Where to?
Monterey Bay, a quaint, picturesque coastal town just north of Big Sur, in Northern California. If you want stunning seaside scenery, great hiking trails and some of the best seafood on the west coast, this is your go-to.
Where to stay?
Base yourself at the Portola Hotel and Spa, a AAA Four Diamond hotel set against the backdrop of Monterey’s historic Fisherman’s Wharf. We were shooting fashion stories on the surrounding coast, so after a long day’s work it was the ideal place to come back and sink into snug, nautical sheets in the incredibly spacious rooms. (We’re not kidding, one of us even misplaced a shoe the room was so big!). If you want to seriously kick back, you can lounge on a window seat, watching the seagulls swoop over the ocean just minutes away.
Little touches to make your stay special are everywhere – the deliciously warm homemade chocolate chip cookies as a welcome upon checking in were probably top of our list.
Going out?
For evenings, the Fisherman’s Wharf comes highly recommended. This iconic feature of Monterey is total seafood heaven – get your chowder fix and start breaking those crab claws. Montereywharf.com
Need to know
Rooms at Portola Hotel and Spa start at around £140 per night. For more information, visit Portolahotel.com
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