11 Best Things to Do in Monterey, California

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What are the best things to do in Monterey, California? Good question. Monterey is a small city in California that was once the capital of Spanish California from 1770 to 1882. It now has many historical sites and modern attractions. At one time, Monterey was an important city in the fish canning industry, but that all collapsed with the disappearance of the sardine. Monterey and the surrounding area have attracted artists since the late 19th-century, and many celebrated painters and writers have lived in the area.

During this time, Monterey hosted California's first theater, public building, public library, publicly-funded school, printing-press, and newspaper. It was originally the only port of entry for all taxable goods in California. Cannery Row, originally the fish packing area, is now a beautiful restored neighborhood, with shops and restaurants. Also along the waterfront are Fisherman's Wharf and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Nearby, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Carmel and 17-Mile Drive offer some lovely coastal scenery.

The California sea otter, a threatened subspecies, inhabits the local Monterey Bay marine environment, and a field station of The Marine Mammal Center is located in Monterey to support sea rescue operations in this section of the California coast. The rare San Joaquin kit fox is found in Monterey's oak-forest and chaparral habitats. Sea otters, seals, sea lions, and during the winter months, whales, are all common and welcomed sights. Now, Monterey is a hotspot for tourists and locals alike who enjoy the beautiful ocean views, good food, art and history.

But for those that don’t know the area, what are the best things to do in Monterey? Well, join us as we go through the eleven best things to do in Monterey, California. Whether you’re a local, a returning visitor, or are planning to go there for the first time, check out our list and see if there’s anything that tickles your fancy.

11 Best Things to Do in Monterey, California

[ihuntieatisleepirepeat]

I just love watching the sunrise over the ocean on the west coast. It’s like nothing you have ever seen!

[KandeShack]

One of my favorite places in the world! Monterey is my “happy place!”

[barbraanntroisi]

Thank you for the great video showing us the sites. I’m tired of all the Instagram models just showing themselves. I appreciate you!

[kristofthibaud]

The Sun Doesn't Rise over the Pacific, it Sets.

[ericnuval]

my birthday is september 4th and requested 4 days off from work! cant wait to go to monterey with my gf! its our first time there 🐋🦈🐠🐟🐬🐳🐙🦑🦞🦀

[GodlessGD]

High Scores Arcade on Alvarado street is definitely worth a visit!

[sentimentallia]

hey this is great but the pier at 7:13 is Manhattan Beach, CA. From one loke to another lol

[ryanryba]

If you happen to be scuba certified, Monterey has some of the most incredible diving in the world, especially near point lobos

[holidaytinn]

Great video! I love adventuring to Monterey in my campervan!

[angkellee]

Beautiful montery, im planning to visit the place next month!

[Buckeye]

Sadly there was no mention of Pacific Grove and Asilomar beach, as well as Point Piños. Or how about the Presidio of Monterey?! Worked & lived in the area from 1980-2018, long enough to know the Peninsula fairly well. I realize it’s difficult to create an all encompassing video. This video was good with the 11 best things to do, of course. Thanks!

[reneebarger]

The Monterey Trolley runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It’s free! Take the trolley to explore the area instead of driving.

[theshamushow]

I love Monterey so much I am going there tomorrow

[jdweekley]

Please keep in mind that many communities here on the Monterey Peninsula prohibit the use of drones without a specific local city permit. The fine in Pacific Grove, where you’ve flown your drive for the footage of Lover’s Point, is a minimum of $1000.

[LUVJME]

The ending footage of the “aquarium”is actually the Sardine Factory restaurant which is not in, apart, attached, or related to the MBA.

A lot of the footage of “Dennis the Menace” park, isn’t the park. Nor is the mistaken footage even a different park in Monterey, not sure where you got it from. The lion and the statue, as well as the green slides are certainly Dennis the Menace park but, everything else isn’t that park.

[BrendonCarr]

*PRO TIP:* The very best thing to do in Monterey is to be a student at the Defense Language Institute (DLI), the Department of Defense's fully-accredited, degree-granting language school on the Presidio of Monterey overlooking Monterey Bay. Enlist in the US military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps — and spend almost two years in Monterey learning a critical foreign language in an intensive, full-day setting, while drawing a salary instead of paying university tuition. Room and board (or "three hots and a cot"), naturally, are also provided. DLI students typically earn up to 45 semester hours toward a degree while they're there., and may be awarded either an Associate of Arts or Bachelor of Arts by earning additional credits through off-duty education, equivalency examinations, or Advanced Placement. And at the end there's a guaranteed job.

I'm not a recruiter, but a very satisfied 1990 DLI graduate and father of a 2020 DLI graduate.

[josephsaeteurn]

planning to visit with my 3 years old daughter.. definitely aquarium for sure.. but i like to avoid the crowds.. perhaps Wednesday?

[Jvnese]

I’m going to Monterey and Carmel by the sea this July 4th weekend. What is the weather like? :). Thank you.

[LoveyourStyle]

Great to see your video😊👍👌 I'm in California too. I create videos on travel and lifestyle. Nice to connect😀

[josephineedeeth.trowbridge]

My family of Trowbriges lived there. Charles Trowbridge an actor with silent movies. Wrote 200 films, directed and appeared in them. He started off as an architect.
Worked in films with Jimmy Cagney. His brother was in most cowboy films.named John? 😮 look up . Also ha s beautiful house.google .😊