Top Things to do in Monterey County
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What to do and see in Monterey County, Monterey County: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
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. 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.
2. California Sea Otter Game Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
This game refuge offers fantastic natural views. Drove southbound along the Pacific coast highway, when came across this refuge. However did not see any sea otters in their natural habitat but thoroughly enjoyed the views. Certainly worth visiting.
3. Frog Pond Wetland Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By cyrinay - Salinas, United States
-Great for a light walk -kid friendly -easy trail - 3/4mi trail -benches along the trail - lots of shade - just down the street from food, shops, gas (basically is in town, don't have to go out of your way to find it)
4. Breakwater
5. Bird Rock Vista Point
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
Birds love this area. One of the best places to see them is at Bird Rock Vista Point on 17 mile drive in Carmel. Although the parking area was closed (due to covid), we still liked seeing them as we drove to lunch at Roy's.
6. Monarch Grove Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 446 reviews
The Monarch Sanctuary is open from sunrise to sunset, but volunteer monarch docents, who assist with the viewing of monarchs and can answer questions about the butterflies and their migration, are only there from 12pm-3pm as available. It is highly recommended that you go to the Sanctuary when a docent is present. There is no charge to visit the Sanctuary, but donations are accepted.The Monarchs arrive in the Sanctuary towards the end of October, and leave around the beginning of March. The monarch population peaks the week after Thanksgiving. The monarch migration to Pacific Grove is so inspiring that Pacific Grove is nicknamed "Butterfly Town, U.S.A." The community has always welcomed the butterflies and sought their protection. Citizens of Pacific Grove voted to create an additional tax to create the Monarch Grove Sanctuary, led by dedicated volunteers.The volunteers at the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary are from the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. The Museum, which is just about mile away from the Sanctuary, has a large exhibition on monarch butterflies containing videos and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. As both the Museum and Sanctuary are free, it's great to pair them together to get the most out of your experience to the monarch Sanctuary.
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We saw only three monarch butterflies, but they were beautiful. We did enjoy walking in the area and reading the information signs about the monarch butterflies. We went in mid February. There is a sign in the area where it says which months are best for seeing more butterflies. Its also best to come between 12 and 3. There is some limited free parking nearby.
7. Del Monte Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By manygoodfriends - San Francisco, United States
If you stay downtown you can walk/run to the beach. On an ebbing tide you get a nice beach run north up to Sand City, or further. Easy to get in a 5K / 10K /.+ Flat enough running along the water, wonderfully quite and moist in the early morning, glove and a hat might be a good idea. Very light wind in the early am. Lots of sea/beach life to notice while running, quite the treat to be paced by seals. Post-run it's easy to cross that main (Del Monte?) street and find coffee and treats in the downtown area.
8. Coal Chute Point
9. Esplanade Park
10. Hastings Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
