Monterey is an idyllic seaside town located on the Monterey Peninsula on the coast of Central California. It’s the perfect stop while on a California coast road trip. If you only have one day, here are the best things to do in Monterey, California!
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The best things to do in Monterey, California
Table of Contents
- 1. Rent bikes and ride along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail
- 2. Take in the views along 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach
- 3. Visit Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf Marketplace
- 4. Spend the day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Best Places to eat in Monterey, California
1. Rent bikes and ride along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail
Renting E-bikes and riding along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail is one of the best things to do in Monterey.
We rented our bikes from Adventures by the Sea at Cannery Row.
There are three different rental locations so you can choose the one that is closest to the points of interest that you would like to see.
Electric bike rentals start at $35 for 2 hours. You can also opt for a guided E-bike tour where your guide will take you to the best viewpoints while sharing the history of the area.
The 18-mile paved trail hugs the rugged coastline and offers stunning views along the way.
Be sure to stop at Lovers Point, a picturesque cove with water the color of the Caribbean.
It’s called ‘Lovers Point’ not because it’s a romantic spot, although it certainly could be. It actually was once a Christian seaside retreat called Lovers of Jesus Point.
They had some interesting laws and restrictions adhering to their religious moral code. Technically, some of these laws are still in place today, although they are not enforced.
If you’re a fan of Big Little Lies, you may recognize Lovers Point as the shooting location of several scenes throughout the series.
The Point Pinos Lighthouse is also worth a stop along the bike path.
It was first lit in 1855 and is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast. It even still uses the original lens.
The lighthouse is open for tours on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-3:00 pm.
The Monterey Bay Coastal Trail connects to Ocean View Boulevard, a scenic stretch of road that rivals the views along to the famed 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach.
This coastal road gives you a taste of the Big Sur coast a little further south. If you are planning to make that drive, then you’re not going to want to miss these Prettiest Stops on a Big Sur Road Trip.
From Ocean View Boulevard, you can actually take a short detour to reach the 17-Mile Drive. There is a fee to drive a vehicle along this road, but it is free if you are on a bike.
If you have time, you can also take a detour to pedal through the charming Pacific Grove neighborhood that dates back to 1875.
Here the streets are lined with colorful Victorian cottages that look like gingerbread houses.
You can even pick up a self-guided tour brochure at the Chamber of Commerce that maps out 22 historic locations.
2. Take in the views along 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach
Whether you bike or drive, be sure to take in the views at 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach.
Pebble Beach has one of the most well-known golf courses in the world, and 17-Mile Drive is one of the most well-known drives in the world.
It’s also one of the most popular stops on a road trip from San Francisco to Big Sur.
In fact, more than 1.5 million visitors experience this drive every year.
The road is exactly 17 miles long and there are 17 marked stops along this scenic drive.
Some of the most popular stops include the Lone Cypress, the Ghost Trees at Pescadero Point, and China Rock which was once an old Chinese fishing village.
The Lone Cypress is a 250-year-old cypress tree that is considered one of the most photographed trees in North America.
The cost to drive along this road is $11.25 per vehicle, but you can get a reimbursement if you spend a minimum of $35 at one of the Pebble Beach Resort restaurants.
3. Visit Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf Marketplace
Monterey’s historic roots date back to the early 1900s when it was at the heart of the bustling sardine canning industry.
John Steinbeck was actually from Monterey and wrote about life in Monterey during the Great Depression in his book, Cannery Row.
There has even been a statue erected in his honor on Cannery Row.
Today, Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf is a tourist hub of seaside restaurants and shops.
Grab a bite to eat, pick up some souvenirs, then walk to the end of the wharf. Here you can take the stairs up to the top of the Big Fish Grill for a great view of the harbor.
And if you’re planning to visit the neighboring town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, see our guide for the Best Things to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
4. Spend the day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a nonprofit public aquarium that first opened in 1984.
It is built in the same location as the Hovden Pacific Fish Co. which was once the largest sardine cannery on Cannery Row.
You’ll notice that the architecture of the aquarium reflects some of the same features of the original Hovden Cannery with a remodeled facade and fiberglass smokestacks.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium has been ranked as the Best Aquarium in the World by TripAdvisor.
It has also been voted as one of the top 10 aquariums in the US by Travel+Leisure, so it is definitely worth a stop.
The aquarium features almost 200 exhibits showcasing the rich and diverse marine life in the waters around Monterey Bay and beyond.
Of all the exhibits, the 1.2 million gallon Open Sea exhibit is the most popular.
Here you will feel like you’re under the ocean as you stand against a 90-foot window while hundreds of sea creatures swim by.
The 28-foot-tall Living Kelp Forest is also a popular attraction. It was the first exhibit of its kind and is one of the tallest aquarium exhibits in the world.
These dense submarine forests can be found along North America’s Pacific Coast and can actually grow up to 175 feet from the ocean floor!
They also have a great cafe and bakery onsite. Be sure to try the octopus and turtle-shaped donuts!
If you are planning to continue your coast road trip north along the coast, then these guides might be helpful:
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Best Places to eat in Monterey, California
If you’re looking for a bite to eat, here are a few of the best restaurants in Monterey:
- The Grill at Lover’s Point: The Grill at Lovers Point is a beachfront stand that is located at Lovers Point along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail. It’s a great place to grab a burger and milkshake.
- Paluca Trattoria: This Italian seafood restaurant is located on Fisherman’s Wharf and offers sophisticated dining with views over the harbor. The chef was born in Sicily but raised in Monterey where he continues to share his love of authentic Italian food. This restaurant also doubles as Tom’s Cafe, the cozy coffee shop on Big Little Lies.
- Wave Street Cafe: The best place to go for breakfast. Try the Cinnamon Bun Pancakes, Breakfast Quesadilla, or Raspberry Pancakes.
- Lalla Oceanside Grill: A casual eatery located on Cannery Row that also offers great views. They are known for their clam chowder, fish & chips, and fish tacos.
- The Crown and Anchor: Step into the Crown and Anchor and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a cozy dimly-lit British pub. You’ll find traditional English favorites like Corned Beef & Hash, Fish & Chips, Lamb Shank, and Cottage Pie.
- Schooner’s Coastal Kitchen: Serves contemporary American seafood dishes with oceanfront views.
- El Torito: A casual Mexican restaurant on Cannery Row. Enjoy some tacos or burritos with great ocean views.
I hope this guide helps you plan the best things to do in Monterey if you only have one day. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or would like to add your own recommendations!
And if you’re looking for more things to do in California, check out all of our California Guides.
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[…] You can even see across the bay to Pebble Beach by Monterey. If you are planning to visit Monterey, we have listed our top recommendations in our Monterey Travel Guide. […]