Discover Monterey, California

Blessed with dramatic ocean scenery, historic communities, beautiful beaches, pristine pine forests, exciting attractions, infinite shopping and dining, prestigious golf courses, charming wineries and miles of breathtaking coastline, Monterey is an enchanting vacation destination for recreation, water sports, dining, shopping, arts and culture, wine tasting and whale watching. From Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium to 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach, Monterey is the ideal getaway spot for family vacations or romantic retreats. Celebrated for its natural beauty and coastal charm, Monterey Peninsula is home to a rich heritage written in its adobes, missions, gardens and lighthouses.

Outdoor Recreation in Monterey. Discover the natural beauty of Monterey and unleash your sense of adventure. Hike through Monterey’s nature preserves and beaches, enjoy tide-pooling along the rocky shores of the ocean, go horseback riding through open meadows, or venture to Point Pinos Lighthouse. Sightsee along Monterey’s 17-Mile Drive, tee off at Pebble Beach, hike the towering cliffs of Pinnacles National Monument and encounter diverse wildlife in the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. Discover your spirituality at Esalen in Big Sur or walk the winding labyrinth of Carmel Valley.

Family Vacations in Monterey. Monterey is a wonderful family vacation spot filled with activities and attractions that make you smile. Kids love watching playful sea otters in the Monterey Bay Aquarium, riding the merry-go-round on Cannery Row, hands-on activities at MY Museum - where families can make a TV show - kite flying on Seaside Beach, kayaking past the seals on Monterey Bay, paddle boating on Lake El Estero, pedaling a surrey on the Recreation Trail and roaming the adventure playground of Dennis the Menace Park, where kids can hop aboard a locomotive. Jump rails at the skateboard park or scuba dive in Monterey’s sheltered bay.