Family Activities and Other Things to Do in Monterey, CA

Cannery Row Monterey Dining Carmel Attractions 17 Mile Drive

The Monterey Bay area is a spectacular vacation destination that offers visitors unmatched beauty, breathtaking beaches and a wide variety of fun things to do for kids and adults. Local attractions such as whale watching, museums, festivals, wineries, restaurants, and annual events are all part of experiencing Monterey. When you visit Northern California’s Monterey Bay and stay at the Monterey Bay Inn, you’ll find a wide range of exciting and interesting attractions just a few steps away from our luxury, ocean front sanctuary. Enjoy our spacious ocean view rooms, superior amenities, complimentary breakfast, and our relaxing on-site day spa. Take advantage of the fun indoor and outdoor activities, attractions, shopping, beaches, and dining you’ll find right here in Northern California’s Monterey Bay.

Cannery Row. Historic Cannery Row is Monterey’s famous waterfront district that was once the center of the area’s sardine industry. Originally made famous by novelist John Steinbeck, today’s Cannery Row is a popular place to visit offering fun attractions, exciting nightlife, shops, art galleries, restaurants, outdoor recreation opportunities, and of course, the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Visit www.canneryrow.com

Monterey Bay Aquarium. The famous Monterey Aquarium offers visitors a hands-on view of the spectacular marine animals and environments found in the Monterey Bay. Marine related exhibits at the aquarium include life-sized whale exhibits, a towering kelp forest, swimming schools of albacore tuna, sunfish, great white sharks, jellyfish, live sea otters, octopus, fun activities for kids, on-site dining, and more. Open daily, except Dec. 25 from 10am - 6pm.  [Top]

Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail. This 18-mile long waterfront recreation trail runs along the coast from Castroville to Lover's Point in Pacific Grove. The well-maintained paved pathway follows the old Southern Pacific Railway route and is a great place for a bike ride, skate or stroll along the coast. There are shops all along the trail if you want to rent bicycles, surreys, in-line skates, and kayaks for your pleasure.

Adventures by the Sea. Adventures by the Sea is Monterey’s premier rental company, offering bicycles, surreys, surfboards and kayaks, at their convenient location right across the street from the Monterey Bay Inn.  [Top]

Monterey Dining. The Monterey area offers an abundance of excellent restaurants, both in the city of Monterey and surrounding cities such as Carmel and Pacific Grove. With local dining establishments serving everything from fresh local seafood on Fisherman’s Wharf to upscale French cuisine and exotic fare from around the world, you’ll have plenty of choices at the many restaurants located on Monterey Bay and surrounding area. Enjoy an amazing dining experience at these fine restaurants located just a few minutes away from the Monterey Bay Inn.

Dining in Monterey

• Sardine Factory. This award winning seafood restaurant has been serving locals and visitors since 1968 and offers an extensive wine list featuring more than 1,000 different wines. Visit their site at: www.sardinefactory.com
  Address: 701 Wave St, Monterey, CA 93940
  Phone: 831-373-3775
• Fresh Cream. This distinctive restaurant offers not only the finest cuisine and service, but its setting in Heritage Harbor with memorable views of Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf is unbeatable. This Monterey fine dining favorite offers delicious French cuisine with a hint of California flavor. 
  Address: 99 Pacific St # 100F, Monterey, CA 93940
  Phone: 831-375-9798
• Paradiso Trattoria. Delicious seafood served in an unbeatable oceanfront setting in the heart of Cannery Row. 
  Address: 654 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
  Phone: 831-375-4155
• Willy’s Smokehouse. A hoppin’ neighborhood BBQ joint on Cannery Row, serving slow smoked BBQ, fresh seafood and produce and amazing desserts.
  Address: 95 Prescott Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
  Phone: 831-372-4227
• The Chart House. Delicious seafood and steaks and decadent desserts served in an ocean front setting on Cannery Row.
  Address: 444 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
  Phone: 831-372-3362  [Top]

Carmel Attractions
 
White Sand Beach. With its sparkling white sand, native cypress trees, and plenty of opportunity for walks, surfing, kite flying, and picnicking, Carmel’s white sand beach is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing day with the family,  an intimate afternoon alone, or a breathtaking sunset. Carmel beach is open 6am to 10pm daily.

Carmel Mission. Visit one of the jewels of the historic California Missions founded by Father Junipero Serra when you vacation in Monterey.  The Carmel Mission, located in downtown Carmel, is a beautiful example of adobe architecture.   Carmel Mission is open daily to visitors and mass is celebrated daily. 

Point Lobos State Reserve. Point Lobos State Reserve is a California experience like no other. Offering bizarre tidal effects, extraordinary sea lion colonies, groves of rare Monterey Cyprus trees, challenging hiking trials, open beaches, scuba diving, and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, Point Lobos is considered to be the most beautiful California state parks. 

17 Mile Drive. Minutes from downtown Monterey is one of the most famous roads in California – 17 Mile Drive.  This scenic road winds through the prestigious gated community of Pebble Beach in Carmel, past the Del Monte Forest, oceanfront mansions, secluded coves, pristine beaches, and esteemed golf courses. 17 Mile Drive is also home to natural attractions including the famous Lone Cypress tree, Fanshell Beach, and Seal Rock.  Entry fees at all Pebble Beach gates apply.   

National Steinbeck Center. The fabulous National Steinbeck Center offers visitors a glimpse into the life of Monterey County residents and the area’s favorite native son through a wide range of fascinating, interactive exhibits highlighting the sweeping Salinas Valley, Steinbeck’s life and the author’s famous books and artifacts. Open 10am - 5pm daily, except holidays.    [Top]