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Monterey Travel: At a Glance
by Jill Loeffler •
Looking for tips for your Monterey travel plans?
Sweeping ocean views, a world-famous aquarium, tours of wine country, first-class golf courses, waterfront towns, rich California history, and nature walks among coast redwoods.
You'll find all of this and more in Monterey, California.
Looking for the best Monterey activity? I recommend this top-rated whale watching tour. You'll have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to spot majestic humpbacks, blue whales, and dolphins just off the coast, guided by a biologist.
My insider's guide to Monterey travel includes top attractions, events, and other fun things to do all around the bay.
You'll also find tips for visiting the Carmel Valley wineries, highlights to check out in Big Sur, and ideas for touring the postcard-perfect 17-Mile Drive.
Click the links below to jump ahead.
Enjoy your stay, and please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you plan your visit!
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
Where is Monterey, CA?
Monterey Bay is located in the middle of California's coastline, just over two hours south of San Francisco.
The city of Monterey sits at the southern end of the bay, while Santa Cruz sits at the northern end. Along the Pacific Coast, the Monterey Peninsula also includes the towns of Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Pebble Beach.
A little farther south lies the beautifully rugged coast of Big Sur, and slightly inland the rolling vineyards of Carmel Valley.
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What towns does the Monterey Bay area include?
City of Monterey
The city of Monterey is the heart of the travel in this region. This colorful waterfront city is full of activities.
Thanks to its strategic location on California's central coast, Monterey became the birthplace of the state constitution and a major arts and culture center. Today you'll find it brimming with history.
Below you'll find details about the top attractions, activities, and tours that originate from this city.
The most visited attraction is the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium. You will find more than 200 exhibits and galleries that showcase the diverse plants and wildlife that call Monterey Bay area home.
Carmel-By-the-Sea
Carmel-By-the-Sea (often referred to as just Carmel) is about a 15-minute drive south of Monterey. This small town of fewer than 4,000 people is often called a fairy tale town because of its cute cottages, shops, and restaurants lining the streets.
Some of the top things to do in Carmel-By-the-Sea include heading to the beach for some amazing ocean views, visiting the historic Carmel Mission Basilica, and strolling around its lovely downtown area for shopping, wine tasting, and food.
If you plan to visit for a day or two, make sure to check out my recommendations for the best places to stay here. They include the top bed and breakfast recommendations, high-end hotels, and a few more budget-friendly options.
You will also find some great events each month. Check out my calendar here.
Pacific Grove
Another place to add to your Monterey travel plans is Pacific Grove. This small town is just south of Monterey. It's so close to Monterey that you could easily walk there from Cannery Row or the Aquarium.
Pacific Grove has plenty of fun activities. It's best known for its gorgeous waterfront vistas.
It's also well known for the annual migration of Monarch butterflies. This is where they spend most of their fall and winter months, as it is a wonderful breeding ground for this important insect.
Some of the must-see stops here include the Point Pinos Lighthouse, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, and the Asilomar State Beach.
>> Find a full list of things to do, where to eat, and more tips to plan for your stay
Pebble Beach
Just south of Pacific Grove, you start to run into the famed golf courses of Pebble Beach. This gorgeous area is home to eight golf courses, five of which are open to the public.
The three most famous golf courses here include Cypress Point Club, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, and Pebble Beach Golf Links.
The biggest event here every year is the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. This competition is held on three of the courses in the area.
Almost all of the activities here include golfing and checking out the amazing ocean views. It's also home to the famed 17-Mile Drive.
Carmel Valley
Heading inland, you will find the Carmel Valley Village. It's a must-visit for wine lovers traveling in Monterey.
This picturesque region is home to more than a dozen wineries and several high-end hotels (many of them associated with the wineries). It's a fun place to spend the day tasting some local wines, and many of the wineries are close enough to walk from one to another.
Whether you plan to spend the night or just come out for the day, your best option is to take the Grapevine Express Route 24. This is a public bus run by Monterey-Salinas Transit.
It will take you from Carmel-by-the-Sea to the front door of many of the wineries in the valley. This way, you can sample a few more tasty wines in this up-and-coming wine region.
The first bus leaves Carmel-by-the-Sea around 7 am and the final one returns from Carmel Valley around 7 pm. It runs all year long with several trips every day.
My 5 Favorite Carmel Valley Hotels
Santa Cruz
On the northern end of the bay, you will find the town of Santa Cruz. The biggest draw here is its famed oceanfront amusement park called the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The park opened in 1907 and is the oldest amusement park in California.
Top attractions on the boardwalk include the Giant Dipper (one of the most well-known wooden roller coaster rides in the world) and the Looff Carousel. You can also stroll along its boardwalk to play some games and enjoy some tasty treats.
In addition to its outside activities, you will find a few things to do indoors, including miniature golf, a pirate-themed recreation center, and a video game arcade.
Other things to do in and around Santa Cruz include surfing, spending a day at the beach, and visiting the wharf.
Make sure you spend a little time at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History (find more great museums here), and Natural Bridges State Beach (find more great beaches here).
You will also find plenty of great places to stay here, from high-end options to clean and comfy budget-friendly hotels.
>> More fun things to do around Santa Cruz
>> Find details for the best wineries around Santa Cruz
>> Great hiking trails around Santa Cruz
Big Sur
My insider's guide to Monterey travel also includes the Big Sur area. Located about an hour south of the Monterey Bay area, this mostly undeveloped area offers some of the most dramatic and stunning coastline vistas anywhere in the world.
In addition to soaking in the views, you will find some amazing places to hike, picture-perfect beaches, and a chance to explore some of our famous coast redwoods.
While you are here, make sure to also check out McWay Falls (one of just two waterfalls in California that drop directly into the ocean), drive across the Bixby Creek Bridge, and admire the Point Sur Lighthouse.
While there are a few places to eat and stay here, it's mostly undeveloped so you will want to come prepared with what you need for your visit.
What are the best things to do in Monterey?
Events in the Monterey Bay area
During your Monterey travel adventure, make sure you also check out some of the great events around the bay. These include options in Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and farther north in Santa Cruz.
Click the links below for the best options for each month.
Top attractions in Monterey
I created a guide to the top 10 attractions in Monterey, which includes:
- Monterey Bay Aquarium, where you can marvel at two-story tanks with kelp forests, sea otters, penguins, and more
- Cannery Row, where you can do some shopping in this historic district and wander down to the beach
- Fisherman's Wharf, where you will find barking sea lions and plenty of seafood to taste
Activities in and around Monterey Bay
Maybe you just want to hang out at the beach. Perhaps you'd like to try a little kayaking on the ocean. Whatever your interests, you will find several fun things to do in Monterey. Click on the images below for more details.
Monterey Travel Guides for Specific Interests
Tours around Monterey
Read my guide for details about a variety of interesting tours in Monterey.
These include whale watching, deep sea fishing, walking tours, wine tasting, kayaking, and more.
You'll find out where they leave from, schedules, prices (some are free), how to book, and more.
Deals on Tours in Monterey
Where Should I Stay in Monterey?
If you plan to stay in the city of Monterey, you will find many great accommodation options.
They include high-end spots along the water, such as the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa and the luxurious Portola Hotel & Spa.
There are budget-friendly options, too. Some of my favorites include the Inn by the Bay Monterey and the Hampton Inn.
>> Find all my top recommendations here.
What, and where, should I eat in Monterey?
If you're a foodie, you're in luck. The Monterey Bay area is known for its exquisite seafood and local wines. You'll also find lots of wonderful Mexican food.
Here are a few of my top picks.
How is the weather in Monterey Bay?
What can you expect from the weather during your Monterey travel vacation? The great thing about this area is that temperatures are mild throughout the year. You won't find many days that are too hot or too cold.
Here is a little more about what to expect each season.
Not sure what to wear? Find tips on what to pack with my Monterey Weather Guide. Find information by season and for each month.
Spring
Spring is a great time to visit the Monterey Bay area. It's before the busier summer travel season, and mild temperatures make walking around town a wonderful experience.
During the day, the highs reach the lower to mid-60s with the evenings cooling off to around the mid-40s. Make sure to bring along some layers, so you can stay warm during your stay.
Spring is also the tail-end of the rainy season. April and May receive only around an inch of rain for the entire month.
Summer
The summers here are also very mild. During the day, the temperatures reach the mid- to upper 60s with some days in the 70s. At night, the temperatures cool off quickly and dip into the lower 50s all summer long.
You will find very little rain this time of year, with just a trace amount of precipitation.
It's also best to layer. The fog this time of year creates overcast skies several days a month, making it feel a bit cooler than the true temperature.
It's the perfect time to travel to Monterey to get away from the scorching heat in other parts of the country.
Fall
September is the warmest time of the year in this area. The high temperatures reach up into the lower 70s. October is about the same with temperatures reaching into the upper 60s most days.
The nights are cool and breezy with temperatures in the lower 50s. There is also very little rain this time of year.
October is also when the Monarch butterflies start to make their way back to their breeding grounds around Pacific Grove.
Winter
The winters are very mild here, with daytime temperatures in the mid-50s. The evenings dip down a little with temperatures around the mid-40s.
November through March is also our rainy season. November starts out slow, with just a couple of inches of rain. This increases to up to around 4 inches in December, January, and February. It starts to taper again in March.
The rain is usually a light, cool rain that is easy to walk around in. At times, there are some stronger storms that blow through, but they usually only last a day or two.
What is the best way to get to Monterey, CA?
Are you planning to visit Monterey from San Francisco? My guide offers the best ways to get between these two destinations. Learn more here.
Many visitors combine a Monterey travel vacation with a visit to San Francisco. You will find a number of ways to get here from SF.
San Francisco is about two hours north of Monterey. You can easily drive down here for a day trip and return to SF in the evening. You can either rent a car or take a day tour where someone else does the driving.
You can read more about my experience on the most popular guided day tour from SF to Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea.
If you fly into the area, you can also easily rent a car and drive down yourself. I highly recommend taking the slow route down along Highway 1.
This takes a bit longer, but part of the drive is along the coast and it's a beautiful way to take in the vistas while traveling to Monterey. Later, you can take the faster route to return to San Francisco on Highway 101.
Make sure to avoid rush hour if possible when traveling to or from Monterey. This can increase your travel time by up to an hour each way (or sometimes more if there is an accident or rainy weather).
Once you arrive in the area, you will find some great ways to get around Monterey. Find my tips here.
Monterey Travel: Other Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely! Monterey, CA is full of wonderful things to see and do for every type of traveler.
How long should I spend there?
Monterey is a great day trip from San Francisco if you are short on time. However, if you are staying in the area a little longer, I recommend spending the night at one of these great accommodations and taking a couple of days to explore.
What are some fun facts about Monterey?
- Monterey was California's first capital. It contains some of the oldest buildings and churches in the state.
- John Steinbeck published numerous books about the local area, based in the central valley around Salinas, and along the coast at Cannery Row.
- The annual Monterey Jazz Festival is the longest continuously running jazz festival in the world.
Other Day Trips from San Francisco
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!
