PARTNER CONTENT
Inspiration serves to drive innovation — and Monterey inspires on many levels.
Why Monterey County for Your Next Meeting or Event?
With its 99 miles of stunning Pacific coastline, Monterey County, California, offers an inspirational setting, top-tier sustainability initiatives and a local culture rich in innovative firsts.
Travel Essentials
Conference Center. Monterey Conference Center; exhibit space, 30,000 square feet; total square feet, 40,000+; (831) 646-3388
Taxes. Sales tax, 8.75%; room tax for hotels adjacent to the Monterey Conference Center, 14.3% plus $2 per night; most other Monterey County hotels, between 10.2% and 12.2% plus $2 for full-service hotels
Transportation. Monterey Regional Airport, three miles southeast of downtown Monterey; transfer by taxi, $15-$20; the airport is also served by Uber and Lyft
Venue Additions & Renovations
Monterey Beach Hotel, a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel, has debuted following an extensive transformation and rebranding. Its 188 rooms and four suites feature have been upgraded, along with its signature restaurant, The Lantern Room and 7,500 square feet of flexible meeting space. In addition to these attractions, the property also offers visitors 32,500 square feet of private beach.
Ground has been broken on a boutique hotel in Pacific Grove, which will feature 101 rooms and six suites. The property from Kimpton Hotels & Resorts is expected to open in late 2025. Plans call for 3,600 square feet of courtyard space for events, as well as a restaurant and bar with a focus on fresh seafood and local produce.
Coming in 2024 is the Home2 Suites by Hilton at the Dunes on Monterey Bay. The 93-room, all-suite hotel will offer complimentary breakfast, a fitness center, an indoor pool and a business center. Reservations are available beginning Jan. 26, 2024.
In October, the Hilton Garden Inn Monterey completed a multimillion-dollar renovation that touched nearly every aspect of the property. All 205 guest rooms and the 7,000 square feet of meeting space have been refreshed. New to the hotel is Calla, a lobby bar and eatery serving coastal bites paired with regional microbrews and handcrafted cocktails.
The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau rebranded to See Monterey in August. The shorter, sleeker name is part of a long-term strategy to elevate the CVB’s brand identity and to market Monterey County as a world-class destination.
Just north of downtown Monterey and less than a mile from Marina State Beach is the new 90-room Hampton Inn & Suites Marina, which opened in early 2023. The property features 1,200 square feet of meeting space, as well as a fitness room, a guest laundry and an indoor pool.
The boutique 16-room Villa Mara Carmel debuted in May 2022. The luxury property offers a residential-inspired, adults-only experience. Most guest rooms feature a private balcony and ocean views, complete with rain showers and heated floors in the bathrooms. Jesena’s Bar serves pastries and coffee in the morning, followed by cocktail, wine and beer service in the evening.
Monterey County excelled in the 2023 Michelin Guide. Chez Noir, which serves coastal Californian cuisine in Carmel-by-the-Sea, was awarded one Michelin star. Also in town, John Haffey of Aubergine received a Michelin Sommelier Award, while Maligne in Seaside, serving European and American dishes, was added to Michelin's Bib Gourmand list for high-quality meals at reasonable prices.
Other Event Venues
How well does your team operate under pressure? Escape Room 831 has three Monterey outposts, each with its own 60-minute games. From a self-destructing submarine to a bank robbery, the themed rooms test the problem-solving and communication skills of groups with two to 14 people.
For an iconic Monterey Bay experience, group kayak rentals are available through Adventures by the Sea. Attendees can spend an hour or three up close with sea otters.
Top 10 Restaurants in Monterey County
Complement cocktails and dinner at these popular restaurant choices.
- Passionfish, Pacific Grove - Seafood
- Flying Fish Grill, Carmel - Seafood, Asian
- Hula's Island Grill, Monterey - American, Bar
- Dametra Cafe, Carmel - Mediterranean
- il vecchio, Pacific Grove - Italian
- The Bench, Pebble Beach - American, Bar
- Brophy's Tavern, Carmel - American, Brew Pub
- Yafa, Carmel - Mediterranean
- Roy's at Pebble Beach, Pebble Beach - American, Seafood
- Bistro Moulin, Monterey - French
Area Contact
See Monterey, (888) 221-1010