March 2005

Known for: A seaside 17-mile drive along Pebble Beach, plus more than 100 art galleries, boutiques, and cafes

Active pursuits: The sea provides endless opportunities for kayaking, sailing, and other pursuits. Bike along the 17-mile drive in Pebble Beach, or pedal a four-wheeled surrey along Monterey's Recreation Trail, which winds 18 miles along the coast and passes the Monterey Bay Aquarium. There are 25 golf courses in the area, but if you must play the revered Pebble Beach Golf Links (800-654-9300), reserve a tee time in advance.

Must-see sights: Start your tour of this wine region at A Taste of Monterey Wine Visitors' Center (831-751-1980, www.tastemonterey.com), where you can sample wines from more than 40 vineyards. Worth a visit is the Chateau Julien Wine Estate (831-624-2600, www.chateaujulien.com), a country chateau that hosts picnics in a cobblestone courtyard. Spend another day poking through the colorful storefronts in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Tempt your taste buds: Watch the sun set over the sea at Fresh Cream Restaurant in Monterey (831-375-9798, www.freshcream.com), where regional ingredients like robust Castroville artichokes and mushrooms are used in classic French dishes. At Monterey's Montrio (831-648-8880), savor wood-grilled fish in an updated 1910 firehouse. If you have a sweet tooth, step into Rosine's (831-375-1400, www.rosinesmonterey.com), a local favorite where a glass case filled with cakes, pies, and puddings greets you.

Rest your head here: The Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa (831-646-1700, www.montereyplazahotel.com) sits on the Rec Trail and houses two restaurants. If an intimate Mediterranean-style inn with a courtyard is more your style, check into the Cypress Inn (800-443-7443, www.cypress-inn.com).

For information on Monterey and Carmel: 888-221-1010; www.montereyinfo.org