44 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: RON STARR / PATRICK TREGENZA baths. Another big draw: the hotel’s complimentary Zybra e-bike rentals and jump-right-on access to the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail that stretches from Castroville to Pacific Grove. Venture south five miles and you’ll pedal past barking harbor seals at Fisherman’s Shoreline Park, scenic Cannery Row and the iconic Monterey Bay Aquarium before reaching the grassy park and beach at Lovers Point. THE SANCTUARY BEACH RESORT: OCEANFRONT OASIS Woven into 19 acres of shoreline and protected oceanfront dunes, Marina’s The Sanctuary Beach Resort delivers on the promise of its name. The ethos here is seclusion and tranquility, and the instinct is to burrow in, even though it’s an easy hop to the buzzy hubbub of downtown Monterey. Fully reimagined and reopened in June 2024, the property presents an inviting haven of beachfront bungalows with 60 rooms and suites. Settle in, and let the earthy, serene decor wash over you. Cozy up by a fireplace, relax on the terrace, soak in the views: breathe, unwind, restore. On the top floor, the hotel’s signature restaurant, The Lantern Room, also greets guests with panoramic ocean vistas. Nautical touches set the scene for local catch and land-to-table offerings. Standouts include plump salt spring mussels in a lobster coconut Thai curry (with grilled bread from Ad Astra for sopping up the broth), Monterey Bay miso black cod and pea shoot mafaldine pasta. Or embrace the elements with outside lounge seating at Tidewater, where firepits and warm blankets await, along with handcrafted cocktails and a curated menu of hyper-local fare. Notably dog-friendly, Monterey Beach Hotel gives off active and energizing vibes. With the beach right there, what’s your excuse? Even the seabirds seem to squawk, “Come take a walk!” Other amenities include a spacious fitness center, pool deck and newly-opened Scandinavianinspired barrel sauna and ice
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