Monterey County (AKA, the filming location for the highly popular Big Little Lies TV series) makes an excellent getaway destination for 2025 – with a series of new accommodations, dining experiences and significant anniversaries that highlight the region’s rich heritage and vibrant culture.
Dreaming of your next holiday already? It’s time to put Monterey County in California on the tick list. As the community welcomes fresh hospitality options like the upcoming Kimpton Hotel in Pacific Grove and the recently opened Monterey Beach Hotel, there’s plenty awaiting a traveler this year. Nicole Kidman and the Big Little Lies cast might not be part of the sightseeing, but there’s still endless amounts to see and explore.
Additionally, 2025 marks a year of celebration, including landmark anniversaries for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Carmel Bach Festival and other cultural icons, ensuring that both locals and visitors can enjoy the best of what this beautiful region has to offer.
From beach-inspired new hotels to incredible cuisine, here’s what’s worth booking a plane ticket for:
Accommodations & Hotel Experiences
On the other side of jet lag awaits incredible abodes. Exciting new lodging options across Monterey County provide travellers with a diverse selection of stylish and distinctive accommodations.
From luxurious hotels to charming boutique inns, each property reflects the region’s unique character and natural beauty:
- Kimpton (Pacific Grove) |Opening Late 2025
The upcoming Kimpton Hotel in the heart of quaint Pacific Grove will bring a new level of hospitality to the area, featuring stylish accommodations and unique amenities that reflect the charm of Monterey County. - Fisherman’s Cove Inn (Monterey) | Opened Fall 2024
Newly opened Fisherman’s Cove Inn offers new amenities like K-Cup makers, hair dryers and luxury custom bath products, with a full room makeover set to debut in the winter of 2025. - Monterey Beach Hotel (Monterey) | Opened August 2024
Monterey Beach Hotel, Monterey’s only beachfront property and now part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, has reopened after a major renovation and rebrand from Monterey Tides, featuring 192 guest rooms, oceanfront dining at The Lantern Room, private beach access, complimentary e-bikes and a heated outdoor pool. - Stilwell Hotel (Carmel-by-the-Sea) | Opened May 2024
Carmel-by-the-Sea’s newest luxury retreat, Stilwell Hotel offers a relaxed, beach-inspired environment in the heart of the village, featuring 42 meticulously designed guest rooms and thoughtfully curated public spaces that enhance the boutique experience. - Monterey Hostel (Monterey) | Opened March 2024
Monterey Hostel, a nonprofit lodging provider, has undergone a complete interior renovation, offering eco-friendly accommodations with private family rooms, wheelchair-accessible guest rooms and a new outdoor deck, all while utilizing energy-efficient systems to reduce environmental impact. - Alila Ventana New Programming: Alila Moments & Experiences will imprint the soul with new, awe-inspiring programming that allows visitors to experience the destination in a whole new light, including Tea & Tarot Cards, Nature’s Nectar Infusions and Trail Run Fun.
Dining & Experiences
New dining experiences offer visitors a wide range of culinary options that celebrate the bounty of seafood from Monterey Bay, the fresh produce of Salinas Valley’s lush landscape and the exceptional wines of the region.
- Tira Nanza Wines (Carmel-by-the-Sea) | Opening Early 2025
Celebrated local winery known for its handcrafted wines from family-owned organic vineyards, is set to open a charming tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea. - El Charrito (Marina) | Opening Late 2025
The beloved Salinas-born burrito spot known for its homemade flour tortillas, will open its third outpost in Marina Promenade Shopping Center in 2025. - Wildflower Experience (Bradley) | Returning May 2025
The Wildflower Experience makes its highly anticipated return after a six-year hiatus, offering a full weekend festival featuring live entertainment, wine tasting, beer garden, race clinics with top professionals, movie nights under the stars, campfire antics and more – all set against the backdrop of California’s Central Coast. - Pop & Hiss (Pacific Grove) | Opened October 2024
A newly opened bar and record shop in Pacific Grove, offers a unique blend of live music, craft cocktails and vinyl shopping, creating a vibrant, retro-inspired social hub for music lovers. - Nico’s Ice Cream (Monterey) | Opened September 2024
Blending real fruit with creamy vanilla ice cream using an imported machine from New Zealand, this beloved Portland ice cream shop has expanded to Monterey’s iconic Cannery Row. - Brewjee Coffee Co (Salinas) | Opened September 2024
Expanded from a mobile cart to a storefront in bustling downtown Salinas, Brewjee Coffee Co offers craft coffee and pastries in a welcoming brick-and-mortar space. - Maido Sushi Cafe (Marina) | Opened September 2024
A family-owned business offering fresh Japanese to-go meals, snacks and drinks in a welcoming atmosphere. - Piccolo (Monterey) | Opened September 2024
Piccolo on Cannery Row offers an approachable menu featuring panini, fresh salads and hearty soups, making it a perfect spot for a satisfying meal on the coastline. - Hops & Fog Brewing Co. (Pacific Grove) | Opened August 2024
Marking the town’s first brewery since it became wet in 1969, Hops &Fog features a unique selection of craft beers and artisan food in a vibrant, community-focused space that showcases local artistry. - Otto’s Bread Company (Salinas) | Opened August 2024
Otto Kramm opened his first shop in downtown Salinas offering an array of sourdough bread loaves, dinner rolls and pretzels, along with pastries and hot food. - The Village (Big Sur) | Opened in July 2024
The Village is a dynamic new concept featuring a restaurant, yoga studio, event space and a provisions market with coffee and juice, offering a unique blend of wellness, dining and community experiences in the heart of Big Sur.- Solstice: Located in The Village and helmed by Chef Tim Eelman, Solstice offers expertly executed, wood-fired fare spotlighting local produce and seafood from Monterey Bay, with a vibrant weekend brunch and dinner tasting menu that celebrates the region’s finest ingredients.
- Bodega: A coffee and juice bar offering a delightful selection of espresso, tea, cold-pressed juices, pastries and tartines.
- Carmel Valley Creamery (Carmel Valley) |Opened July 2024
A micro-creamery, coffee shop and mini épicerie offering artisan cheese made on-site, located in the heart of rustic Carmel Valley. - Congo Go! Cafe (Seaside) | Opened June 2024
Serving Southeast Asian-inspired boba drinks and a variety of small and big bites, including crab puffs and furikake fries. - Rising Phoenix Taproom (King City) | Opened July 2024
A locally owned craft beer destination on Broadway Street in King City, offering a curated selection of local and regional beers on tap, along with a spacious outdoor area.
For more information and to plan an adventure, visit SeeMonterey.com.
