The housing market may be in the tank, but you can still dream about your fantasy house. A truly visionary experience is the ultimate ‘open house’ at Sunset Magazine’s Monterey Idea House, open now through December 7.

One of the California coast’s best loved walking and biking trails is our own oceanfront Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, which locals call ‘The Rec Trail.’ While the entire trail stretches 18 miles, the flat, 3.5-mile paved path that borders Monterey and hugs the bay is its own special world.

Experience the ruggedly scenic California coast on a drive from Monterey to beautiful Big Sur. Marvel at the breathtaking ocean views coupled with the dramatic landscape of ancient redwood forests. Big Sur offers a variety of shopping, dining, and outdoor recreation from hiking to beachcombing.

Point Lobos State Reserve offers visitors to Monterey County a special opportunity to experience nature’s diversity on the California coast. Dramatic land and seascapes provide exceptional photo opportunities, while a well-maintained trail system guides visitors past interesting plant and wildlife habitats, archeological sites, and beautiful picnic areas.

Carmel Mission is one of the finest examples of historic California Missions founded in the 1700s by Father Junipero Serra. The mission grounds feature beautiful adobe buildings, native gardens, and museums that depict mission life. Carmel Mission is a favorite location for artists and photographers.

Monterey County is among the chief wine producing regions of California and has more grapes grown per square acre than Napa Valley. At A Taste of Monterey located on Cannery Row, wine lovers can sample local wines in a beautiful tasting room overlooking Monterey Bay. A Taste of Monterey offers more than 70 varieties of local wines.

Monterey is now home to a new state-of-the-art IMAX 3D movie theater. Located at Cannery Row, IMAX Monterey offers a variety of exciting film adventures suitable for audiences of all ages.

Tour the magnificent 17 Mile Drive that meanders through the chic Pebble Beach community. This legendary drive is one of the most scenic in California and affords incredible views of the Pacific Ocean, Del Monte Forest, and famous golf courses including Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Explore Monterey’s past on a fascinating Path of History walking tour through historic adobes and their hidden gardens. Monterey was once the capital of California when the territory was under Spanish rule. Later, Monterey was the largest producer of sardines in the world.

Cannery Row in Monterey offers shopping, dining, and outdoor recreation along the Coastal Recreation Trail. This historic waterfront district immortalized by author John Steinbeck was once home to the world’s largest sardine industry.