Flights from Detroit to Monterey, California, are available for just $305 round trip on United Airlines, with travel dates from December through early March! This route has historically averaged $450-plus, making this a great opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the United States.
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Monterey is easily one of my favorite places we’ve visited as a family. We took the kids out there a couple of years ago and explored Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and the famous 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach. We spent time walking around Pebble Beach, enjoying restaurants along the coast, exploring downtown Monterey and Fisherman’s Wharf, and visiting the incredible Monterey Bay Aquarium. Another can’t-miss stop is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, just south of Carmel. The walking trails, rugged coastline, secluded coves, and opportunities to spot marine wildlife make this one of the most spectacular places in the area.
One of the highlights of our trip was a whale-watching excursion out of Moss Landing on Monterey Bay. We saw an incredible number of whales, including several breaching right out of the water. Winter is actually a great time to visit, with daytime temperatures typically in the upper 50s to low 60s. While December through March is the rainy season, you’ll generally find fewer crowds, and it’s prime season for migrating gray whales.
We split our stay between two very different properties. The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa was exceptional, with a beautiful waterfront setting and a great location for exploring Monterey. We also stayed at Asilomar Hotel & Conference Grounds in nearby Pacific Grove, a historic, state-owned property that I had really wanted to check out. Talk about location, location, location! The grounds are right along the coast, with tide pools, walking paths, beautiful architecture, and an incredible history. The accommodations themselves were a little hit or miss in terms of maintenance and quality, which was unfortunate, but the rates were affordable and the location was hard to beat. I’d love to see this property receive the investment and attention it deserves. With its architecture, history, and spectacular setting, it has so much potential.
We also drove south along Highway 1, taking in some incredible coastal scenery before reaching a road closure that prevented us from continuing farther into Big Sur. I’d absolutely go back just to explore more of that coastline. If you’re planning a trip, be sure to check current road conditions, as closures can affect access to portions of Highway 1.
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The Flights
