Outdoor Recreation Family Vacations Wine Tasting Upcoming Events

Noted for its rich history of resident artists and authors (including John Steinbeck and Robert Louis Stevenson), Monterey is home to the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf and the annual Monterey Jazz Festival.

Its dramatic ocean scenery, historic communities, beautiful beaches, pristine pine forests, prestigious golf courses, charming wineries and miles of breathtaking coastline make Monterey an enchanting vacation destination for people of all ages.  Exciting attractions - from Cannery Row to Pebble Beach, Monterey Bay Aquarium to Fisherman's Wharf - as well as infinite shopping and dining opportunities ensure that Monterey has something to offer everyone.  Whether wine-tasting to whale watching, out for a family vacation to romantic retreat, find out for yourself what Monterey has to offer!

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.

Outdoor Recreation:

• 17-Mile Drive: This scenic drive boasts some of the most fantastic views on the West coast.
• Bella Monterey Bay: A Luxury 47 Foot Italian racer/cruiser sailing yacht available for your personalized sailing charters on Monterey Bay! 818.822.2390
• El Estero Park: Features a lake with paddle boats, skateboarding and dog parks, a snack bar, and the awesome Dennis the Menace Park! Pearl Street and Camino El Estero, Monterey
• Monterey State Historic Park: Historic state park which includes California's first theatre and the Monterey Customs House, where the American flag was first raised over California. A U.S. National Historic Landmark! (831) 625-4419  [Top]

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.

Family Activities:

• Ghost Trolley of Old Monterey. Once the capitol of Mexican California, Old Monterey was the center of fiestas and balls, dashing Spanish horsemen and romantic guitar-playing suitors and also murder, swindles and shipwrecks. Relive our rich history on this 90 minute trolley tour, led by longtime residents and local historians. Information available at front desk.
• Monterey Movie Tours - top rated activity! This three-hour tour which brings to life some of the wonderful movies that have been filmed locally - includes three stops made on the 17-mile drive in Pebble Beach.  [Top]

Wine Tasting:

• A Taste of Monterey. This gift shop/tasting room is the perfect location to relax and enjoy a glass of wine - over 70 regional wineries represented! Carries a large selection of locally produced wines, wine accessories and gifts. After hours the perfect venue for private events. Open daily 11am 6pm; 700 Cannery Row, Ste. KK
• Wine Trolley Tours. From Carmel Valley to the Salinas Mountains, experience an unforgettable wine tasting adventure aboard Hattie the Magnificent Trolley. Visit many tasting rooms including Bernardus Vineyards, Parsonage Vineyards, Chateau Sinnet, Heller Estate Organic Vineyards and Boekenoogen Winery, Boete Winery and Chateau Julien.  [Top]