| other amenities include a hot tub, a garden and a children's playground, as well as a business center and a coin-operated laundry. less than a mile from the marina state beach on the pacific ocean, this unassuming budget hotel is an 8-minute walk from the marina dunes preserve and 3 miles from the salinas river national wildlife refuge. a breakfast buffet and parking are complimentary. straightforward rooms accessed by exterior corridors offer free wi-fi and flat-screen tvs, plus sitting areas and coffeemakers. check-in time: 3:00 pmcheck-out time: 11:00 am
Norman
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (22 min)
Paved, 2.2-mile road-racing track used for auto & motorcycle racing, plus special events. National Steinbeck Center (20 min)
Dedicated to John Steinbeck, this museum offers interactive exhibits for all ages & a gift shop. Point Pinos Lighthouse (24 min)
Oldest continually operating lighthouse on the Pacific, offering tours of Victorian-era building. Old Fisherman's Wharf (17 min)
Iconic waterside complex & event site featuring seafood eateries, shops & water-sports activities. Monterey Bay Aquarium (18 min)
Well-known aquarium on a rocky coastline with exhibits ranging from otter habitats to touch pools. Asilomar State Beach (22 min)
Tranquil place featuring a 1-mi. stretch of sandy beach & rocky coves, along with a walking trail. Marina State Beach (8 min)
Relaxing, family-friendly destination offers a public beach & park good for all-ages entertainment. Lovers Point Park (21 min)
Petite beach park with swimming, surfing & other water recreation, plus kayak & bike rentals & more. Monterey State Beach (11 min)
Miles of scenic coastline offer beachgoers recreational activities ranging from surfing to fishing. Pebble Beach Golf Links (21 min)
Famed & highly touted 18-hole coastline public golf course with dramatic sea views & a clubhouse. Del Monte Beach (14 min)
Strip of beach with boardwalk pathways through sand dunes, plus wildlife & picnic areas. Dennis The Menace Playground (13 min)
Spacious kids' playground & park featuring activities such as a maze & a rock climbing wall. Fort Ord National Monument (41 min)
Home to 35 species of rare flora & fauna, this undeveloped wildland offers over 80 miles of trails. Fort Ord Dunes State Park (12 min)
A trail leads to the beach in this park with a bluff-top platform offering views of Monterey Bay. Elkhorn Slough (14 min)
Tidal estuary sheltering otters, seals & migratory birds, with kayaking & boat tours. | 
