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can enjoy watching the seals, sea otters, cormorants and other sea birds from some of the most private and beautiful beach-front anywhere. Pebble beach is a privately-owned, gated town, the only in the United States. The Lodge at Pebble Beach reminds one of a scene from "The Great Gadsby."

Stop in for a glass of bubbly on the Lodge's terrace; cocktails are served with unobstructed views of the 18th hole of The Pebble Beach Golf Course, and the Blue Pacific Beyond.

If you would rather be a temporary resident of Pebble Beach than Carmel, vacation rentals are available in the Forest, as well.

How to get to the Central Coast:

It is possible to fly into The Monterey Airport, although it is much more cost effective to fly into San Francisco Airport, rent you car there, and drive into the Central Coast.

If driving, take Hwy 101 South out of the bay area or, North from Los Angeles.
Use the 156 exit toward the Monterey Peninsula.
Hwy 156 becomes Hwy 1
Stay on Hwy 1 to Carmel.

Take the Ocean Ave. turn off at signal light. Ocean Ave. will lead you directly into Carmel. If you stay on Ocean Ave., you will literally drive INTO the Pacific Ocean. Carmel Beach is at the end of Ocean Avenue.

Carmel Valley

To reach Carmel Valley: Turn left off of Hwy 1 onto Carmel Valley Road. (CV Road is one stoplight south of Ocean Avenue.

Where to Stay: There are many small inns in Carmel. A vacation rental in this beach community would be the best way to appreciate living in the village as a local. Also, for lengthly visits, a vacation home, cottage or apartment rental is the only way to go; especially from an affordability and privacy point of view.

When to Come: The Central Coast's Weather is typically tepid. Wearing layered clothing is the most practical because the weather can fluctuate twenty degrees within the day as the fog rolls in off the ocean. Winters are mild; the area's weather is warmest in spring and fall. Summers, especially late July and August, can be foggy. During the warm months, mild weather in the mid seventy's can be expected. One never knows for sure, but enjoying the deck, patio or beach in December or January is not uncommon.

Be sure to check out other featured central coast town focus's for information on Monterey, Big Sur, Pacific Grove, known as "Butterfly Town, USA," and Santa Cruz.

Learn more about this author, Taylor Shay.
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