A great girlfriend getaway isn't really about the destination. It's about carving out time for the friends who know your stories, share your memories, and somehow make every trip more fun.
Monterey happens to be an excellent place to do exactly that. Between coastal views, wine tasting, charming shops, and bayfront afternoons, Monterey makes a girls’ getaway feel relaxed, memorable, and photo-worthy.
Here are a few simple ways to create a trip everyone will be talking about long after the suitcases are unpacked.
Start With the Right Place
The right setting can shape the entire weekend. For a girlfriend getaway, where you stay matters just as much as what you do.
A girls’ trip needs more than a place to sleep. It needs space for slow mornings, for getting ready together, for recapping the day, and for letting the conversation wander. Those in-between moments are often where the trip starts to feel personal.
Old Monterey Inn gives your group a beautiful place to begin. Quiet gardens, historic rooms, a full gourmet breakfast each morning, and wine with hors d’oeuvres in the afternoon create a rhythm that feels relaxed from the moment you arrive. Spend the day enjoying Monterey, then return somewhere warm and welcoming.
Decide the Vibe Early
The best way to plan a girls’ weekend is to agree on the mood before anyone starts booking.
Some friends may want a restful retreat with slow mornings and no alarms. Others may want restaurants, wine tasting, coastal walks, and to explore Carmel-by-the-Sea. Another group might be looking forward to kayaking on Monterey Bay or hiking the trails at nearby Point Lobos. Neither version is wrong, but mismatched expectations can make planning harder than it needs to be.
Start with the feeling you want the trip to have. Relaxed? Celebratory? Outdoorsy? A little bit of everything? Once everyone agrees on the pace, Monterey gives you plenty of ways to build a weekend that feels easy, thoughtful, and fun.
Make One Thing Feel Special
Every girlfriend getaway deserves one moment that feels a little extra. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. It just needs to feel intentional.
A few trip ideas worth adding to your itinerary:
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A dinner everyone dresses up for, preferably somewhere with ocean views and enough time to linger.
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A spa treatment or wellness afternoon, especially if the whole point is to feel restored.
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A sunset sail on Monterey Bay, because a little drama on the water never hurts.
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A private wine tasting, perfect for comparing favorites and pretending you know more than you do.
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An extra night — because nobody ever regrets having one more slow morning together!
Choose one plan that adds a little sparkle to the weekend and reminds everyone why making time for each other is worth it.
Add Something Everyone Looks Forward To
A few shared experiences give everyone something to look forward to before the trip even begins. Monterey works especially well because the best activities are close together, scenic, and simple to enjoy as a group.
Spend a Day in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is made for wandering. Browse the boutiques, step into a few galleries, linger over lunch, and let the afternoon move at its own pace. It’s one of the best girlfriend getaway ideas for groups who want charm without a strict itinerary.
Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a classic for good reason. Sea otters, kelp forests, and bayfront views make it feel special, even if you’ve visited before. It’s also an easy group activity because nobody has to be “in charge” of the fun.
Take in the Coast
Add time for the water, even if it’s simple. Walk along the waterfront, stop for photos, or take a ride along 17-Mile Drive. Some of the best things to do in Monterey are the ones that give everyone room to slow down, talk, and enjoy the view.
Keep the Schedule Light
One of the biggest mistakes people make when planning a girlfriend getaway weekend is trying to fit too much into it.
It's tempting to fill every hour with activities, reservations, and sightseeing. In reality, some of the best moments happen in between. The conversation that continues long after brunch. The boutique you stumble across by accident. The extra glass of wine turns into an hour of catching up.
Leave room for spontaneity. A lighter schedule gives everyone the freedom to relax, linger, and enjoy the weekend without constantly checking the time. After all, the goal isn't to see everything Monterey has to offer. It's to spend meaningful time together.
This Is Where It Comes Together
The best girlfriend getaway weekend isn’t about doing everything. It’s about choosing a place where time together feels easy, memorable, and worth repeating.
Monterey gives you the right ingredients: coastal views, wine tasting, charming shops, memorable meals, and just enough adventure to make the weekend feel full. Our Inn brings the rest together with historic charm, peaceful gardens, and a relaxed setting made for slowing down.
Gather your favorite people, choose your weekend, and make Old Monterey Inn your home base for a girlfriend getaway worth remembering.
Book your stay and start counting down to your next coastal escape!
Photo Credit: © AleksandarNakic from Getty Images Signature via canva.com, © Pgiam from Getty Images Signature via canva.com