for historical sites and museums, Monterey and Carmel will keep you occupied for days on end and will definitely satisfy your thirst for knowledge and a uniquely California slant on things. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is among the top draws for the area and is one of the most highly regarded of its kind in the world. Stop by Mission Carmel and see what life was like in the early days of California, or head over to Fishermans Wharf and Cannery Row for a look a little more recently passed. The Monterey Bay Area’s rich cultural and historical influence on modern day California is undeniable and has been preserved throughout the many educational and cultural exhibits on display.

Things to Do and See in Carmel and Monterey:

• Cannery Row
• Monterey’s Fishermans Wharf
• Famous 17 Mile Drive
• Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Carmel’s Boutiques and Restaurants
• Mission Carmel
• Pebble Beach
• Carmel Beach
• Whale Watching

Get Outdoors in Monterey and Carmel

If you’ve come down the coast and would like to continue the outdoor activities that you may have gotten a taste of in Sausalito, Monterey and Carmel are the perfect place to keep it up. With ocean kayaking, boating, surfing, and other watersports available up and down this stretch of coast you will be hard pressed to get everything in during one trip! From moonlit or sunset walks along any of the waterfront areas to cycling and fishing trips during the day, the outdoors are as much fun as the indoors here!

Getting to Monterey from Sausalito

The drive from Sausalito to Monterey and Carmel is half the charm of the trip as you will get to drive through San Francisco and have your choice of traveling over the famed highway 17 into Santa Cruz or making your way down the historic highway 1 that runs along the Pacific Ocean for the bulk of your journey. After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and driving through San Francisco, you will head almost due south on your choice of highways 280, 101, or 1 and make your way to sunny Monterey Bay within just a few hours.