Monterey & Carmel Tours & Activities

Plan your trip to Monterey & Carmel, California — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.

Top things to do in Monterey & Carmel

• Monterey Bay Aquarium. One of the world's foremost public aquariums, built inside a historic Cannery Row sardine cannery and home to more than 350,000 marine animals across 550 species. The three-story Kelp Forest exhibit and the 1.2-million-gallon Open Sea tank are among the most spectacular in North America.
• 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. A legendary private toll road threading through the Del Monte Forest and Pebble Beach, past the wind-sculpted Lone Cypress, Spanish Bay, and world-famous golf courses. The drive takes 2-3 hours and the $12 vehicle fee is reimbursed with a $35+ purchase at Pebble Beach Resorts.
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Often called 'the greatest meeting of land and water in the world,' this 550-acre reserve three miles south of Carmel harbors one of only two naturally occurring Monterey Cypress groves on Earth, sea lions, harbor seals, and miles of dramatic headlands trails. Entry is $10 per vehicle.
• Cannery Row & Old Fisherman's Wharf. Cannery Row, immortalized by John Steinbeck's 1945 novel, has transformed from a sardine-canning hub into a lively waterfront strip of restaurants, shops, and wine tasting rooms anchored by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Old Fisherman's Wharf — built in 1845 — is the launch point for whale-watching tours and offers the…
• Whale Watching on Monterey Bay. The Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon funnels cold, nutrient-rich upwellings to the surface, making the bay one of the world's best year-round whale-watching destinations. Humpback and blue whales peak from June through October; gray whales pass during winter migration. Multiple operators depart daily from Old…
• Carmel-by-the-Sea Village & Carmel Beach. A one-square-mile storybook village with fairytale cottages, more than 80 art galleries, and a walkable Ocean Avenue lined with wine tasting rooms and boutiques — all ending at a white-sand, dog-friendly beach framed by Monterey pines. Carmel famously has no street addresses or streetlights, preserving a village…
• Carmel Mission Basilica. Founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1770 as the second of California's 21 missions, the Carmel Mission is one of the most authentically restored in the entire chain. Four historical museum galleries, a lush courtyard garden, and the ornate Moorish-style basilica draw history lovers and architecture enthusiasts alike.…
• Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing. One of California's largest coastal wetlands and a haven for the endangered Southern Sea Otter — hundreds gather here daily to rest, groom, and feed in the calm tidal channels. Guided kayak tours from Monterey Bay Kayaks put you within a few paddle strokes of sea otters, harbor seals, and migratory shorebirds in a…

Best time to visit Monterey & Carmel

April through early June, or September–October. Spring (April–June): mild temps in the low-to-mid 60s°F, fewer crowds than summer, Pebble Beach Food & Wine (April) and Whalefest (April); shoulder-season hotel rates. Fall (September–October): warmest and driest coastal days by local standards, golden light prized by photographers, Monterey Jazz Festival (September), post-summer crowd drop-off. U.S. News calls spring the overall best window; WeatherSpark data shows September as the single warmest month

Monterey & Carmel weather by month

Getting to Monterey & Carmel

The free MST Trolley runs daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (10 am–6 pm), looping between Downtown Monterey, Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, and the Aquarium every 10-15 minutes. Park once in the Tyler Street garage downtown and use the trolley for the waterfront area — Aquarium parking is expensive and scarce. The 18-mile Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is fully paved and flat, connecting Pacific Grove through Cannery Row to Marina. Bicycle rentals are available from multiple vendors along the path — biking is often faster and more enjoyable than driving the waterfront stretch during peak season.

• MRY Monterey Regional Airport — 5 min drive
• SJC Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport — 90 min drive
• SFO San Francisco International Airport — 120 min drive

Where to stay in Monterey & Carmel

Where to base yourself, by neighborhood.

• Cannery Row / Aquarium District, Monterey. The most action-packed place to stay: walking distance to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Old Fisherman's Wharf, the Coastal Recreation Trail, and a dense cluster of restaurants and wine bars. Hotels here range from boutique oceanfront inns to full-service… Good for: First-time visitors, families, couples who want walkability and waterfront access.
• Downtown Monterey. The historic heart of the peninsula — Custom House Plaza, Alvarado Street dining, and the Monterey Conference Center are all within easy reach. Quieter than Cannery Row at night yet central enough to reach all major attractions without a car. A good base for… Good for: Business travelers, history lovers, repeat visitors.
• Carmel-by-the-Sea Village. Staying in the village puts you within walking distance of Ocean Avenue galleries, wine tasting rooms, and Carmel Beach. Accommodation ranges from cozy B&Bs tucked on storybook lanes to the Relais & Chateaux property L'Auberge Carmel. No streetlights, no… Good for: Couples, art lovers, romantic getaways, foodies seeking Michelin dining.
• Pacific Grove. Nicknamed 'Butterfly Town USA,' Pacific Grove offers Victorian-era bed-and-breakfasts, the Asilomar State Beach conference grounds, and the monarch butterfly sanctuary, all set in a quieter residential atmosphere than Monterey or Carmel. The Coastal… Good for: Nature lovers, divers, travelers seeking a quieter and more affordable base.
• Pebble Beach. The most exclusive lodging zone on the peninsula, dominated by the Lodge at Pebble Beach and The Inn at Spanish Bay. Staying here means gated access to the 17-Mile Drive, world-class golf courses, and beach bonfires at Spanish Bay accompanied by a lone… Good for: Luxury travelers, golfers, honeymoons, milestone celebrations.
• Carmel Valley. Twelve miles inland from the coast, Carmel Valley trades marine fog for sunny skies and vine-covered hillsides. Bernardus Lodge & Spa anchors the high end; smaller inns and vacation rentals give access to the village tasting rooms and hiking in the Santa… Good for: Wine lovers, spa seekers, couples, guests who prefer sunny weather over coastal fog.

Where to eat in Monterey & Carmel

A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.

Local favorites & classics

• Passionfish. Pacific Grove · Sustainable seafood — Multiple-time 'Best Restaurant in Monterey County' winner and the first local restaurant certified green by Monterey County. The ever-changing menu of…
• Old Fisherman's Grotto. Old Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey · Seafood / Italian — A Wharf institution named best clam chowder in Monterey 23 consecutive years. Grilled Castroville artichokes, Monterey Bay-caught calamari, sand…
• Bernardus Winery Tasting Room. Carmel Valley · Wine tasting — Carmel Valley's anchor winery with a sun-drenched terrace and tasting room showcasing estate Sauvignon Blanc and signature Bordeaux-style Marinus red blend. The…
• Rosine's Restaurant. 434 Alvarado St · 4.5★ (4,684 reviews)
• Sandbar & Grill. Municipal Wharf 2 · 4.5★ (2,767 reviews)
• La Bicyclette Restaurant. Dolores St & · 4.5★ (2,722 reviews)
• Mission Ranch Restaurant. 26270 Dolores St · 4.5★ (2,649 reviews)
• The Sardine Factory. 701 Wave St · 4.6★ (1,744 reviews)

Cafés, bakeries & casual

• Fishwife at Asilomar Beach. Pacific Grove · Caribbean-California seafood — A laid-back, beloved Pacific Grove spot serving sustainably sourced fish with Caribbean-influenced preparations — think Caribe-style grilled fish tacos…
• Treehouse Café. San Carlos St · 4.5★ (1,821 reviews)
• Carmel Bakery. Ocean Ave · 4.3★ (2,103 reviews)
• Captain + Stoker. 398 E Franklin St · 4.6★ (1,226 reviews)
• Alta Bakery and Cafe. 502 Munras Ave · 4.5★ (1,421 reviews)
• Parker-Lusseau Pastries. 539 Hartnell St · 4.7★ (610 reviews)
• Paris Bakery Cafe. 271 Bonifacio Pl · 4.4★ (889 reviews)
• Lafayette | Bakery & Café. 3659 The Barnyard e22 · 4.5★ (735 reviews)

Fine dining & Michelin

• Aubergine at L'Auberge Carmel. Carmel-by-the-Sea · California coastal tasting menu — The only two-Michelin-starred restaurant on the Monterey Peninsula, with Executive Chef Justin Cogley's eight-course menu ($285) built almost…
• Chez Noir. Carmel-by-the-Sea · French-California coastal — One-Michelin-starred restaurant from husband-and-wife team Jonny and Monique Black (alumni of Atelier Crenn and Quince). A focused four-course…
• Stationaery. Carmel-by-the-Sea · California seasonal / brunch — Michelin Guide-recognized neighborhood restaurant in San Carlos Square, beloved locally for its California-inflected takes on brunch classics —…
• Lucia Restaurant & Bar. Carmel Valley · California country / French-influenced — The flagship restaurant at Bernardus Lodge & Spa, listed in both the 2025 Michelin Guide and Forbes Travel Guide. Chef Christian Ojeda…
• Montrio Bistro. Downtown Monterey · New American / farm-to-table — A Michelin-recognized fixture in a converted 1910 firehouse on Calle Principal. For 25-plus years Montrio has built its menus around sustainable…
• Roy's at Pebble Beach. 2700 17 Mile Dr · 4.6★ (1,255 reviews)
• Chart House. 444 Cannery Row · 4.3★ (2,027 reviews)
• Anton & Michel Restaurant. Mission Street & · 4.5★ (750 reviews)

A 7-Day Monterey & Carmel Plan

1. Day 1 — Cannery Row & Bay Discovery. Start at Cannery Row, soaking in the history of John Steinbeck's famous sardine-packing district before grabbing breakfast at one of the waterfront cafes. Walk the Old Fisherman's Wharf to watch sea lions bask on the docks and browse fresh seafood stalls. Spend the bulk of the…
2. Day 2 — Monarchs, Tidepools & Pacific Grove. Head to the Pacific Grove Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary (mid-October through February the grove is filled with thousands of wintering monarchs; in summer enjoy the gardens and coastal oaks). Walk the adjacent George Washington Park trails. Drive the short stretch to Asilomar…
3. Day 3 — Whale Watching on the Open Bay. Board an early-morning whale watching cruise departing from Old Fisherman's Wharf with Princess Monterey Whale Watching or Fast Raft Ocean Safaris. Monterey Bay's submarine canyon brings humpbacks, blue whales, orcas, and dolphins remarkably close to shore. After returning to…
4. Day 4 — Carmel Village & Misty Beach. Drive south to Carmel-by-the-Sea and park once for the whole day. Wander Ocean Avenue's fairy-tale cottages, art galleries, and boutique shops. Stop for coffee and breakfast pastries at Carmel Belle inside The Doud Craft Studios courtyard. Walk down Ocean Avenue to the stunning…
5. Day 5 — Point Lobos & 17-Mile Drive. Arrive early at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (opens at 8 a.m.; parking fills fast on weekends) for hiking the Sea Lion Point Trail and Cypress Grove Trail. Look for harbor seals, sea otters, cormorants, and the ancient Monterey cypress forest. Drive north to the iconic…
6. Day 6 — Elkhorn Slough & Moss Landing. Drive 25 minutes north to Moss Landing to board a kayak or pontoon tour of Elkhorn Slough with Elkhorn Slough Safari or Kayak Connection. The slough is home to hundreds of sea otters, harbor seals, and shorebirds in a serene estuarine environment. Back on land, explore Moss…
7. Day 7 — Carmel Valley Wine & Wellness. Head inland on Carmel Valley Road into the sunny Carmel Valley Wine Country, which sits above the coastal fog. Visit Bernardus Winery for an estate tasting of their acclaimed Bordeaux-style blends surrounded by rolling vineyard hills. Continue down the valley to Folktale Winery…

Events & festivals in Monterey & Carmel

• AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (February (2026: February 12–15; 2027: February 1–7)). PGA TOUR Signature Event played at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. $20M purse in 2026. Celebrity-heavy pro-am format.
• Pebble Beach Food & Wine (April (2026: April 9–12; 2027: April 1–4)). Annual luxury food-and-wine festival across Pebble Beach Resorts featuring 135+ global chefs and 150 wineries. 50+ events over four days.
• Whalefest Monterey (April (2026: April 11–12)). Free two-day public event on Old Fisherman's Wharf celebrating biodiversity of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Features marine-expert symposium, exhibits, music, and educational activities for all ages.
• Monterey Car Week / Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance (August (2026: August 7–16; Concours finale: August 16)). Ten-day celebration of automotive culture culminating in the 75th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 16, 2026 on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. Includes Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (August…
• Monterey Jazz Festival (September (third full weekend; 2025: September 26–28; 2026: September 25–27)). 69th edition in 2026. World's longest-running jazz festival at Monterey County Fairgrounds. 2026 lineup includes Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Cécile McLorin Salvant.

Monterey & Carmel travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Monterey & Carmel?

April through early June, or September–October.

What are the top things to do in Monterey & Carmel?

Top experiences include Monterey Bay Aquarium, 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Cannery Row & Old Fisherman's Wharf, Whale Watching on Monterey Bay.

Which airport is closest to Monterey & Carmel?

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is the nearest, about 5 minutes away.

Where should I stay in Monterey & Carmel?

Popular areas to base yourself include Cannery Row / Aquarium District, Monterey, Downtown Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea Village, Pacific Grove.

How do I get around Monterey & Carmel?

The free MST Trolley runs daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (10 am–6 pm), looping between Downtown Monterey, Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, and the Aquarium every 10-15 minutes.