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Monterey is an enticing ocean town on the glittering California Coast. This alluring beach getaway is located on the edge of Monterey Bay, and it’s beautifully surrounded by captivating cities like Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Pebble Beach.
While visiting this quintessential ocean town, you’ll enjoy sun-kissed beaches, scenic whale-watching cruises, lush nature trails, and day trips to nearby cities.
One of Monterey’s top attractions is the family-friendly Monterey Bay Aquarium, where you’ll get the chance to meet cute sea otters, penguins, jellyfish, sea lions, and other marine creatures.
The Monterey State Beach provides a glorious setting for swimming, boating, fishing, and other activities, while the scenic Coast Guard Pier offers great opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Monterey also delights visitors with its treasured collection of historic buildings (the age-old San Carlos Cathedral is a must-see), world-class museums, and even luxurious wineries!
The range of experiences available in this charming city is immense. To help you plan the trip of your dreams, we've created a complete guide to the 13 best things to do in Monterey, California. Have a look below!
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is, unarguably, Monterey’s most famous attraction. Created to inspire ocean conservation, the aquarium features over 200 exhibits and 80,000 plants and marine animals.
Some of the awe-inspiring sea creatures you’ll see in the Monterey Bay Aquarium include sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, rays, colorful jellyfish, penguins, and sharks.
Address: 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA
Stroll Along Old Fisherman's Wharf
After seeing the colorful sea life in the Monterey Bay Aquarium, head to Old Fisherman's Wharf. Used as a fish market into the 1960s, the pier grew to become one of the city’s top tourist destinations.
Old Fisherman's Wharf is dotted with souvenir shops and seafood restaurants (visit the Old Fisherman's Grotto for a top-notch clam chowder), aside from being a prime spot for whale watching. Visitors will also find several ocean activities, such as glass-bottom boat tours and fishing trips, available on the pier.
Address: 1 Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA
Learn About Monterey's History In The Monterey State Historic Park
The Monterey State Historic Park will give you a unique glimpse into Monterey’s rich history. Founded by Spanish explorers in 1770, the town was California's capital under Spanish, Mexican, and U.S. military rule, and it’s one of the state’s oldest cities.
Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970, Monterey State Historic Park is an outdoor museum that includes the Monterey Old Town Historic District and 17 significant historic buildings.
One of the top experiences offered by the park is the “Monterey Walking Path of History,” which allows visitors to see the site where Spanish explorers first landed in Monterey in 1602. You'll also see some of California’s most historic homes, including the Pacific House Museum, a two-story adobe house that was used by the United States military as an office and storage space and served as a county Court House, a jail, tavern, a hotel, and a newspaper office.
Address: 20 Custom House Plaza, Monterey, CA
Explore Monterey's Museums
Photo Credit: Monterey Museum of Art
Monterey is brimming with wonderful museums catering to every interest and curiosity. Whether you’re a history buff or a science nerd, you will surely find a stellar museum in the city.
Visit the Monterey Museum of Art to see nearly 10,000 works representing California art and eye-popping rotating exhibits.
If you’re visiting Monterey with the kids, stop by the family-friendly Monterey County Youth Museum, home to nine gallery areas and over 50 interactive exhibits.
Another inspiring Monterey museum is the Colton Hall Museum, which presents visitors with a re-creation of the meeting room where California's first Constitution was formulated in October 1849!
Check Out The San Carlos Cathedral
The San Carlos Cathedral is another historic gem in Monterey. Also known as the Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo, the church is the oldest stone building in California and the oldest continuously operating parish in the state.
Built-in the Spanish Colonial style, the San Carlos Cathedral was beautifully repaired and restored in the early 21st century and named a National Historic Landmark in 1961.
During archaeological digs in the cathedral, several relics were found, including pottery shards, tools, shells, animal remains, and a 1779 Spanish coin.
Address: 500 Church St, Monterey, CA
Hike The Monterey Coastal Recreation Trail
The Monterey Coastal Recreation Trail is a scenic waterfront pathway stretching 18 miles from Castroville north to Pacific Grove south.
Following the old tracks of the Southern Pacific Railway, this alluring pathway offers spectacular views of the majestic Monterey Bay and provides access to idyllic beaches and top attractions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Address: Jewell Ave. and Ocean View Blvd. (Pacific Grove) to Haro St. and Merritt St./SR 183 (Castroville).
Discover The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Nature lovers can’t pass up the chance to visit the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This protected marine area between San Francisco and Cambria includes pristine beaches, serene tide pools, and verdant kelp forests.
The sanctuary’s luscious environments can be explored through outdoor activities like stand-up paddling, diving, kayaking, boating, and wildlife watching.
Shop Your Way Through Cannery Row
Running along the shoreline, Cannery Row is a vibrant waterfront street in Downtown Monterey. Once the site of sardine canning factories, the street is home to independent boutiques, gift shops, and cozy luxury hotels.
Here, visit the Cannery Row Antique Mall, housed in an old canning company building, and sell a dazzling array of antiques, from home décor to clothing.
Not far from Cannery Row, you'll find the Monterey Coast Guard Pie, a prime spot for viewing sea lions and harbor seals.
Take A Walk On The Cypress Grove Trail
Situated less than 15 minutes from Monterey, the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve offers visitors the opportunity to experience nature uniquely. This scenic coastal park is home to the Cypress Grove Trail, which allows hikers to see one of the two naturally growing stands of Monterey cypress trees remaining on Earth.
Address: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Indulge In A Luxurious Wine Tasting Experience
Famous for its unique microclimates and diverse growing conditions that produce 32 varieties of grapes, Monterey County is one of the largest wine-growing regions in California. Throughout the county, you’ll find over 150 wineries, several of which have tasting rooms in Monterey City.
For an unparalleled wine-tasting experience, visit A Taste of Monterey on Cannery Row. Here, you’ll try a selection of wines from over 90 Monterey-area wineries paired with homemade flatbread pizzas and artisan cheese with views of the Pacific Ocean.
Level up your Monterey experience by exploring the Great River Road Wine Trail. The road has award-winning wineries crafting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Grenache Noir, Syrah, Viognier, and other wines between San Luis Obispo and Carmel.
Enjoy A Scenic Whale Watching Tour
Monterey is one of the best destinations for year-round whale watching in the United States. Several unique tours around Monterey Bay allow you to spot fascinating creatures like blue whales, humpback whales, gray whales, orcas, and other marine species migrating seasonally.
Go On A Day Trip To Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a jewel on California’s Monterey Peninsula. Located just 11 minutes from Monterey City, this seaside town has gorgeous rugged landscapes, aside from being home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States.
One of the top experiences in Carmel is experiencing the scenic 17-Mile Drive, a portion of the Pacific Coast Highway that runs through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove and offers fantastic views of dramatic coastal cliffs, snow-white beaches, mystical forests, and iconic golf courses.
In Carmel, be sure to also stop by Il Tegamino (try their slow-cooked braised lamb with risotto alla Milanese), and the picture-perfect Carmel Mission Basilica Museum, one of the most artfully restored Catholic mission churches in California.
Spend The Day At Monterey State Beach
Monterey State Beach is a protected beach along the southern shores of Monterey Bay. The beach is a veritable wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts, and some of the tried and true activities here include surfing, fishing, swimming, and exploring tidepools.
Address: Del Monte Ave. at Park Ave., Seaside
One Day in Monterey: How to Spend It
Most visitors come for a weekend, but one day in Monterey is enough to hit the highlights if you plan the sequence right.
Morning: Monterey Bay Aquarium (9am-12pm). Open from 9:30am daily. Arrive close to opening to beat the lunch rush. The deep sea exhibit and the kelp forest tank are both worth 30-40 minutes each. Budget 2-3 hours total. The aquarium is on Cannery Row, which gives you the walk along the old sardine canneries as a natural transition to the next stop. Tickets are $65 adults, $45 for kids 3-12. Book online to avoid queues at the door.
Late morning: Cannery Row and the Coastal Recreation Trail. Walk the 2-mile Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail from the aquarium toward Old Fisherman's Wharf. The path runs along the edge of the bay with views across the water to Pacific Grove. Harbor seals haul out on rocks along this stretch. Takes about 45 minutes at a slow pace.
Lunch: Old Fisherman's Wharf (12pm-1:30pm). Clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl from one of the competing wharf vendors. Cheap, filling, and genuinely good. The wharf is touristy but not offensively so. The sea lions under the dock make it worthwhile.
Afternoon: 17-Mile Drive (2pm-5pm). Enter at the Carmel Gate or the Pacific Grove Gate. The drive is $12.25 per vehicle. Stop at Lone Cypress, Seal Rock Beach, and the Bird Rock overlook. The Pebble Beach Golf Links section has views of the 18th hole. Allow 2-3 hours to drive slowly with stops. You'll exit near Carmel-by-the-Sea, which leads naturally to the last stop.
Late afternoon: Carmel-by-the-Sea (5pm-7pm). Ocean Avenue runs down to Carmel Beach, one of the best dog-friendly beaches in California. The town's main street has art galleries, bakeries, and wine tasting rooms. Park on Ocean Avenue and walk down toward the beach. Sunset from Carmel Beach looking back toward the Santa Lucia mountains is genuinely one of the best free views in California.
Monterey vs Carmel: Which Should You Choose?
They're 5 miles apart. Most visitors see both in a single trip. But if you're choosing a base, here's what actually matters.
Choose Monterey if you want more to do in walking distance. The aquarium, Cannery Row, Old Fisherman's Wharf, and the bay trail are all within a mile of each other in central Monterey. More hotel options at more price points. Better for families with kids. More activity infrastructure (whale watching departures, kayak rentals, dive shops).
Choose Carmel if you want atmosphere over activity. Carmel-by-the-Sea has no street addresses (replaced by property descriptions), no traffic lights, no chain restaurants in the historic area, and genuinely picturesque streets. The beach is outstanding. It is quieter and more expensive than Monterey. Better for couples or solo travellers who want to eat well and walk slowly.
Monterey is not a cheap destination, but there are genuinely free things worth doing.
Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Free. The 2-mile paved path from the aquarium toward Pacific Grove runs along a working bay with sea otters and harbor seals visible from the path. Harbor seals, otters floating on their backs, and clear bay views. Pelicans everywhere. No entry fee.
Carmel Beach. Free. No parking fee, no entry fee. Dogs allowed off-leash at all times. White sand, turquoise water, and the Santa Lucia mountains as a backdrop. One of the genuinely free great California beaches.
Point Pinos Lighthouse. Free on weekends (1pm-4pm). The oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast, built in 1855. The lighthouse sits at the tip of the Monterey Peninsula with views to both the bay and the Pacific.
Fisherman's Wharf harbor walk. Free. Walk out to the end of the wharf for free views. Sea lions below the dock year-round. The clam chowder vendors are not free, but looking at them is.
Pacific Grove Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. Free. From late October to February, tens of thousands of monarch butterflies overwinter in the eucalyptus grove at George Washington Park in Pacific Grove. Walking the 0.5-mile loop to see them is free. Pacific Grove hotels on CuddlyNest from $95/night, the quieter and cheaper alternative to central Monterey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Monterey, California
How do I spend a day in Monterey?
Morning at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (arrive at opening, 2-3 hours). Walk Cannery Row and the Coastal Trail to Old Fisherman's Wharf for lunch (clam chowder, 45 minutes). Drive 17-Mile Drive in the afternoon (2-3 hours with stops at Lone Cypress and Seal Rock). End the day in Carmel-by-the-Sea: walk Ocean Avenue, finish at Carmel Beach for sunset. That itinerary covers the four things Monterey is actually known for in about 8 hours.
Is Monterey or Carmel better?
For activities and a family trip: Monterey. For atmosphere, restaurants, and romance: Carmel. They are 5 miles apart and most visitors do both. If you have only one day and one hotel, stay in Monterey and drive to Carmel for the afternoon, giving you both. If you have 2-3 nights, start in Monterey, move to Carmel for the last night.
What are free things to do in Monterey?
The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail (free), Carmel Beach (free, dogs allowed off-leash), Point Pinos Lighthouse (free weekends 1-4pm), the harbor seal viewing area on the bay trail (free), and the Pacific Grove Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary from October to February (free). The aquarium, 17-Mile Drive, and whale watching tours are the main paid activities.
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