PARTNER CONTENT
Inspiration serves to drive innovation — and Monterey inspires on many levels.
Why Monterey County for Your Next Meeting or Event?
With its 99 miles of stunning Pacific coastline, Monterey County, California, offers an inspirational setting, top-tier sustainability initiatives and a local culture rich in innovative firsts.
Travel Essentials
Conference Center. Monterey Conference Center; exhibit space, 30,000 square feet; total square feet, 40,000+; (831) 646-3388
Taxes. Sales tax, 8.75%; room tax for hotels adjacent to the Monterey Conference Center, 14.3% plus $2 per night; most other Monterey County hotels, between 10.2% and 12.2% plus $2 for full-service hotels
Transportation. Monterey Regional Airport, three miles southeast of downtown Monterey; transfer by taxi, $15-$20; the airport is also served by Uber and Lyft
Venue Additions & Renovations
• The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau recently intensified the organization's dedication to eco-friendly initiatives: The CVB joined Positive Impact, a not-for-profit devoted to creating a sustainable events industry, and the Global Destination Sustainability Index initiative, an alliance that helps destinations
and businesses promote best green practices.
• The 379-room Portola Hotel & Spa,
which is adjacent to the Monterey Conference Center, has launched a sustainability program of its own. A new reduced-waste conferences program aims to produce green meetings at the hotel by minimizing both food- and paper-based garbage. Portola will
promote the program to meeting attendees through its group reservation system as well as recommend environmentally conscientious vendors, source organic and sustainable ingredients from local farmers and suppliers, avoid using disposable cups and
utensils, and more. Planners will receive a post-meeting summary of their waste-reduction efforts.
Other Event Venues
Looking to Plan a Meeting in Monterey County?
Learn everything you need to know about this coastal locale at
Destination California, Northstar’s premier event for meetings and incentive pros looking to book biz in the area.
The Barns at Cooper-Molera offer a slice of Monterey history on their grounds in downtown Monterey. The Cooper-Molera Adobe was originally built in 1827, in what was then Mexico’s Alta California — before the
state of California existed. A recent renovation refreshed the barn complex to a state of rustic elegance and opened the venue up for events, accommodating as many as 600 attendees. The indoor/outdoor venue still has many features that date back to
the 1800s, and serves as a beautiful backdrop for corporate gatherings or weddings.
Top 10 Restaurants in Monterey County
Complement cocktails and dinner at these popular restaurant choices.
- Passionfish, Pacific Grove - Seafood
- Flying Fish Grill, Carmel - Seafood, Asian
- Hula's Island Grill, Monterey - American, Bar
- Dametra Cafe, Carmel - Mediterranean
- il vecchio, Pacific Grove - Italian
- The Bench, Pebble Beach - American, Bar
- Brophy's Tavern, Carmel - American, Brew Pub
- Yafa, Carmel - Mediterranean
- Roy's at Pebble Beach, Pebble Beach - American, Seafood
- Bistro Moulin, Monterey - French
Area Contact
Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau, (888) 221-1010
Best Boutique Property, Far West: La Playa Carmel,
Carmel