Best Date Locations on the Monterey Peninsula
Valentine’s Day may be tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only day to celebrate the one you love! If you’re busy on Valentine’s Day, want to avoid the Valentine’s rush, or just want to plan out your next romantic date, we’ve got six choices below that are sure to provide an unforgettable night. Keep reading to find the best date locations in the Monterey Bay.
Bistro Moulin
We are suckers for good European cuisine, and the French-inspired menu at Bistro Moulin hits all the right spots every time! If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day option, Chef Didier has a special, three-course, prix-fixed menu, complete with wine pairings from their in-house sommelier, Colleen. Please note that this is the only menu offered on Valentine’s Day, but their normal menu returns on Saturday. There, you can find a selection of hearty and flavorful wines to pair with their other savory dishes. We’re in it for the escargot and the gnocchi dish ourselves.
Folktale Winery
Have we made it clear how much we love wine? Folktale Winery is an incredible vineyard out in Carmel Valley, and it’s part of a long string of stellar wineries along the valley road. If you’re looking for something a little more out-of-the-normal for your Valentine’s Day date, check out their Valentine’s Day Murder Mystery. It’s a mafia-themed wedding, so be sure to dress up and enjoy the prix-fixed menu while you try to solve the case. Even if you don’t make it out there for Valentine’s Day, it’s one of the more charming wineries in the area, so there’s never a bad time to visit.
Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn
Sierra Mar is the restaurant at the Post Ranch in, and it’s built on a cliff that overlooks the immensely unbeatable California Big Sur coastline. They use locally foraged ingredients that’s often discovered on that coastline in their food here. That, paired with the views that are hard to match, easily make this one of the most romantic locations on the list. With breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, there’s always an abundance of opportunities to take your date and enjoy. Who wouldn’t want to sip some wine while enjoying that ocean view? They also have a prix fixed lunch and dinner menu with optional wine pairings and a huge chef’s garden for you to peruse and enjoy.
Highlands Inn
The Highlands Inn is a Carmel Highlands hotspot that showcases what has people clamoring over themselves to experience what we see on a daily basis. The hotel is part of the Hyatt, and the sunset lounge alone is reason enough to visit. The restaurant here provides one of the best views of the iconic Point Lobos State Reserve, and on a clear day, you can even see out to the Santa Cruz Mountains and down the Big Sur coastline. Perhaps this would be a good place to enjoy a nightcap?
Rocky Point Restaurant
Rocky Point Restaurant is yet another example of a stellar restaurant with impeccable views of our coastline! They’re proud partners of the Monterey Seafood Watch Program, which we’ve learned so much about through our Local Seafood Tour! This restaurant is perched a little closer to the ground, so you may be lucky enough to see some wildlife playing around outside! Although their menu is seafood inspired, there’s no reason to deprive yourself of, say, a French dip sandwich or a burger. Whatever you eat, the mood is sure to be romantic with a view like that.
Montrio Bistro
No matter the day, no matter the occasion, no matter the reason, we always love going to Montrio Bistro. They’ve got one of the best happy hours on the bay, for one. The architecture of a 1900s firehouse-turned-restaurant provides an ambience that’s hard to beat, for two. And, for three, the food is just out of this world. If you’re planning on visiting Montrio for Valentine’s Day, you may see a familiar face or two, but if you haven’t booked well ahead, make sure you plan a date here on a different day. It’ll be worth it when you do.
