Monterey County in California is known for its great outdoors – a combination of iconic stretches of coastline, variety of national and state parks, award-winning beaches, waterborne pursuits and fertile farmland that have inspired creatives from John Steinbeck and Henry Miller, to Ansel Adams, Frank Sinatra, Clint Eastwood and Taylor Swift. Where better to look out and inwards, rather than down at your phone, to address the symptoms of technology burnout.

• According to research release in February by USwitch the average Brit checks their phone every 12 minutes. Two in five (40%) of adults look at their phone within 5 minutes of waking up (65% for under 35s) and 37% of adults check their phone five minutes before going to bed.
• Scott Dunn's Summer 2024 Luxury Travel Trends Report showed that 57% admitted they don't think they could go on holiday without their smartphone, and 50% to not being able to last 24 hours without checking social media. 35% said they couldn't go 24 hours without checking work emails (more the case for women than men, and highest for Millenials).
• In 2019 travel firm Jules Verne also found that 37% of Brits were more likely to choose their phone as a holiday companion than a friend of family member.

Here are some ways to distance from technology, and connect with the surroundings and self, during an escape to Monterey County:

The Sanctuary Beach Resort, a 60-room property located along 19 acres of shoreline between the Marina Dunes Preserve, reopened in June this year and in August introduced a Burnout Recovery Journey. The program is specifically designed to help combat tech burnout and the side effects of constant screen time, whether social media or work, with a 'Disconnect to Reconnect' approach. Elements include relaxation therapies and a HIGHERDose Infrared PEMF Mat experience, a 20-minute Sleep Hypnosis created in partnership with The Travelling Hypnotist Podcast that incorporates soundscapes recorded at The Sanctuary, non-alcoholic aperitifs from De Soi, nourishing cuisine and a waterproof SLNT Phone Bag that blocks all signals. The package starts from $609 per night with a two-night minimum stay.

Deetjens Big Sur Inn, set on the edge of the redwood forest in Big Sur, offers an authentic offline experience. They only take reservations for the rooms and restaurant by phone, there's no wifi and guests are asked not to use their mobile phones in their rooms (there's no reception anyway!). For decades guests have instead added to the Inn's journals in the rooms and they have a library of these dating back to the 1950s. Deetjens is on the National Register of Historic Places having opened in 1930. When Highway 1 opened in 1937 and increased the volume of traffic from the original wagon tail Helmuth and Helen Deetjen starting adding to the inn using locally milled redwood and giving each room a hand crafted personality and name to match. During this process Grandpa, as he came to be known, recreated the architecture of his native Norway that helped develop what is now known as the Big Sur style of building. In 1972 Grandpa Deetjen bequeathed his Big Sur home to be forever enjoyed by guests wanting to enjoy peace, friendship, quietude and the beauty of the place. Rates start from $130 for a double room with shared bathroom or from $250 for a double room with private bathroom. Reservations can be made by calling +1 831 667 2377 (reservationist available 11am to 4pm PST daily).

Le Petit Pali at Ocean Ave and Le Petit Pali on 8th Ave are two boutique guest-houses just a stone's throw apart in picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea. The first outposts by PaliSociety's new Le Petit Pali brand, they offer a curated bed and breakfast experience where guests are encouraged to mingle in the communal spaces thanks to a Social Happy Hour that's hosted at one or other of the properties between 2pm and 8pm each day. Exclusive to guests these offer a curated assortment of regional wines, classic cocktails, beers and hors d'oeuvres alongside rotating specials from local artisans including Michelin-starred hotspot Chez Noir restaurant and Folktale Winery. Rooms start from $318 per night.

Post Ranch Inn, one of just 11 hotels in the US to have been awarded 3 Keys in the new Michelin Guide hotel rankings, offers a variety of Spiritual Exploration journeys that embrace Native American thought and tap into the ancient healing energy of the Big Sur land and spirit. Shaman Sessions offer a guided journey through Shamanic practices perfected over thousands of years to release unwanted energy and recover vitality and help reset to our natural state of health and wholeness, known as the 'healed state'. Look out for special opportunities to experience this at full moon. Meanwhile the Power Animal Drum Journey invites guests to meet the power animal that's coupled to their soul through a combination of Shamamic drum rhythms and meditation. Both experiences start from $340pp and $540 per couple.

It's well-known that technology and water don't mix so make the most of Monterey County's thermal waters with three very different experiences. At Ventana Big Sur, resident or day pass guests (available from £210pp) can retreat to the Japanese hot baths enjoying the communal-bath setting in 104-degree water. Separate areas for men and women are provided, or they can meet in the middle. Refuge in Carmel Valley (admission from $67pp) is an adults-only device-free and silence-encouraged day spa that offers a signature Refuge Thermal Cycle – heat up, cool down, and relax – in hot and warm pools with thermal waterfalls, Nordic cool and cold pools, Himalayan salt wall sauna, steam room and relaxation area with zero gravity recliners. Taking it a step closer to nature, the hot springs at the nearby Esalen Institute are a healing space where the baths are clothing optional, with individuals encouraged to find their own edge between comfort and respect for the human body. These pools were redesigned in 1999 by Big Sur starchitect Mickey Muennig (who also designed the Post Ranch Inn) and are fed by the natural Porter Springs. Access to the pools is available to guests or via a limited number of Esalen Massage Visitor Passes from $359pp.

For more information visit www.SeeMonterey.com 

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ABOUT SEE MONTEREY: See Monterey is a 501c6 non-profit organization that drives tourism for Monterey County. Tourism is the largest industry on the Monterey Peninsula and the second largest in the County. See Monterey is a partnership of the hospitality community and local governments that aims to generate community prosperity and enrich economic vitality for Monterey County through the responsible promotion and growth of the tourism economy. Travel spending in Monterey County was nearly $3 billion in 2022, supporting 25,370 jobs and generating $307 million in state and local tax revenue that directly benefited the community. For more information, visit www.SeeMonterey.com.