-
Destinations
-
Monterey
- Hotels
- Monterey on a Shoestring
- Itinerary: Midweek Monterey Getaway
- Monterey Beaches
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman's Wharf
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Historic Monterey
- Monterey Wine Tasting Rooms
- Monterey State Beach
- El Estero Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Things to Do
- Guided Tours
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Monterey Expert
-
Big Sur
- Big Sur HWY 1 Updates
- Hotels
- Camping & Hiking
- Big Sur Beaches
- Arts & Culture
- Bixby Bridge
- Big Sur Itinerary
- Big Sur Live Webcam
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- McWay Falls
- Limekiln State Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Travel Like a Big Sur Expert
- Pebble Beach
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
-
Pacific Grove
- Hotels
- 48 Hours in Pacific Grove
- Good Old Days Festival
- Feast of Lanterns
- Butterfly Parade
- Asilomar State Beach
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
- Things to Do
- Restaurants
- Travel Like a Pacific Grove Expert
- Carmel Valley
- Marina
- Seaside
- Salinas
- Salinas Valley
- Moss Landing
- Sand City
- Soledad
- Castroville
- Parkfield
- Spreckels
-
Monterey
- Lodging
-
Things to Do
- Top Ways to Grab Life by the Moments
- Free Things to Do
- Attractions
-
Itineraries
- Now is the Moment Itineraries
- Highlights Itinerary
- Outdoors Itinerary
- Family Itinerary
- Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary
- Golf Itinerary
- History and Heritage Itinerary
- Road Trip Itinerary
- Romantic Itinerary
- Shopping Itinerary
- Spa Itineraries
- Steinbeck Itinerary
- Wine and Dine Itinerary
- Three Days in Monterey Wine Country
- Outdoor Activities
- Animals and Wildlife
-
Parks
- Top 10 Campsites
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough Reserve
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
-
Beaches
- Undiscovered Beaches
- Asilomar State Beach
- Big Sur Beaches
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel River State Beach
- Fort Ord Dunes State Park
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Marina State Beach
- Monterey Beaches
- Monterey State Beach
- Moss Landing State Beach
- Pebble Beach Beaches
- Salinas River State Beach
- Zmudowski State Beach
- Arts and Culture
- Family Adventures
- Golf
- Guided Tours
- Historic Attractions
- Literary Sites
- Romance
- Shopping
- Spas
- Nightlife and Entertainment
-
Events
- This Weekend
- Music Festivals
-
Sporting Events
- Rio Grill's Resolution Run
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- California International Airshow
- Sea Otter Classic Cycling Event
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Spartan Race
- MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
- Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- Sports Car Championship
- Firestone Grand Prix
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
- Monterey Bay Half Marathon
- TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational
- Food & Drink Events
- Art Festivals
- Community Events
- Holiday Events
- Submit an Event
- Annual Events
- Food & Drink
- Resources
- Meeting Planners
- Tour & Travel
- Members
- Media
- Weddings
- Sustainable Moments
-
Destinations
-
Monterey
- Hotels
- Monterey on a Shoestring
- Itinerary: Midweek Monterey Getaway
- Monterey Beaches
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman's Wharf
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Historic Monterey
- Monterey Wine Tasting Rooms
- Monterey State Beach
- El Estero Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Things to Do
- Guided Tours
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Monterey Expert
-
Big Sur
- Big Sur HWY 1 Updates
- Hotels
- Camping & Hiking
- Big Sur Beaches
- Arts & Culture
- Bixby Bridge
- Big Sur Itinerary
- Big Sur Live Webcam
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- McWay Falls
- Limekiln State Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Travel Like a Big Sur Expert
- Pebble Beach
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
-
Pacific Grove
- Hotels
- 48 Hours in Pacific Grove
- Good Old Days Festival
- Feast of Lanterns
- Butterfly Parade
- Asilomar State Beach
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
- Things to Do
- Restaurants
- Travel Like a Pacific Grove Expert
- Carmel Valley
- Marina
- Seaside
- Salinas
- Salinas Valley
- Moss Landing
- Sand City
- Soledad
- Castroville
- Parkfield
- Spreckels
-
Monterey
- Lodging
-
Things to Do
- Top Ways to Grab Life by the Moments
- Free Things to Do
- Attractions
-
Itineraries
- Now is the Moment Itineraries
- Highlights Itinerary
- Outdoors Itinerary
- Family Itinerary
- Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary
- Golf Itinerary
- History and Heritage Itinerary
- Road Trip Itinerary
- Romantic Itinerary
- Shopping Itinerary
- Spa Itineraries
- Steinbeck Itinerary
- Wine and Dine Itinerary
- Three Days in Monterey Wine Country
- Outdoor Activities
- Animals and Wildlife
-
Parks
- Top 10 Campsites
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough Reserve
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
-
Beaches
- Undiscovered Beaches
- Asilomar State Beach
- Big Sur Beaches
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel River State Beach
- Fort Ord Dunes State Park
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Marina State Beach
- Monterey Beaches
- Monterey State Beach
- Moss Landing State Beach
- Pebble Beach Beaches
- Salinas River State Beach
- Zmudowski State Beach
- Arts and Culture
- Family Adventures
- Golf
- Guided Tours
- Historic Attractions
- Literary Sites
- Romance
- Shopping
- Spas
- Nightlife and Entertainment
-
Events
- This Weekend
- Music Festivals
-
Sporting Events
- Rio Grill's Resolution Run
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- California International Airshow
- Sea Otter Classic Cycling Event
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Spartan Race
- MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
- Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- Sports Car Championship
- Firestone Grand Prix
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
- Monterey Bay Half Marathon
- TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational
- Food & Drink Events
- Art Festivals
- Community Events
- Holiday Events
- Submit an Event
- Annual Events
- Food & Drink
- Resources
Destinations
-
Monterey
- Hotels
- Monterey on a Shoestring
- Itinerary: Midweek Monterey Getaway
- Monterey Beaches
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman's Wharf
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Historic Monterey
- Monterey Wine Tasting Rooms
- Monterey State Beach
- El Estero Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Things to Do
- Guided Tours
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Monterey Expert
-
Big Sur
- Big Sur HWY 1 Updates
- Hotels
- Camping & Hiking
- Big Sur Beaches
- Arts & Culture
- Bixby Bridge
- Big Sur Itinerary
- Big Sur Live Webcam
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- McWay Falls
- Limekiln State Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Travel Like a Big Sur Expert
- Pebble Beach
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
-
Pacific Grove
- Hotels
- 48 Hours in Pacific Grove
- Good Old Days Festival
- Feast of Lanterns
- Butterfly Parade
- Asilomar State Beach
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
- Things to Do
- Restaurants
- Travel Like a Pacific Grove Expert
- Carmel Valley
- Marina
- Seaside
- Salinas
- Salinas Valley
- Moss Landing
- Sand City
- Soledad
- Castroville
- Parkfield
- Spreckels
Lodging
Things to Do
- Top Ways to Grab Life by the Moments
- Free Things to Do
- Attractions
-
Itineraries
- Now is the Moment Itineraries
- Highlights Itinerary
- Outdoors Itinerary
- Family Itinerary
- Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary
- Golf Itinerary
- History and Heritage Itinerary
- Road Trip Itinerary
- Romantic Itinerary
- Shopping Itinerary
- Spa Itineraries
- Steinbeck Itinerary
- Wine and Dine Itinerary
- Three Days in Monterey Wine Country
- Outdoor Activities
- Animals and Wildlife
-
Parks
- Top 10 Campsites
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough Reserve
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
-
Beaches
- Undiscovered Beaches
- Asilomar State Beach
- Big Sur Beaches
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel River State Beach
- Fort Ord Dunes State Park
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Marina State Beach
- Monterey Beaches
- Monterey State Beach
- Moss Landing State Beach
- Pebble Beach Beaches
- Salinas River State Beach
- Zmudowski State Beach
- Arts and Culture
- Family Adventures
- Golf
- Guided Tours
- Historic Attractions
- Literary Sites
- Romance
- Shopping
- Spas
- Nightlife and Entertainment
Events
- This Weekend
- Music Festivals
-
Sporting Events
- Rio Grill's Resolution Run
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- California International Airshow
- Sea Otter Classic Cycling Event
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Spartan Race
- MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
- Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- Sports Car Championship
- Firestone Grand Prix
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
- Monterey Bay Half Marathon
- TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational
- Food & Drink Events
- Art Festivals
- Community Events
- Holiday Events
- Submit an Event
- Annual Events
Food & Drink
MONTEREY ON A SHOESTRING
Monterey can be a blast without having to drop a bundle on food, entertainment and fun! Check out our ideas on ways to enjoy the beautiful city on the bay with activities costing under $40 for two people.
- During the summer (and weekends) visitors can enjoy FREE transportation around Monterey with MST’s Monterey Trolley. Ride in style and leave the stress of driving and parking to your trolley conductor. The trolley makes convenient stops at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, designated parking garages, Old Fisherman’s Wharf and downtown Monterey.
- Stop by the Monterey Visitors Center located at Lake El Estero for free information and coupons. Let one of the friendly staff members map out your itinerary and the must-see activities in the area.
- Traveling with kids? Take your tiny tots to MY Museum where kids can tap into their curiosity with hands-on science exhibits.
- Just a short distance from MY Museum is the famous Dennis the Menace Park at El Estero Park. The creator of the Dennis the Menace comic strip, Hank Ketchum, designed the children’s stomping ground himself. It includes three large slides, a climbing wall, suspension bridge, a giant adventure ship, a Southern Pacific steam engine and more.
- Enjoy a leisurely bike ride along the scenic coastal recreational trail. Rent a bike at one of the fine bike rental companies along the trail and cruise hot spots such as Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row. For those with a larger party try the surrey, a four wheeled bike carriage that can seat up to six. For other bike rides check out the list of the top 10 bike rides in Monterey County.
- History buffs can get a taste of what Monterey was like in the early days during a self guided “Path of History” tour. Visitors can simply download the walking map or utilize the cell phone tour. The tour of Old Monterey is marked by yellow tiles set in the sidewalk and explores adobes, gardens and other sites of historical interest.
- For a guided tour of Old Monterey catch a Monterey Walking Tour Friday through Sunday starting at 10am. Curious historians will embark on a 2 hour excursion with snippets of Monterey’s history beginning with the Spanish explorers.
- Outdoor enthusiasts on a budget can experience some of the best views of the Monterey Peninsula at Jacks Peak. This county park offers great day hikes throughout its 8.5 miles of trails. Pack a lunch and relax at one of the several picnic benches. For more great hikes in Monterey County check out the list of top hikes.
- The flat beach at Monterey State Beach is an excellent spot for beachcombing. The long stretch of sand provides treasure hunters of all ages with the thrill of the hunt. Sea glass is among one of the more popular finds.
- Head to Old Fisherman’s Wharf and get your fix of fresh clam chowder. Whether you’re buying a bread bowl full of the creamy goodness or trying multiple samples from wharf restaurants you are sure to stay on budget.
- Is it Tuesday? If so then mosey over to Alvarado Street in Oldtown Monterey for the freshest produce on the peninsula. The Oldtown Farmers' Market not only features great fruit and veggies but arts and crafts, musical performances, handmade jewelry, clothing, international food, organic produce, flowers, and pastries as well. The market runs 4pm-8pm during the summer months and 4pm-7pm during the winter.
- It’s time to get your golf on, disc golf that is! The Ryan Ranch Disc Golf Course offers 27 challenging holes and is free to visitors.
- Pack the marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolates because it’s time to make smores! Del Monte Beach off Casa Verde Way permits bonfires in designated fire rings until 10pm.
- While you’re in Monterey don’t miss out on the fabulous wines that Monterey County has to offer! Several tasting rooms are located on Cannery Row including Bargetto Winery and A Taste of Monterey.
- The Monterey Mirror Maze on Cannery Row is great adventure for the entire family! Adults and youth are challenged as they try to find their way out of the psychedelic labyrinth.
- Several great happy hours are to be had in Monterey but those at Esteban’s and Hula Island Grill and Tiki Room stand out amongst the crowd. These local eateries will get you in and out for under $40, even with a beverage or two.
- The Monterey History & Art Association: Salvador Dalí at Custom House Plaza offers visitors a glimpse into surrealist artist Salvador Dali. Located inside the Museum of Monterey, the exhibition features the country's largest private collection with over 580 works including lithographs, etchings, rare sculptures and tapestries.
- Head over the Monterey Museum of Art and linger among their eight exhibits dedicated to American and early California paintings, photography and contemporary art.
By continuing to browse this site you permit us and our partners to place identification cookies on your browser and agree to our use of cookies for marketing. To learn more view our Privacy Policy