Things To Do in Monterey
Did you know that Monterey County is California’s third largest agricultural county, boasting over a quarter million irrigated acres?
Did you know Monterey County is known as the golf capital of the world with over 25 golf courses?
And did you know that California’s First Theatre was built in Monterey in 1844 and is still in operation today?
If not, then you’ve got lots to learn about Monterey!
Here’s a look at just some of the exciting things that Monterey offers.
LANDMARKS & ATTRACTIONS
17-Mile Drive
Pebble Beach
Discover Nature’s treasures as you explore the serene majesty of Del Monte Forest. Here you’ll quickly experience the magic of a legendary scenic tour that’s home to The Lone Cypress, Seal and Bird Rocks, Fanshell Beach, Point Joe, and the colliding currents of The Restless Sea.
Agricultural and Rural Life Museum (MCARLM)
1160 Broadway, King City, Monterey County
831-385-8020
Located within San Lorenzo County Park, the MCARLM features collections of agricultural related implements, house museum furnishings, and historical objects from the the last quarter of the 19th century through World War II. The museum complex includes buildings: the Exhibit Barn, Olson Blacksmith Shop, and the History of Irrigation Museum; plus the historic Spreckels House (1898), La Gloria Schoolhouse (1887), and the King City Train Depot (1903), all of which are completely furnished with turn-of-the-century artifacts. There are also outside exhibits of antique farm equipment dating from the late 1800s into the 1940s.
Elkhorn Slough Sanctuary
Visitor Center: 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville
831-728-5939
Elkhorn Slough (pronounced "slew") harbors the largest tract of tidal salt marsh in California outside of San Francisco Bay. This ecological treasure at the center of the Monterey Bay coastline provides much-needed habitat for hundreds of species of plants and animals, including more than 340 species of birds.
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
3050 Hecker Pass Hwy (Hwy 152), Gilroy
408-840-7100
California's only horticultural theme park designed for families with young children and garden lovers featuring 19 rides, 27 attractions, 6 majestic gardens and the world famous Circus Trees. Attractions are designed to educate guests and foster a greater appreciation of the natural world and man's ability to shape it.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row, Monterey
831-648-4888
Recently named the best aquarium for kids in the United States by Parents Magazine, and ranked No. 8 on the Top 10 list of best attractions in the United States by TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel community, and No. 1 aquarium and overall No. 3 top-rated family attraction in the nation by Zagat Survey® U.S. Family Travel Guide, the aquarium features nearly 200 galleries and exhibits devoted to the diverse habitats of Monterey Bay.
MY Museum
601 Wave St., Monterey
831-649-6444
Located on the world famous Cannery Row, the Monterey County Youth Museum provides an environment unique to any other in Monterey County. This 2,700 square foot museum is packed with a variety of hands on exhibits, making each visit unique and exciting.
Wild Things
400 River Road, Salinas
800-228-7382
Dedicated to providing professionally and humanely trained wild/exotic and domestic birds and animals for film, television, live productions, education and much much more. Wild Things takes great pride in offering sanctuary to many animals that can no longer participate in entertainment or would otherwise not have a home or family .
ART & CULTURE
California's First Theatre
Monterey State Historic Park, Monterey
831-649-7118
Although the building is undergoing renovation and restoration, it is open on a limited basis.
Monterey Maritime Museum
5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey
831-372-2608
Today the Maritime Museum holds almost 6000 artifacts, over 50,000 photographs, and 6000 books and papers in the collection.
Monterey Museum of Art
559 Pacific St., Monterey
831-372-5477
Has two locations and features regional, California and Asian art and photography, sculpture and folk art.
Monterey Symphony
831-624-8511
"Concert Two" is scheduled to take place November 15-17 at the Sherwood Hall in Salinas, CA, and Sunset Theatre in Carmel, CA.
National Steinbeck Center
One Main Street, Salinas
831-796-3833
The $11 million National Steinbeck Center celebrates the life of native son and novelist John Steinbeck with interactive exhibits that invite participation and discovery.
SHOPPING
Barnyard Shopping Village
3618 The Barnyard, Carmel
831-624-8886
The Barnyard Shopping Village, built in Carmel in 1976, is a landmark on the Monterey Peninsula, featuring 50 merchants ranging from boutique
shops, restaurants, salons, office spaces and art galleries.
The Crossroads Shopping Village
243 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel
831-625-4106
Called a "must see for serious shoppers" The Crossroads is Carmel's premier local shopping and dining destination.
Del Monte Center
1410 Del Monte Center, Monterey
831-373-2705
Del Monte Center is a 675,000 square foot, open-air, regional shopping center located at the main artery of Highway 1 and Munras Avenue in Monterey, California. The Center features national
retailers such as Gap, Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret, Ann Taylor Loft and restaurants including California Pizza Kitchen, Starbucks Coffee, as well as Whole Foods Market and a
13-screen, state-of-the-art Century Theatres.
Gilroy Premium Outlets
681 Leavesley Rd, Gilroy
408-842-3729
Features 145 stores, including Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Coach, Gap, J. Crew, Nike, Sony and more.
FOOD & WINE
With so many restaurants to choose from in the Monterey area, there’s no way we could list them all here. To find some great eating destinations when planning your trip, visit these Web sites for directories of restaurants in the Monterey area.
Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Monterey.com Online Guide
Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
Monterey Wine Country
Monterey County Vitners & Growers Association
831-375-9400
Explore Monterey Wine Country and learn about the wineries, vineyards, climates, and appellations of Monterey and Carmel Valley. For those interested in visiting Monterey, you will find information about our highly acclaimed wine events and festivals held throughout the year. A free Monterey wine map (wineries, tasting rooms, restaurants, lodging and attractions) showing one of California's world-class wine regions is available upon request.
A Taste of Monterey
888-646-5446
A Taste of Monterey's large Visitors' Centers on Cannery Row overlooking the Monterey Bay and in historic Old Town Salinas are perfect locations to enjoy a variety of local wines. Representing over 70 regional wineries, each of our locations are great places to taste, shop and relax. The Web site also features a wine tasting map, learning center and online store.
NEARBY AREAS
Big Sur
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce: 831-667-2100
Located along Scenic Highway One approximately 150 miles south of San Francisco and 300 miles north of Los Angeles, Big Sur is a 90-mile stretch of rugged and beautiful coastline between Carmel to the north and San Simeon (Hearst Castle) to the south. Highway One winds along its length and is flanked on one side by the majestic Santa Lucia Mountains and on the other by the rocky Pacific Coast. The Web site features a downloadable Big Sur Guide, map of the Central Coast, and information on planning a Big Sur vacation.
Carmel
Carmel Visitors Center: 800-550-4333
Carmel, California is on the Pacific Coast of Central California, just South of Monterey Bay. Within the Carmel village, visitors can relax, unwind and enjoy the peaceful, European ambience where they are free to stroll through winding streets and explore secluded alleyways, courtyards and arcades. Highlighted by over 90 art studios and galleries, numerous antique shops, hundreds of boutiques and small intimate cafes and restaurants.
Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce: 800-656-6650
Sharing borders with the Monterey Bay, City of Monterey, Pacific Ocean, and the Del Monte Forest, Pacific Grove features an award-winning natural history museum; the lowest crime rate of any city in Monterey County; a nationally-recognized 18-hole golf course; a monarch butterfly habitat sanctuary; sandy beaches; and, the oldest continuously-operating lighthouse on the west coast.
Salinas Valley
Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce: 831-424-7611
The Salinas Valley is perfectly situated 120 miles South of San Francisco, 55 miles South of San Jose and 320 miles North of Los Angeles. The long Valley expands from the Monterey Bay along Highway 101 and thousands of acres of agricultural land between the phenomenal Santa Lucia and Gabilan Mountain Ranges. Several towns inhabit this lush valley: Castroville, Salinas, Chualar, Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City.
NIGHTLIFE
Characters Sports Bar & Grill
Monterey Marriott, 350 Calle Principal, Monterey
831-647-1117
The perfect spot for a casual dinner; cocktails, too
HippODrome
321-D Alvarado St., Monterey
831-646-9244
Located in the heart of downtown Monterey, Club Octane has been voted best Dance Club in Monterey County 12 times. The 12,000 square-foot club features four dance floors, 13 bar stations, four sound systems and state-of-the-art visual and lighting effects.
The Crown & Anchor
150 W Franklin St., Monterey
831-649-6496
Come and enjoy the atmosphere of a truly authentic British pub and restaurant. Relax and enjoy one of our 20 international beers on tap. Order a cocktail, try a glass of our excellent California wines or select a classic single malt scotch.
Lounge at the Sardine Factory
701 Wave St., Monterey
831-373-3775
The Sardine Factory features more than 1,300 labels and 35,000 bottles of wine. Enjoy one of those or something off the exotic drink menu, as well as tapas and more.
Sly McFly's
700 A Cannery Row, Monterey
831-372-3225
Nestled on the bay, in Monterey's world renowned Cannery Row, Sly McFly's has earned a reputation as the place to hear blues and classic rock. Colorful stained glass windows with antique race car motifs create an unparallel atmosphere. The view of the Pacific is nothing less than spectacular.
Terrace Lounge - The Lodge at Pebble Beach
1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach
831-625-8524
When you're ready for cocktails and conversation, the lovely Terrace Lounge overlooks Carmel Bay and the storied 18th green of Pebble Beach Golf Links and offers live entertainment nightly.
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