Page 122 - 2014 Travel Guide to California

MONTEREY BAY & BIG SUR
The true laid-back California
B Y J I L L K. R O B I N S O N
TOP CITIES
Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Salinas
INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY
San Francisco International Airport (SFO),
62 miles (100 km) from Santa Cruz;
101 miles (163 km) from Monterey
TOURISM WEBSITES
santacruzca.org
seemonterey.com
www.ci.salinas.ca.us
POPULATION
700,000
MONTEREY
BAY &
BIG SUR
Stretching south of one of the largest urban areas in the state—the
San Francisco Bay Area—the coastal region from Santa Cruz
through Big Sur is the perfect place to drop the daily stress and
adopt an appreciation of the great outdoors and a laid-back lifestyle. With
views that rival the rest of California, this region is where many Califor-
nians go to chill out.
The two biggest population centers of the region are Santa Cruz and
the Monterey Peninsula. In historic Monterey, small-town Pacific Grove
and fashionable artist retreat Carmel-by-the-Sea, there are beautiful
beaches, ample performing and fine arts venues, outdoor pursuits, stylish
shops, epicurean delights and an inland region known for wine and agri-
culture. Much of the same can be said of funky Santa Cruz, but away from
the redwoods, the university town resembles a beachside playground,
with its historic boardwalk and many surf spots.
The grand Big Sur coastline inspired artist Francis McComas to claim
that the area was the “greatest meeting of land and sea,” and the wild coast
perched on the edge of the continent has lured artists and fans of the great
outdoors to enjoy its remoteness as well as its rich restaurant choices—
from Nepenthe to the Big Sur Bakery and Restaurant. On the other side of
the Santa Lucia Range lie the otherworldly spires and crags of Pinnacles
National Park, an extinct volcano on a long voyage north on the edge of
120 2014 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A
ROBERT BOHRER/SHUTTERSTOCK. OPPOSITE: KEN WOLTER/SHUTTERSTOCK