Monterey California ~ Things To Do
The Monterey Bay Aquarium offers exhibits on happenings in the Monterey Bay such as the new outer bay million-gallon tank with its schools of fish and special species, such as sun fish, shark & tuna. Other exciting exhibits include jelly fish, sea otters, a three-story kelp tank and the kids’ favorite “touching pool”. This is a real educational experience for all ages. View our VIP Monterey Bay Aquarium discounted tickets.
Cannery Row is one of Monterey’s many historic sites. The area features retail shops, restaurants, a factory outlet center, wine tasting, galleries and historic tours. This is also the jumping off spot for scuba divers.
Monterey Luxury Lodging
Monterey’s Historic Fisherman’s Wharf
Monterey’s historic Fisherman’s Wharf features whale watching tours, fishing excursions, restaurants, souvenir shops, as well as the wonderful tall ship, California, which visits in the spring.
Downtown Shopping District
The downtown shopping district offers many coffee houses and casual eateries for an easy lunch.
Inn and Spa in Monterey
Monterey State Historic Park features over a dozen early California historic buildings and museums, plus the new Maritime Museum. Walking tours are available 3 times daily.
The Monterey Museum of Art has exhibits from early California, in addition to contemporary and traditional American artists.
Inn and Spa in Monterey
Adventures by the Sea features kayak, bicycle and in-line skate rentals to work off your inn breakfast on the water or on the recreational trail.
Monterey Sports Center is an absolutely sensational facility for any folks that wish to partake in swimming, weight lifting and cardiovascular exercise.
Point Lobos State Reserve is called, “the greatest meeting of land and sea in the world.” Take one of our picnic baskets and spend an entire day at the reserve enjoying the wildlife, walking trails, museum, tide pools, and the scenic water views. For many, this is the highlight of their visit.
Big Sur
This spectacular stretch of coast line can be experienced by taking a leisurely one hour drive south from our romantic hotel in Monterey. Be sure to ask us for our Big Sur letter to guide you along the way. Tapes are also available to borrow providing an audio tour of the cultural and natural history.
Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach is renowned for its world class golf courses, equestrian center and 17-mile drive, not to mention the spectacular scenic beauty and the Lone Cypress.
Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove is known for its picturesque shoreline “The Three-Mile Drive” and tide pools at Hopkins Marine Station. Between November and March thousands of orange and black Monarch butterflies live in the trees in and around Washington Park. Quite a Sight! See beautifully restored Victorian houses while touring the residential side streets (on tour the first weekend in October).
This marvelous nature sanctuary is within a 30-minute drive from our Monterey luxury lodging. Guided kayak tours in this tidal estuary provide a glimpse of a unique habitat for shorebirds, harbor seals, and otters. Birdwatchers will especially enjoy visiting during the spring and fall. It is a peaceful relaxing paddle for beginners.
Carmel is an international shopping haven. Carmel also boasts of more than 70 wonderful art and photography studios as well as the marvelous Carmel Mission on Rio Road.
Forest Theater (outdoor amphitheater) and Golden Bough Theater
These theaters offer Shakespeare, world class dramas, light musicals, and films on the big screen.
For the Active Guest
We have 18 golf courses in the Monterey Peninsula area open to the public. There are 12 tennis courts within a quarter of a mile from our romantic Monterey hotel. For the walkers and hikers, there are 18 trails between Monterey and Point Lobos, 11 south to Big Sur and 22 other trails in Monterey County. For “peddlers”, we have 9 peninsula bike rides. Horseback riding is available at Big Sur, Carmel Valley, Pebble Beach and in the north county.
The Tor House was built by poet Robinson Jeffers for his family home. While still in use by the family, the medieval structure and attractive gardens are open to small groups on guided tours Friday and Saturday. Advanced reservations are required.
Carmel Beach City Park, Carmel River State Beach
Get ready for some of the best walking in the world. These beaches boast terrific views, super sunsets, great wave action and a lot of people and dog watching.
Monterey County has been designated a “one-of-a-kind” wine growing district. Cooling ocean breezes, fog and refreshing winds from the surrounding mountains provide the perfect climate for producing world-class wines. Many of the wineries are within easy driving distance and some have tasting rooms in Carmel Valley Village. We have a “Personalized Day’s Itinerary” available at the inn for our guests to experience a Wine Tasting Adventure.
For more information and maps of local wineries visit www.montereywines.org.