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Monterey holidays
Monterey holidays

Monterey, Carmel & Santa Cruz holidays

California’s coastline, three iconic stops, one seriously good holiday

Monterey from £1009pp

Welcome to Monterey County

Monterey does quiet luxury as it invented it. Think cypress silhouettes and sea mist, the kind that softens everything, including your shoulders. You can spend the morning watching waves fold into the rocks along 17-Mile Drive, then drift into Cannery Row for a glass of something cold and a plate of something local, with the harbour doing its usual, effortlessly photogenic thing.

And when the light starts to turn honeyed, Monterey slows even further, all galleries, coastal strolls, and that unmistakable Pacific hush that makes you feel like you’ve arrived, not just landed. 

   

Explore beyond Monterey

    

View all 6 places to stay

Essential information for Monterey, Carmel and Santa Cruz

  1. Time Zone

    UK - 8hrs

  2. Language

    American English

  3. Currency

    US Dollar $

  4. Flight information

    11h direct

  1. Flight schedule

    Virgin Atlantic fly direct to San Francisco daily. You can also fly from Manchester, Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Belfast with one of our partner airlines. Monterey is approximately 155 miles south of San Francisco International Airport.

  2. Do I need a visa?

    To travel to the USA, you will need an ESTA visa. Please make sure that you have this approved at least 3 days before you head off on holiday.

    Find out more about Travel Visas here

  3. Sightseeing ideas

    For those of you who prefer more water based activities, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is home to many species of sealife including the Giant Pacific Octopus.

Holidays you can trust

 

Why choose us?
 

Holidays are important. But with everything costing more right now, affording a holiday might feel like a world away.

We want you to know that when you’re ready to turn your dreams into reality, we’ll make sure that every penny and cent you put in is well spent. Since 1985, we’ve been helping our customers create magical moments they can keep forever. And you can be confident your dream holiday will be in safe hands too.

Need more travel tips or holiday help?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the sweet spots for sunshine, fewer crowds and brilliant coastal views. Summer is lively and warm, while winter is quieter with dramatic waves and cosy vibes.

3 to 5 days is ideal.

  • 3 days: Monterey + Carmel highlights, quick Santa Cruz day trip

  • 5 days: slower pace, more beaches, Big Sur add-on, wine tasting and longer coastal drives

Monterey: Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium, whale watching
Carmel-by-the-Sea: Carmel Beach, galleries, scenic strolls
Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, West Cliff Drive, surf culture
Bonus: 17-Mile Drive for the full California coast “pinch-me” moment.

Yep, it’s a dream. Distances are short, and the scenery does most of the work. Monterey to Carmel is a quick hop, and Monterey to Santa Cruz is a straightforward coastal drive. If you can, time your drives for daylight to soak up the views.

Carmel is all about storybook charm: cute cottages, boutique shopping, art galleries, wine tasting rooms and a seriously beautiful beach. It’s the perfect “slow down and wander” stop on your California coast holiday.

Santa Cruz brings the fun: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk rides and arcade games, easy beach time, and plenty of casual spots to refuel. It’s great for families, but still delivers big coastal energy for everyone.

Santa Cruz brings the fun: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk rides and arcade games, easy beach time, and plenty of casual spots to refuel. It’s great for families, but still delivers big coastal energy for everyone.

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