Coastal Living Names Monterey as One of the Top 10 Happiest Seaside Towns

  • February 13, 2015
Coastal Living Names Monterey as One of the Top 10 Happiest Seaside Towns
The honor reflects Monterey's reputation as one of America's best places to live and visit with the beautiful Del Monte and McAbee beaches, active lifestyle, scenic Coastal Recreation Trail, the nation's #1 Aquarium, historic sites including Cannery Row, great culinary offerings and role as a leader in sustainable seafood. The top 10 list will be featured in the March 2015 issue of Coastal Living (available on newsstands now), and voting to select the No. 1 Happiest Seaside Town in America will take place from February 13 through March 31 at www.coastalliving.com/happytowns2015, with the winner announced in the July/August 2015 issue.

To celebrate this honor, the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau launched a contest today where travelers have a chance to win a two-night stay at one of Monterey's most scenic hotels, the Portola Hotel & Spa, and includes dining at the exceptional Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill, whale watching on Fast Raft and a visit to the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium. Instagram followers are invited to post an image that shows why they think Monterey is the Happiest Seaside Town with the hashtag #HappyMonterey. Participants can enter the contest by visiting the MCCVB website: SeeMonterey.com/HappyMonterey. The promotion will continue through March 31st, and the winner will be announced on April 2, 2015.

The list of America's Happiest Seaside Towns was compiled by Coastal Living editors by reviewing all of the destinations that have been Coastal Living Dream Towns, along with towns that were nominated by readers via social media. Coastal Living then collected each town's rank on the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, percentage of sunny days, air quality, healthiness of beaches, commute times, crime ratings, walkability, standard of living and financial well-being of the locals, geographic diversity and Coastal Living editors' assessment of each town's "coastal vibe."

Voting to name the No. 1 Happiest Seaside Town in America will begin on February 13 at www.coastalliving.com/happytowns2015 and will continue until March 31, 2015.

For more information regarding Monterey, please visit SeeMonterey.com

Photo credit: kristin5683.wordpress.com