Monterey, California is such a beautiful and special place with scenic views and cute corners wherever you go. It's a place where you can make lasting memories, saved by the most Instagram worthy snapshots that you will take. Here's our list of the most Instagram-able locations to visit throughout the Monterey Peninsula.
MONTEREY STATE HISTORIC PARK
Behind the Portola Hotel & Spa are historic buildings known as the Monterey State Historic Park. Right here is where the US flag was raised for the first time in California in 1846. These old buildings have charming windows and doors which provide lovely touches to an already beautiful backdrop.
Monterey State Historic Park
CARMEL SHELL MURAL
The Carmel Shell Mural is a new addition to the city of Carmel as of June 2020. This whimsical painting has pretty golds, yellows, blues, and pinks, and is adorned with painted flowers and leaves. Marie-Clare Treseder Gorham, the Carmel based artist, created this design that is unique to Carmel and has since become a symbol of the town. The mural is located at the corner of 6th Avenue and Mission Street, across from Devendorf Park.
Carmel Shell Mural
PURPLE CARPET
If you're not familiar, the Purple Carpet or Magic Carpet is the captivating and bountiful ice plant that takes over the coastline of Pacific Grove. These flowers are a brilliant purpley pink, and stretch the paths of Ocean View Boulevard. They blooms in the spring, so many locals and visitors flock to these vibrant paths to enjoy the view and to take pictures.
Magic Carpet in Pacific Grove
ASILOMAR STATE BEACH
Asilomar State Beach is a beautiful beach with scenic trails and shorelines. It has a lovely wooden path and gazebo that overlook the Pacific Ocean. It's one of the best places in Monterey to catch the sunset, making it a spectacular place for photos!
Asilomar Wooden Path
MEMORY GARDEN
The Portola Hotel and Spa is located in the heart of downtown Monterey, which means beautiful local history is all around us. Right in our own backyard, is Memory Garden, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr. in 1927. It has beautiful flowers blooming almost all year round making it a great place to update your profile picture!
@beautifulbooze on Instagram at Memory Garden in Monterey
MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM
The Monterey Bay Aquarium has many inspiring exhibits that fascinate and excite us to learn about our bay. These beautiful exhibits make a stunning backdrop for moody and dramatic pictures. Many people love taking pictures in front of the jellyfish exhibits or over by the Kelp Forest exhibit.
An Exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
JACKS MONTEREY BAR
We don't want to toot our own horn, but we have a beautiful, photo worthy bar at our very own Jacks Monterey. The bright blue backsplash, geometric black and white tiled floors, and illuminated bottles in the background make for an alluring picture. So grab a drink and a picture, and hang out with us at Jacks!
@mister.oceaneyes on Instagram at Jacks Monterey's Bar
Monterey is a beautiful place to visit all year round, so no matter when you're here you'll always find a great place to take vacation pictures you will love for years to come. If you're visiting us between now and August, we're currently holding a giveaway for a one night stay and breakfast for two at Jacks Monterey! All you have to do is:
- share a picture of your time at the Portola Hotel & Spa on Instagram
- tag us in the photo
- use #myportolasummer
- follow us on Instagram
For more information on this giveaway visit portolahotel.com/summer-giveaway. We can't wait to see your beautiful pictures!