Things to do in Monterey, California
- Monterey was the site of the first constitutional convention in California, which met in 1849 to draft the state's original constitution.
- The city's historic cannery row was the setting for John Steinbeck's novel Cannery Row, drawing on the city's 20th-century history as the sardine packing capital of the world.
- Monterey features the oldest government building still standing in California, known as the Old Custom House.
- The Monterey Submarine Canyon, one of the deepest underwater canyons on the Pacific coast, begins just offshore, allowing for unique deep-sea ecosystems near the surface.
- Monterey County hosts the oldest continuously running jazz festival in the world, founded in 1958.
About Monterey, California
Monterey serves as a historic hub on California's central coast, once the capital of Alta California under both Spanish and Mexican rule. It is world-renowned for its deep-sea marine biology research, showcased prominently at the Monterey Bay Aquarium [223]. The coastline provides dramatic natural scenery, ranging from the rugged rocks near Pescadero Point [24249] to the white sands of Carmel Beach [5528]. Visitors can trace the region's colonial roots at the Carmel Mission Basilica [6296] or observe local wildlife at coastal sites like Asilomar State Beach [8706].
Highlights of Monterey, California
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Zoos
It houses massive indoor kelp forests and extensive exhibits dedicated to the unique marine life of the Monterey Bay submarine canyon.
Places of interest
This historic pier serves as a launch point for whale watching tours and provides views of sea lions resting on the pylons.
Parks
This small park offers a vantage point for viewing sea otters and tide pools at the tip of the Pacific Grove coastline.
Beaches and ponds
It is a popular white-sand beach known for its dog-friendly policies and dramatic sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.
Places of interest
A landmark Monterey cypress tree that has stood on the granite cliffs for centuries, symbolizing the rugged coastal landscape.
Beaches and ponds
This coastal reserve features a protected boardwalk through sensitive dune ecosystems leading to an expansive sandy beach.
Temples
Founded in 1771, it remains one of the most authentically restored Roman Catholic mission churches in the California mission chain.
Places of interest
This rocky outcropping offers some of the most iconic views of the rugged shoreline along the famous 17-Mile Drive.
Top things to do in Monterey, California
The 64 highest-rated places in Monterey, California, ranked by travellers.
1
Zoos
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is globally recognized for its pioneering success in husbandry, including the first successful...
2
Places of interest
Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey is a historic pier originally built in 1845 to serve the city’s thriving sardine indus...
3
Parks
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a protected marine and land environment on the Carmel coast known for its diverse g...
4
Parks
Lovers Point Park is one of the few locations on the West Coast of the United States that faces east, providing a unique...
5
Beaches and ponds
Carmel Beach is a crescent-shaped public strand located at the foot of Ocean Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Th...
6
Places of interest
The Lone Cypress is a centuries-old Cupressus macrocarpa situated on a granite cliff along the Monterey Peninsula. It se...
7
Beaches and ponds
8
Beaches and ponds
9
Temples
10
Beaches and ponds
11
Places of interest
12
Beaches and ponds
13
Parks
14
Places of interest
15
Parks
16
Parks
17
Parks
18
Beaches and ponds
19
Places of interest
20
Parks
21
Places of interest
22
Museums
23
Places of interest
24
Museums
25
Historical places
26
Places of interest
27
Parks
28
Places of interest
29
Beaches and ponds
30
Parks
Explore by category
Jump straight to what you're into.
Monterey, California on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Monterey, California
September to November, when the coastal fog clears and the summer crowds have departed.
3 days to allow time for coastal drives, aquarium visits, and exploration of neighboring Carmel.
A car is essential for coastal touring, though downtown and Old Fisherman's Wharf [3574] are walkable.
Stay in downtown Monterey for easy harbor access or in nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea for a quieter, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
Expensive, particularly for lodging and dining due to high demand and limited real estate.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 64 curated attractions in and around Monterey, California, ranked by traveller ratings.
Monterey Bay Aquarium is the highest-rated place to visit in Monterey, California right now.
The largest category is parks, with 18 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Bayonne, New Jersey, Downtown Los Angeles, Washington, D.C..
Explore more of United States of America
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
