I am a recent college graduate with three part time jobs and a pile of student loan debts to pay off, so a dream Staycation would be out of this world. I would love to have 36 hours alone with my long time boyfriend. Away from computers and cellphones, office jobs and everyday life.

DAY ONE 12PM

Start out with a refreshing brunch at Mission Ranch in Carmel. Followed by a coffee and a walk through Carmel Village. Then take a limo from Carmel to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I could spend hours at the Outer Bay exhibit. The Sunfish is a personal favorite. Then a nice drive up the coast to Ventana for dinner and an intimate night with my love.

DAY TWO

Breakfast at Ventana with a hike around the mountain enjoying the beautiful scenery. I would then like to spend three hours getting the most awesome massage ever. EVER. Then take the blimp ride around the bay to experience our wonderful home from the air. Followed by an early dinner at Sardine Factory.

0900 We head north on the Rec Trail pedaling a tandem (that is, unless someone local rents Segways!) Aren’t we the dynamic duo. How exhilarating to ride with the wind, hear the waves crash and taste the salty air.

1130 Ravenous (can that be after that croissant?) we split a fire-roasted artichoke and steaming bowl of cioppino at Phil’s Fish Market in Moss Landing.

1300 Aboard the Monterey Movie Tour Bus we learn 200+ movies have been filmed in Monterey County. We make a list of films to watch with this newfound knowledge. There are numerous photo ops on the tour and I take pictures of Frank posing on location.

1600 Driving south on Highway 1, we stop for a scenic shot of Bixby Bridge. I will never, ever, tire of this spectacular section of the coastline. The sun approaches the sea and the sky fills with a magical quality. We are to dine at the Big Sur Bakery for the very first time! There we savor a delightful and memorable meal.

2000 Tonight is a full moon! Twinkling stars emerge as we hike up the hill to Point Sur Lighthouse for the special moonlight tour. We return to Carmel full of wonder and moonbeams.

2400 Ensconced in our room at the Tickle Pink Inn (admittedly my choice, I’ve always been curious about this place) we toast good fortune. Frank sports a big smile − is it the Monterey County vintage, Lula’s chocolates or the pink number from Intima European Lingerie in Carmel? Both tickled pink, we drift off and catch some zzzzzzzzzzs.

Day 2
0800 After coffee in bed we pick up Sundance, my neighbor’s lab, for a brisk walk on Carmel Beach. Sundance reluctantly returns home.

0930 I’m thrilled to photograph the Carmel Mission in the dewy morning light.

1000 We pile into the car for a roadtrip inland to explore Carmel Valley. First stop is Earthbound Farm to select just-picked produce, artisan cheeses and freshly baked goods for noshing later.

1130 The cowboy life appeals to Frank, so we try a different slice of life and lunch at the Running Iron Restaurant & Saloon. Amply fortified, we amble through the village shops, galleries and a winery or two.

1500 We can see for miles − from the sparkling Monterey Bay to the verdant fields of Salinas − as we drive over Laureles Grade to Monterey Airport. There we excitedly board a small private plane for the highpoint of our amazing adventure, an aerial tour of Monterey County! Soaring above “the most beautiful meeting of land and sea on earth” we are awestruck by her magnificent beauty.

2000 It’s nonstop big smiles over sanddabs and calamari at the airport’s Golden Tee Restaurant. A final toast and we depart feeling deeply appreciative and blessed we call this wondrous part of the world home.

-9PM: My husband Mike and I check into our Ocean View corner balcony room at the Monterey Plaza Hotel. Our late night dinner awaits us provided by Phil’s Fishmarket in Moss Landing–some of their yummy salmon dip, a couple of Dungeness Crabs, Phil’s famous chowder, and of course the necessary loaf of crusty sourdough. We also find an array of Monterey County wines…perhaps a Joullian Zinfandel from Carmel Valley, a Pessagno Pinot Noir from Salinas, and a Hahn Estates Syrah from Soledad in order to taste not only different varietals, but also wines from different appellations. We choose one to crack open along with our crab, saving the others for later. As we feast in our room, we watch the DVD version of “Cannery Row” with Nick Nolte and Debra Winger, to really get us into the zone. For dessert, an assorted box of Monterey Bay Chocolates, hande-made in Seaside, from which we select the dark chocolate Rocky Road to finish us off for the evening.

-Breakfast on our balcony, courtesy of room service from the Duck Club. We would like to request one of Monterey’s perfect crystal clear days so we can soak in the view for miles.

-Take the 17-Mile-Drive through Pebble Beach and over to Carmel-by-the Sea. A nice 2 hour stroll on the white sand beach, smiling along with all the happy-go-lucky leash-free dogs.

-11:30 AM lunch reservation at Casanova. We sit at a table on the front porch and watch all the comings and goings on the Carmel streets. We sip our wine, nibble on the breadsticks, and feel like we have been transported to a bistro in Paris.

-Head back to the Monterey Plaza Hotel in time for our 1:30 PM appointment at Vista Blue Spa. We have a 50 minute couples massage, followed by a 45 minute hydrotherapy bath ritual for the 2 of us. We spend some time afterwards on the rooftop sundeck, lounging on chaises, soaking in the view and the tranquility surrounding us.

-Around 4:30 or so, we head out on foot and go south towards Pacific Grove along the Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail. On our stroll we marvel at the various (and precarious) napping positions of the harbor seals dotting the rocky coastline along the way. We eventually end up at Latitudes at Lover’s Point in time to take advantage of their Happy Hour and to watch the sunset across Monterey Bay.

-We now turn ourselves over to a limo driver for the rest of the evening, who is waiting for us outside of Latitudes when we decide to depart. From here he takes us to Montrio Bistro in downtown Monterey. We share a multitude of small plates, including their signature crabcake and crispy corn fritter, accompanied by more fine Monterey County wine.

-After dinner, we are taken the short distance to Monterey Live, where we have tickets to the night’s performance. We get great seats regardless of when we arrive as this is the most intimate live music venue in ANY county I know of. We order some after-dinner drinks in the cozy bar area and settle in for an evening of great entertainment in a great environment.

-After the show, our dedicated driver returns us back to the Monterey Plaza Hotel safe and sound and sleepy. We discuss stopping at the Ol’ Factory Cafe in Sand City on our way home the next day to check out their funky vibe and “green-ness” with a cup of Morgan’s coffee and a scone. We slip into our big bed by the sea to dream sweet memories of our fun-filled day.

-9AM…Rise and shine…our 36 hours have expired…but no time left for Big Sur?…no time left even for Marina?…the valet brings our car…………
But look what’s on the dashboard!!! A gift certificate for lunch at Nepenthe!! A gift certificate for a night’s stay at the Sanctuary Beach Resort at the Dunes!! Oh happy day…another Monterey County “Staycation” (or two) awaits!!!

Friday 4 p.m.
Head down to Cannery Row and “wine crawl” from one end to the other. With all the tasting rooms and ocean view bars, it’s a fun way to take time exploring Cannery Row without feeling like a tourist. Most of these close at 6 p.m., so perfect timing to sit down and enjoy a 5 star dinner at the new Intercontinental. Enjoy watching the lights go down over the bay out on their deck with the waves crashing under you, with your feet up by the fire. After a meal like that, it’s time to dance off those calories. Sly McFly’s and Bullwhackers are both great options just a few yards away. Or, if there’s something going on at the Golden State Theater, then head downtown for some world-class entertainment at a beautifully restored venue that’s always a pleasant surprise. If you still have energy after that, Alvarado Street will still be jumping and bumping around that time at places like Mucky Duck and Crown and Anchor (best bathroom wallpaper reading).

Saturday morning:
Hopefully you didn’t overdo it last night, because this is a big day. First thing, grab a coffee at ACME roasting company tucked away in Seaside off Del Monte & Cyn. Del Rey. The Azteca will wake you up for sure. Maybe grab a muffin, but not too much food yet. Now that we’re bright eyed, it’s time to get on, in, or under the ocean. Depending on conditions, it’s scuba diving, kayaking, or whale watching. Assuming you’re certified, be ambitious and get down there. If the conditions aren’t looking so hot, kayaking is much less cheesy than it looks. Seeing the wharf, marina, and Cannery Row from the water is such a treat. Whale watching is a good fallback (if there’s no swell in the water) especially from November to March.

Back by noon, with a healthy appetite, you’ve earned a hearty meal and rest. Since we’re right there, might as well take advantage of the great restaurants on the wharf. Stroll along and pick one with your ‘gut’ feeling. Again, not nearly as cheesy touristy as you think once you’re seated at a window table perched overlooking the marina. Fill up on hearty clam chowder, and be sure to try local sanddabs and splurge on abalone grown and harvested just a few yards away!

Now jump in the car and head south away from it all. A quick stop by the Carmel Cheese Shop at Carmel Plaza for some of the best cheese in the world to go with that local wine you picked up last night on Cannery Row. This will come in handy later. Head South on Hwy 1, and when you pass Rio Rd., take pleasure that this is the last stop light for 95 miles! For now, we’re only going 2 miles to Point Lobos. Drive in, take a right, and stop by the museum and pick up some of the coolest local literature/memorabilia you will find. Chat with the docents and hear some funny/whacky/unbelievable stories about the history of the area you live in. It will make you want to become a treasure hunter or poet, or both. Now throw on some light layers of clothes, a backpack (here’s where the wine & cheese comes in) binoculars, camera, etc… and really explore the trails. Take along one of the animal/bird identification guides you wisely purchased at the museum, and have fun really learning about the wildlife we are so blessed to have around us daily. Some right under our noses and we never noticed! Find a nice place for a little picnic and if you’re feeling really romantic, read aloud some Jeffers poetry. If Point Lobos, wine, and cheese isn’t an excuse to be disgustingly romantic, I don’t know what is.

4pm-ish
After touching, smelling, tasting the essence of Big Sur, be content enjoying the view from the car for an hour or so as you beeline it to Esalen. Ahhh, Esalen. Having made reservations for an overnight retreat, try to arrive just before sunset and say goodbye to the sun while soaking au’natural in the hot baths on the cliffs 60 feet above the crashing waves. An open air massage on the deck is not for the bashful, but it will be a high point in anyone’s life. Esalen’s menu will surprise you, with a wide variety of ultra-nourishing, tasty, organic foods that even a carnivore can get into. It’s been a long 24 hours, so maybe some post dinner meditation, reading, or one of Esalen’s many classes and seminars, like bikram yoga. What a healthy day. Now enjoy Esalen’s recently upgraded accommodations, satisfied at having lived this day to the fullest. (if there’s a moon out, maybe head back down to the hottubs and work on your moontan).

Sunday Morning:
A light, early breakfast at Esalen, and back North we go. Bathroom break and coffee refill at the Big Sur Bakery (well maybe one of those unbelievably good croissants that even French tourists rave about), and a stroll through the Big Sur Spirit Garden. Marvel at the talent, ingenuity, and positive energy displayed in that whacky half acre of hillside. Splurge and pick out something for the front yard or garden back home, knowing it was made with love by local artists who can use all the support they can get.

Our whirlwind tour winds up with the best brunch this side of Vegas at the Mission Ranch. I’ll spare the details, but remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Back home, with all your goodies on the table (local wines, books, art), lay back on the couch contented and take a well deserved nap.

In the afternoon, we’d head north to Elkhorn Slough to view migrating pelicans, harbor seals and otters frolicking in the rich habitat where freshwater meets the sea. Dinner at Phil’s Fish Market afterward would mean some of the tastiest sustainably caught tuna in town.

We’ll head home to get freshened up, pack overnight bags, and go to Carmel for a night of entertainment at Pacific Repertory Theater (perhaps “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”, coming in April). Then we’ll check into Tally Ho Inn, with its lovely living roof, and park our car. From there, we’ll walk to Brophy’s for cocktails and munchies at Brophy’s, returning to the inn for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Saturday morning we’ll eat breakfast at the inn, then take a walk on Carmel Beach. Then I’ll get a pedicure at T&L Nail Spa on Dolores (best pedi in town, with an amazing massage chair) while my honey browses the village’s many art galleries. Lunch at Forge in the Forest’s outdoor patio will maintain our glow.

Then we’ll drive to Big Sur, taking a scenic detour down Old Coast Road, and hike the intense 6-mile Soberanes loop that reveals the coastal landscape in all its glory. After dinner at scenic Nepenthe, we’ll check into Treebones Resort for a night perched on the edge of the world, in a yurt. (If we’re feeling really adventurous between 1am and 3am, we might go to Esalen for hot-tubbing at the “locals only” rate.)

Waking up in heaven on Sunday morning, we’ll enjoy those Sweet Elena’s croissants we’d stashed away for just this moment and lounge in our oceanview yurt for a little too long, then frolick on the beach with an eye out for jade. On the way home, we’ll stop at Henry Miller Library to browse (and probably buy a few) books on art, hiking and Big Sur history.

Back in Monterey, we’ll catch a movie at Osio Cinemas (with hot tea from their fabulous in-theater cafe), then head home to Del Rey Oaks to upload our digital photos and cuddle at the end of a wonderful weekend.