Whether your vantage point is by rock or by dock you’re in for a great show on the Monterey Bay. Watch sea lions resting on the surface of the water or sunning themselves on rocks after a morning of body surfing. California sea otters might be wrapping their babies in strands of kelp to secure them to the floating beds of the plant for a nap, or you may see a pair of otters intertwined, costumed in ribbons of seaweed, their sable-brown coats glistening in the lowering sun. If you are visiting in the spring, you’ll see dolphins playing close to shore.
To take in a variety show of sea life, put Elkhorn Slough National Estuary Reserve on your itinerary. 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. If you want to get up close and personal with the wildlife from the water, rent a kayak at one of several points at Moss Landing Harbor. The reserve and the Visitor 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. If you are short on time, enjoy a two-hour, in-depth tour on a Coast Guard-certified, 27-foot pontoon boat. Contact Elkhorn Slough Safari Nature Tours at (831) 633-5555.
One of the best aquariums on the planet, The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s newest exhibit may be its most ambitious to date. Mission to the Deep is a hands-on experience that combines high-definition video with underwater robots and tools to explore the ocean’s depths. The Kelp Forest showcases otters and fishes in their natural habitat in a 28-foot-high tank. Other exhibitions explore Monterey’s aquatic ecology, otters of the world, jellyfish, giant octopus, and penguins. The aquarium is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Closed Dec. 25. Other holidays, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Whale Watching
It’s a safe bet that your visit here will coincide with migration times of grey whales. For a safe, up-close-and-personal look at these majestic creatures, climb aboard one of the Monterey Whale Watching boats ((831) 372-2203). Special charters are available year-round through Sanctuary Cruises in Moss Landing, (831) 643-0128, or grab your field glasses and watch these magnificent creatures while visiting Big Sur or at Point Lobos Reserve. By land or by sea the show is always amazing.
Bike It
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 (831) 646-9090 or Adventures by the Sea at (831) 372-1807.
Happy Trails
For some of the most picturesque touring, you can’t beat the view from horseback. The Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, (831) 624-2756, offers four guided beach trail rides daily, taking you through forests leading to the sea and back. Molera Trail Rides in Big Sur, (831) 625-5486, boasts “more than just another trail ride” in Andrew Molera State Park. The Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley, (831) 659-6054, has 400 acres of scenic trails where “horsing around” is the order of the day.
Hit The Beach
The beautiful, pristine white-sand beaches are ideal for combing, strolling, picnicking, kite flying, exploring tide pools, whale watching, or just getting away. Marina State Beach — from Monterey to Seaside — offers long stretches of sand dunes, a perfect place for you to watch 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 glorious 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. Rogue waves can be unpredictable so always use caution and never turn your back to the water.
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 if you didn’t bring your wet (or dry) suit, you can rent one from one of the many PADI- and NAUI-approved dive shops, such as Aquarius Dive Shop, (831) 375-1933. These stores also provide guided tours, instruction, diving service, and information.
Salad Days
The Farm, on Highway 68 and Spreckles Blvd. in Salinas, is an agricultural education center and local farming business. Enjoy farm tours, special family activities, farm-fresh produce for sale, and a pleasant rural destination. Visit the organic demonstration farm or try a tractor ride. For information, call (831) 455-2575 or (831) 424-1996.
Wine Tasting
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. Call (831) 375-9400, or try Taste of Monterey with two locations to sample wines from over 70 vintners at the Visitors’ Center on Cannery Row in Monterey or in Old Town Salinas. Call (831) 646-5446 for more information. For a list of wine tasting rooms, Here’s to Monterey County Wines »»
Under the Sea
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 and from time to time, sharks are in residence. 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 (831) 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 self-guided trek. Highlights include: California’s first theater; Colton Hall, site of the California Constitutional Convention in 1849; the Custom House, the oldest government building on the West Coast; and the Stevenson House, named for its famous guest, author Robert Louis Stevenson, who stayed there in 1879. Maps are available at the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, 380 Alvarado St., Monterey.
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 information, call Monterey Movie Tours, (800) 343-6437.
Relax and Ride In Style
Central Coast Day Tripper has been proclaimed “The best way to see Big Sur.” Dave Engelberg will chauffer you along breathtaking, winding Highway 1, stopping whenever and wherever you want. Dave can even take you to little-known special spots along the way. See the spectacular beauty of the Big Sur Coast while enjoying a comfortable, safe ride. Call (831) 657-9442 or 241-2526 for details.
Castles in the Sky
The closest you may come to an 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 1 to 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. Point Sur Light Station, cresting its namesake peak in Big Sur, is open for guided tours, which begin at the base of the mountain and wind up to the station at the top. Moonlight tours are also available.
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 (831) 624-1271.
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, (831) 372-9686, offers a junior sailing school. Party boats can be chartered on Fisherman’s Wharf #1.
Get Stoked
It takes a wetsuit, determination, and sheer willpower to surf Carmel. 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, (831) 646-9283. Whether you are a novice or expert, for the best in surf instruction call Noah Greenberg (831) 915-4065.
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 (831) 633-2564 or contact one of the many sport-fishing charter boats that leave from Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. 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 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, (831) 649-2870.
Farmers Markets
Tuesdays, weather permitting, Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey closes to traffic by 4 p.m. for a farmers market that includes arts and crafts and live music. Thursday’s market takes place in the parking lot of the Monterey Peninsula College. The Barnyard Shopping Village, on Highway 1 in Carmel, hosts a Farmers Market every Tuesday. These certified markets are year-round and they offer up the best of California produce.
RECREATION
Holman Ranch
60 Holman Rd., Carmel Valley
(831) 622-0144
Perched high above Carmel Valley, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views, resides the 400-acre country estate of Holman Ranch. Holman Ranch offers scenic trail rides, Western and English riding lessons, horse boarding, and day camps. Once a hideaway for Hollywood celebrities, Holman Ranch is perfect for your next event. Whether it’s a wedding celebration, an intimate gathering or a corporate retreat, the unique surroundings of Holman Ranch will make your event a memorable one.
GOLF
Del Monte Golf Course
1300 Sylvan Rd., Monterey
(831) 373-2700
Opened in 1897, Del Monte Golf Course is the oldest course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi. It was the original host of the California State Amateur tournament, still played on Del Monte’s narrow, tree-lined fairways and small, well protected greens and continues to serve as one of three courses on which the Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational is played. Adjacent to Del Monte Golf Course, the Del Monte Pavilion offers an inviting outdoor setting for any event.
ENTERTAINMENT
IMAX Theater
640 Wave St., Monterey
(831) 372-IMAX
The Historical Cannery Row Edgewater Packing Facility has been redeveloped into a 290-seat luxurious IMAX 3D Theater, complete with concessions, retail offerings, and an Italian café with traditional gelato selection. IMAX offers crystal clear images on the giant screen, state-of-the-art digital surround sound, luxurious seating and, best of all, 3D! Enjoy the ultimate thrill-ride and take this memory home with you. Ticketing and reservations for daily shows available online. Open daily 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
SPAS
The Spa at Pebble Beach
1518 Cypress Drive
Pebble Beach, (831) 649-7615 or (800) 654-9300
A place to relax, rejuvenate and revitalize the body and spirit, The Spa at Pebble Beach is a 22,000-square-foot, full-service spa and salon, nestled in the heart of the Del Monte Forest. Choose from a variety of massages, body scrubs and wraps, water treatments, skin care, nail care and hair care. The professional staff is trained to help you select appropriate services and to provide impeccable personalized service for an experience that exceeds your expectations.
