California’s Central Coast is my ultimate happy place—a weekend road trip destination that never fails to recharge my soul. You get the best of California in this region: rugged cliffs, endless ocean views, and charming towns that feel like they’ve been plucked straight out of a storybook.
But here’s the thing: Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, while close in proximity, are worlds apart in feel. Stopping in one is not the same as stopping in the other, and trust me, you’ll want to experience both.
Monterey is all about maritime history, bustling wharf shops, and its world-famous aquarium that needs no introduction, while Carmel-by-the-Sea feels like a fairytale village with its charming streets, hidden courtyards, and cozy cottages perfect for an overnight stay.
So, how do you decide where to stay between the two? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
First, we’ll break down the differences between Monterey and Carmel. Then, I’ll share some of the dreamiest hotels in each town, with options for both budget travelers and people looking for a luxe weekend getaway.
SHOW ME…
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MONTEREY OR CARMEL: WHICH IS A BETTER PLACE TO STAY?
The town you pick will likely depend on your travel style and who you’re visiting with. Are you looking for a romantic getaway or a laidback coastal weekend?
Are you looking to spot sea otters galore or looking to taste wine and enjoy the Central Coast’s culinary scene? Also, how much budget do you have to play with?
While the two towns are only about 4 miles apart and a super quick drive from one another, they feel worlds apart.
Monterey, California
Monterey, CA is best for: wildlife-viewing, families, and budget-conscious travelers
Monterey, CA, is the kind of place that’s got something for everyone—especially if you’re a fan of fresh seafood and coastal charm.
Sure, it’s famous for iconic attractions like whale watching, the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium (seriously, the sea otters alone are worth the trip), and the historic Cannery Row, but let’s not forget about the food!
Monterey is a seafood lover’s paradise, with casual spots like Old Fisherman’s Grotto serving up clam chowder so rich and creamy, you’ll be dreaming about it for weeks. You can also indulge in Dungeness crab at The Crab House—it’s messy, it’s buttery, and it’s absolutely worth every napkin you’ll go through.
Because Monterey is more urban than Carmel, it’s got a livelier atmosphere, making it the go-to spot for families traveling with kids. But don’t let the hustle and bustle fool you—this town knows how to relax. If you’re dreaming of a quintessential California waterfront stay, Monterey and the nearby Pacific Grove area have you covered with charming hotels that offer stunning ocean views.
And here’s the cherry on top–Monterey is easier on the wallet than Carmel. Accommodations are slightly cheaper, and the shops and restaurants cater to a wider range of budgets.
Carmel, California
Carmel, CA is best for: couples, foodies, and those looking for a quiet, romantic getaway.
Carmel-by-the-Sea feels like stepping into a tucked away European town, one that offers very unique architecture, streets rich in bohemian history, and an air of effortless sophistication.
This charming village is a haven for those who appreciate the finer things in life—think upscale wine tasting rooms, boutique shops that feel like hidden treasures, and restaurants that could easily rival those in Napa or Paris. Ocean Avenue is the heart of it all, lined with over 500 boutiques, art galleries, and cafés where you can sip a cappuccino and watch the world go by.
The food and the wine are the town’s biggest draws. Carmel is a culinary gem, with restaurants like Aubergine, where the tasting menu is a work of art, and Casanova, a romantic spot known for its handmade pasta and intimate ambiance. And if you’re a wine lover, Carmel’s wine tasting rooms (like Caraccioli Cellars and Scheid Vineyards), offer some of the best pours on the Central Coast.
Yes, accommodations here are pricier than in Monterey, but you’re paying for that tranquil, tucked-away village atmosphere that feels worlds away from the everyday hustle.
Just a heads-up: while Carmel offers stunning beach access (hello, Carmel Beach at sunset!), there are no waterfront lodging options. Instead, you’ll find charming inns like La Playa Carmel, a historic hotel with lush gardens and a vibe that’s equal parts elegant and cozy.
HOTELS IN MONTEREY FOR EVERY BUDGET
InterContinental The Clement Monterey
Price Range: $$$
Sitting right on historic Cannery Row, InterContinental The Clement Monterey is where modern luxury and oceanfront serenity come together. Wake up to panoramic views of Monterey Bay’s sunrises and the soothing sounds of the waves right outside your window.
The hotel offers elegant one-bedroom suites, some with balconies and oceanfront views, perfect for a romantic escape or a relaxing retreat after a day of exploring. On-site, you’ll find a tranquil spa, a heated swimming pool, a fitness center, and a waterfront restaurant and bar, making it easy to unwind without ever leaving the property. Traveling with family? There’s even a children’s club to keep the little ones entertained.
And the best part? You’re within walking distance of everything Cannery Row has to offer—boutique shops, wine tastings, fresh seafood spots, and the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Spindrift Inn
Price Range: $$$
Spindrift Inn is the beachfront hotel of your dreams. Located directly on the beach, the Spindrift Inn offers elegant accommodations in the heart of Monterey. A complimentary continental breakfast is provided (on a silver tray even if you’d like). By far, this is probably one of the cutest hotels I’ve ever laid eyes on!
Floor-to-ceiling windows offer epic views of the beach and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In addition to the impeccably decorated rooms, the bathroom includes bathrobes, an oversize tub, and a shower. Select rooms offer a fireplace.
Evenings can be spent downstairs in the attached bar lounge. In the morning, wake up to unbeatable views and enjoy your breakfast in your cozy robes!
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
Price Range: $$$
Perched right above the crashing waves of the Pacific, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa offers an unbeatable mix of coastal elegance and laid-back California charm. Wake up to ocean breezes in beautifully designed rooms, then spend your day soaking in the rooftop whirlpool spas with panoramic bay views or lounging on The Terrace, the hotel’s new family-friendly sundeck.
Enjoy fresh, coastal-inspired dishes at Schooners Monterey, or unwind with a luxury treatment at the award-winning rooftop spa. With a prime Cannery Row location just steps from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, you’re in the perfect spot to experience the best of Monterey’s seaside magic.
Portola Hotel & Spa
Price Range: $$
At Portola Hotel & Spa, you’re almost always guaranteed a warm and welcome stay. Aside from an absolutely gorgeous front lobby and common sitting area, guests can expect modern amenities, spacious rooms, and a very well-equipped gym. Select rooms offer views of the harbor.
The hotel is located 5 minutes away from Fisherman’s Wharf and 1 mile from the historic Cannery Row. Its location is perfect for exploring central Monterey on foot. There are also lots of dining options around the hotel, so you know a meal is never too far away!
The Stevenson Monterey
Price Range: $
Located off Highway 1 in Monterey, California, The Stevenson Monterey is a no-frills, budget-friendly stay with a prime downtown location—just a short walk from Fisherman’s Wharf and the Monterey Conference Center. It’s a solid pick if you’re looking for comfort and convenience without the hefty price tag.
Guests get free high-speed Wi-Fi, complimentary indoor and outdoor parking, and access to a seasonal outdoor pool. Need a caffeine fix? There’s always coffee and tea in the common area. Plus, all room types are service-animal friendly, making it a hassle-free option for travelers with support animals.
Arbor Inn Monterey
Price Range: $
If you’re looking to save some money on lodging, consider staying just a tad further from all the main attractions in Monterey. Arbor Inn Monterey is a wonderful option if you don’t mind a longer walk or drive to the epicenter of activity.
Located 20 minutes’ walk from Fisherman’s Wharf and Central Monterey, Arbor Inn Monterey offers air-conditioned guest rooms with free WiFi. Rooms are always clean and comfortable and select rooms provide a fireplace, a sofa and a flat-screen TV.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is within 3.1 mi of the Arbor Inn in Monterey. Del Monte Shopping Center is 10 minutes’ walk from the property. While you are a tad father away, this hotel is an excellent value for your money!
MOST POPULAR TOURS IN MONTEREY
- Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive Full Day Tour – departs from San Francisco
- Half-Day Whale Watching Tour From Monterey – Monterey is a premier whale-watching destination!
- Electric Bike Tour Along 17 Mile Drive of Coastal Monterey – great for the whole family, there’s also a tandem bike option for the kids
- Carmel Small-Group Walking Food & Cultural Tour – a super popular food and wine walking tour with lots of samples!
HOTELS IN CARMEL FOR EVERY BUDGET
Carmel Valley Ranch
Price Range: $$$$
If you’re really looking to get away from it all, Carmel Valley Ranch is an unbeatable choice. This all-suite countryside resort is located on 500 acres in Carmel, outside of the village proper and three miles from Garland Ranch Regional Park, home to excellent hiking and biking.
Each room on the resort offers elegant, contemporary suites with fireplaces, upscale amenities, and even a private deck and bathrooms with separate showers and soaking tubs.
Away from the rooms, amenities at this destination-style property include a golf course, multiple tennis courts, two saltwater swimming pools, a full-service spa, gym, and various scenic hiking trails you can easily enjoy.
Carmel Valley Ranch is also pet-friendly, and with such an expanse property to roam around, I’m sure your pet will enjoy a stay here just as much as you do.
Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Price Range: $$$$
Set high on the craggy bluffs of the Carmel Highlands, Hyatt Carmel Highlands blends historic charm with modern luxury and unbeatable Pacific Ocean views. Just four miles from downtown Carmel, this clifftop retreat has been a haven for artists, honeymooners, and discerning travelers for over a century.
The renovated guest rooms and suites offer a cozy yet sophisticated escape, with many boasting sweeping ocean panoramas. The rooms open out onto large balconies, revealing astounding, unbeatable views. The rooms are also elegantly decorated to reflect just the right minimalistic vibes.
On-site, Pacific’s Edge delivers a refined dining experience with fresh, seasonal ingredients inspired by land and sea, all paired with a storied wine list. Along with the award-winning restaurant, you’ll also find an outdoor pool, three outdoor garden spas, a fitness center, complimentary mountain bikes, and horseback riding opportunities nearby.
L’Auberge Carmel
Price Range: $$$
A historic 1929 retreat just steps from Carmel Beach, L’Auberge Carmel is an intimate Relais & Châteaux property that exudes European-style charm and luxury. With only 20 elegantly designed guest rooms, featuring four-poster or tufted beds and radiant floor heating, every detail is crafted for comfort.
Guests can indulge in in-room spa services, stroll through Carmel’s charming art galleries and boutiques, or savor an unforgettable dining experience at Aubergine, the hotel’s Forbes Five-Star, two Michelin-starred restaurant.
The included signature breakfast is the perfect way to start the day before exploring the coastal beauty of Monterey Bay. This hotel is also pet-friendly, which is great for travelers who don’t want to part with their pets!
Tradewinds Carmel
Price Range: $$
Ready for something truly unique? Tucked away on a quiet, tree-lined street in Carmel-by-the-Sea sits Tradewinds Carmel, a peaceful boutique retreat blending Asian influences with laid-back California luxury.
Originally built in 1959 and reimagined with Balinese, Japanese, and Chinese design elements, the 28-room hotel exudes an atmosphere of serenity. Guests can unwind in the private meditation garden, where a cascading fountain, bamboo groves, and a cozy fire pit set the mood for total relaxation.
Inside, rooms are thoughtfully designed with custom furnishings from Bali and China, with some featuring ocean views, gas fireplaces, and jetted tubs. Each luxurious guest room at Tradewinds Carmel features premium linens, organic toiletries, Japanese-style bathrobes, and personal touches like handwritten notes and chocolate-dipped strawberries on arrival!
Named one of Architectural Digest’s most glamorous hotels and a Forbes Travel Guide recommended stay, this hidden gem is the ideal spot for a romantic getaway or a rejuvenating coastal escape.
Wayside Inn
Price Range: $$
Located in Carmel, Wayside Inn is perfectly situated in the city center, walking distance to most restaurants and shops, with nearby beach access too. This charming little inn features coffee/tea in the common area, concierge services, free WiFi, free parking, and free newspapers.
Inside the 22 spacious rooms are very unique furniture pieces as well as luxury French linens and plush bathrobes for you to hang out in when you’re not out and about exploring Carmel and Monterey.
All rooms provide conveniences like premium bedding, sitting areas, flat-screen TVs, and refrigerators. You’ll really feel at home away from home at the inn! Best of all, if you’re feeling snack-ish at any point in the day, homemade biscuits are available daily!
Pebble Beach Golf Course is 10 minutes’ drive from the Inn Wayside. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is 15 minutes’ drive away.
Carmel Mission Inn
Price Range: $$
Carmel Mission Inn is great value for the relatively low price you’ll pay for a night to lay your head. While it’s not located in the city center, the drive into the center only takes 5 minutes.
You can go for a swim in the outdoor pool, work out in the fitness center or soak in one of the hot tubs. After exploring the hotel’s private gardens and walking trail, you can relax by the fire pit, with a massage, or even with some room service.
There is a large shopping center behind the inn and also one across the road with some really good restaurants, a grocery store, and some great coffee shops, all within walking distance. This location will be perfect if you don’t want to be in the thick of downtown Carmel.
Carmel Oaks Inn
Price Range: $ – $$
Carmel Oaks Inn is one of the best options in Carmel for budget travelers. Not only is this hotel in an ideal location to explore Carmel on foot, but it also includes free breakfast! If you know anything about us, we’re big suckers for free breakfast!
Each morning, you can enjoy a free continental breakfast basket delivered to your room. Other amenities provided include free local calls and free parking. The rooms themselves are spacious, clean, and well-equipped with nice patio views.
OTHER PLACES TO STAY NEAR MONTEREY AND CARMEL
Maybe Monterey and Carmel are not your style. Maybe an overnight stay in the two towns is out of your budget. Whatever the reasons, these two cities are not the only two options for you to call your Central California home base.
Monterey and Carmel are flanked by fun cities/regions to explore like Santa Cruz, CA and San Jose, CA to the north and the Big Sur area to the south. San Jose and Santa Cruz are located about 1 hour away from Monterey, while Big Sur makes up the next 90 miles of the coastline just past Carmel.
Here’s a quick breakdown of these three alternatives:
- San Jose / South Bay – You’ll be able to find much more affordable lodging in San Jose, CA.
- Santa Cruz – Since this is still a coastal town, accommodations might be priced similarly to Monterey. However, it doesn’t hurt to check for the latest hotel/rental prices here.
- Big Sur – The iconic stretch of Highway 1. Big Sur lodging options range from rustic affordable to remote luxury. For a more budget-friendly stay, Big Sur Lodge is a traveler-favorite. And on the other end of the spectrum, you can’t beat the adults-only luxury seaside resort of Alila Ventana Big Sur.
Regardless of whether you choose to stay in Monterey or Carmel, you’ll be greeted by epic opportunities to golf, enjoy wineries, see marine life, and eat good seafood when you visit this stretch of Central California.
Looking for more Monterey/Carmel travel tips? You might like:
- San Francisco to Monterey Road Trip: 23 Best Stops On Highway 1
- 34+ Best Things To Do In Monterey Bay, CA
- 35 Best Weekend Getaways From The San Francisco Bay Area
- 18 Romantic Things To Do In Big Sur, California
- 32 Best Things To Do In Santa Cruz, CA For The Perfect Beach Vacation
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