Monterey Bay Attractions Guide

Fun Things to do Around Monterey Bay

All phone numbers are in the 831 area code, unless otherwise noted.

Whale Watching

The blue whale is the world’s largest animal, for size and mass. There may be fewer than 5,000, yet you can see them in the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. For a safe, up-close-andpersonal look at these majestic creatures, go to the decks of the Monterey Whale Watching boats 372-2203. Special charters are available year-round through Sanctuary Cruises in Moss Landing, 643-0128.

Tour by Bicycle

One of the most scenic bike trips begins at the Pacific Grove Gate of the Pebble Beach 17-Mile Drive and winds around the shoreline to Bird Rock. Another worthwhile ride is a five-mile bike path from Lovers Point in Pacific Grove to Seaside. There is also a route that extends from the north end of Seaside, past the California State University of Monterey, to the town of Marina. You can rent bicycles from Bay Bikes at 646-9090 or Adventures by the Sea at 372-1807.

Saddle Up

For some of the most picturesque touring, you can’t beat the view from horseback. The Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, 624-2756, and Molera Trail Rides in Big Sur, 625-8664, offer escorted trail rides. The Holman Ranch, 659-2640, in Carmel Valley also offers rides. Scenic pack trips are available through Ventana Wilderness Ranch, 625-8664.

Hit the Beach

The beautiful and pristine, white-sand beaches are ideal for combing, strolling, picnicking, kite flying, exploring tide pools, whale watching and just getting away. Marina State Beach — from Monterey to Seaside — offers long stretches of sand dunes with overhead views of hang gliders. Lovers Point Beach in Pacific Grove is a popular spot for picnicking, swimming and diving. Just north, Asilomar Beach is great for surfing, strolling, tide-pooling and watching gorgeous sunsets. Carmel Beach, at the end of Ocean Avenue in Carmel, is known for its cypress trees, fine white sand and spectacular views, while the graceful arc of Carmel River Beach to the south is less crowded and bonfires are permitted. Both Garrapata State Beach and Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur are great for hiking and retreats.

Raise a Toast

Tasting the world-class wines and visiting the internationally renowned vineyards of Monterey County — from San Lucas to Monterey — are a must for those who enjoy the viticulture that the numerous tasting rooms have to offer. The Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association sponsors special touring and tasting events all year. For more information, call 375-9400.

Deep-Sea Diversions

The world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium boasts a million-plus visitors each year, and for good reason. Exhibits reveal deep-sea life — a world amid deep reefs and rocky shores. The Outer Bay is filled with sharks, jellyfish and tuna. There’s also the three-story Kelp Forest and the family-oriented Splash Zone, featuring penguins, moray eels and sea dragons. The aquarium, on Cannery Row, is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. May through Labor Day and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the rest of the year, except Christmas Day. For more information, call 648-4888.

Walk Through History

Follow Monterey’s “Path of History” tour to explore the historical city’s magnificent adobes on foot. There are 46 buildings and sites included on this selfguided trek. Some of the highlights: California’s first theater; Colton Hall, site of the California Constitutional Convention in 1849; the Stevenson House; and the Custom House, the oldest government building on the West Coast. Maps are available at the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, 380 Alvarado St.

Eye Poppin' Critter Watchin'

The waterways and wetlands of the area are teeming with wildlife! Park yourself on a dock or a rock and there is sure to be a floorshow at any time. Or treat yourself to a short trip to Elkhorn Slough National Estuary Reserve.

To get there, take Highway 1 north from Monterey or south from Santa Cruz to Moss Landing. Just south of the smokestacks at the power plant, turn east (inland) onto Dolan Road, go 3.5 miles, and turn left onto Elkhorn Road. Go 1.9 miles, and turn left into the reserve gate.

Access to Elkhorn Slough is available only at the reserve gate, Kirby Park or the Moss Landing Wildlife Area. (You can also launch kayaks at various points in the Moss Landing Harbor.) The reserve and the Visitors Center are open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free to the Visitor Center and picnic area; to walk the trails, there is a $2.50 day-use fee (cash or check, no credit cards) for adults 16 and older. Entry is free for children or with a California hunting or fishing license. A one-year pass is available for $15. There are docent-led tours every Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. There is also an early birding walk the first Saturday of every month at 8:30 a.m. All tours are free with the day-use fee and meet at the Visitor Center, rain or shine; no notice or reservations are needed for groups of less than six. The Visitor Center’s exhibits invite everyone to explore, including the award-winning Unseen Slough exhibit. The docent staff hosts special events throughout the year. The center also lends binoculars and bird books, in case you left yours at home.

To visit the slough by kayak, call Monterey Bay Kayaks at 373-5357 or Adventures by the Sea at 372-1807. For a less demanding excursion, you can relax and enjoy a twohour, in-depth tour on a Coast Guard-certified, 27-foot pontoon boat by contacting Elkhorn Slough Safari Nature Tours at 633-5555.

Read our feature article - Explore! Discover The Elkhorn Slough »

Set Sail

Boating and sailing are popular in Stillwater Cove at Pebble Beach, as well as in the Carmel and Monterey bays. The Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club at the Municipal Wharf, 372-9686, offers a junior sailing school. Party boats can be chartered on Fisherman’s Wharf #1.

Mission Hop

The Monterey Bay area is rich in California history. (Did you know that Monterey was the original capital of California?) Visit some of the many museums in Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Grove for an entertaining and informative look back in time.

See our Culture Guide for more information.

To Market, To Market

Every Tuesday evening, weather permitting, Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey comes alive with folks searching for fresh ideas. The Farmers’ Market is a popular, year-round attraction for locals and tourists seeking fresh produce, beautiful bouquets, handmade products and a free and festive night on the town. By 4 p.m., the street is closed to traffic and people stroll past the booths, sampling different foods and unusual art — and enjoying the music and the night air.

The Mission Trail

Much of California’s history began with the Spanish missions. The chain of 21 missions along California’s El Camino Real (“The Royal Highway”) represents the first arrival of Europeans to California. Prominent among them is Mission San Carlos de Borromeo in Carmel, the jewel of Father Junipero Serra’s nine missions. At one time the center of religious control, this mission has a dramatic history that evokes inspiration and often mixed emotions among visitors. The mission welcomes visitors from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, and 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends. For guided tours, call 624-1271.

Challenge the Surf

If you can surf Carmel, you can surf anywhere. Remember, it’s not the height of the wave, but the power of the ride. And the view is sensational. The Santa Cruz Beach is a popular surfing spot, as is Carmel Beach. But, because the waves are unpredictable, please use caution on Carmel Beach. Surfboard and wet-suit rentals are available at On the Beach Surf Shop in Monterey, 646-9283.

Need for Speed

Laguna Seca Raceway, on Highway 68 between Monterey and Salinas, is home to some of the most exciting automotive and motorcycle competitions in the world, including the Indy cars and the Historic Races. For more information, call 648-5111.

Cast a Line

Deep-sea, rock and surf fishing are popular around Monterey Bay. You can call Tom’s Sport Fishing in Moss Landing at 633-2564 or contact one of the many sport-fishing charter boats that leave from Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey each day. Landlubbers can cast a line along the pier at Municipal Wharf #2. For freshwater fishing, good bets are the Big Sur and the Little Sur Rivers in the beautiful Los Padres National Forest. Don’t forget, if you are between 16 and 65, you will need a fishing license. Call the California Department of Fish and Game Monterey office for details, 649-2870.

Salute Steinbeck

John Steinbeck holds court at the north end of South Main Street in Salinas, and everyone is invited. The 37,000- square-foot National Steinbeck Center interactive museum includes a gallery, art-of-writing room, Steinbeck archives and multisensory exhibits. Explore the history of the Salinas Valley through the eyes of the legendary author. Located at One Main Street, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information, call 775-4720.

Take a Ride and See the Sights . . .In Style

Imagine driving down beautiful Highway 1 at the wheel of a 1958 Lincoln Continental Mach III with the top down, wind blowing through your hair. Or how about Bing Crosby’s 1951 Caddy Fleetwood in which Der Bingle took his kids to school or Princess Margaret’s (HEMI) Chrysler Imperial Convertible. You can do this!

Contact Dio Roberts at The Auto Gallery of Carmel and enjoy the experience of driving one of these cool machines for a very reasonable fee. Or, for a more relaxing excursion, Dio can take you on a chauffeured tour around the beautiful Monterey Peninsula. Just contact him at (831) 624-3438.

Read our feature article - Going Along for the Ride: Classic Cars

Have a Picinic

You must have a picnic to take advantage of all the natural beauty in the area. Choose your favorite eats and treats at 5th Avenue Deli in Carmel, 625-2688, and let them arrange a picnic basket for you! Then, find a spot, sit down, and nourish all your senses.

Snorkel or Scuba Dive

Visit the undersea world, where Monterey holds awesome secrets to be discovered daily by divers and marine biologists. Temperatures in the bay range from 50 to 60 degrees, so bring your wet suit or rent one from one of the many PADI- and NAUI-approved dive shops, such as Aquarius Dive Shop 375-1933. These stores also provide guided tours, instruction, diving service and information.

Castles in the Sky

The closest you may come to the ivory tower is a visit to the area lighthouses, fondly referred to as “coastal castles.” The Point Pinos Lighthouse, perched atop the northernmost tip of the Monterey Peninsula in Pacific Grove, is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast and is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Point Sur Light Station, cresting its namesake peak in Big Sur, is open for guided weekend tours, which begin at the base of the mountain and wind up to the station at the top.

Old Movie Magic

Catch a three-hour scenic, narrated bus tour that winds along 17-Mile Drive through Carmel, Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove. Visit the locations of some of Hollywood’s most notable films, such as Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), National Velvet (1944), East of Eden (1955) and, of course, Clint Eastwood’s classic Play Misty for Me (1971). For a schedule and more information, call Monterey Movie Tours, (800) 343-6437.