Best location in Monterey for short stay?

We have 2 nights in Monterey in August which isn%26#39;t very long - Im looking at staying at Pacific Grove on recommendations of this forum (thanks) assuming we find somewhere in our budget.

But if we don%26#39;t, what is the best/central location(s) to try for accommodation in Monterey for good neighbourhood, not too much traffic, walking to nice restaurants (I like the sound of Massaro %26amp; Santos), attractions etc ? I dont really know exactly what we should do/see as yet - assume Cannery Row, Fishermans Wharf etc.

For example - Im looking at some of the Best Westerns etc which are spread around town.

For our short stay, would be we better off staying closer to the action than PG and driving out that way for a look around ?

Question 2 - if we do stay at Pacific Grove can we walk to Monterey attractions or is this too far - looks like 2-3 miles. If we drive, what is it like to get parking in a central location?

(Actually lots of questions here - sorry!). Appreciate some advice as Im getting bogged down.

Best location in Monterey for short stay?

Hi. If you can get a place in PG that you%26#39;re happy with, go for it. It%26#39;s a beautiful town with gorgeous coastline and excellent restaurants (Red House Cafe, Max%26#39;s Grill, Fandango). It%26#39;s a nice, peaceful place to come back to after an active day. When you say ';central location,'; I%26#39;m assuming that you mean the Cannery Row area, where the aquarium is located, and the Wharf. Downtown Monterey has little to offer. You can walk from PG to Cannery Row in 10-20 minutes, if you stay anywhere near the recreation trail (Green Gables Inn, Seven Gables Inn, Old. St. Angela Inn, Centrella Inn). If you want to drive to Cannery Row or the Wharf, there is a good amount of parking--paid lots and meters (there are machines to change your bills to quarters).

Now, if you would prefer to stay in Monterey, then there are some good places that are close to (or on) Cannery Row: Monterey Plaza Hotel and Monterey Bay Inn are both very nice, but higher-priced--worth checking out. They are both a short walk to the Coast Guard Pier, where Massaro and Santos is--I highly recommend it. Also look at Best Western Victorian Inn and Holiday Inn Express Cannery Row.

Be sure to spend some time at Point Lobos State Reserve, about 5 miles south of Carmel on Hwy 1. There are easy hiking trails with spectacular views.

Good luck. I know these decisions can be mind-boggling.

Best location in Monterey for short stay?

The Monterey Plaza is a very nice place to stay in the heart of Cannery Row. The Portola Plaza is also a nice place and walking distance to Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf. Have fun! :)

Thanks again for your helpful info. Unfortunately the hotels near Cannery Row / Fishermans Wharf that you mention are all too expensive for us ie over $200 - same goes for the Inns in PG.

I have been looking at Pacific Gardens Inn, Sea Breeze Inn and Bide a Wee Inn in PG but looks like they are further out in Asilomar which would rule out walking from there to Cannery Row. Any comments re the best one of these?

Otherwise Im thinking perhaps we would be better off just staying closer to town this time in a BW like Park Crest Inn or BW Monterey Inn or somewhere along Munras Ave that someone mentioned was central. Any recommendations re best location/ property ? Im trying to keep under $150. We are doing a long trip (6 weeks altogether) so a lot of hotels to pay for!

Have you considered the Best Western Monterey Beach Resort? It is right on the beach and just a short 5 minute drive to downtown Monterey. There is a nice swimming pool area and restaurant on-site here, it really is great to be right on the beach while in Monterey. :)

Yes I looked at this one - cheapest room rate is $171 so slightly above what we want to pay. It just all adds up! What are the other 2 Best Westerns like as these are quite a lot cheaper. Location wise looked reasonably central to Fishermans Wharf etc ie walking distance?

Bide a Wee is a good place to stay. It%26#39;s nice to be close to Asilomar Beach. What you can do is drive to a street near the recreation trail--any of the numbered streets--and park for free. From there it%26#39;s an easy walk to Cannery Row. Look for a parking spot on a numbered street between Central Ave. and Ocean View Blvd. The lower the numbers go --i.e., 5th St. versus 17th St.-- the closer you%26#39;ll be to Cannery Row. The recreation trail will be at the foot of the street, and from there you just continue on the trail toward Monterey.

Also--The motels along Munras Blvd. are fine, but it%26#39;s a long walk to Cannery Row.

Hmmm... Have you tried the Butterfly Grove Inn? We stayed there a few years back and found it fairly comfortable. It is walking distance to the Asilomar Beach and Golf course, long walk into downtown PG but driving to everything else.

I stayed a few months ago at the BW De Anza Inn. My review there lays it out. It is easy access to everything but you would have to drive everywhere.

Highly recommend that you get to the touristy areas and Pt. Lobos early in the morning if you can. Then do things like walking around Carmel, PG and the trail walking in afternoon.

Check again at the Best Western Monterey Beach Resort. They have rates in July for $99 for non-ocean view room, and if you belong to AARP the rate is $89. The ocean room views are around $139 I think. I looked at July 7th and these are the rates that are available that night. Not a bad price at all when you compare it to other places. The website says there is construction that should be completed sometime this month. Hope this helps!

Those are great rates for the Beach Resort! :)