Scream in Santa Cruz and Enjoy Sunset in Carmel

No far from the hotel is one of Santa Cruz's most popular spots for classic breakfast. Yes, you are here for the vegan tofu scramble and the chilaquiles. The main restaurant is nice, too, but the patio is even cheerier on a cool morning.

You can walk here from the hotel so you don't have to move your car just yet – yay! Head straight for The Giant Dipper, an historic wooden coaster opened in 1924. You don't have to ride the coaster if that is not your thing but it is cool to look at and take a picture of. Plus there is access to the beach all along the boardwalk if today calls for listening to the crash of the surf on the beach or a morning swim.

An aquarium that lead the effort to save the oceans, Monterey Bay Aquarium has not shied away from telling its visitors the importance of taking care of the oceans that cover two-thirds of the earth, and the creatures that live there. The new Deep Sea exhibition is worth a look if only to see the newly discovered creatures most humans have never laid eyes on. Please note that admission tickets must be purchased in advance. Fans of "Big Little Lies" should note that some scenes were shot here.
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Yes, this is a bar at the Monterey Plaza Hotel, but it is also a restaurant that has some of the best seafood and best outdoor seating in Monterey. Ask for a shaded table facing Monterey Bay before digging into a plate of local Monterey squid, west coast oysters with mignonette, or local black cod with ramen and miso broth. Are you a fan of "Big Little Lies?" Good because now you are sitting where the actors sat while shooting the series.

Drive across town to reach the entrance to the 17-Mile Drive, which connects Monterey to Carmel via a coastal road with a very famous Lone Cypress and two very famous golf courses, Pebble Beach and the Links at Spanish Bay. You'll also pass close to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. You can stop at any point along here and enjoy the beauty of the coast.

With views over Pebble Beach's 17th hole fairway and the Pacific Ocean, Stillwater's is a lovely place to while away an hour with a fine glass of wine or a cocktail. The restaurant is a local favorite for brunch so you cannot go wrong with the Bloody Mary (it's pretty, too). Or go for the Old Fashioned Puebla, amped up with chocolate bitters.

This unassuming little deli is a one-stop shop for everything you need for a sunset picnic on the beach in Carmel. It's a straight-forward menu of meats, condiments, bread, and the like, but the sandwiches are well-made and there is a decent selection of local wines to choose from. Don't forget to ask for a wine opener if you don't have one in the car.

There is parking near the beach on Ocean Ave and nearby streets, but you may prefer to park at your hotel and walk down the hill to the beach. The sunset is what you are after, so pack your dinner and drinks into a backpack that can be easily carried to your picnic spot.

The breakfast here is great and the parking is easy. The recently remodeled hotel also has turned what was once its parking lot into a large living room, complete with lounges and firepits.