Monterey, CA Things to Do and Attractions
World famous for its spectacular exhibits and dedication to marine research and conservation, the beautiful Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the most popular attractions in the Monterey area. The aquarium is home to 200 galleries and more than 35,000
World famous for its spectacular exhibits and dedication to marine research and conservation, the beautiful Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the most popular attractions in the Monterey area. The aquarium is home to 200 galleries and more than 35,000 animals and plants, as well as such exhibits as a three-story-tall living kelp forest and walk-through wave experience. Visitors can come nose-to-nose with giant tuna, sea turtles, sharks, jellies, seahorses, sea otters, penguins, flamingos and the Giant Pacific Octopus, among many others. Visitors flock to the aquarium's daily educational and exciting activities and feedings.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, with an early summer season opening time of 9:30 AM. Admission is $29.95 for adults and $19.95 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under age 3 receive free admission.
The aquarium is a fantastic venue for private events, as it offers several rentable areas and space for up to 3,000 guests. Rentable areas include the 80-person cafe and restaurant overlooking Monterey Bay, 400-person Outer Bay Wing, which contains the largest window in North America looking into a million-gallon exhibit, as well as the 2,000-person Ocean's Edge Wing, home to the 28-foot-tall Kelp Forest.
Located in nearby Salinas, just 17 miles east of Monterey, the National Steinbeck Center is a $15-million museum and archive that celebrates the life and work of writer John Steinbeck, as well as the Salinas region. The museum's J.S. Exhibition Hall
Located in nearby Salinas, just 17 miles east of Monterey, the National Steinbeck Center is a $15-million museum and archive that celebrates the life and work of writer John Steinbeck, as well as the Salinas region. The museum's J.S. Exhibition Hall includes six themed galleries on the life and literature of Steinbeck through unique, interactive exhibits and theater shows. The Rabobank Agriculture section explores the agricultural wealth and culture of Salinas Valley, while the Changing Exhibit Galleries feature rotating art and culture exhibitions.
The National Steinbeck Center is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission is $10.95 for adults, $7.95 for children ages 13 to 17 and $5.95 for children ages 6 to 12. Children under age 6 receive free admission.
Private event spaces within the National Steinbeck Center include a glass-enclosed atrium with slate floors, exhibit space, enclosed courtyards and meeting rooms.
Named in honor of the Salinas-born John Steinbeck, Cannery Row is a historic waterfront district once famous for its sardine trade. Today, Cannery Row is known for its historic streets and more than 30 waterfront restaurants, as well as numerous
Named in honor of the Salinas-born John Steinbeck, Cannery Row is a historic waterfront district once famous for its sardine trade. Today, Cannery Row is known for its historic streets and more than 30 waterfront restaurants, as well as numerous hotels, shops, galleries and wine tasting rooms. The historic district is home to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, as well as the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and miles-long Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail. Visitors come to the district to walk, bike and run along the trail, dive or kayak off of San Carlos Beach and wander among dozens of shops and eateries. Cannery Row is also home to a number of unique venues, ranging from hotels to restaurants, perfect for private events.
The Monterey Museum of Art, spread throughout two locations, showcases California art dating from the 19th century to present within a national and international context, as well as photography and Asian art. The museum's Pacific Street location is a
The Monterey Museum of Art, spread throughout two locations, showcases California art dating from the 19th century to present within a national and international context, as well as photography and Asian art. The museum's Pacific Street location is a three-story landmark with eight galleries devoted to American and early California painting, as well as photography and contemporary art. The museum's La Mirada location features contemporary galleries and such private event spaces as a rose garden with center courtyard, drawing room and patio and 50-person conference room, among other spaces.
The Monterey Museum of Art is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 10 to 4 PM. Admission is $10 per person, with free admission for children age 12 and under.
One of the most well-known golf courses in the world, Pebble Beach Golf Links has hosted some of golf's most prestigious tournaments since its 1919 opening. Ranked the number one United States public course by Golf Digest in 2007, Pebble Beach is an
One of the most well-known golf courses in the world, Pebble Beach Golf Links has hosted some of golf's most prestigious tournaments since its 1919 opening. Ranked the number one United States public course by Golf Digest in 2007, Pebble Beach is an 18-hole par 72 course famous for its rugged coastline and fantastic vistas. The course is located at the Pebble Beach Resorts, which is home to beautiful accommodations, spa, numerous restaurants and lodges and shops, among many other amenities. Also located within the resort, The Lodge at Pebble Beach wraps around the legendary 18th hole and features more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space and state-of-the-art Conference Center. Meeting spaces within The Lodge at Pebble Beach include 10 principal rooms, including a boardroom and several reception rooms, with single room occupancy of up to 500 guests.
A Monterey landmark since 1968, the Sardine Factory is an award-winning restaurant and celebrity-rich spot in historic Cannery Row. The restaurant specializes in sustainable seafood and USDA prime beef served in an elegant setting. Entree favorites
A Monterey landmark since 1968, the Sardine Factory is an award-winning restaurant and celebrity-rich spot in historic Cannery Row. The restaurant specializes in sustainable seafood and USDA prime beef served in an elegant setting. Entree favorites include crab agnolotti with half moon ravioli, tomato basil cream sauce and mini fried sweet potato, seared Diver harvested scallops with coconut-Thai curry nage, jasmine rice and basil oil and USDA prime filet mignon and prawns filled with Dungeness crabmeat with blood orange hollandaise, garlic mashed potatoes and sauteed Salinas Valley spinach.
The Sardine Factory serves dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5PM to 9:30 PM and Friday and Saturday from 5PMto 10 PM. Entrees range from $25 to $45.
The restaurant features three private dining rooms, including the 100-person Conservatory surrounded by lush greenery and under a glass-domed room, the 50-person Captain's Room and beautiful 28-person Wine Cellar.
Since 1995, Montrio Bistro has served delicious contemporary American and Californian fare in an open, sprawling 1910-built firehouse. Entree choices include bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with shredded pork and dates over maple-parsnip puree,
Since 1995, Montrio Bistro has served delicious contemporary American and Californian fare in an open, sprawling 1910-built firehouse. Entree choices include bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with shredded pork and dates over maple-parsnip puree, artichoke ravioli with smoked bacon, peas and creme fraiche and California lamb loin chops with rosemary gratin potatoes, broccolini, toasted almonds and spring onions. Montrio Bistro serves dinner nightly from 5 PM. Entrees range from $14 to $32.
The restaurant offers three beautiful rooms for private events.
Run by celebrity chef John Pisto, Whaling Station Restaurant is an elegant, sophisticated steakhouse housed in a historic building perched above Cannery Row. Entree choices include grilled bacon-wrapped scallops over linguine with wild maple cap
Run by celebrity chef John Pisto, Whaling Station Restaurant is an elegant, sophisticated steakhouse housed in a historic building perched above Cannery Row. Entree choices include grilled bacon-wrapped scallops over linguine with wild maple cap mushrooms; Chateaubriand served tableside and pan-fried san dabs with caper butter sauce. Whaling Station Restaurant serves dinner nightly from 5 PM and features a private dining room for up to 50 guests.
Pacific's Edge is an upscale contemporary American restaurant housed in Highlands Inn, located in nearby Carmel. Pacific's Edge sits on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, featuring world-famous views and serene decor, complete with soft lighting,
Pacific's Edge is an upscale contemporary American restaurant housed in Highlands Inn, located in nearby Carmel. Pacific's Edge sits on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, featuring world-famous views and serene decor, complete with soft lighting, earth tones, natural woods and stone. Entrees include Sonoma duck breast with port-poached mission fig, Swiss chard and natural jus, wild boar chop with cannellini bean cassoulet and roasted garlic jus and California white sea bass with English peas and shoots, spring onion and summer truffle vinaigrette. Pacific's Edge delicious cuisine and fantastic views have been recognized through such accomplishments as the AAA 4 Diamond award; in fact, Wine Spectator has named Pacific's Edge as one of the top 20 restaurants in the U.S.
Pacific's Edge serves dinner nightly from 6 to 9 PM. Entrees range from $24 to $55. The restaurant features a private dining room for up to 40 guests.
Located within the beautiful Post Ranch Inn in nearby Big Sur, the Sierra Mar Restaurant sits 1,200 feet above the surf, allowing for breathtaking ocean views through the restaurant's angled glass walls. Sierra Mar uses seasonal, local and garden
Located within the beautiful Post Ranch Inn in nearby Big Sur, the Sierra Mar Restaurant sits 1,200 feet above the surf, allowing for breathtaking ocean views through the restaurant's angled glass walls. Sierra Mar uses seasonal, local and garden ingredients to craft daily-changing four-course prix fixe menus. Entrees have included Alaskan halibut with potato rosti, savoy spinach, pernod-poached oysters and Sevruga caviar and a roast rabbit tasting of roulade, rack and pancetta-wrapped tenderloin. The restaurant's savory fare is complemented by Sierra Mar's vast wine cellar of more than 13,000 bottles and 2,600 selections.
Sierra Mar Restaurant serves lunch daily from 12:15 to 3 PM and dinner nightly from 5:30 to 9 PM. Reservations are required at this award-winning restaurant.
Since its 1996 opening, the Monterey County Youth Museum has featured a variety of hands-on exhibits to encourage creativity and curiosity. The 8,500-square-foot museum welcomes children to spend a day at the beach, put on a theater show, build a
Since its 1996 opening, the Monterey County Youth Museum has featured a variety of hands-on exhibits to encourage creativity and curiosity. The 8,500-square-foot museum welcomes children to spend a day at the beach, put on a theater show, build a house, work in a hospital or learn about the local habitat through bird- and insect-watching. The Monterey County Youth Museum is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from noon to 5 PM. Admission is $7 per person.
Regarded as a living field guide to the California central coast, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History is located just blocks from the beach and minutes from Monterey. The museum is home to a native plant garden with butterfly garden and bird
Regarded as a living field guide to the California central coast, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History is located just blocks from the beach and minutes from Monterey. The museum is home to a native plant garden with butterfly garden and bird collection of 291 species, including the massive California condor. Other exhibits focus on minerals, mollusks and insects; one of the museum's most popular exhibits is its life-size sculpture of an adult female Gray Whale. The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission is free.
Nestled in downtown Monterey, Fisherman's Wharf is a pedestrian-friendly district bursting with restaurants, unique shops and boat tour launch spots. An active fish market until the 1960s, Fisherman's Wharf is now a great place to explore, view sea
Nestled in downtown Monterey, Fisherman's Wharf is a pedestrian-friendly district bursting with restaurants, unique shops and boat tour launch spots. An active fish market until the 1960s, Fisherman's Wharf is now a great place to explore, view sea lions and otters in the harbor waters and take a glass bottom boat, deep sea fishing or whale watching tour. Visitors frequent Fisherman's Wharf for its sumptuous seafood, served in casual open-air clam bars to fine dining restaurants.
Monterey's Path of History is a two-mile-long path that hugs 55 historic homes and sites, as well as a number of gardens. Visitors can even view the site where Spanish explorers first landed in Monterey in 1602, as well as one of the country's last
Monterey's Path of History is a two-mile-long path that hugs 55 historic homes and sites, as well as a number of gardens. Visitors can even view the site where Spanish explorers first landed in Monterey in 1602, as well as one of the country's last remaining whalebone sidewalks. The Path of History is also home to the Monterey State Historic Park, which preserves and interprets places and aspects of statewide historic significance, including the 1827-built Custom House, the oldest government building in the state. The Monterey State Historic Park is open via guided tours, while the Path of History and gardens are open daily May through September from 9 AM to 5 PM and October through April from 10 AM to 4 PM. Private events may be held in the gardens.
Monterey Movie Tours is a multimedia exploration of the landscapes and scenes from some 200 movies filmed along the scenic Monterey Peninsula. The three-hour, luxury motor coach tour takes guests along the famous 17-Mile Drive and past such sites as
Monterey Movie Tours is a multimedia exploration of the landscapes and scenes from some 200 movies filmed along the scenic Monterey Peninsula. The three-hour, luxury motor coach tour takes guests along the famous 17-Mile Drive and past such sites as Colton Hall, Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row and Monterey Bay. The 33-passenger bus shows movie and audio clips along the tour. Admission to Monterey Movie Tours costs $55 for adults and $35 for passengers age 15 and under. The tour, along with customized itineraries, is available for private outings.
