Monterey County is in Central coast California about 100 miles South of San Francisco and includes Big Sur, the Salinas Valley and most of Monterey Bay.

The major highways into Monterey county are Highway 101 and Highway 1.

From San Jose (north)
If you are coming from San Jose take 101 to Prunedale and exit to Highway 156 to go to the Monterey Peninsula; or stay on Highway 101 and continue to Salinas, and the Salinas Valley.

From Los Angeles (south)
If you are coming from the south take highway 101 all the way up to Monterey county. Highway 1 is very slow going (lots of curves in Big Sur), not recommended unless you have lots of time to see the beautiful coast.