Monterey Movies and TV Series You Can Stream at Home
You've binged some of your favorite series and movies, and now you need some new ideas? Well, we polled our Portola Hotel & Spa team and have some fun recommendations for all, each with an ode to the Monterey Peninsula. So grab your favorite snacks and beverages (we love a glass or two of Monterey County wine) and make the most out of your time social distancing!
Big Little Lies (Drama Series)
Streaming on HBO, Season 1 & 2 are available now. Set throughout the Monterey Bay Area, you'll see local sites including Pacific Grove, Monterey Old Fisherman's Wharf, the Bixby Bridge, Monterey City Hall and more. Inspired by the novel Big Little Lies by Liane Moriaty starring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Zoe Kravitz, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, and joining the cast in Season 2, Meryl Streep.
"Fisherman's Wharf behind the Portola Hotel is home to the coffee shop in Big Little Lies"
Turner & Hooch (Comedy)
Set in American's last hometown, Pacific Grove, CA, dog lovers will love this comedy starring Oscar-winning actor, Tom Hanks. Watch while police investigator, Scott Turner and accidental (and very slobbery) partner, Hooch help solve a crime in their sleepy little beach town, all while turning Turner's life completely upside down.
"The coastline along Pacific Grove and Monterey is featured throughout Turner and Hooch"
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (SciFi)
With scenes shot at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) and the crew of the Enterprise travel back in time to 1986 to communicate with the only species who can save the Earth from a deadly alien probe – the humpback whales.
"There is so much to see and do at the Monterey Bay Aquarium! Check out our special Monterey Bay Aquarium package for Two!"
Play Misty for Me (Thriller)
Starring Hollywood icon, Carmel-by-the-Sea resident and former Mayor, Clint Eastwood, Play Misty for Me, set in Carmel, California is a classic thriller. When popular radio show host, Dave Garver (Clint Eastwood) strays from his long-time girlfriend, he finds himself wrapped up with an obsessive, psychotic fan. Local sites featured in the film include: the Sardine Factory on Cannery Row, Big Sur, Highway 1, and the Monterey Municipal Wharf.
Clash By Night (Drama)
This is an oldie but a goodie, filmed in 1952 staring Barbara Stanwyck who returned to her fishing village in Monterey and marries one man and falls for another- a true drama! Other stars in this film are Marilyn Monroe, Robert Ryan, and Paul Dougless. Many scenes and opening shots were filmed on historic Cannery Row and the recreation trail that was once a train track. One of the first restaurants on Fisherman's Wharf, Angelo's Restaurant was featured in several scenes!
"Iconic Cannery Row was known for sardine canning factories and home to famous author, John Steinbeck. Cannery Row has plenty to see, do, and eat for tourists and locals!"
A Summer Place (Romantic)
Filmed entirely in Monterey and Pacific Grove such as Lighthouse Avenue, 17 Mile Drive, and Colton Hall. Many scenes take place at the "Pine Island Inn" which is the Victorian House in Pacific Grove. Famous actor Richard Egan (Ken) and actress Dorothy McGuire (Sylvia) rekindle their teenage romance twenty years later while their two teenage children begin their own romance- major consequences start to arise for both couples!
"The gorgeous 17-Mile Drive is picturesque and is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. This beautiful drive is minutes away from Portola Hotel"