41 Marvelous Things to Do in Monterey, California

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Otters. Wine tasting. Whale watching. Clam chowder. Monterey is likely one of the most lovely cities alongside the California coast – and essentially the most traditionally vital! Well-known for its unimaginable aquarium – half interactive museum, half animal conservation facility, half analysis lab – Monterey has masses to supply as a weekend journey from San Francisco. Which is why we go to Monterey a number of occasions a 12 months!

Simply two hours down the Pacific Coast Freeway from San Francisco, Monterey’s world-class aquarium, fascinating historical past, recent seafood, wealthy arts scene, and a few of the nation’s greatest wines make this coastal paradise a must-visit vacation spot. Our lays out all one of the best issues to do in Monterey that can assist you plan your journey!

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Monterey FAQ’s

• The place is Monterey? Monterey is situated on the California coast, about two hours south of San Francisco and just below an hour north of Massive Sur. For those who’re driving the Pacific Coast Freeway, you’ll move proper by means of city – and it’s considered one of our favourite stops on Freeway One!

• Wait, is Monterey a city or a county? It’s each! Whereas the city of Monterey is the county’s largest metropolis heart, Monterey county encompasses coastal cities like Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove, Moss Touchdown, and Massive Sur, and stretches inland to embody the Salinas Valley, Los Padres Nationwide Forest, and Pinnacles National Park. However for the sake of this publish, we’re specializing in issues to do within the city of Monterey, in addition to the encompassing areas on the Monterey peninsula.

• The place have I heard of Monterey earlier than? For those who’re a John Steinbeck fan, there’s a very good likelihood you’ve heard of Monterey – he grew up in close by Salinas, and far of his writing was about this space, together with the novella Cannery Row. I strongly suggest studying Cannery Row earlier than your journey, as it should actually improve your go to! Or maybe you acknowledge Monterey because the setting of the TV present Massive Little Lies. The present was filmed throughout city (though, for no good motive, there have been a LOT of pointless photographs driving over the Bixby Bridge… which is definitely 45 minutes south of Monterey!) And if that doesn’t ring a bell, you then’ve most likely heard of the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is arguably one of the best within the nation, and probably the world. (I’m able to argue about it, anyway.)

• When is one of the best time to go to Monterey? The very best time of 12 months to go to Monterey is in spring between March and April. California’s springtime will probably be in full bloom, and this time of 12 months additionally overlaps with the monarch butterfly migration, gray whale migrations, and the ice plant bloom in Pacific Grove. The second greatest time of 12 months to go to Monterey is within the fall between September and October: the climate is ideal and it’s extra more likely to be clear and sunny. The worst time to go to Monterey is between Could and August, when your entire coast is shrouded in “June gloom” and chilly, foggy days are the norm. Sure, that is a kind of bizarre northern California coastal quirks – summer time is the worst time of 12 months right here! We visited in November, and the climate was clear, sunny and heat.

Issues to Do in Monterey

Historical past, tradition, arts, and open air are just the start of Monterey issues to do. Throw in some wine-tasting, marine critters, and recent seafood, and also you’re all set for an unimaginable coastal getaway! 

A world-class aquarium, fascinating historical past, a wealthy arts scene, and a few of the nation’s greatest wines make this small city a must-visit vacation spot.  Listed below are one of the best issues to do in Monterey.

Discover Cannery Row

As soon as lined with sardine canneries (which I’m positive smelled … nice…), this central stretch of city is now dwelling to Monterey’s world-famous aquarium, just a few seashores, the InterContinental The Clement Monterey, and lots of different outlets, and is the bustling epicenter of Monterey.

In between the outlets and eating places, you’ll see proof of Monterey’s storied previous. Walkways criss-cross overhead, which as soon as housed industrial tools to shuttle sardines from the ocean into the canning services, and an enthralling strolling path has changed what was as soon as a bustling railway which transported cans of sardines and passengers up and down the California coast. 

Murals portraying the world’s various inhabitants of employees seem in between storefronts, and the small, well-preserved properties that after housed these employees interrupt and in any other case trendy stretch. Maintain a watch out for indicators explaining the historic significance of those landmarks otherwise you may miss them!

For those who’ve learn John Steinbeck’s novella Cannery Row, you then’re already accustomed to this avenue and its historical past. And when you’ve by no means learn his novel, then decide up a replica earlier than heading out in your journey in Monterey! It should add an interesting layer of depth to this bustling space and the individuals who lived there in a long time previous.

Aside from popping into each store that strikes your fancy, listed here are just a few highlights alongside Cannery Row:

• See the real-life inspiration behind Steinbeck’s Cannery Row: Steinbeck’s influences may be seen in all places alongside this stretch, and I’m not simply referring to Cannery Row Monument on Steinbeck Plaza. The actual-life inspiration for his novella and all the historic locations and other people which had been immortalized as characters from his e-book may be seen right here. As an example, the unique, still-preserved Pacific Organic Laboratories constructing (aka Doc’s Lab) nonetheless sits at 800 Cannery Row, the place it was as soon as inhabited by famed marine biologist and BFF of Steinbeck Ed Ricketts. To see all of it and join actual life to the e-book, take this self-guided walking tour!
• Take a Guided Tour: This tour brings Steinbeck’s characters to life as you discover Cannery Row on foot. Study concerning the historical past of Cannery Row, its significance in Monterey, and its position in Steinbeck’s literature.
• McAbee Seashore is the right escape from city. Steps from Cannery Row – actually, down a set of stairs proper off Steinbeck Plaza – this sandy expanse (at low tide, not less than) is a perfect spot for picnicking, kayaking, or simply taking within the view. In distinction to a few of the extra wild and pristine seashores within the space, McAbee is lined with outdated concrete partitions paying homage to Monterey’s industrial previous.

Stroll the Boardwalk at Fisherman’s Wharf

Previous Fisherman’s Wharf was first constructed within the mid-1800s for passengers and freight arriving in Monterey. The Wharf, run by the Monterey Metropolis Council starting in 1913, supported the completely different industries and populations that used the waters of Monterey Bay. Chinese language fishermen got here for abalone and squid, Portuguese whalers got here for the blubber of resident grey and humpback whales, Japanese fisherman got here for salmon and abalone, and the Italian fisherman ignited the growth within the sardine business. 

In 1923, on the peak of the sardine explosion in Monterey, the most important cargo of sardines was about to depart Fisherman’s Wharf. A ship that was about to be loaded with 20,000 instances of sardines tipped onto the wharf attributable to tough climate, and multiple hundred toes of the wharf collapsed. Evidently, a lot of sardines had been returned to the bay that day. (In hindsight, this incident undoubtedly ought to have been taken as an indication of the approaching collapse of the sardine business, however ya know … there was cash to be made!)

The Wharf was reconstructed and expanded, and the sardine business continued to growth proper up till it utterly crashed after World Warfare II, when the inhabitants of sardines was depleted because of overfishing (whoops). And like the remainder of Monterey, Fisherman’s Wharf grew to become a vacationer attraction as a substitute of a middle of fishy business!

Immediately, this pier is filled with outlets, eating places, confectioneries, and whale-watching excursions. On the weekends, you’ll usually discover the plaza out entrance full of native distributors promoting handicrafts and art work or performing dwell music or magic methods. It’s Monterey’s very personal seaside boardwalk!

• Carousel Candies: There’s no scarcity of sweet shops, taffy pullers, and fudge makers alongside Fisherman’s Wharf, so it’s exhausting to select a favourite, however Carousel Candies is on the prime of our record. Decide up all of the fudge, sweets, saltwater taffies, and dipped apples you may eat (plus extra to take dwelling) at this heavenly-smelling, vivid pink institution. We suggest the penuche fudge — oh, and when you purchase two items of fudge, you get one free!
• Take a self-guided walking tour: This tour highlights the historical past of Fisherman’s Wharf, Portola Plaza, Customized Home Plaza, the Pacific Home Museum, the First Brick Home Museum, and different historic Monterey buildings. This tour is a should for historical past lovers — or followers of the HBO miniseries Massive Little Lies (you may see locations the place some scenes had been filmed!).
• Water and Leaves: If all of the strolling, purchasing, and fudge have gotten you dragging, perk up with a cup of tea or mug of espresso at Water and Leaves. This hip and stylish cafe includes a native and sustainable menu of fastidiously crafted drinks and recent pastries. You’ve additionally by no means sweetened your tea like they do it right here — with six (sure, six) flavors of honey on faucet. Plus, you may’t beat the view.

Study About Monterey’s Wealthy Historical past

Monterey performed a crucial position within the historical past of not simply California, but additionally Spain, Mexico, and the USA. You see, Monterey was the capital of Alta California, a large Spanish and later Mexican territory that included most of modern-day California, Nevada, and Utah, and components of Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. 

So yeah: it was form of a giant deal. In fact, simply because Spain and Mexico claimed the world as their very own didn’t essentially imply a lot – a lot of Alta California was nonetheless absolutely underneath Indigenous management! Earlier than Spain arrived to colonize the world, Monterey was a part of the territory of the Ohlone tribe, who additionally lived in modern-day San Francisco and Oakland (and nonetheless do to today). 

When California was taken over by the USA within the mid-1800’s, Monterey welcomed teams of immigrants from Japan and China, becoming a member of the Mexican residents nonetheless residing within the space. Monterey shortly grew to become a middle for business, with a various inhabitants of employees to gasoline its speedy development and enlargement.

Within the mid-1800’s, shortly after being claimed by the USA, Monterey shortly grew to become a hub for the bloody, booming whaling business. Monterey Bay is a cease alongside the annual migration for Gray Whales (and lots of different whales), which meant it was additionally a unbelievable place to hunt and kill whales to make use of their blubber as gasoline. 

Sadly, killing animals en masse is an effective way to destroy their inhabitants and destroy your personal business, a undeniable fact that Monterey, sadly, needed to be taught twice. You may be taught extra about Monterey’s whaling historical past on the Old Whaling Station on Heritage Harbor.

To not be deterred by the collapse of the whaling business, within the early 1900’s Monterey quickly re-emerged as a middle for sardine fishing and canning. The sardine canning business remodeled Monterey, as new canneries popped up in a single day alongside at this time’s Cannery Row. Sardines had been fished from Monterey Bay by the boatload, transported throughout the road (alongside walkways that may nonetheless be seen at this time) to be canned or become fertilizer, and dropped off onto ready railroad vehicles immediately behind the canneries. Enterprise was booming, and Monterey was quickly referred to as the sardine capital of the world!

However because the sardine canning business grew, the sardine inhabitants declined. And through WWII, whilst troopers all around the world relied on cans of sardines for his or her rations, the business floor to a sudden, screeching halt. Monterey realized its second lesson in destroying animal populations for revenue, and the commercial period of Monterey ended. 

You’ll see proof of Monterey’s sardine canning historical past throughout Cannery Row, in transformed and deserted canneries nonetheless dotting the shoreline. Our lodge,InterContinental The Clement Monterey, was as soon as a cannery, as was the Monterey Bay Aquarium and lots of different buildings alongside the city’s central strip. Be sure you learn all of the indicators alongside the waterfront as you discover!

Immediately, Monterey’s financial system depends on tourism slightly than business, and it’s best identified for its pioneering method to marine conservation and analysis.

Listed below are just a few spots on the town to dive deeper into Monterey’s fascinating historical past: 

• Monterey State Historic Park: An ideal place to start out studying about Monterey’s historical past, the Monterey State Historic Park is a set of historic buildings and gardens, together with the positioning the place the Spanish first arrived within the early seventeenth century. Be a part of a guided tour or take a self-guided tour alongside the Monterey Strolling Path of Historical past to see outdated whalebone sidewalks, historic properties, and pleasant gardens.
• Pacific House Museum:  On a self-guided stroll by means of the Pacific Home Museum and Reminiscence Backyard, you’ll hint a chunk of California’s wealthy historical past, spanning its Native American origins by means of Spanish, Mexican, and American arrival in Monterey. The museum is housed in a 1847 constructing first used as a U.S. Navy storage facility. Earlier than turning into a museum, the constructing served as a courthouse, pub, church, and extra, so that you’ll actually be experiencing a chunk of Monterey’s previous!
• San Carlos Cathedral: The oldest church and first stone constructing in California, the San Carlos Cathedral dates again to 1794. It’s now a working parish and was not too long ago restored, however the architectural magnificence remains to be one thing guests can respect at this time. Subsequent door there’s a museum, the place you could find outdated images and drawings of the chapel and items of the church’s historic whale-bone sidewalk. You may as well take a docent-led tour to counterpoint your expertise of this historic landmark. 

Take a Self Guided Strolling Tour

This walking tour covers a lot of the Cannery Row space, starting and ending proper by InterContinental The Clement Monterey, the place we stayed. 

You’ll stroll previous seashores, underneath cypress timber, and previous historic canneries on this pretty 2-hour self-guided strolling tour. You’ll additionally be taught all about Monterey’s historical past of sardine fishing, in addition to the landmarks and individuals who impressed John Steinbeck’s novella Cannery Row.

Even when you don’t observe the tour precisely, I like to recommend studying by means of it to get some context for this space! We noticed a lot of the landmarks on our stroll from the lodge to get breakfast at Tidal Coffee, and understanding that historical past made the murals, statues, paths and buildings come alive as we explored the streets of Monterey.

Hit the Seashore

Monterey is a coastal city, and which means one factor: seashores! There are seashores throughout Monterey and the Monterey Peninsula, from proper within the heart of city at McAbee Seashore (steps from our lodge) to Del Monte Seashore, Monterey State Seashore, and Sand Metropolis seaside simply up the street. 

That mentioned, take it from a Northern Californian: some seashores are, er, higher than others. (Though don’t fear, not one of the seashores in Monterey are as depressing as our own residence seaside, Ocean Seashore in San Francisco, which is basically the Arctic tundra.) 

Listed below are one of the best seashores in Monterey and the encompassing areas:

• Carmel Beach: Seashores aren’t scarce in California, however Carmel seaside is one thing particular. Smooth, white sand, wonderful surf, and ideal sunsets make this cease price your time. Carry a night picnic, take an extended stroll on the scenic path, or simply sit and take heed to the waves crashing onto the seaside. This seaside can also be canine pleasant, so that you simply may make just a few furry buddies. (Oh, and hold a watch out for Mulan! She’s a giant fan.)
• Lover’s Point Beach: Lover’s Level Seashore is within the neighboring city of Pacific Grove and is a hotspot for boating, kayaking, and browsing. Due to the orientation of the Monterey Peninsula, it truly faces east — so you may rely on a stupendous seaside dawn when you get up early sufficient! A breakwall makes for calmer waters, so when you can bear the chilly, it’s a very good place to take a dip. (Simply in case, although, carry a wetsuit. The Pacific is freezing!)

• Asilomar State Beach: This attractive seaside, simply west of Pacific Grove, is a mixture of lovely sandy shores and hidden, rocky coves. The Asilomar Coastal Path takes you alongside the size of the seaside, making it simple to discover the dunes, tidepools, and coves.

​​Go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium

The world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium is likely one of the largest aquariums on the earth – and among the best! Positioned in a transformed sardine cannery (in fact), the non-profit aquarium is centered round analysis and marine conservation and is dwelling to hundreds of marine species, together with many which are discovered solely right here in Monterey Bay.

Within the aquarium’s 35 reveals, you’ll see playful otters, marvel at mesmerizing jellyfish, find out about cephalopods and meet the nice Pacific Octopus. You’ll expertise the within of a wave because it crashes over you, see divers feeding stingrays and sharks, and meet penguins, puffins, and coastal seabirds. 

In considered one of my favourite reveals, you’ll additionally discover out what makes Monterey Bay’s waters so particular: its enchanting kelp forests! Full of teeming marine life, the kelp grows 100 toes tall and gently waves forwards and backwards – and also you’ll get to see all of it up shut, as when you had been scuba diving within the waters simply exterior the aquarium’s again doorways (which can also be on our bucket record). 

It’s really unimaginable, and also you’ll acquire a brand new appreciation for the kelp forests which are dwelling to Monterey Bay’s distinctive marine ecosystem – the right context for going kayaking, diving, or boating by means of the Bay.

However my favourite attraction on the aquarium is the sea otter habitat, the place the world’s cutest marine mammals frolic and play. Monterey Bay Aquarium is thought for its position in rescuing and rehabilitating sea otters. Within the early Nineties, there have been solely 50 southern sea otters left in California. The scenario grew to become so dire that many individuals thought these animals would go extinct inside just some years. However because of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s cautious efforts, that didn’t occur.

You’ll see tons of otters taking part in within the water round Monterey, and when you look carefully, you may see little tags on a lot of them, figuring out otters that spent a while on the aquarium earlier than being launched again into the wild! 

Immediately, practically all the ocean otters in California dwell close to Monterey Bay (you’ll additionally see a lot of them in Morro Bay, Jeremy’s hometown). The aquarium’s rescue program has performed a key position on this success story, and these animals proceed to be ambassadors for the habitat restoration that’s essential if we need to defend our oceans! You may even meet the ocean otters earlier than your journey on the live Sea Otter cam. 

Be sure you buy a ticket for the aquarium earlier than your journey.

Go Whale Watching 

Whale-watching in Monterey is a bucket record expertise. Monterey affords a few of the greatest whale watching in California, which in flip is a few of the greatest within the nation (yeah, we’re fairly superior). Oh, and it was additionally the primary: whale watching as an organized exercise dates again to 1950 when the Cabrillo Nationwide Monument in San Diego was declared a public spot for the commentary of Grey Whales.

Monterey Bay is likely one of the greatest locations to see grey whales in Northern California. There are two seasons for whale watching in Monterey Bay. Go to from mid-December by means of mid-April to see grey whales, dolphins and orcas as they migrate south, or go to from mid-April by means of mid-December to see humpback whales, blue whales, dolphins, and orcas. (Psst: for extra particulars, we’ve bought a whole publish about whale watching in California!)

You will get a very good view of the whales from shore as they arrive to feed within the Monterey Submarine Canyon, which is the place most whale watching excursions embark from, in addition to at Point Lobos Natural State Preserve. You may as well see whales offshore at Garrapata State Park, particularly when you do the hike to Sobrantes Point & Whale Peak.

However for one of the best whale watching expertise and to actually rise up shut and private with these large, majestic creatures, take a Whale Watching Tour. Departing from Previous Fisherman’s Wharf, this tour may also offer you an amazing level to identify sea lions as you go out and in of the harbor. The tour takes you into the Monterey Bay Nationwide Marine Sanctuary, the place whales are noticed nearly each day. The tour lasts 3-4 hours and is hosted by a marine biologist who explains conservation efforts in place to guard the whales and different wildlife within the space.Journey Tip: Are you as fascinated by whaling historical past as I’m?? Pay a go to to the Whalers Cabin & Museum in Level Lobos and the Old Whaling Station close to Fisherman’s Wharf to find out about California’s whaling historical past. And for extra details about what whales frequent California’s coast and when, head to our whale watching in California guide!

Go Kayaking in Monterey Bay

Kayaking in Monterey Bay is one of the best ways to discover the gorgeous shoreline and expertise Monterey’s phenomenal marine wildlife. The Monterey Bay Nationwide Marine Sanctuary is dwelling to an unimaginable quantity of marine life (together with greater than 30 species of whales and dolphins), wealthy kelp forests, salt marshes, mudflats, deep-sea corals, and way more. And the world has a few of the greatest kayaking in all of California!

Out of your kayak, you’ll see seals and otters swimming proper subsequent to you as they frolic within the kelp beds, between boats within the harbor, and alongside seashores like Lovers Level Park. You’ll additionally doubtless see (and listen to) sea lions swimming and barking.

We go kayaking each time we go to Monterey (Mulan is a big fan, and has her very personal lifejacket) and we’ve seen dozens of otters and sea lions each time.We suggest renting kayaks in Monterey from Adventures by the Sea and heading out on a self-guided journey. Or when you’re new to sea kayaking, take considered one of their guided excursions.

Eat Recent Seafood

If there’s one kind of meals Monterey is thought for and does actually, actually properly, it’s seafood. And no marvel, since recent seafood is swimming proper exterior city. 

Along with being tremendous recent, you may rely on consuming some sustainably caught seafood. The Monterey Bay Aquarium runs a Seafood Watch program, which helps information shoppers and eating places in shopping for and serving sustainable seafood. This system isn’t simply native: it serves as a worldwide chief within the sustainable seafood motion and works immediately with producers, governments, and organizations to enhance their fishing practices.  

Many native eating places serve up fresh-as-can-be seafood in adherence to the Seafood Watch program, so you may take pleasure in sustainable (and scrumptious) sea-to-table eating. 

Monterey is thought for just a few native specialties. There’s a particular Monterey Bay fashion clam chowder, which is made with bacon so as to add a wealthy, umami taste that completely compliments the cream, potato, and seafood chowder. You’ll see clam chowder on nearly each menu, usually in an accompanying sourdough bread bowl (thank San Francisco for that scrumptious addition – you’re welcome, everybody!). 

Cioppino, a wealthy mariner’s stew made with all kinds of recent seafood in a tomato saffron broth – generally served with pasta – seems on the menus of just about each restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf. The dish displays Monterey’s Italian immigrant historical past, and it’s undoubtedly a neighborhood favourite (and Jeremy’s favourite, too).

And naturally, native seafood is all the time the star in Monterey: attempt an order of recent oysters, candy dungeness crab, fried sand dabs, and regardless of the “catch of the day” is.

• Old Fisherman’s Grotto: from the surface, it may not seem like a lot. However inside, the restaurant has that outdated cash really feel as if Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra had been going to be seated within the soft sales space behind you. However the true draw right here isn’t the flowery inside – it’s the meals. You see, Jeremy grew up consuming clam chowder in a bread bowl with seemingly each single meal. He can determine the age of clams by scent – okay, not likely, however you get the thought. The purpose is, the clam chowder right here is subsequent stage – it’s even gained the native “greatest clam chowder” award for the final 16 years. Their “Monterey Type Chowder” has a slight hit of smoky bacon that provides depth and taste – attempt it in a garlic butter toasted sourdough bread bowl. Oh, and don’t skip the crab: we ordered a recent crab cocktail which options roughly fourteen crabs price of candy, flaky deliciousness. (High your chowder with it for max Northern California-ness!)
• Cafe Fina: This small restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf served, to our shock, one of the best Cioppino we’ve ever eaten. The tomato and saffron broth was flavorful and wealthy, and the seafood – I imply, they need to empty the bay for each bowl judging by how a lot seafood they cram onto it: calamari, recent fish, shrimp, mussels, clams… mmm. The stew was served on a mattress of scrumptious linguini, which is an addition I can’t consider isn’t normal. Just about each restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf has a Cioppino, however in our opinion, Cafe Fina is one of the best place to attempt it!
• The C at the InterContinental The Clement Monterey: Positioned proper on the boardwalk in Cannery Row, the floor-to-ceiling home windows and charming outside patio have a few of the greatest ocean views on Cannery Row – good for watching the sundown! The C restaurant sits immediately on the ocean, so when you’re seated exterior, you’ll hear the sound of the waves pounding the shore as you eat. For those who’re fortunate, you may even see otters taking part in within the kelp forests simply offshore! The menu includes a sustainable sea-to-table number of native seafood fare. Every little thing on the menu is a standout, just like the Prawns & Dungeness Crab Pappardelle with oven-roasted tomatoes, capers, and lobster crème fraȋche. Come right here to look at the sundown and calm down with a glass of wine!
• Schooners: This restaurant within the Monterey Plaza lodge has a heated terrace that principally hangs over the ocean! Schooners serves American delicacies – with a concentrate on seafood, in fact. Chill out with a basic burger and beer or dwell it up in luxurious with a decadent seafood tower.

Go Tide-Pooling at Level Lobos

Level Lobos is a state park identified for its considerable marine life and delightful mountaineering paths. However that basically doesn’t seize the magic of Level Lobos, so I’m going to cite the grasp California author himself, John Steinbeck, with this lovely excerpt from Cannery Row:

“It’s a fabulous place: when the tide is in, a wave-churned basin, creamy with foam, whipped by the combers that roll in from the whistling buoy on the reef. However when the tide goes out the little water world turns into quiet and beautiful. The ocean may be very clear and the underside turns into unbelievable with hurrying, preventing, feeding, breeding animals. Crabs rush from frond to frond of the waving algae. Starfish squat over mussels and limpets, connect their million little suckers after which slowly raise with unimaginable energy till the prey is damaged from the rock. After which the starfish abdomen comes out and envelops its meals. Orange and speckled and fluted nudibranchs slide gracefully over the rocks, their skirts waving just like the clothes of Spanish dancers. And black eels poke their heads out of crevices and anticipate prey. The snapping shrimps with their set off claws pop loudly. The stunning, coloured world is glassed over. Hermit crabs like frantic youngsters camper on the underside sand. And now one, discovering an empty snail shell he likes higher than his personal, creeps out, exposing his delicate physique to the enemy for a second, after which pops into the brand new shell. A wave breaks over the barrier, and churns the glassy water for a second and mixes bubbles into the pool, after which it clears and is tranquil and beautiful and murderous once more…”

John Steinbeck, Cannery Row

So yeah. And on the danger of sounding like a damaged document, you should learn Cannery Row earlier than/throughout/after your journey!

Anyway, Level Lobos is fantastic, and the tidepools are tiny, enchanted swimming pools crammed with whole miniature universes of marine life. Ugh, now I’m simply embarrassing myself attempting to explain it after that Steinbeck quote. Ignore me. 

Head to Weston Seashore in Level Lobos for tide pooling. Journey Tip: You’ll need to arrive 90 minutes earlier than low tide – test the tide tables to search out out when low tide is. At true low tide, critters disguise and hunker down ready for the tide to rise. However arrive a little bit earlier than and the water will probably be simply shallow sufficient to see them earlier than they disguise!

Throughout our journey, low tide fell proper earlier than sundown, which meant we had been looking for vivid orange starfish and waving sea anemones within the tidepools throughout golden hour. We climbed to the highest of the rocky boulders bordering the tidal basin and watched the solar sink low behind the horizon. It was magical.

Discover the Monterey Bay Recreation Path

Stretching 18 miles down the coast, the Monterey Bay Recreation Trail traces what was as soon as a railroad line working from San Francisco proper as much as the loading docks of the canneries of Monterey. Immediately, it’s a lovely and well-maintained strolling and biking path that cuts proper by means of city and alongside the coast!

The path passes by the colourful piers of Fisherman’s Wharf, sandy seashores crammed with lounging harbor seals, blooming pink ice plant fields (nicknamed “the magic carpet”), and colourful and ornate Victorian properties alongside Pacific Grove. 

Bike, lease a surrey, or stroll the path south for so long as you want earlier than turning round and heading again to Monterey. You may decide up a motorbike, e-bike (y’all, they’re SO enjoyable) or a 4-person surrey bike at Adventures by the Sea simply off of Cannery Row.

Take a Hike

With near-perfect climate, ocean views, and delightful forests, Monterey and the encompassing peninsula make for some wonderful mountaineering — and also you don’t should go far (or climb excessive) to take pleasure in it. 

When mountaineering close to Monterey, you may anticipate sweeping views of the Pacific coast and trails that wind by means of enchanting redwoods and Monterey pines. 

And with most of the trails tracing the shoreline, it’s possible you’ll even catch a glimpse of marine wildlife and seabirds. Lace up your boots and get your digicam prepared!

• Asilomar Trail: This one-mile path extends the size of the sandy and rocky Asilomar State Seashore, south of Pacific Grove and on the western fringe of the Monterey Peninsula. The path itself is amix of packed sand and boardwalk and is splendidly flat — good for working or strolling. Plus, it’s an effective way to discover Asilomar Seashore — simply hop off the boardwalk wherever you need.
• Soberanes Point and Whale Peak: This 2-mile loop — with a spur to Whale Peak — circles Soberanes Level in Garrapata State Park. This park, south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, consists of the whole lot from ocean seashores to redwood forests, with rocky headlands in between. The Soberanes and Whale Peak Trails present epic ocean views with an opportunity to see a few of the park’s resident wildlife — sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, and even migrating grey whales! Head to our whale watching guide for extra info on what you may see at completely different occasions of the 12 months.
• Jacks Peak and Skyline Trail: This brief .8-mile loop at Jack’s Peak Park is a superb bang on your buck when you’re brief on time. You’ll hike by means of one of many three remaining pure stands of Monterey Pine, see a waterfall and, in springtime, loads of colourful California wildflowers. There are greater than eight miles of trails to select from on this park, however mountaineering on the Skyline path provides you spectacular ocean views from the highest of a ridgeline and an opportunity to see Miocene-epoch fossils. 
• Point Lobos State Reserve: South of Carmel Bay, Level Lobos State Reserve is an absolute gem on the Central Coast. The geology, vegetation, and animals are distinctive — and downright attractive. A part of the state park system, this “reserve” has a better stage of safety than different parks, so it’s actually vital to remain on trails and go away the whole lot the way you discovered it. There are many trails to select from primarily based on how a lot time you need to spend, however the 6.5 mile Point Lobos Loop Trail takes you all around the reserve for a style of the whole lot the park has to supply!

Patronize the Arts

It doesn’t take a lot time in Monterey and the encompassing communities to note the abundance of artwork. Northern California has a well-deserved status for quirkiness and creative expression, and this space is not any exception! Galleries, murals, and museums abound. 

Listed below are just a few locations to patronize Monterey’s native artwork scene:

• Monterey Museum of Art: For a mixture of new and outdated California artwork, head to the Monterey Museum of Artwork. Works date from the tip of the nineteenth century to current day, and the museum emphasizes the range of California’s “previous, current, and future.” Everlasting collections embody works by a variety of California painters in addition to the well-known pictures of Ansel Adams (of Yosemite fame). The museum itself is gorgeous, too, with expansive home windows and uncovered beams. 
• Salvador Dalí Exhibition: The Salvador Dalí Exhibition homes the most important privately-owned assortment of Dalí work on the West Coast. This exhibition celebrates Dalí’s love of and connection to Monterey, the place he lived within the Nineteen Forties after fleeing the warfare in Europe. The gathering consists of greater than 580 items, together with etchings, tapestries, sculptures and lithographs! Issues may get a little bit bizarre… and when you actually need to, uh, improve your go to, maybe partake in considered one of California’s completely authorized natural crops earlier than your go to. (When in California, proper?)

• National Steinbeck Center: Okay, so the Steinbeck heart isn’t technically in Monterey — it’s in Steinbeck’s hometown of close by Salinas — however with Steinbeck’s vital presence within the historical past of Monterey and Cannery Row, we needed to embody this spot. For those who’re a fan of any Steinbeck novel (or if a go to to Monterey garners your curiosity – AND IT SHOULD) you may’t miss a go to to the Nationwide Steinbeck Middle. With first version books, artifacts, interactive reveals, and themed theaters primarily based on his novels, this museum brings to life each Steinbeck and his intimate connection to his dwelling. If we’ve been too delicate on this publish, enable me to come back proper out and say it: Steinbeck is likely one of the best American authors, and also you want to learn some Steinbeck!! Begin with Cannery Row on your journey, however after that, we suggest Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, or Of Mice and Men.

Benefit from the Surroundings on the “17 Mile Drive”

The 17 Mile Drive includes a fairly — and ritzy — stretch of California shoreline. This unique drive has some can’t-miss sights, however to entry them, you’ll want pay $10.50.

Why is there a payment to drive this explicit stretch of coast, you ask? It’s owned and maintained by the Pebble Beach Company. The street accesses Pebble Seashore Resorts, together with the well-known Pebble Seashore Golf Hyperlinks. Which, when you’re into golf, is a fairly large deal. 

You may, nevertheless, get your payment reimbursed if you cease for lunch at one of many resort eating places (and pay $35). 

However there’s much more than…golf that makes this a spectacular drive. Image-perfect Pacific seashores, forests, and oceanside mansions gives you a thrill, plus there are some explicit landmarks that you just’ll need to cease for.

The Lone Cypress stands proudly on a craggy rock outcropping, framed by the foaming Pacific Ocean. This tree – which can also be the brand for the Pebble Seashore Firm – might be someplace round 250 years outdated, so whereas it’s not historical, it’s been round longer than our nation. 

This cypress tree and its neighbors — different Monterey Cypress — are additionally uncommon. They solely develop in two locations on the earth: in Pebble Seashore, and at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

All the drive is scenic and delightful, however be sure to additionally pull over for a few of our favourite stops: Spanish Bay Beach, Restless Sea, Seal Rock, and Crocker Grove. You may as well cease on the Pebble Beach Visitor Center if you wish to be taught extra concerning the space’s historical past, or Pebble Beach Golf Links when you’ve got any curiosity in golf.

If you wish to get much more out of this drive, you will get this self-guided audio tour. Get detailed info and historical past about all the stops alongside the drive so you may take pleasure in it to the fullest.For those who nonetheless need the advantage of a information however you’d choose a extra energetic tour of 17-mile drive, you may take an e-bike tour as a substitute. This 3.5-hour tour allows you to discover the drive at a barely slower tempo, plus you may benefit from the wind in your hair as you bike alongside the coast.

Go Wine Tasting

Though Monterey isn’t considered one of California’s many wine international locations, it’s nonetheless in California, so … which means wine. And when in California, wine tasting is a should. 

Wine rising isn’t a brand new business on this space: the primary grapes had been planted by Spaniards within the late 1700s. Since then, the wine business within the Monterey space has exploded. Numerous rising situations and microclimates enable growers to provide all kinds of wines, together with well-known Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. 

However with the close by seashores and idyllic ocean views, wine tasting in Monterey is about extra than simply the wine. There are tons of tasting rooms and wineries within the space, however listed here are just a few of our favorites: 

• Tasting rooms on Cannery Row: A Taste of Monterey is situated close to McAbee Seashore and affords greater than 90 native wines and has an amazing view.  Bargetto Winery has two places: one on Cannery Row and one on the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains. On the Cannery Row location, you may take pleasure in a tasting on the patio with ocean views.
• Blue Fox Cellars: Positioned in Carmel Valley, this small, family-owned vineyard gives a hands-on tasting with the winemaker himself. You may pattern wine and revel within the pretty mountain views from the outside patio, or take a break for some bocce ball within the courtyard. It’s a little bit of a schlep to get there, however so definitely worth the effort!
• The Wine Experience: Positioned on Cannery Row, the Wine Expertise is “greater than only a wine bar”: along with wine tasting, they provide courses, personalised wine labels, and customized mixing. Whether or not you’re a wine novice or a connoisseur, that is the place to be taught a factor or two. Mix your personal bottle of wine or take a tasting class to develop your now-sophisticated palate! 
• Pierce Ranch Vineyards: With a tasting room in Monterey, Pierce Ranch Vineyards is situated in southern Monterey County and focuses on Portuguese and Spanish varieties. The tasting room is housed in an enthralling Victorian home only a block from Cannery Row. Whereas wandering city, cease by for a tasting on the quaint entrance porch.

Need some extra wine tasting choices? Close by Carmel-by-Sea has its personal array of top-notch tasting rooms price a go to. Here’s a list that can assist you select what you’ll love! And talking of…

Go to Carmel-by-the-Sea

With a reputation like Carmel-by-the-Sea, you already know this little city must be some form of coastal fairytale city, and it’s! Monterey’s subsequent door neighbor – just some minutes down Freeway One – is an enthralling little city perched on a bluff overlooking the ocean. 

Carmel has a quaint, walkable “downtown” space crammed with cafes and galleries and delightful, storybook properties perched on hills rising above the ocean. 

One in all its claims to fame is that that is the house of none aside from Clint Eastwood, who as soon as served as city Mayor. (Clint Eastwood would go on to serve on the California State Park and Recreation Fee beneath  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. We, uh, form of have a factor for electing actors as politicians right here…)

One of the simplest ways to expertise Carmel throughout your journey to Monterey is to pop over for the afternoon and take a stroll. Only one sq. mile in space, you may see most of this charming city by foot!

• Take a strolling tour: This walking tour brings to life the structure and historical past of Carmel-by-the-Sea. An area information tells the tales of Carmel’s artists, cottages, and landmarks. We additionally suggest this local-created downtown Carmel walking tour, which is able to solely take you about an hour (it’s a small city). This tour traces a scenic walkway, and this self-guided tour visits the various fairytale fashion, storybook properties in Carmel!
• Take a food tour: Take a look at the structure, wine, and vibrant culinary scene with a Carmel meals tour. Pattern native dishes and treats like chocolate, olives, pasta, wine, risotto, or truffles. Scrumptious and informative, you’ll love the structure and historical past as a lot because the meals.

• Tour Carmel’s Galleries: Stunning artwork usually comes from lovely locations, and Carmel-by-the-Sea is not any exception. This gorgeous Pacific shoreline attracted an artsy combine of oldsters from the early days, and the identical is true at this time with nearly 100 galleries in a single sq. mile of downtown Carmel. The Carmel Art Association is a superb place to see the work of over 100 native artists in a one-stop-shop.

Go to Pacific G​​rove

Solely two miles from the city of Monterey, neighboring city Pacific Grove is properly price a go to. On the northernmost tip of the Monterey Peninsula, Pacific Grove affords a dramatic, rugged, and delightful shoreline together with its personal sandy seashores. 

Pacific Grove welcomes extra than simply ocean-seeking vacationers — in actual fact, it’s identified for the seasonal inflow of migrating Monarch butterflies! Go to within the winter to see a few of California’s most colourful seasonal residents.

Talking of coloration, Pacific Grove places on a fleeting however attractive spectacle in April or Could annually — a “magic carpet “ of vibrantly pink blooming ice plant flowers. Planted within the early 1900s, it covers the Pacific Grove Coast in a blanket of magenta every spring. (Sadly, ice plant is gorgeous, however undoubtedly not native and really invasive.)

This lovely seaside city can also be identified for its charming Victorian properties, a few of which have been become quaint mattress and breakfasts. There’s undoubtedly a little bit of quirkiness to Pacific Grove, too, with sights just like the Butterfly House including to the colourful colours of this lovely city. 

Absorb Pacific groves colourful, quirky, Victorian charms with a few of our favourite issues to do: 

• Eat at The Beach House Restaurant: Overlooking lovely Lover’s Point Beach, The Seashore Home Restaurant and Bar may need among the best views in Pacific Grove. Their informal menu options native seafood — attempt the Seafood Pasta for a style of recent salmon, scallops, clams, and grilled prawns in a tomato-caper sauce. The meals, the view, and close by Lover’s Level Seashore make this the right spot for a romantic sundown dinner!
• Meet the Monarch Butterflies: Nicknamed “Butterfly City, USA,” Pacific Grove welcomes hundreds of monarch butterflies that spend the winters right here (not in contrast to my mother’s annual retreat to Florida). From mid-October to mid-February, you may go to the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary to take a tour with a docent. It doesn’t matter what time of 12 months you go to, you may all the time take a look at the Monarch Gallery on the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History to find out about these annual guests.
• Go Tidepooling at Point Pinos Lighthouse: This historic maritime landmark is the oldest regularly working lighthouse on the Pacific, and nonetheless operates at this time. You may take excursions of the outdated Victorian-era constructing, which additionally doubled as a social hub in Pacific Grove’s early days. Mix a go to to the lighthouse with some tidepool explorations — the “Great Tide Pool” at Point Pinos is likely one of the richest tidepools habitats on the earth!

The place to Keep in Monterey

On our most up-to-date journey to Monterey, we stayed at lovely InterContinental The Clement Monterey, which is the best-located lodge in Monterey – and that’s not an exaggeration. 

Smack dab on the middle of Cannery Row (in a transformed historic cannery, in fact) the lodge is lower than a 3-minute stroll to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, McAbee Seashore, and the remainder of the points of interest alongside Cannery Row. 

The lodge sits immediately alongside the water, which meant that even our normal room got here with an ocean view by means of floor-to-ceiling home windows. We had been handled to gorgeous dawn views over the ocean every morning – and I’m not even a morning individual!

However y’all, can we speak concerning the room? Initially, there was a gas-powered, cozy AF FIREPLACE. Second of all, our toilet got here with a large bathtub – and a heat, fluffy gown. Which meant that I spent my Saturday evening studying Steinbeck in a bubble bathtub whereas Jeremy and Mulan relaxed in entrance of the hearth, listening to the rolling waves muffling the decision of seagulls and barking sea lions exterior.

Hear: we aren’t usually luxurious lodge individuals. However then I bought pregnant and properly, issues modified. Issues like my potential to sleep by means of the evening, particularly on an uncomfortable mattress. 

And after our keep on the InterContinental The Clement Monterey, I don’t assume I can return.  It was good, and made our journey really feel extremely particular!

For those who’re visiting Monterey for a particular weekend, we are able to’t suggest a keep on theInterContinental The Clement Monterey sufficient. For those who’re on a tighter price range, test low season and mid-week charges; we’ve seen availability as little as $200 per evening, which is a freakin’ steal for a lodge this luxury! Click on the button beneath to test charges and availability on your dates.

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Which of these items to do in Monterey are you most enthusiastic about? Is it the wine, the seafood, the tidepooling, the aquarium, or kayaking with otters? Oh, and have you ever picked up a replica of Cannery Row but?! Drop us a remark beneath!

Psst: Planning to discover extra of California? …. As California residents we have now LOTS of different posts – browse them all or simply check out these: