-
Destinations
-
Monterey
- Hotels
- Things to Do
- Monterey County on a Budget
- 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
- 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
- Moss Landing
- Sand City
- Castroville
- Spreckels
- South County
-
Monterey
- Lodging
-
Things to Do
- Top Ways to Grab Life by the Moments
- Free Things to Do in Monterey County
- 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 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
- Literary Sites
- Romance
- Shopping
- Spas
- Nightlife and Entertainment
- Historic Attractions
-
Events
- This Weekend
- Annual Events
- Music Festivals
-
Sporting Events
- Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (INDYCAR)
- California International Airshow Salinas
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Sea Otter Classic Cycling Event
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Spartan Race
- MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
- Sports Car Championship
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
- TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational
- Food & Drink Events
- Art Festivals
- Community Events
- Holiday Events
- Submit an Event
- Food & Drink
- Resources
- Meeting Planners
- Tour & Travel
- Members
- Media
- Weddings
- Sustainable Moments
-
Destinations
-
Monterey
- Hotels
- Things to Do
- Monterey County on a Budget
- 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
- 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
- Moss Landing
- Sand City
- Castroville
- Spreckels
- South County
-
Monterey
- Lodging
-
Things to Do
- Top Ways to Grab Life by the Moments
- Free Things to Do in Monterey County
- 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 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
- Literary Sites
- Romance
- Shopping
- Spas
- Nightlife and Entertainment
- Historic Attractions
-
Events
- This Weekend
- Annual Events
- Music Festivals
-
Sporting Events
- Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (INDYCAR)
- California International Airshow Salinas
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Sea Otter Classic Cycling Event
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Spartan Race
- MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
- Sports Car Championship
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
- TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational
- Food & Drink Events
- Art Festivals
- Community Events
- Holiday Events
- Submit an Event
- Food & Drink
- Resources
Fort Ord Dunes State Park, Marina
Destinations
-
Monterey
- Hotels
- Things to Do
- Monterey County on a Budget
- 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
- 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
- Moss Landing
- Sand City
- Castroville
- Spreckels
- South County
Lodging
Things to Do
- Top Ways to Grab Life by the Moments
- Free Things to Do in Monterey County
- 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 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
- Literary Sites
- Romance
- Shopping
- Spas
- Nightlife and Entertainment
- Historic Attractions
Events
- This Weekend
- Annual Events
- Music Festivals
-
Sporting Events
- Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (INDYCAR)
- California International Airshow Salinas
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Sea Otter Classic Cycling Event
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Spartan Race
- MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
- Sports Car Championship
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
- TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational
- Food & Drink Events
- Art Festivals
- Community Events
- Holiday Events
- Submit an Event
MONTEREY COUNTY'S TOP 20 SECRET SPOTS
Tucked away within Monterey County are places that you may not have heard of, but will definitely want to explore. Here are some of our favorite "secret spots" to play, taste and discover.
1. Unscheduled Feeding Opportunities, Monterey Bay Aquarium
UFO (unscheduled feeding opportunities) and wildlife sightings at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Visitors can sign up for text message alerts to be notified of feeding and enrichment programs with sharks, a giant Pacific octopus, bat rays, sardines and more.
2. Birds of Monterey County, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
The Pacific Groves Museum of Natural History has exhibits that intrigue all ages. The "Birds of Monterey County" exhibit features over 400 life mounted displays of Monterey's migratory birds.
3. Chef's Table, Lucia Restaurant & Bar
Undercover foodie find! The chef's table at Lucia Restaurant & Bar at Bernardus Lodge is the hautest seat in the house, where you can watch course after course prepared by Chef Cal Stamenov. The table area's wall is covered with notes from celebrities who have dined here including Leonardo DiCaprio and Julia Childs.
4. Proposal Bench, Asilomar Conference Grounds
Designed by famed architect Julia Morgan, Asilomar Conference Grounds is home to the Proposal Bench, perfect for catching sunsets and taking on all matters of the heart. You'll see it as you stroll along Asilomar's boardwalk through the sand dunes.
5. Twilight Bike Rides, Laguna Seca Raceway
Twilight bike rides at Laguna Seca Raceway are a great way to experience the track for just $10. No Ferarri required! Click here for a list of upcoming rides.
6. China Cove, Point Lobos
Secret, wild and teeming with wildlife, China Cove at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a top spot for outdoor enthusiasts. Currently, visitors are reporting sightings of female harbor seals and their pups.
7. Biking 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach
17-Mile Drive is no secret, but few cyclists know they can cruise right past the toll booth and ride their bike along this scenic road for free. Don't miss picnic tables tucked along the way for views of the waves crashing onto craggy rock formations that dot the coast that frames Pebble Beach.
8. Path of History, Monterey
Follow the Monterey Path of History and stop by Monterey City Hall at 570 Pacific Street to see century-old oil paintings of the area.
9. Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary, Pacific Grove
Every October, thousands of butterflies make a stop in charming Pacific Grove during their migration to warmer climates. The place to view these black and orange beauties is at the Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary where butterfly clusters hang in the eucalyptus branches.
10. Arroyo Seco Gorge, Ventana Wilderness
Head into the Ventana Wilderness and point your compass to Arroyo Seco Gorge for super secret swimming holes. The lower pools near the Arroyo Seco Campground are the easiest to get to, but a challenging hike to the upper pools is rewarded with a more private Shangri-la.
11. Mission San Antonio, Jolon
Many know of Carmel's San Carlos Borroméo de Caremlo Mission, but Mission San Antonio de Padua tends to fly under the radar. The mission's museum, complete with an archeological exhibit of artifacts excavated from the grounds, is fascinating. Mission San Antonio is located on a military base, so bring your photo identification and registration for your car.
12. Sea Otter Sightings, Moss Landing State Beach
The otters floating near Moss Landing State Beach add to the laid-back surfer vibe at the southern end of the parking lot. Looking east towards the marina, you'll see a large group (called a "raft") of these beloved critters that reside in this spot year-round.
13. Fire Pits, The Inn at Spanish Bay
Head to the outdoor fire pits at the Inn at Spanish Bay for alfresco beverages. A lone bagpiper plays a serenade everyday at sunset.
14. Hiking Trails, Fort Ord Public Lands
Fort Ord National Monument hosts a network of trails. Park on Inter Garrison Road and head towards Henneken's Ranch Road. The trail winds through grassy bluffs and eucalyptus forests toward Impossible Canyon. Hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers in the know go here to feel completely alone and one with nature. A complete map can be found at the Bureau of Land Management website.
15. Dennis the Menace Playground, Monterey
Kids go wild over Dennis the Menace Playground at El Estero Park in Monterey. Make sure to rent a paddle boat to peddle around nearby Lake El Estero.
16. The Cheese Shop, Carmel Plaza
The Cheese Shop at the Carmel Plaza is the perfect spot to slip in for cheese tastings and cheese and wine pairing advice. Discover new international and regional cheeses in this friendly setting and you'll know why locals rave about this place.
17. Hahn Estates, Salinas Valley
The view from Hahn Estates overlooking the Salinas Valley will take your breath away. The winery also offers ATV rides on a network of private trails.
18. Pacific Grove Golf Links, Pacific Grove
Monterey County is a golfer's paradise, with courses like Pebble Beach topping many golfers' bucket lists. For tee time on a dime with similar views of crashing waves and stoic cypress trees, head to Pacific Grove Golf Links, known as the "Poor Man's Pebble Beach." Green fees here start at under $40.
19. Steinbeck House, Salinas
It's no secret author John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, but did you know you can enjoy lunch or afternoon tea at the house where he was born? The Steinbeck House, located at 132 Central Avenue (two blocks from the National Steinbeck Center) in Salinas, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hours of operation vary; call (831) 424-2735 for reservations.
20. Andrew Molera State Park, Big Sur
It's hard to beat the iconic coastal scenery, sea spray and white sand beach at Andrew Molera State Park in Big Sur. This is actually the largest state park on the Big Sur coast, which offers hiking trails through a wide variety of environments, from spectacular coastline to tranquil river banks, from redwood-studded ridges to grassy meadows.
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