My happiest travel memories are always connected to water. Lakes, rivers, or the rush of waves on the coastline bring me peace like no other. Just the sound of a waterfall can detoxify my mind. If my husband wants me to go on an errand with him that he knows will make my eyes roll he ends the request with “and we can take a walk on the beach after.” It gets me every time. If you are seeking that same zen, the Central Coast of California offers a water-centric base. A visit to Monterey/Carmel area offers that zen in so many ways. I’ve listed here my Top 10 ways to enjoy the area.
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Visit Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
If you talk to a local while in the area chances are they’ve been coming to this Natural Reserve since they were kids. In making memories for our own kiddos, we try to take a different trail each time we visit this iconic park and each time it becomes our new favorite. You can catch an available parking spot at the pull-out areas just north and south of the entrance. To save yourself from walking along the busy highway, take the trail that runs parallel to Hwy. 1 on the west side to get to the entrance. Or if you drive in passenger cars are $10. But finding a spot can be tricky so arrive early or come late to avoid the most popular times of the day.
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Visit Garrapata State Park
Less than 20 minutes south of Carmel you’ll find trails that hug the coast on the west side of Hwy. 1. A ridge trail with coastal views of birds, marine life and wildflowers is the 1.8-mile loop of Soberanes Point Trail. To find parking and trail access watch for numbered signs along Hwy. 1. Soberanes Point Trail can be accessed from Gate 8, 9, and 10.
17 Mile Drive
A road that is so famous you have to pay to drive it may not be your idea of inner peace but let me show you the best way to enjoy the Monterey Peninsula icon that is 17 Mile Drive. You’ll see signage leading from the Monterey airport to the south entrance off Hwy. 1. But insiders know the best way to enjoy this drive is from Pacific Grove. Coming from the Pacific Grove north gate you’ll always be on the right side of the road for pullouts and coastal views will stay front and center. Plan to set aside at least two hours of leisurely driving on a road shared with bicyclists, joggers, and other site seers. Come in on Sunset Drive and San Antonio Avenue will have the toll booth. If that $10.50 gate fee is a point of contention for you there is a little secret about that. Pebble Beach Resorts will reimburse you that fee when you spend $35 at any of their properties, excluding Pebble Beach Market. And that leads me to my next tip.
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Don’t miss the bagpipes. You might not have had the Scottish Highlands on your mind when coming to the Central Coast but don’t pass up the opportunity to stop by Inn at Spanish Bay while you are on the drive. Come in close to sunset to catch the bagpiper dressed in full Scottish Highlander regalia. They play nightly, rain or shine. So stoke those Outlander fantasies, grab a cocktail, and appetizers, and head out to the patio fire pit to listen to this unique Pebble Beach experience. Bring your gate receipt to get that amount taken from your dining bill. During the winter months, the bagpiper crosses the green from 4:30 – 5:15 and daylight savings time starts a bit later, from 5:45 to 6:30. The event used to begin outside STICKS which is now closed. Currently, you will want to be dining at Roy’s to enjoy the experience. I’ve posted a link to their menu here. Watch the sun set on another beautiful day with this unique 17 Mile Drive experience.
Eat Clam Chowder and Spot a Whale at Fisherman’s Wharf
Speaking of food, you haven’t really been to Monterey unless you’ve come to Fisherman’s Wharf. The row of colorful restaurants and shops jutting out into the bay shouldn’t be missed. You can get a cup of clam chowder to go from any one of the numerous restaurants. Our favorites are Old Fisherman’s Grotto and their sister restaurant Scales. We like to know that by visiting them during this time we are helping support a local group that cares about its employees. During the pandemic, owners partnered with their executive chef to prioritize hot meals for each of their employees as well as the homeless population in the area.
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You can also catch a whale-watching tour from the wharf year-round. The tour companies have prioritized safety measures with strict cleaning protocols and reduced capacity on boats so social distancing can be easily observed. These types of outdoor activities and the locals that make them possible let you see part of what makes the Monterey Bay area so amazing.
Adventure Travel
If you thought a weekend in Monterey/Carmel had to be tame, think again. Skydive Monterey Bay is here to help you get the adrenaline rush you crave. My husband did this to celebrate his 27th birthday and loved it. For me, this isn’t a question I need answered. But if you want unparalleled views of the coast as you soar toward it from 18,000 feet elevation, they can take you out starting at just $179.
If you’ve already rated H3 or P3 with the USHGPA you can hang glide from Marina State Beach. The local club Coastal Condors has a website here that introduces you to site rules, and local wildlife protection considerations and allows you to sign in for your flight.
Check out the Animals
As long as you are planning to enter 17 Mile Drive from Pacific Grove you might as well head over early so you can enter the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. From October to February the migrating monarchs cluster together in the eucalyptus trees in such numbers that at first glance you’ll think they are leaves. In order to honor current safety measures the telescopes and docents are unavailable so bring your own binoculars to see these beauties up close.
If you’d like something a bit wilder, you can take the family over to the Monterey Zoo. From Monterey, you’ll take Hwy 68 inland toward Salinas to River Road. There you can visit elephants, lions, tigers and more! You can even book a room at the Vision Quest Ranch Bed and Breakfast on-site in order to schedule breakfast with elephants or evening feeding time with the big cats. To find out more about how to make your stay unlike any other click here.
Enjoy a Day at the Beach
You have no shortage of beaches to enjoy when you come to the Monterey/Carmel area. But Carmel Beach is a favorite. At the end of Ocean Avenue, you’ll find the dog-friendly stretch of sand. There is a relatively small parking lot right by a beach entry point but you can also find free parking along any one of the side streets. If parking along the Scenic Pathway you can begin with a walk along the jogger-friendly strip and then take any one of the stairways down to the beach. But if you enter the beach from the parking lot make note of the size of that sand dune you are walking down. You may not think much of it when headed down to the beautiful beach that hugs the side of Pebble Beach Golf Course but you need to save your energy to walk back up it when your day at the beach is done!
Hit Up a Farmers Market
There is a farmers market in Monterey County almost every day of the week. These outdoor spaces are a great way to contribute to the local farmers/artisans. And shopping from the people who picked the food themselves means fewer hands between you and the product. The organizers do a good job ensuring safety. The last Farmers Market I went to had a supervised station for you to leave your drink so you would never have to remove your mask while shopping. You just pick up your drink on the way out. Check out the latest updates on Farmers Market schedules and current safety guidelines here.
Eat Cioppino at Phil’s Fish Market
Less than 25 minutes north of Monterey sits one of the most enjoyable meals you will ever have. Take a drive to Phil’s Fish Market in Castroville and you won’t regret it. Enjoy the ambiance of the old one-room school house building for indoor dining, or if the weather allows enjoy the outdoor patio. Take-out options are available from the food truck set up just outside. If you’re not sure about the drive check out Food Network episodes of Throw Down with Bobby Flay and Road Tasted to convince you. This is one of the best places to eat in the area and you can check out their menu here.
Go Wine Tasting in Carmel Valley
You can spend a whole day exploring Carmel Valley’s offerings. Kick off your day with breakfast at From Scratch on the lower level of the Carmel Barnyard. They have patio seating or take-out. They serve breakfast all day so don’t worry if you get a late start. You can check out their menu here.
From there you’ll take Carmel Valley Road less than 12 miles down, past Laureles Grade, to Carmel Valley. There are more than ten different wineries represented here and those with outdoor patio seating are still open. Hours have been adjusted and it is strongly suggested that you call ahead to make sure your entry is timed in the best interest of safety protocols. If you have the whole family with you, check to see if underaged members of your tribe are allowed at a particular spot or if they have activities to keep kiddos occupied. If not, you can plan ahead to have books or games to keep them busy while you enjoy a tasting. One of my favorite websites for this area is seemonterey.com. They have a page dedicated just to wine tasting in Monterey County which you can check out here.
No matter which of these activities you choose to take on during your stay, you will walk away feeling indulged and refreshed. Most importantly, Monterey and its surrounding area will make you want to return. So enjoy your stay and let us know what your favorite activities were when you came. You can share what you’re planning for when you come back!
Heading north? You will definitely want to know more about how to enjoy the iconic Pacific Coast Highway by looking at our detailed piece about how to get the best out of a PCH road trip.
If the Monterey/Carmel area is just one part of your visit to the Central Coast you may find our post on a visit to Pinnacles National Park useful.
Driving the rest of the way down Hwy 1 and need details about visiting Cambria? You can start here.