Monterey guidebook
Things to do in Monterey
Day 1: wake up early to enjoy Monterey Bay Aquarium at opening time when it is least crowded. Enjoy lunch at either its cafeteria or short walk to The Fish Hopper. After the aquarium closes at 5 pm, head over to Point Lovers Park to dip your feet in the warm sand and splash in the water. They also have some tidepools for kids to explore.
Day 2: 17 Mile Drive. You can easily spend a whole day here as there are many rest stop with different attractions at each one. Cap it all off with a late lunch at The Bench restaurant overlooking the golf course of Pebble Beach
Day 3: Walk leisurely down Carmel and grab quick brunch bite at “From scratch” at the barnyard . Then check out the cute vintage stores and artsy galleries before heading off to Point Lobos State Reserve to do some hiking.
Day 4: Cruise down Highway 1 South towards Big Sur. The possibility of where to go from there is endless.
Amazing view followed by amazing food at reasonable price. Dont forget to make a reservation
16 locals recommend
Fish Hopper
700 Cannery RowAmazing view followed by amazing food at reasonable price. Dont forget to make a reservation
As a member of this world-famous aquarium, we are constantly in awe with what we are able to see and learn each time we go. The aquarium does get very crowded especially in the summer during the weekend so my advice is to go early or go really late or go during weekdays. There are some private tours that you can pay fee for to get up close and personal to the animals. Enter through member's entrance if you have a guest pass.
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowAs a member of this world-famous aquarium, we are constantly in awe with what we are able to see and learn each time we go. The aquarium does get very crowded especially in the summer during the weekend so my advice is to go early or go really late or go during weekdays. There are some private tours that you can pay fee for to get up close and personal to the animals. Enter through member's entrance if you have a guest pass.
Beautiful and safe place to bury your feet in the sand and splash around in the tidepools
127 locals recommend
Lovers Point
631 Ocean View BlvdBeautiful and safe place to bury your feet in the sand and splash around in the tidepools
You do have to pay to get in through the gates (Pebble Beach Country Club Gate is my recommendation). Enjoy a whole day here as there are multiple attraction points and almost every mile has its own rest stop with different backdrops of beautiful sea.
17 locals recommend
17 Mile Drive
17 Mile DriveYou do have to pay to get in through the gates (Pebble Beach Country Club Gate is my recommendation). Enjoy a whole day here as there are multiple attraction points and almost every mile has its own rest stop with different backdrops of beautiful sea.
I am partial to this restaurant as it is where my first date with my husband was 11 years ago. I still remember the stuffed animal dog he bought me after we ate the delicious food here.
16 locals recommend
Flying Fish Grill
7th AvenueI am partial to this restaurant as it is where my first date with my husband was 11 years ago. I still remember the stuffed animal dog he bought me after we ate the delicious food here.
After some hiking to the left of the parking lot, you will eventually find a secluded lagoon with some weathered stairs going down all the way to the sand. Hike down at your own risk but we enjoyed the time we had when we hiked all the way to the bottom.
309 locals recommend
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1After some hiking to the left of the parking lot, you will eventually find a secluded lagoon with some weathered stairs going down all the way to the sand. Hike down at your own risk but we enjoyed the time we had when we hiked all the way to the bottom.
The cruise down highway 1 to Big Sur is as quintessential Californian rite as any. Every curve reveals another breathtaking view. If you are adventurous you can drive all the way down to Hearst Castle, Pismo Beach and even to Newport Beach (near Los Angeles) and San Diego through highway 1.
334 locals recommend
Big Sur
The cruise down highway 1 to Big Sur is as quintessential Californian rite as any. Every curve reveals another breathtaking view. If you are adventurous you can drive all the way down to Hearst Castle, Pismo Beach and even to Newport Beach (near Los Angeles) and San Diego through highway 1.
Food scene
From Scratch Restaurant
3626 The Barnyard