Monterey or Wine Country?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Which would you choose for 3 days after HI... no kids. We don't like real touristy places...

I will enjoy wine tasting, but not sure how much of it DH will want to do...

I just released a unit at Pine Acres Lodge, it didn't reappear and I am suffering 'Releaser's Remorse...'

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I would have gone for Monterey. Beautiful area and Carmel very close. Also driving distance to some wineries and Big Sur.

I forget if you are golfers...

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I would have gone for Monterey. Beautiful area and Carmel very close. Also driving distance to some wineries and Big Sur.

I forget if you are golfers...

Not golfers, but ok I will some more. Plenty of time left, though, and we will only be needing 3 or 4 nights so can rent if necessary.

[blr666 Member Find all posts View Profile Close blr666]

Monterey is nice with some wineries nearby, but Napa and Sonoma have great wineries and restaurants. I love to eat and drink so that will be my choice.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Both are nice, but I think that I would also go for Monterey, if just for the opportunity to see Carmel. (Don't know if you have already been there, done that.)

You have plenty of time left, and as you say, you can always book a hotel, if necessary.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Both are nice, but I think that I would also go for Monterey, if just for the opportunity to see Carmel. (Don't know if you have already been there, done that.)

You have plenty of time left, and as you say, you can always book a hotel, if necessary.

We drove through Carmel about 18 years ago, but I wouldn't call it 'been there done that'

I do still have our Monterey T shirts from "Holy Mackerel Bait and Tackle"

My only hesitation at this point is since the kids won't be with us it's a good opportunity to do Napa/Sonoma, while the Monterey area looks like the kids would really enjoy it/Big Sur/etc...

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

We drove through Carmel about 18 years ago, but I wouldn't call it 'been there done that'

I do still have our Monterey T shirts from "Holy Mackerel Bait and Tackle"

My only hesitation at this point is since the kids won't be with us it's a good opportunity to do Napa/Sonoma, while the Monterey area looks like the kids would really enjoy it/Big Sur/etc...

That's true, and a very good point. I don't think kids would appreciate the vineyards. Especially after seeing the first one. And, they can't drink, so not much for them to do.

Wine country could be a very romantic trip......I don't think that you can go wrong with either location. Both are good choices, for a short trip.

[itchyfeet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close itchyfeet]

What time of year will you be in California? This could make a difference on what area to choose.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

What time of year will you be in California? This could make a difference on what area to choose.

First week of August...

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Okay just got here so I can put in my two cents. You are talking about two of my favorite areas of California. We spend more time in Carmel/Monterey than in the Napa Valley (even though Napa Valley is closer). Last summer we did a "California" vacation and spent a few days in Napa Valley, a few days in Pacific Grove (so we could go to the Concoure d'Elegance) and a few days in San Francisco.

Napa Valley will be very warm to very hot during the summer. Carmel/Montery/Pacific Grove will be much cooler. During the summer I would choose the Carmel area.

When you decide let me know and I can give you some recommendations on where to eat.

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

This is a hard decision.

My first choice would be Monterey. It’s very beautiful and romantic there with Carmel and Monterey being on one of the prettiest bays in CA but it might be a little cold in August coming back from Hawaii.
http://www.weather.com/weather/clima...oo&promo=climo


On the other hand, Napa Valley might be a little warm. There is some beautiful and romantic little towns in Napa Valley as well. One does not have to be into the wine scene to enjoy Napa Valley. There is a lot to do and see in these little towns.
http://www.weather.com/weather/clima...=www.yahoo.com

So I guess it would depend on the kind of weather you would want to be in.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Forgot to mention. We spent our honeymoon in Carmel.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Glitter,

Why don't you call RCI and see if they have any Nightly Stays in the California area you are looking? Maybe someone else has booked a partial week.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Mike,

Good idea, I will check. In the meantime, though, I've got Worldmark Sonoma on hold.

Luanne and Ken,

I am leaning toward warm/hot Wine Country... especially after talking to DH who didn't sound too hot on Monterey/Carmel. Of course he'd rather just come straight home after HI...

And after looking at average temps (thank you for the links, it didn't occur to me that it'd be an issue), I would prefer high 90s to high 60s... call me crazy

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

I'm fuzzy on your dates. Will you be ending up in California over a weekend or during the week? Weekends in Napa Valley can get nuts. Not to deter you, but it might be a consideration.