Monterey is a small city nestled into the coastline at the edge of central California, two hours south of San Francisco. It's been getting a lot of attention in recent years as the perfect beachside destination, and it definitely deserves the hype! There’s so many things to do in this charming seaside town, from walking along Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row, visiting the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, popping down to Big Sur to admire the coastline, window shopping in Carmel, viewing the sights along 17 Mile Drive, or going out onto the bay. Whatever you end up doing, you’re practically guaranteed to fall in love with this place, just as I and so many other people have. Monterey Bay AquariumThe Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of Monterey’s crowning jewels: situated at the end of Cannery Row, it’s known for its cutting-edge conservation research and some truly incredible exhibits, often featuring animals that aren't found in any other aquarium. It's also my favorite place to visit in Monterey, and somewhere I've been visiting nearly every year since I was a kid. People of all ages will enjoy coming here to explore the wonder of our oceans. Pro tip: if you get a chance, do a behind-the-scenes tour. You’ll get a fascinating insight into the life of the aquarium, and you never know what you might see! Last time I went, they had sea turtles which weren't quite ready to enter their tank, so we got to see them up close, and we heard some hilarious stories about why the octopus enclosure needs to have astro-turf along the edges! Point LobosPoint Lobos State Natural Reserve is a little less than 10 miles south of Monterey, and is known as the “crown jewel” of California’s extensive state park system. This park offers stunning ocean views and incredible opportunities for divers. I spent half a day here the last time I visited Monterey, wandering the coastal paths, admiring the misty views, and searching the seas for sea otters! Cannery RowImmortalized by John Steinbeck in his 1945 book, Cannery Row is now one of Monterey's most famous attractions. Here, you'll find some of Monterey's best restaurants, as well as plenty of shopping opportunities. Yes, it's touristy, but there are several spots where you can access the beach, there's often live music playing during the weekends, and there are plenty of art galleries to admire. (Plus, as I've mentioned before, touristy isn't always a bad thing. One of my favorite sights is the giant stuffed otter in the Sea Otter Shirts shop next to the Aquarium). Big SurAn hour south of Monterey, Big Sur is one of California’s most famous landmarks, and easily accessible from the city. There are so many incredible things to see here, and if I'm being honest, I spent a lot of my time here just stopping at turnoffs by the side of the highway to admire the ocean views! If I had to narrow it down to just a few places, I would suggest making time for Bixby Creek Bridge, McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and the stunning Pfeiffer Beach featuring Keyhole Arch (The beach itself is difficult to find, as it’s down an unmarked road off Highway 1. Program it in your GPS ahead of time, so you can find it even when you lose cell service). 17 Mile DriveThis is one of the most iconic places to visit in Monterey County. At $10.25 per car, it’s perhaps not the cheapest thing you’ll do in Monterey, but it’s definitely worth seeing at least once! Drive along the coastline past the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course and Del Monte Forest to see incredible ocean views. Photographers and Instagrammers in particular will love the opportunity to photograph the more iconic shots in this area, like the famous Lone Cypress tree and Spanish Bay Monterey BayOne of the best ways to see Monterey is out on the water. You can rent a kayak or surfboard from almost anywhere along the coast, or go on one of Monterey’s famous whale-watching tours, where you’re bound to see plenty of sea otters and seals, too. My favorite time of day to visit the Bay is at sunset, where you can watch the light change into pinks and golds, reflecting over the water and the cheerful beach houses. Old Fisherman’s WharfFisherman's Wharf is Monterey’s historic wharf, featuring dozens of cute stores and great restaurants, all with a backdrop of rows and rows of pristine sailboats. If you want to head out onto the bay, this is one of the best places to do so, as there are always opportunities to go fishing, sailing, whale watching or just cruising along. On the other hand, if being out on the water isn’t your thing, you can be content to stroll along the wharf, and then hang out at the beach! There are also places where you can rent bikes or wheelchairs, or sign up for a segway tour. Carmel-by-the-SeaCarmel-by-the-Sea is Monterey’s more upscale neighbor, only one mile down the road. Beautiful white sandy beaches, a stunning 18th-century mission, and plenty of shopping opportunities make Carmel (pronounced with an emphasis on the “mel,” not like the sauce) a wonderful place to visit for the day. I highly recommend the town center, where you’ll find buildings that look like they popped straight out of the pages of a fairy tale. Like Monterey, Carmel is also known for being very art-inspired, so be sure to check out the art galleries while you’re here! Lover’s Point ParkWith a name like Lover’s Point, can you really go wrong? Lover’s Point State Marine Reserve is a small protected area a mile from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, in Pacific Grove. Favored by surfers and romantics alike, it’s the perfect place to sit and watch the sun rise over the water (or to try to catch a glimpse of the area’s beloved sea otters). Aside from a small beach, there’s also a four-acre park, the perfect place to eat a picnic. Asilomar State BeachAsilomar State Beach is one of the most idyllic places in Monterey County. The dog-friendly beach is one mile long, and alternates between sand and rocky outcroppings. The wheelchair-accessible coastal trail and the associated Asilomar Dunes Natural Reserve just across the street offer some of the most beautiful walking trails in the area. There are also opportunities to stay here overnight in one of their historic, technology-free lodges--the perfect opportunity to unplug and unwind. Monterey is one of my favorite coastal towns in the world, and these are a few of my favorite places to visit here. Have you been here before? Is there anywhere else you think should absolutely be added to this list? I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below! Like this post? Why not share it?If you enjoyed this article, please leave me a comment telling me what you think! 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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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