COVID-19 Travel Updates

Beginning Sunday, December 13 at 10 p.m., Monterey County will preemptively enact the State of California's new restrictions for a stay at home order that will impact travel within the destination. This new order is an added precaution to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and permits essential travelers only. Changes from this order include:

• Hotels and Lodging- Allowed to welcome essential travelers only at this time. 
• Restaurants- Open for take out or delivery only.
• Outdoor Recreational Facilities- Only allowed to operate outdoors to facilitate physically distanced health and wellness through outdoor exercise without food, drink or alcohol sales. Overnight campgrounds are not open at this time.
• Retail- Can welcome shoppers at 20% capacity, or 35% at standalone grocery stores. The state also says special hours should be offered to seniors and other people with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
• Shopping Centers- Can welcome shoppers at 20% capacity. The state also says special hours should be offered to seniors and other people with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.

Additionally, personal care services, museums, zoos, aquariums, movie theaters, wineries, bars, family entertainment centers, cardrooms, limited services, live audience sports and amusement parks except those falling within critical infrastructure are closed.

Monterey County continues to work diligently to ensure the health and wellbeing of essential visitors, residents and employees by incorporating the highest safety and cleanliness protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

View the state's new order here, as well as health and safety protocols for specific industries here. Monterey County hotels and lodging properties are following the highest industry standards provided by the California Hotel and Lodging Association Clean and Safe guidelines for added preventive measures during your stay. For additional health guidance and frequently asked questions when planning a trip to Monterey County, visit here.

Stay Safe & Travel Responsibly 

For residents and essential travelers, please:

• Wear a Mask: face coverings are required indoors and outdoors. Fines are in effect. Follow CDC guidelines. 
• Follow the 6-foot rule: stay at least 6 feet apart at all times. This includes time spent on trails, at parks and other outdoors spaces.
• Stay home: if you show signs of illness, stay home. Self-quarantine for at least two weeks if you have been in a high-risk area.
• Leave no trace behind: Properly dispose of all trash and plastics, including face coverings. Help us keep Monterey County beautiful for generations to come.

Additional Updates:

Emergency Road Closures in Big Sur

Big Sur is a magical place for all.  It personifies the essence of the Central Coast and is truly the greatest meeting of land and sea.  But did you know that most of Big Sur is private land?  On August 7th, Los Padres National Forest Monterey Ranger District released a COVID-19 Emergency Road Closure Order. Before setting up camp, please be sure you are on public land and have made the proper reservations and have obtained the proper permits where appropriate.  Fines for illegal campsites and fires are upwards to $5,000.  Please do your part to protect Monterey County's majestic outdoors.  

We encourage all travelers and residents to follow the safety guidelines offered by the CDC and local and state public health authorities.

Our thoughts are with those affected by this virus. For additional public health and travel guidance, including health care providers in our area, we encourage you to visit the links throughout this page.

We are #MontereyCountyStrong