Immerse in colorful, festive holiday traditions in Monterey County

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Whether you’re looking to escape the holiday hustle and bustle or just longing to experience a small-town version of it, the Monterey area makes an ideal escape this time of year.

Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Grove take pride in their annual festive traditions that bring together visitors and residents and boast the backdrop of charming vintage buildings and rugged coastal beauty that delight the eye year-round. The cooler weather means fewer people along stunning trails and scenic lookouts, and more excuses to duck into a brewpub, cafe or restaurant to warm up afterward.

Best of all, it’s easy to find lodging that allows you to enjoy festivities and shopping, as well as some dazzling scenery, within a short walk. The Gosby House Inn on Pacific Grove’s Lighthouse Avenue, for example, overlooks the route of the city’s annual Parade of Lights on Dec. 5, while many of its neighboring stores and restaurants will participate in another yearly tradition, the Downtown Pacific Grove Holiday Open House on Nov. 30.

The Victorian-themed inn will also be a stop on Pacific Grove’s annual Holidays at the Inns tour on Dec. 10, an evening event that typically sells out in advance.

“People really love this event,” notes Michael Fusske, director of membership and events at the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce. “Most of our inns are over 100 years old and are decorated beautifully, and the tour gives the local community a chance to experience them, too.”

In Monterey, Portola Hotel & Spa provides convenient pedestrian access to the numerous holiday events and shopping at Old Fisherman’s Wharf, the seasonal ice skating rink on Custom House...