Monterey is a small city nestled into the rocks at the edge of central California. Made famous through the writings of John Steinbeck, a state-of-the-art aquarium, and as a backdrop for a wave of movies and television shows, Monterey is well worth the hype. Although this list contains only a fraction of the city’s highlights, you really can’t go wrong with any of them. 1. Monterey Bay AquariumThe Aquarium is one of Monterey’s crowning jewels: situated at the end of Cannery Row, it’s home to thousands upon thousands of aquatic animals, cutting-edge conservation research, and some of the best aquarium exhibits I’ve ever seen. I’ve gone to Monterey at least once a year since I was a child, and I make sure to hit up the aquarium every time. 2. Point LobosPoint Lobos State Natural Reserve is a little less than 10 miles south of Monterey (a 20 minute drive), and is so worth the little trip! It’s been called the “crown jewel” of California’s extensive state park system, and it’s not hard to see why, with its gorgeous sea cliffs and dramatic ocean views. Keep your eyes peeled for sea lions, seals, whales, and sea otters! 3. Cannery RowThis is one of Monterey’s most famous attractions. Immortalized by John Steinbeck in 1945, it is now the life of the town, with food, shopping, and a new adventure around every corner. While some of the shops are naturally a little touristy, there’s still plenty of incredible artisan shops to look at. (Plus, touristy isn’t necessarily a bad thing; check out Sea Otter Shirts next to the Aquarium and snag a pic with their GIANT stuffed Otter). 4. Visit some great restaurantsSpeaking of food: stop at Sly McFly’s on Cannery Row for lunch to snag a basket of their famous fish and chips. Pizza My Heart is a great place to pick up an inexpensive and delicious dinner, or, if you want to splurge, dine with ocean views at The Fish Hopper, just past Sly McFly’s at the end of the pier. Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop has shareable sundaes perfect to satisfy any sweet tooth, or, if pâtisseries are more your style, Parker-Lusseau Pastries is the best bakery in the area, and a must-stop shop for French treats. These are all of the restaurants I hit up every time I’m in town, and they always leave me in that happy-food-coma state. 5. Big SurAlthough getting here can be a little bit of a hassle with Highway 1’s frequent closures, it’s still worth trying to visit! Check out the highway conditions on their blog before you go, and go early to avoid the crowds. There are so many incredible places to see here, but one of the most famous is the stunning Pfeiffer beach. In town, there are plenty of incredible restaurants to choose from, and no shortage of art galleries to wander through. 6. 17-Mile DriveThis is one of the most iconic places in the Monterey area, but unfortunately, one of the more expensive ones, too. At $10.25 per car, it’s not something you’re likely to do more than once on your trip, but it’s worth doing at least once. Photographers in particular will love the opportunities to photograph the more iconic shots in this area, like the lone cypress tree. 7. Go out on the bayThere’s no shortage of places along the coast to rent whatever you may need to take you out on the water--from canoes to surf and bodyboards to sailboats. There are even dolphin and whale-watching tours offered year-round, where you’re likely to see plenty of playful otters and seals, too. Monterey is a charming city, with so much to explore and experience. I'm sure that whatever you decide to do here, you'll have a wonderful time. Have you been here before? What were your favorite highlights? I'd love to hear about them in the comments section! See more adventures!You might also like:
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Hi, there! Call me Kris. I’m a world traveler, author and artist working to showcase the world's beauty and inspire you to find your confidence to see the world!
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