Keeping romance alive in a relationship requires effort. Yes, there’s the flowers, love notes and date nights, but every once in a while, a romantic weekend getaway is what’s needed to let couples take time away from their crazy busy lives to reconnect and appreciate each other.
The perfect spot for your next escapade romantique is found only a short drive away: Cannery Row in Monterey. Its proximity to exquisite natural beauty and a world-renown marine sanctuary makes it one of the most romantic destinations in Northern California.
Cannery Row’s Origins
The great American novelist John Steinbeck is credited with giving Cannery Row its fame. Steinbeck, who grew up in nearby Salinas and lived in Pacific Grove, was enthralled by Cannery Row’s early heyday–it was called Ocean View Avenue back then — when fishmongers, bordellos and flophouses occupied the area. Steinbeck’s fascination with the characters working and living there led him to write his 1945 award-winning classic, Cannery Row.
Today’s Cannery Row is a far cry from its early, grittier days — now transformed into a collection of exquisite waterfront luxury hotels, boutique shops and upscale eateries. Yet, reminders of the early days are scattered throughout the area, inspiring visitors to imagine what it must have been like during Steinbeck’s era.
Five Great Reasons to Explore Cannery Row
The Insta-worthiness factor
Cannery Row sits along the famous Monterey Bay waterfront, offering limitless picturesque backdrops for visitors to take selfies and photos within a short walking distance. Sunrises are spectacular here, while foggy mornings offer a sense of mystique. Sightings of sea lions, seals and other marine wildlife are commonplace. Not to mention all the historical buildings and crossover bridges that present their own special kind of charm.
Luxuriousness at your disposal
There’s no shortage of hotels along Cannery Row, from Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, which is known for its posh waterfront rooms, Vista Blue Spa and excellent Coastal Kitchen, to the InterContinental The Clement Monterey with stunning, plentiful views of Monterey Bay, an opulent in-house spa and intimate dining experience at C Restaurant. Waterfront accommodations come in boutique sizes too: visitors love the Spindrift Inn with its cozy, intimate atmosphere and the Monterey Bay Inn with slightly more laid-back rooms featuring balconies overlooking the bay and San Carlos beach.
The perfect launching pad for outdoor excursions
Water aficionados rejoice here, with kayaking and paddle boards available for rent in order to explore Monterey Bay with the hopes of seeing marine life up close. There are also a number of whale watching and sailing tours to book year-round.
For those who prefer to do their exploration on land, there are plenty of biking and walking trails along the bay’s waterfront, plus nearby local businesses which offer traditional bikes and e-bikes for rent.
Soaking up the area’s natural beauty
Monterey, Carmel and the surrounding vicinities are considered one of the most beautiful places in the U.S. to visit. Cannery Row is a starting point for any number of day trips to the jewels of the area: Carmel-by-the-Sea, 17-Mile Drive, Big Sur, Point Lobos and a number of stunning beaches are all just a short drive away.
In addition, the world-renown and popular Monterey Bay Aquarium is conveniently located at one end of Cannery Row.
World class culinary and wine experiences
One would be hard pressed to stroll more than a few steps down Cannery Row in either direction and not come upon a culinary discovery, a sweet treat or a spot to sample fine wines. Selections range from casual restaurants for a bowl of clam chowder or seafood pasta to upscale eateries from which to enjoy a five-star dinner overlooking the ocean. A Taste of Monterey Wine Market and Bistro, housed in a renovated 1918 sardine cannery, is a great place to begin, as it offers small plates of innovative cuisine, a market full of wine related gifts and access to 95 wineries.
For more information on Cannery Row and its many amenities, including its array of hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment, please visit canneryrow.com.
