Big Sur is a sparsely populated region of the central California coast where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. The name "Big Sur" is derived from the original Spanish-language "el sur grande," meaning "the big south." The terrain offers stunning views, making Big Sur Coastline a popular tourist destination.

Famous for its movie stars, shopping, art, wedding venues, resorts, and accommodations, Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a gorgeous place to spend a day. Further inland is Carmel Valley, an enchanting combination of sunshine, countryside, and agricultural charms of rustic barns, fresh produce fields, vineyards and grazing animals. Asilomar Conference Grounds is a few miles away from Carmel-by-the-Sea and all it has to offer.

A waterfront street in Monterey, Cannery Row is the site of now-defunct sardine canning factories converted into shops and restaurants. The street name, formerly a nickname for Ocean View Avenue, became official in January 1958 to honor John Steinbeck and his famous novel, Cannery Row.

Lovers Point Park is a landscaped community park used for picnicking, fishing, swimming, water sports, and surfing. Amenities include a large lawn area, a beach volleyball court, a children's swimming pool, sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, a concrete pier structure, a restaurant, and a snack bar.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (previously known as Mazada Raceway Laguna Seca) is a paved road-racing track used for both automobile racing and motorcycle racing. Originally constructed in 1957 near Monterey, the racetrack is 2.238 miles in length with a 300-foot elevation change. It has eleven turns, including the famous "Corkscrew." A variety of racing, exhibition and entertainment events are held at the raceway.

Monterey was first settled by the Spaniards in 1770 and served as California's first capital for the Spanish and Mexican governments. Today, Monterey melds its past with the present, offering a mecca of culture and fun - with wine tasting events, festivals, superb dining and boutique shopping. Here you'll also enjoy golf, biking and deep-sea fishing.

A visit to Monterey Peninsula isn't complete without including Old Fisherman's Wharf on your agenda. The wharf offers a variety of restaurants, shops, whale-watching tours, fishing excursions, bay cruises, and theatre.

Pacific Groves is a picturesque seaside village that invites you to stroll its downtown streets past Victorian homes, quaint shops, bakeries, local artist galleries, and gourmet restaurants. Pacific Grove is a perfect place to vacation but also perfect for a destination wedding.

Deriving its name from the offshore rocks at Punta de los Lobos Marinos, Point of the Sea Wolves, where the sound of the sea lions carries inland, the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve has often been called "the crown jewel" of the California State Park System. Pets are not allowed in the state preserve.