From its rugged coastline to lush landscapes, Monterey County is brimming with natural beauty. Little wonder there is a big sustainable drive at the core of Monterey Bay Aquarium. Whether you are drawn in by the Big Sur, the cute cottages of Carmel-by-the-Sea or the vine-to-glass grapes of the Santa Lucia Highlands, this destination has adventure-seekers hooked. We guide you through the highlights with the help of our friends on the ground.
The final instalment of our three-part podcast series with Visit California, we catch up with executive chef Matthew Beaudin who is at the helm of the innovative, sustainably-driven food program at Monterey Bay Aquarium. Thanks to Matt and his team, the Aquarium has become a leader in the conservation field and is making waves with its environmental efforts around the world. Big Little Lies fans will recognise the jellyfish from the silver screen too.
Chef Matt gives us his take on why Monterey is a big city with a small town feel and glides us through the winery tours we should raise a glass to in Carmel, the need-to-know restaurants with breathtaking beaches in the county or the hikes and trails we should plot out.
The Upgrade co-hosts Fleur and Amira are primed for a coastal getaway that packs a serious punch when it comes to food and wine.
Start planning your trip at visitcalifornia.com.
This episode was recorded at Soho Works, the members-only co-working space from Soho House with locations in Los Angeles, London and New York. Visit sohoworks.com.
Keep up with our hosts travels and follow Fleur Rollet-Manus on @fleur_rm and Amira Hashish on @thedesigneditor.