Stunning Views in Monterey County

For anyone who has visited Monterey they know the astounding beauty that this area of California holds. The natural beauty of Monterey draws people in from all over the world. From the breathtaking coastal views to the towering forests, Monterey has some of the most remarkable views at every turn. Here are a few of our favorites to catch some of the most stunning views in Monterey County!

Monterey Rec Trail

The Monterey Rec Trail is a hiking trail that stretches across 18 miles taking you on a journey along the coast from Castroville to Pacific Grove. There are many access and exit points along the trail so you can determine where you want to walk. The Portola Hotel & Spa is less than a 5-minute walk away from the one of the entrances making it another reason why we love this spot! This gorgeous trail takes you past Monterey landmarks such as Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, with many different beaches and historic sites allowing you to see into the history of Monterey. You will also get to see stunning views of the harbor different nature spots along the way.

Asilomar State Beach

Asilomar State Beach is a local favorite with its unique rocky formations, sandy beach and wooden walkways lined with California wildflowers and vegetation A popular viewpoint is the quaint wooden gazebo which overlooks the ocean allowing you to capture the stunning views before taking a scenic stroll along the beach. This beach is also a popular spot to watch the sunset so make sure to stop by on a clear evening to see a gorgeous view!

Point Lobos State Reserve

Known as the "Crown Jewel" of California's state park system, Point Lobos is definitely a must-see if you're looking for beautiful views in the area. There are many different trails to hike with different levels of difficulty but a few popular trails with stunning views are Cypress Grove Trail, Sand Hill Trail and Bird Island Trail. Point Lobos is also a popular spot to spot wildlife such as sea otters, sea lions or California Gray whales as they pass through on their migration from Alaska! Whether you are looking for a great hiking spot or to witness some of Monterey’s stunning nature, Point Lobos is a perfect spot for any visitor with all that it has to offer!

17-Mile Drive

17-Mile Drive is famous around the world for its jaw dropping coastal views with 17 viewpoints along the way as you drive through all the beauty that Pebble Beach has to offer. The Lone Cypress is a celebrated symbol of resilience and perseverance as it has withstood the elements for over 250 years. It’s also one of the most photographed trees in the world making it a viewpoint you have to see! The entrance fee to enter this iconic drive is $12 per vehicle. Check out their website for more information.

Bixby Bridge

This Big Sur landmark is one of the most photographed bridges in California and for good reason with its design being an engineering marvel due to its reinforced concrete open-spandrel arch and its astounding height of 260 feet making it one of the tallest single-span concrete bridges in the world! It also provides dramatic sights as it straddles the canyon carved by Bixby Creek, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Santa Lucia Mountains on the other. While the access to Big Sur is still limited due to road closures, this iconic landmark is still accessible to see but make sure to check Big Sur’s website for updates and road conditions. Big Sur is scheduled to be fully reopened in March of 2026 after two years of closure! So make sure to head on over into the pull-out area off of Highway 1 to capture the sweeping views of the Big Sur coastline!

Witness the Stunning Views in Monterey

Everywhere you look in Monterey you will witness incredible views with this list providing just a few to inspire you. We’d be happy to welcome you to Monterey so you can see these stunning views for yourself! To book your getaway at the Portola Hotel & Spa, visit our website, or call us at (888)-222-5851.