Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau launches "More Monterey"

Monterey County introduces giveaway opportunity offering the chance to win one of many ways to explore the region

MONTEREY, Calif., Feb. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To celebrate its many lodging, culinary, cultural and outdoor experiences, the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau has launched its first-ever "More Monterey" program, allowing visitor-hopefuls a chance to win a trip using one of six customized itineraries.  Highlighting the different exploration experiences in the area, the "More Monterey" campaign is live through March 31, 2013, introducing website visitors a chance to see "more" of Monterey by filling out an online form found on www.SeeMonterey.com/MoreMonterey.

Monterey County has created six tailored itineraries, each offering a chance for the winners to experience the most Monterey County has to offer, including:

Food & Wine: It is no wonder that Monterey County is a hub for foodies and wine aficionados: with its  diverse range of award-winning restaurants, a bounty of regional produce and seafood, large-scale food and wine events, and 40,000 acres dedicated to vineyards, Monterey is a foodie's dream come true. Included in this package of epicurean adventure through Monterey County is a 2-night stay at Bernardus Lodge, a half-day Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tour with AG Venture Tours, a Carmel Food Tour , the Carmel Wine Walk by the sea Passport, a VIP Wine Tasting at Bernardus Winery and dining at Il Fornaio.

Action & Adventure: With biking, hiking, walking, boating, hang gliding and animal watching, Monterey County is a premier destination for those who love the outdoors. This action-packed itinerary includes a 2-night stay at Monterey Marriott, bike rental from Adventures by the Sea, kayak or stand-up paddle board rental in Monterey or Moss Landing from Monterey Bay Kayaks, Whale Watching Tour from Princess Whale Watch, dining at Peter B's Brewpub at the Portola Hotel & Spa, Monterey Bay Aquarium passes and a bee keeping experience at Carmel Valley Ranch.

Family & Fun: Family travel in Monterey offers a fun-filled itinerary to keep the family going strong all vacation long. Included in this family fun packed package is a 2-night stay at the InterContinental The Clement Monterey, four passes to MY Museum passes, four passes to Wild Things, Dining at Bistro Monterey at Hotel Abrego, Surrey Bike Rental from Adventures by the Sea and four passes to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Epic & Scenic: From stunning sunsets at Carmel Beach to rolling vineyards in the Carmel Valley, and ragged cliffs in Big Sur to the lettuce fields in Salinas, Monterey County enjoys a diverse range of natural beauty. See the best of all with a 2-nights stay in a Bay View Room at Embassy Suites Monterey Bay, a three day California State Parks Pass, and a beach nonfire from Romantic Room Designs. Enjoy gate access to the legendary 17-Mile Drive® at Pebble Beach Resorts, dining at The Bench™ at The Lodge at Pebble Beach. You'll also enjoy fine dining at Nepenthe in Big Sur - and prepare to be amazed with Monterey Bay Aquarium passes and Monterey Movie Tours.

Golf & Spa: From the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Links to Del Monte, the oldest golf course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi, Monterey County offers some of the finest fairways on the planet. For those looking to relax after a long day on the course, the region offers some of most notable and innovative spas inspired by the natural beauty of the area, complete with oceanfront facilities, luxurious amenities and soothing treatments incorporating locally grown products. Included in this play and relax package is  2-night stay in the Spa Suite at Mariposa Inn & Suites, a round of Golf at Bayonet and Blackhorse,  admission to the incredible Refuge spa, two 60-minute massages at Spa Ayiana at Carmel Valley Ranch, and fine dining options at the Portola Hotel & Spa and Edgar's at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club.

Art & History: Regarded as the country's most historic city west of Williamsburg, Virginia, Monterey is home to three California missions and a handful of the state's "oldest" and "first" landmarks, dating as far back as 1770. Monterey County is also a hub for artistic inspiration and expression, with multiple artists and authors calling the region home. Included in this package is a 2-night stay at Asilomar Conference Grounds and a CSP Ranger-lead historic tour of Asilomar (celebrating its centennial anniversary this year), along with Cannery Row/Waterfront Walking Tour, Monterey Museum of Art passes, Museum of Monterey passes and personalized tour, and a Historic Landmark Passport, which grants free access to some of Monterey's finest and most historic landmarks, including:
Colton Hall (home of California's Constitutional Convention),
Pacific House
Custom House (oldest government building in California)
Royal Presidio Chapel (oldest continuously operating church in California)
National Steinbeck Center passes
Dining at the Sardine Factory
Lunch at the Steinbeck House.

Six lucky winners will win one of the More Monterey experiences for two by entering on the See Monterey website.(please note, Family & Fun package accommodates up to four people). Transportation, including a $500 airfare and $200 transportation voucher, is included in each package.

VISITOR INFO.
Monterey County is located 120 miles/192 km south of San Francisco and 345 miles/552 km north of Los Angeles along the classic California corridor.  The region boasts 99 miles of prime Pacific Coastline, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, three historic missions, 40,000 acres of premium vineyards, 24 golf courses and over 250 lodging properties.  Monterey County includes the Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur, North County and the Salinas Valley.  The Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), just three miles from historic downtown Monterey and minutes from the area's major attractions, is served by non-stop flights to and from Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego (SAN) and San Francisco (SFO).  www.SeeMonterey.com.

CONTACTS:
Colleen Chen, Monterey County CVB
831.657.6415; 800.555.6290; [email protected] 
John David Van Kirk, Monterey County CVB
831.657.6413; [email protected]

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100707/MCCVBLOGO )

SOURCE Monterey County Convention and Visitor's Bureau