Top Things to do in Monterey County
The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Monterey County, Monterey County
Monterey offers a host of historic attractions from Cannery Row to the famed Monterey Aquarium. This incredible sliver of oceanfront offers an amazing bounty of things to do, with marine, floral and vine-fresh delights to savor. Monterey-Salinas Transit and Amtrak let you take your eyes off the road. Charming towns, world-class golf courses and idyllic inns lie at the hem of the glittering Pacific. Whether you're looking for calm or noisy beachside fun, the Monterey Peninsula has it in buckets.
Restaurants in Monterey County
1. Point Lobos
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,751 reviews
Watch whales in winter and sea lions all year round at this Bay Area nature reserve, which offers hiking, walking, bird watching, scuba diving and magnificent views.
Reviewed By travelerfromsj - San Jose, United States
This park is called the crown jewel of California’s State Park System, and rightly so. It’s one of the most beautiful places in California, equivalent IMHO to the National Parks, Lake Tahoe and Big Sur. Moreover, it’s small enough to see in a half day visit, and very visitor friendly to boot, with easy and well-groomed trails (many accessible) and restrooms scattered throughout the park. We went on a sunny weekday in December, parked at Whalers Cove, and hiked the coast trail counterclockwise around the peninsula to the southern tip of the park at Bird Island, taking every offshoot trail and climbing Whalers Knoll. We then walked straight back to our car. This was about a 5.7 mile loop, with 700 feet of elevation change. In general the trail is easy, packed dirt and sand, plus occasional stairs and some rocks to climb at the overlooks. The only real climb is at Whalers Knoll, which goes up about 180 ft., but you can bypass this via North Shore Trail. Highlights on the walk were the beautiful twisty trees on Cypress Grove Trail and the bird-covered Bird Island. The walk out to Sea Lion Point was closed, possibly because of high surf. No whale sightings, but we did see harbor seals lying out on one of the beaches near Bird Island. Some quick tips if you decide to visit: 1. If you’re a local, check the weather and wait for a sunny weekday to visit, preferably in the off season. If you do, the park will be fairly empty and parking is easy, except possibly near Sea Lion Point. A docent told us that on a sunny day in the summer, parking is full by 9 am, and the park is then closed to cars. 2. Entry is $10, $9 for seniors, plus $2 for the trail map (well worth it). You can get in for free by parking along Highway 1 and walking in. 3. Bring a picnic lunch. There are 3 picnic areas, 5 flush restrooms, and many drinking fountains, but no food for sale. 4. Bring binoculars for a close up look at the birds and marine mammals. 5. Bring a face mask or buff that you can pop on quickly when passing hikers on the trail. Mask usage here was very good. If you’re sick and tired of being stuck at home, visit Point Lobos; it’s the perfect antidote.
2. Garland Ranch Regional Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 187 reviews
Garland Ranch Regional Park is the “granddaddy”' of the MPRPD properties, representing the District's first parkland acquisition. The park was purchased in 1975 from William Garland II, who generously gifted a portion of the cost by reducing the purchase price to below fair market value. An eminent southern California community leader, Mr. Garland spent many summers with his family on the "ranch". This park is home to a variety of landscapes that occur at elevations from 200 to 2,000 feet. From the willow covered banks of the Carmel River through the cottonwood-sycamore stands of the old floodplain, the trails ascend steeply. Atop the northern crest of the Santa Lucia Mountains, the trails encounter open oak savannas and spectacular vistas. Along the way, you will travel through maple-filled canyons, dense oak woodlands, and thick stands of chaparral. Garzas Creek gently bisects the park and provides a peaceful, shaded trail that reaches a secluded side canyon of redwoods. The park is also home to a wide variety of insects, birds, plants and animals, descendants of the first residents. Species lists of common birds, mammals, and plants are available at the Visitor Center or the District Museum, both located in the park. Throughout the park there are reminders of Carmel Valley's past: Rumsen Indian habitation sites; homestead, hunting and logging remains; livestock trails, ponds and springs; and Rancho Don Juan.There is a ranger/volunteer staff to help you enjoy your visit. The District provides both in-class environmental education programs and outdoor interpretive hikes and other events for all ages.Day use activities include hiking, photography, horseback riding, jogging, walking, bird watching, painting and simple solitude, and limited mountain bike riding in the Cooper Ranch area. A small visitor center is located at Garland and staffed by volunteers.
Reviewed By 7268 - Oakland, United States
Very nice regional park. Great hiking, and much of the hiking is under tree cover. Good signage. Very well-kept park. Visitor Center closed due to COVID19, but it looks like a well-equip visitor's center. I did a six-mile hike on a beautiful, clear September day. Temp was around 75 degrees F. Hike was a perfect uphill cardio workout. Plenty of parking.
3. Asilomar State Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,041 reviews
The name of this State Beach means "a refuge by the sea," which describes the breathtaking views of forest, surf and sand on more than 105 secluded acres of scenic forest and sand dunes.
Reviewed By AdvtrTrvlr - Camarillo, United States
This State Beach starts at Lover’s Point and follows Ocean View Blvd around Pacific Grove to Sunset Dr and ends at Asilomar Beach. There is a something for everyone: nice boardwalks, footpaths, expansive tide pools at low tide, large crashing waves, lots of wildlife including sea otters, Pacific harbor seals, and lots of life in tide pools to explore. There are lots of benches to sit on and lots of rocks to climb at the right tide. Off shore you might see Humpback whales breaching, dolphins, or in winter time Gray whales. We have driven along the coast many times, taken many walks over the years and it’s always been an amazing place to hang and out enjoy nature. The weather can change a lot. Take and have with you layered clothing. The day after Thanksgiving was beautiful and sunny with no wind. Other times it has been extremely windy and cold.
4. China Cove and Gibson Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 112 reviews
Reviewed By aliciasM3431NZ - Roseville, United States
We really enjoyed this state park on our visit. We walked almost 6 miles. We were able to see lots of sea life. They have picnic tables in certain spots, great for lunch and a break in between hikes. Clean restrooms. We will be back to explore more. Great for children just be careful if they are small.
5. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 57 reviews
Welcome to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, one of our nation's most spectacular federal marine protected areas (MPAs). The sanctuary offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the world! This "Serengeti of the Sea" includes pristine beaches to peruse, jewel-like tide pools to explore, and lush kelp forests to dive into. A variety of recreational activities are available to visitors, including wildlife and bird watching, diving, surfing, paddlesports, tide pooling, and so much more. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is also a popular fishing spot, and anglers can target a variety of fish including coho salmon, chinook salmon, albacore tuna, and Pacific halibut.
Reviewed By jaseaton - Silver Spring, United States
Wherever you walk along the Sanctuary's paths, you'll be in heaven. Sweeping vista views of the coast, pipers playing dodge the waves, people walking their dogs, everyone enjoying the sun, the air and the surf. A terrific place for an hour or three of strolling.
6. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 799 reviews
Popular hiking trail running along the Pacific Grove and Monterey coast.
Reviewed By Dao1949 - Chiang Mai, Thailand
It stretches along the coast of Monterey from Fisherman's Wharf all the way through Pacific Grove Beach and Lover's Point. Incredibly scenic views to be viewed along your walk with the Pacific Ocena waves crashing in. In the Cannery Row stretch, walk through history of a famous street of canneries that harvested millions of tons of fish, many decades ago. The Pacific Grove section is completed with the walk through of Lovers Point which features a pristine sandy beach in a protected cove.
7. Scenic Road Walkway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 510 reviews
Reviewed By bargingal - Atlanta, United States
My husband and I enjoyed a run on the Scenic Road early one morning during our trip. Wish we had more time to have enjoyed this Road more than once, it is beautiful. Plus a Frank Lloyd Wright house.
8. Balconies Cliffs Trails
9. Lovers Point
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 565 reviews
Reviewed By krysheila99
This is a definite must place to visit with or without children. A nice place to enjoy one on one time with your soulmate or awful nice place to enjoy with family my grandkids totally enjoyed the beach and also the park they have you can rent bikes you can rent Kayaks. The view is beautiful
10. Monterey Bay Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,123 reviews
Located at the ocean's edge, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a window to marine life -- for dive masters and non-swimmers alike. It's home to sea otters, penguins, sharks, jellies and thousands of other marine animals and plants. Its mission is to inspire conservation of the ocean.
Reviewed By Healthy94920 - San Francisco, United States
Re-joined this most excellent Aquarium to Capture the evolving array of remarkable sea creatures from the mysterious jellyfish to playful, entertaining sea otters, sharks, crustaceans, scuba diving experience all @ reasonable rates & with well-trainer staff at your service throughout your tour. Give yourself at least 3-4 hours to begin to enjoy this wonderful venue!
