Things to Do with Kids in Monterey County

The most successful family vacations keep one essential component in mind: the grown-ups in the group should feel as engaged, as excited, and as happy as the young ones - and vice versa. Monterey County's edu-vacation offerings are loaded with activities that entertain children and the child-at-heart.

Activities for Young Children

Monterey has so many intriguing options it’s best to plan your days out in advance. You wouldn’t want to miss MY Museum, a hands-on experiential and excitement packed place that happens to be adjacent to Dennis the Menace Park (created for the city by the creator of Dennis, Hank Ketcham). There’s also the Monterey Zoo, the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Pebble Beach's 17-Mile Drive, home to shoreline birds, harbor seals, elephant seals, and more. You may never hear them say ‘are we there yet?' again - at least until you leave Monterey.

Thrills For The Whole Family

Pack your sunblock because Monterey County has outdoor activities to thrill the whole family. Paddle through Monterey Bay on a kayak tour, take a surrey ride on the Monterey County Coastal Recreation Trail, or embrak on a segway tour along Cannery Row.

Crank up the adventure with a family surfing lesson on Carmel Beach, a whale watching tour, or a thrilling motor race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. For a truly unique experience, take a guided handcar tour across the Monterey Branch Line through Fort Ord Dunes State Park with Handcar Tours.

The Great Shopping Compromise

Children can be reluctant shoppers. To coax a little cooperation, choose a destination that makes browsing as much fun as possible: Cannery Row. The old canneries are now packed with a dazzling array of shops, galleries and places to eat. You can reward patience while you do some bayside wine tasting at the end of Steinbeck Plaza by sampling every known flavor of saltwater taffy, or honor their good humor while you souvenir shop with a visit to Monterey Mirror Maze or one of the exciting escape rooms at 831 Escape Room 831.

Who knows? You might even pique their curiosity about how the Row got its name: buy them a copy of John Steinbeck's Cannery Row to read on the way home.