Monterey, California. Land of sun-dappled coastlines, sea otters with better hair than you, and tourists wondering whether they just saw Clint Eastwood at the gas station (you probably did). Whether you’re here for a weekend, a week, or just long enough to consider quitting your job and opening a surfboard coffee shop, there’s no shortage of actually awesome things to do in Monterey.
We’ve got local tips on navigating popular attractions, exploring key historical sites, and planning your visit around the best festivals. Here’s your fully field-tested list of the top things to do in Monterey. From skydives to sunset bagpipes, it’s time to stop scrolling Yelp and start living.
Table of Contents
Ocean Fun
Outdoor Play & Scenic Views
Beaches, Day Trips & Relaxation
Foodie Finds & Local Eats
Festival Fun
History Buff & Off-the-Beaten Stuff
Monterey’s ocean playground is where landlubbers turn into sea lovers. Dive into the world-famous aquarium or chase whales like you’re on a wet safari—you’ll never want to leave the shore.
Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s worth every minute. The Monterey Bay Aquarium isn’t just any aquarium. It’s the Beyoncé of aquariums. Giant Pacific octopuses, swirling sardine tornadoes, puffins with attitude—you’ll leave with a weird crush on a jellyfish and a desperate need to adopt a sea otter.
This was the first place on Earth to successfully exhibit a Great White Shark without the entire staff being theatrically eaten, Jaws style. And in what might be the most Californian sentence ever written, a Star Trek movie was filmed here, in which Captain Kirk travels back in time to rescue whales. Because, even in the 23rd century, Monterey’s the place to be.
Locals Pick: There’s an entire gallery that looks like a lava lamp had a baby with a disco ball (it’s jellyfish, but totally psychedelic).
Few things say “Monterey” like locking eyes with a 40-ton humpback and realizing you’ve peaked emotionally. These oceanic celebrities aren’t just passing through—they’re flipping, spouting, and flexing their blowholes like the sea is their red carpet and you’re lucky to be holding the camera.
The secret sauce? Monterey’s underwater canyon—so deep and so close to shore, it brings whales right to your boat like they’ve got VIP backstage passes to the surface. You’ll feel the mist. You’ll taste the majesty. It’s as up-close, unscripted, and salty as you are the morning after a Carmel wine tasting.
Season depending, you’ll catch grey whales on their epic commute, humpbacks showing off like it’s audition day at SeaWorld, or orcas moving like they’ve got somewhere to be, or something to eat.
Our Hot Take: Sure, you could spot whales from a boat. Or you could do it from 18,000 feet up, door open, strapped to a stranger. For the less airborne option, we’ve had solid luck with Princess Monterey Whale Watching. Bring a jacket. And Dramamine. And a renewed sense of wonder.
If fresh air, racing heartbeats, and jaw-dropping coastal views don’t thrill you, we honestly don’t know what will. Whether you’re freefalling over the Pacific on a skydiving adventure, hiking the dramatic cliffs of Point Lobos, or golfing where the greens feel like a trust fund, this is Monterey’s scenic side turned up to 11.
You didn’t think we’d not mention one of the most unforgettable things to do in Monterey, did you?
This isn’t your cousin’s 10,000-foot plummet over a cow field in the middle of nowhere. This is Skydive Monterey Bay—home to the highest tandem skydives on planet Earth (18,000 feet, if you’re counting), with views so epic they’ll make the Great Barrier Reef look like a puddle in your driveway.
Below you? Beaches. Mountains. Forests. Whales. Existential clarity. Maybe even a second chance at that thing you said you’d never do again but probably will.
It’s 90 seconds of freefall, equal parts chaos and clarity, followed by the kind of floaty bliss that makes skydivers sound spiritual at dinner parties. It’s terrifying. It’s glorious. It’s weirdly peaceful. And yes, you should absolutely do it.
🎯 Pro tip: Get your skydive on video. The views are cinematic, your face will be a masterpiece of wind-blasted emotion, and the footage will haunt your ex like a motivational TED Talk they weren’t ready for.
This slice of coastal perfection is so outrageously scenic it feels like it was designed by a moody Scandinavian art director with a drone and a grudge against subtlety. Cypress trees cling to cliffs like they’ve got abandonment issues, turquoise coves wink seductively from below, and the whole place smells faintly of pine needles and superiority—but not in a pretentious way, more like “nature just woke up like this” and couldn’t care less what hiking boots you wore.
You don’t hike Point Lobos so much as meander around, gasping every 30 feet like a Victorian woman with tight corsets and looser morals. One minute you’re staring down sea lions flopped across the rocks like they’ve just filed for emotional bankruptcy, the next you’re peering into tidepools that look like Pixar invented them.
And the trails? Easy enough for your out-of-shape cousin to manage, but scenic enough to convince your Instagram followers you’ve been training with Patagonia-sponsored Sherpas, making it one of the best places to visit in Monterey for the whole crew.
We Didn’t Tell You Tip: Slip a little something celebratory into your pack. Hike to a bluff and toast to the absurd beauty around you. If a ranger asks, you’re just really enthusiastic about electrolytes.
Pebble Beach is golf’s version of the Sistine Chapel—if the Sistine Chapel charged you $600 to swing a stick near the ceiling and humiliated you in front of your in-laws. It’s absurdly scenic, historically legendary, and spiritually designed to punish hubris. For hardcore golfers, it tops the things to do in Monterey.
Feel your soul levitate (and your ego detonate) at Hole 7—Pebble’s iconic par-3 that serves up 106 yards of pure psychological warfare with ocean views. The only birdies you’ll see might be seagulls judging your backswing. Keep an eye out for us; sometimes, Skydive Monterey Bay makes an appearance at Pebble Beach.
Now, if you’re not in the mood to remortgage your house for a tee time, good news: there are local gems that bring the drama without the financial ruin. Pacific Grove Golf Links is affectionately known as “the poor man’s Pebble Beach,” which is both wildly unfair and kind of perfect. The back nine runs right along the coast, there are deer that treat the greens like their living room, and the vibe is less “exclusive country club” and more “bucket-list bargain.”
Pro tip: Finish your day at The Inn at Spanish Bay, where you listen to the daily bagpiper performance, sip a cocktail by the fire pit and pretend you hit par instead of emotionally spiralling on hole six.
Sand, sea lions, and just enough sun to make you question your SPF choices. Monterey’s beaches are prime real estate for kicking back, wave-watching, or reevaluating your entire existence. And just down the coast, Carmel delivers that bougie-beachy perfection—ideal for shopping, snacking, and wondering why your life doesn’t include more oceanfront wine bars.
Monterey doesn’t do basic beaches. You won’t find rows of lounge chairs or overpriced daiquiris served in plastic pineapples. What you will find is raw, unfiltered Pacific magic—jagged coastlines, secret coves, and the occasional sea lions barking like they’ve just been asked to split the bill.
Start at Del Monte Beach, the locals-only vibe that’s just hidden enough to make you feel like you’re in on a secret. Long walks, low crowds, and bonfire pits are perfect for roasting marshmallows or your recent life decisions.
If you want views with emotional impact, Lovers Point in Pacific Grove delivers. It’s rocky cliffs, calm waters, and name, almost guarantee at least one awkward proposal per day. If you’re more “solo soul-searcher” than “hand-holding couple in matching windbreakers,” don’t worry—it’s still great for a scenic sit, a salty breeze, and watching paddleboarders lose their board and dignity.
Asilomar State Beach delivers windswept beauty with tidepools, boardwalks, and sand so soft it could double as a mattress commercial. For a side of cinematic beauty, head to Carmel Beach, where the sand is white, the dogs are off-leash, and the entire coastline looks like it was airbrushed by nature’s social media manager.
Local’s Secret: Activate escape mode at Marina or Sand City, where miles of pristine beach stretch out with absolutely no one around. It’s a perfect activity to do in Monterey when you need solitude, space, and a break from humanity’s ongoing group project to ruin everything with Bluetooth speakers and drone selfies.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is what happens when a European village gets drunk on California wine and decides to become an Instagram influencer. No street numbers, no chain restaurants, and absolutely no bad angles.
Stroll down Ocean Avenue where every boutique feels like it was designed by elves with trust funds. Grab a pastry at Carmel Bakery that’ll haunt your dreams, or brunch at Stationæry where even the coffee feels like it did a semester abroad.
Need culture? The Carmel Mission is like walking into a Spanish novella set in slow motion. Or just skip the soul-searching and hit Carmel Beach, where dogs run leashless, the waves crash theatrically, and the sand looks pre-filtered.
Come cocktail hour, slide into Dawn’s Dream for a wine flight that goes down too easy, or hit Cultura for mezcal with a side of reckless decisions. If you’re still vertical, La Bicyclette has wood-fired pizzas that’ll make you rethink your life’s priorities.
17-Mile Drive is the supermodel of road trips—ridiculously photogenic, a little high-maintenance, and fully aware it’s hotter than you. You’ll cruise past landmarks like the Lone Cypress—an ancient, weather-beaten tree standing alone on a granite outcrop like it just got dumped and is processing it beautifully. You’ll pass by Pebble Beach golf royalty and cliff-hugging oceanside mansions that whisper old money in six languages.
Roll your windows down, blast something that makes you feel cooler than you are, and for 17 glorious miles, pretend that you own a villa with a wine cellar and a fleet of vintage convertibles.
Local’s Tip: Don’t pay the gate fee. Bike in, walk in, or sneak through Pacific Grove like a smug little loophole ninja. Or better yet—make a dinner reservation at Roy’s or The Inn at Spanish Bay, order a cocktail that’s mostly attitude, and soak up the view like the high-class outlaw you are. Then take what you saved and blow it on something way cooler—like jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.
Bring an appetite and zero self-control. From seafood so fresh it still throws shade to farmers market eats that taste like they were grown by hipster angels, Monterey’s food scene is a full-contact sport for your taste buds.
If you haven’t seen a sea lion toss side-eye while stinking up a dock, you’re missing the full Monterey experience. Old Fisherman’s Wharf is the city’s salty, splashy answer to a seaside theme park—clam chowder in sourdough bowls, street performers, ocean tours, and enough fudge shops to trigger a moral crisis.
One minute you’re marvelling at a $300 wooden pelican carving, the next you’re being barked at by a sea lion with boundary issues.
Local’s tip: Skip the taffy and grab chowder at Café Fina—this family-owned spot is a Wharf staple with serious flavor cred and a killer waterfront view.
If it’s Tuesday evening and you’re wondering what to do in Monterey, the Old Monterey Farmers Market isn’t just a place for fresh produce—it’s a full-on flavor explosion. Grass-fed roast chicken that makes you rethink every sad supermarket dinner you’ve ever had. Hummus so smooth it could get a Netflix deal. Indian street food so spicy that you might end up proposing to a samosa behind the nearest taco truck.
Add in the buskers strumming guitars like they’re the lovechild of Jimi Hendrix, and you’ve got yourself a serious food-and-vibe situation. If you don’t leave with something you never planned on buying, you didn’t do it right.
🎯 Pro tip: Forget the plastic and bring cash—your card’s probably just as overwhelmed as you are by the sheer deliciousness on display.
Monterey’s festivals aren’t your grandma’s garden party—they’re your all-access pass to live music, killer eats, and vibes so good you’ll swear you’re a local. (Spoiler: you totally belong.)
If Monterey had a personality, it’d be that chill friend who spends most of the year sipping local wine in the sun, then absolutely loses it for a few weekends and throws world-class benders dressed up as “festivals.”
April brings the Sea Otter Classic, which sounds like a charming wildlife encounter but is a turbo-charged Woodstock-esque festival for cyclists. Picture thousands of Lycra-clad adrenaline junkies launching off dirt ramps while you, heroic non-athlete, eat a tri-tip sandwich and pretend you once owned a bike.
May is for Cali Roots, Monterey’s reggae-love-child of a backyard jam and a massive music pilgrimage. Sunshine, ganja-scented breezes, and bass lines thick enough to rearrange your organs. You will vibe. You will dance. You will probably forget your shoes somewhere.
August detonates with Car Week, where billionaires and people who watch Top Gear religiously drool over Ferraris like it’s porn for people with excellent credit. Don’t worry—no one expects you to buy anything. Just stand near a vintage Jaguar and whisper things like “torque” and “bespoke craftsmanship” until someone hands you champagne.
And whenever the California Airshow rolls through? It’s jets above, chaos below, and—if you’re lucky—Skydive Monterey Bay sky ninjas dropping in from 18,000 feet like it’s no big deal. Because, of course, we are. Independent sources (okay, us—but we’re very persuasive) have confirmed this is hands down one of the best things to do in Monterey.
Pro Tip: Festival calories are a myth, and Monterey’s got some of the best food-on-wheels this side of heaven. Go for it.
Cannery Row, quirky tours, and forgotten corners serve up Monterey’s past with way more flavor than your high school textbooks ever managed. Ideal for history lovers and curious wanderers who like their facts with a twist.
Cannery Row is Monterey’s glow-up story. Once a gritty sardine-packing district soaked in fish oil and existential dread, it’s now lined with boutique shops, wine lounges, and the faint scent of upscale candles trying to erase its salty past.
There’s history here—John Steinbeck turned fish guts into Pulitzer bait—but even if your book club skipped that one, the cobblestone paths, ocean views, and public art installations are reason enough to explore.
You’ll find some legit gems among the usual gift shop suspects—like Lula’s Chocolates for handmade sea salt caramels, or A Taste of Monterey, where local wine flights come with bay views and a level of smug satisfaction you can taste. Try not to black out from joy… or the pinot.
Pro tip: Hit it late afternoon when the crowds thin out and the golden-hour lighting does its thing.
Sure, Monterey looks like it was designed for honeymooners and overpriced Chardonnay, but peel back a few layers and you’ll find it was once the actual capital of Alta California. Yes, before Hollywood, before tech bros, before traffic on the 101, Monterey was the epicentre of West Coast politics, culture, and a few very questionable mustaches.
Your time machine begins at Monterey State Historic Park, a collection of beautifully preserved adobes, gardens, and landmarks that whisper the story of California’s chaotic beginnings. The Custom House is where the United States politely helped itself to California in 1846. The Pacific House Museum adds context with artifacts, maps, and just enough cannon-related lore to keep things spicy.
Want to add a little weird to your things to do in Monterey? Cap it off with the Ghost Tour of Old Monterey. It’s lantern-lit, delightfully over-the-top, and just credible enough to have you Googling “Monterey hauntings” at 1 a.m. It is certainly one of the most unique Monterey attractions.
💡 Pro Tip: Monterey’s dripping with history, and walking’s the best way to trip over it. State Parks or private tours can show you around, but honestly, just wander—there’s more drama in these old buildings than in a season of reality TV.
Monterey isn’t just a pretty face. Sure, it’s got cliffs that flirt, whales that perform like they’re gunning for an Emmy, and enough sunsets to fill your therapist’s gratitude journal. There are great things to do in Monterey for every type, but the real magic is how this place gets you. This is coastal California in its final form: unpretentious, wild-hearted, and always one drink, one view, or one orca away from making you feel suspiciously emotional about the ocean.
Monterey doesn’t ask for your heart. It steals it, wraps it in fog and cypress, and hands you a glass of local pinot like, “You’ll be staying, yes?”
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