Hillcrest Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Popular places to visit

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find a spectacular window into life both above and below the waves.

Lovers Point
Enjoy a day of sun and surf at this beautiful beach, which is one of the few places on the U.S. west coast where you can watch the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean.

Point Pinos Lighthouse
Experience a piece of American maritime history with a tour of one of the oldest lighthouses on the West Coast.

Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
Enjoy a trip to Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary and popular activities such as golfing in Pacific Grove. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the seafood restaurants while you're in the area.

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Step into a field guide to the Californian Central Coast, packed with local birdlife, marine life and Native American culture.

Asilomar Dunes Nature Preserve
You can take time to visit Asilomar Dunes Nature Preserve during your travels to Pacific Grove.
Activities

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise

Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo

Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise

Monterey and 17 Mile Drive: Half-Day Electric Bike Rental
Our pick of the best Hillcrest Hotel Deals

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
Everything was pretty nice, comfortable, and clean. There were two spiders we found during our stay, but other than that all was good.
Reviewed on 13 May 2026

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
The adjoining room door was next to the bed. Very poor sound proofing. The next room’s conversations at normal tones sounded like they were in our room. They talked until 2:45AM. The hotel clerk did make note of it the next morning when I reported it. Hopefully they will fix the problem.
Reviewed on 11 May 2026

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa
The dragging of bags in & out of buildings was terrible, we had to take an elevator & walk through 2 buildings to get to our room & go outside between buildings- some buildings did not connect making it even harder to find the room, would not recommend this for mostly this reason- people move & helpful, ...
Reviewed on 13 May 2026

The Monterey Hotel
I would not recommend this place. Our room was basically filled with the bed, and the carpet was so disgustingly dirty that we had to place towels on the floor to walk without our shoes. The walls were so thin that we heard several people snoring at night, as well as phones vibrating. We hardly slept! ...
Reviewed on 12 May 2026

Carmel Mission Inn
Clean room. Super helpful staff. Very nice pool and soft robes for wearing to and from. Beautiful hotel that’s convenient and well managed. Definitely worth the stay!!
Reviewed on 13 May 2026

Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa
Room was small but bed was comfortable and room was fairly quiet. Location felt safe. Breakfast was not included but there is a restaurant on site. Their empanadas are delicious!! There is a $17/day parking fee that is not included in the price. Did not have a chance to use the pool but it looked ...
Reviewed on 12 May 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Hillcrest

Town Center
If you're spending some time in Town Center, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History and Jameson's Classic Motorcycle Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Sunset
Sunset might not have many top sights, but Monterey Bay Aquarium and Asilomar State Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Seaview
While Seaview may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Monterey Bay Aquarium and Presidio of Monterey.

Country Club Gate
While Country Club Gate isn't home to many top sights, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Presidio of Monterey are some notable places to visit nearby.

Retreat
If you're spending some time in Retreat, Monterey Bay and Monterey Bay Aquarium are top sights worth seeing.

Del Monte
Del Monte might not have many top sights, but Monterey Bay Aquarium and Presidio of Monterey are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
