Destination Monterey, CA - Our Stay with Petite Retreats at Marina Dunes
Arlo and Finn love a good beach trip and so do we! We have passed through Monterey, CA, many times and fell in love with it, so it was on the top of our list of places to return. Recently we headed back there for a long weekend at Marina Dunes to stay in a glamping tent with Petite Retreats.
It was late when we arrived and the glamping tents were lit with outdoor string lights. I immediately fell in love with the aesthetic. Each glamping tent had a little porch with two rocking chairs, I knew they would be the perfect spot for our morning coffee. We unzipped our tent to find it outfitted with a queen bed, two bedside tables, two lamps and an electric heater. It was simplicity in the most perfect form.
That night, having arrived late, we went to bed early so that we could wake up and enjoy all that the area had to offer.
In the morning we were greeted to our own little side “yard” with a picnic table, a BBQ, two Adirondack chairs and a firepit. We sat on the rocking chairs for a while letting the dogs say hi to passersby and after we finished we headed down to the dog-friendly beach, just a short walk over the dunes from our tent.
After enjoying our first walk on the ocean this trip, we headed into town to find some lunch and try out some local breweries. Our first stop was Dust Bowl Brewing in the Fisherman’s Wharf. Once the building was a bustling train station in the 1930’s so this location is aptly names the “Tap Depot.” The outside patio offers guests picnic tables, firepits and a taco truck, WEDOS. We enjoyed some nachos and a few delicious Hazy IPA’s before heading out to take the dogs to 17 mile dive for their next beach outing.
There are few places I love in the world more than the scenic 17 Mile Drive at Pebble Beach. If you do one thing in Monterey, do this. There is a $10 gate fee to enter (reimbursed if you spend $35 at Pebble Beach restaurant – I highly recommend heading to the Inn at Spanish Bay to grab a cocktail at their outdoor firepits – if you stick around until around sunset you will witness the Spanish Bay Bagpiper calling in the golfers on the 18th green… truly something to experience), and the beaches and scenery are unmatched. The golf courses at Pebble Beach are world renown but what draws me back is the otters, Cyprus trees, turquoise ocean waters, white sand beaches and the otherworldly feeling you get being surrounded by it all.
After the dogs enjoyed some more ocean time and we enjoyed our sunset cocktails, we headed to Alvarado Street Brewing in downtown Monterey. We sat outside and enjoyed another set of Hazy IPA’s some Fish & Chips and a veggie pizza before heading back to our tent for the night (of course with a four pack from here in hand).
That night we sat on our rockers with Arlo and Finn passed out at our feet from a full day of bombing the beach, and enjoyed our local beer before starting a campfire to finish off our night.
The next morning, after coffee at out tent we headed back out to explore all over again. Heading back to 17 Mile Drive to stop at our favorite dog beach we took the long way in to grab a glimpse of The Lone Cyprus. Standing on a granite hillside, the tree is a Western icon, and has been called one of the most photographed trees in North America. After the beach we decided to head into Carmel by the Sea to grab some lunch at the eclectic, but oh so cool, Baja Cantina. Vintage car memorabilia cover the walls at this Mexican restaurant and the patio has a super fun, Key West style funky vibe. The food was delicious (we had fish tacos and a veggie burrito) and I will definitely go back!
After lunch we did another costal drive and ended up back in Monterey to check out the highly recommended Fieldwork Brewing Company. The beer and atmosphere here were terrific and I highly recommend checking this pace out if you head to the area.
Still full from lunch and ready to call it a day we headed back to our tent to relax.
The next morning we woke to the sad realization that we had to pack up and say goodbye to our Petite Retreat glamping tent at Marina Dunes. We slowly got our things together and waited until the very last minute to check out. After waving goodbye to this magical little spot we headed back to 17 Mile Drive to let the dogs have one more beach romp before hitting the road. We couldn’t not stop back at The Inn at Spanish Bay for one last Bloody Mary, though (we had to get our $10 gate fee back, right??).
Overall it was such a fantastic trip and I already can’t wait to return. Thank you so much for having us Petite Retreats!
Petite Retreats is presented by Encore RV resorts and Thousand Trails campgrounds, featuring more than 180 locations across North America. Petite Retreats offers guests the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in top vacation destinations while enjoying unique vacation accommodations, including tiny houses, colorful cottages, cabins, yurts, and more. If you are looking for dog-friendly lodging options in some amazing destinations check out Petite Retreats!
