Weekend in Monterey -

Monterey County is one of the most picturesque places in California and a personal favorite. It was one of the first places I visited with my parents when I was little and I’ve never stopped visiting since. Now that I live in the Bay Area, I’m fortunate that Monterey is only a short drive away. No matter how many times I visit, I am always in awe of California’s gorgeous coastline and diverse marine life, which are on full display in Monterey.

This Monterey itinerary will show you how to spend a weekend in Monterey County, with things to do in Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur. I’d recommend spending 3 days in Monterey County and designating 1 day per region to explore the area thoroughly.

What is Monterey Famous For?

Monterey County comprises the city of Monterey and its nearby regions which house some of the most majestic views off of Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway). The Pacific Coast Highway is a highlight unto itself for its winding turns and cliffside views and you can stop along the way to explore and admire California’s coastline and oceans. The three most popular destinations in Monterey County are Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur.

Of the three, Monterey is the most popular tourist destination and that is in large part due to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Every year, 2 million visitors come to the aquarium to see the rich marine life found in the waters of the Monterey Peninsula, including one of the largest sea otter populations and kelp forests in the world. You’ll also find sardine factories, fish markets, and institutes/universities, all of which represent different facets that comprise (or comprised) the economic life of Monterey.

While Carmel-by-the-sea (commonly referred to as Carmel) also has amazing ocean views, the city has a relaxed, charming, and quaint vibe compared to Monterey. Here, the city itself is picturesque, which is no surprise given Carmel’s rich artistic history.

If Monterey is enlightening and Carmel is charming, Big Sur is majestic. Big Sur is considered the most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the contiguous United States. There is so much wonderful nature to explore in the region and much of it is in pristine condition. Hugging the mountainous coastline, you’ll find redwoods, beaches, and forests with stunning ocean views no matter where you turn.

Best Time to Visit Monterey County

Typical of California, there is generally no bad time to visit Monterey County. The temperatures range between a high of 61° and 94° for the year. Average temperatures for the season and each month are:

Spring

** peak Killer Whale and Gray Whale sightings in April and May.

March (69° / 40°)
April (73° / 41°)
May (81° / 45°)

Summer

** peak Humpback Whale sightings in July and August.

June (89° / 49°)
July (94° / 52°)
August (93° / 51°)

Fall

** possible Blue Whale sightings in August, September, and October

September (90° / 50°)
October (81° / 47°)
November (69° / 41°)

Winter

March (69° / 40°)
April (73° / 41°)
May (81° / 45°)

** Risso dolphins can be found year-round, along with Pacific White-Sided Dolphins and Northern Right Whale Dolphins.

My favorite time of year to visit Monterey is during the summer, purely because of the weather. During the summer months, temperatures are warm but the ocean breeze makes it feel at least 10 degrees cooler. I especially love that it doesn’t feel too cold at night, which can feel especially cold if it’s windy or rainy during the winter.

However, summer is the busiest time of year so know that popular things to do will be crowded/booked out and lodging will be more expensive. If you’re looking for similar weather conditions but during shoulder season, I’d recommend May or October. It’ll be slightly colder with an increased chance of rain but it will be less crowded and often cheaper. You’ll also have a greater chance of seeing a killer whale hunt (May) or a blue whale sighting (October)!

No matter when you go, check out What’s Up Monterey to see what events are happening during your visit.

Getting to Monterey County

Fly into a nearby airport

The closest airport to Monterey is the Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), which is about 5 miles from the city center. Although it’s close, MRY is a domestic airport with limited and more expensive flights compared to SJC or SFO.
The second closest airport is San Jose Airport (SJC), which is 76.1 miles from Monterey city center and approximately an hour and a half drive without traffic. San Jose is an international airport with ample domestic and international flight options. It’ll be more expensive than flying into SFO but significantly closer. If the flight is slightly more expensive but still within budget, I’d recommend flying into SJC.
The largest airport near Monterey is San Francisco International Airport (SFO). SFO will have the most flight options but is just over 100 miles away and a 2-hour drive without traffic.

Regardless of which airport you fly into, you will want to rent a car in order to drive to Carmel and Big Sur.

Drive from the San Francisco Bay Area to Monterey

Whether you’re a Bay Area local or newly arrived at SFO, here are a few things to know about driving from the SF Bay Area to Monterey:

How long does it take to drive from the SF Bay Area to Monterey? Without traffic, the drive from San Francisco to Monterey is about 2 hours while the drive from San Jose to Monterey is about 1.5 hours.

If you’re spending the weekend in Monterey, you likely won’t hit traffic until you get to Santa Cruz on Highway 17. Santa Cruz is a popular day trip for locals so you’ll likely encounter lots of beachgoers on your way to Monterey in the morning and from Monterey in the afternoon. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of accidents that happen on Highway 17 due to sharp turns, blind curves, and sudden changes in speed so drive safely. I’d recommend passing through Santa Cruz before noon for less-stressful driving conditions.
How do I get to Monterey from the SF Bay Area? Whether you’re starting from San Francisco or San Jose, you can either take the 280 or 101 South before you will be routed through Highway 17. Once you get to Santa Cruz, you’ll take scenic Route 1 down to Monterey. I generally prefer driving on the 280 over the 101. Even if it adds 5-10 minutes, I find the drive more scenic. There is also less traffic, construction, and potholes to navigate. If you’re visiting Monterey during the week, you will likely hit traffic the whole drive unless you avoid peak hours, which last between 3-8 PM.

Should you stay in Monterey or Carmel?

Because most things to do in Monterey are daytime activities, picking where to stay really comes down to personal preference rather than convenience. I personally prefer staying in Carmel because it’s walkable, charming, and atmospheric. It’s perfect for connecting on a girls’ trip, decompressing on a solo trip, or for a romantic getaway. While Monterey is more populous, I don’t find Monterey nightlife particularly interesting and would much prefer an evening walk to the beach or eating a nice meal in the historic downtown area of Carmel.

Day 1 – Monterey Itinerary

Spend day 1 of your trip learning about the marine life that lives or passes through Monterey Bay. The main highlights of this Monterey itinerary are:

Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium

I may be biased but the Monterey Bay Aquarium is my favorite of all time. What I love most is their dedication to inspiring and educating others on ocean conservation, with a focus on rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing animals. It’s no wonder that the Monterey Bay Aquarium heavily inspired the Marine Life Institute, the Jewel of Morro Bay (hello Finding Dory lovers!).

When does Monterey Bay Aquarium open and close? The aquarium is generally open between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Make sure you check the schedule to see what tours, feedings, and programs are available on the day of your visit.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Ticket Prices

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is not a cheap activity. Individual ticket prices for 2023 are:

Adult: $59.95 (18+)
Youth: $49.95 (13-17)
Child: $44.95 (5-12)
Senior: $49.95 (70+)

If you intend on visiting at least twice, you may want to get an individual membership for $95.

Are Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets refundable? No, all tickets are non-refundable. You can exchange your ticket subject to availability. If the price of the new ticket is higher than your existing one, you will need to pay the difference. Click here for more information about refunds and ticket exchange policy.

Parking Near Monterey Bay Aquarium

Unfortunately, there’s no onsite parking at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. However, you can find free parking at the intersection of Wave Street and Ocean Boulverald, which is a short, scenic walk down to the aquarium.

Things to See at Monterey Bay Aquarium

There are 10 exhibits where you can see and learn about the different animals and habitats. My favorite exhibits are Into the Deep, Giant Pacific Octopus, Kelp Forest, Open Sea, and – of course – the Sea Otters.

Sea otters swimming in the Sea Otter exhibit at Monterey Bay Aquarium

Jellyfish floating in the Jellyfish exhibit at Monterey Bay Aquarum

⌛TIME SPENT: 2-3 hours
📍ADDRESS: Monterey Bay Aquarium l 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940

Explore Cannery Row

Right next to the aquarium, you’ll find Cannery Row, home to the now-defunct sardine factories that were utilized when the canning industry was booming in the city. Many of these factory buildings have been repurposed as souvenir shops and restaurants, which you can peruse. Here you can also find a statue of novelist John Steinbeck whose novel “Cannery Row” is named and set on this very street.

⌛TIME SPENT: < 1 hour
📍ADDRESS:John Steinbeck Statue l 660 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940 (Monterey Bay Aquarium is on Cannery Row so you won’t need to re-park).

Kayak in Monterey Bay (Elkhorn Slough)

If you just can’t get enough of the otters, drive north for 25 minutes and head to Elkhorn Slough. Elkhorn Slough is a 7-mile estuary and nature preserve in Monterey Bay. Because it’s protected from the large swells of the Bay, it’s one of the best places to go kayaking (especially for beginners) and one of the best places to spot sea otters!

I highly recommend one of the kayak tours through Kayak Connection, which I along with my coworkers have used several times. All of us love how knowledgeable and respectful the guides are about the wildlife and the slough

💡TIP: I booked the Starlight Bioluminescence Tour but would recommend the Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour for first-time visitors for more wildlife activity and better visibility. On my tour, I did see some otters and herons but unfortunately minimal bioluminescent activity. I would have preferred seeing more otters during daytime.

⌛TIME SPENT: 2-3 hours
📍ADDRESS:Kayak Connection l 2370 CA-1, Moss Landing, CA 95039 (Note: you likely won’t see the sign for Kayak Connection from the road but instead will find a massive parking lot).

Additional Thing to Do in Monterey

Take a Whale Watching Tour in Monterey Bay and look out for whales (different species depending on the season), orcas (seasonal), and dolphins (year-round).

Day 2 – Carmel-by-the-sea Itinerary

Located 15 minutes south of Monterey, you’ll find Carmel-by-the-sea (Carmel). The main highlights of this Carmel itinerary are:

Do the 17-Mile Drive from Monterey on your way down to Carmel

While the most direct route from Monterey to Carmel is approximately 6 miles, the scenic route is to take the 17-mile drive. The 17-mile drive refers to the road that connects Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Pebble Beach and is famous for gorgeous views of the cliffs, forests, and oceans along the California coast.

The 17-Mile Drive is open daily from sunrise to sunset. There are multiple gates that you can enter to access the drive, all of which will require you to pay $11.25 for admission per vehicle.

💡TIP: If you spend $35 or more at the Pebble Beach Resorts restaurants, you can get your gate fee reimbursed. Pebble Beach Market purchases do not apply.

17-Mile Drive Stops

Though the Highway 1 entrance is most frequently used and referenced, I prefer taking the route starting from the Pacific Grove gate. I highlight recommend reading Tripsavvy’s guide, which outlines my favorite route to follow when driving the 17-Mile Drive.

From this starting point, the full list of interest points on the 17-Mile Drive are:

The Inn at Spanish Bay
Spanish Bay Beach
Restless Sea
Point Joe
China Rock
Bird Rock
Seal Rock
Fanshell Beach
Cypress Point Lookout
Crocker Grove
The Lone Cypress
Ghost Tree
Pescadero Point
The Lodge at Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Ford Meadow
Shepherd’s Knoll
Huckleberry Hill

My favorite scenic stops are Cypress Point Lookout (#9), The Lone Cypress (#11), The Ghost Tree (#12), and Pescadero Point (#13). Unfortunately, I lost my pictures 😔but the Pebble Beach gallery does the viewpoints justice.

💡TIPS:
1. If you’re staying in Carmel and venturing into Monterey, you can enter through the Carmel Gate.
2. If you’re traveling between April and June, make sure to stop by Perkins Park before starting the 17-Mile Drive and discover the “magic carpet” of purple ice plants in bloom.

⌛TIME SPENT: 3-4 hours
📍ADDRESS:Pacific Grove Gate l 2790 17 Mile Dr, Pebble Beach, CA 93953

Hike at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is considered the “crown jewel” of all California state parks. The area is stunning and sustains vibrant communities of flora and fauna on land and sea. The park is open from 8-5 PM on most days and has an entrance fee of $10 per car (see the official state park website for more information).

The best way to appreciate the reserve is to hike on one of the many trails. Some of my favorites are:

Point Lobos Loop Trail through forests and around the coast (7.5-mile loop trail, ~3 hours to complete). If you have the time, I strongly recommend hiking the full Point Lobos Loop Trail as it includes the other two.
Cypress Grove Trail will allow you to see most of the area’s highlights, including ocean views, cypress trees, and maybe some sea lions (0.8-mile loop trail, ~17 minutes to complete).
Bird Island Trail to get to China Cove and Gibson Beach, where you’ll likely seal pups lounging around on the beach (0.8-mile out & back trail, ~20 minutes to complete)

⌛TIME SPENT: 3-4 hours
📍ADDRESS:Point Lobos State Natural Reserve l 62 CA-1, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Unwind on Ocean Avenue

Head back to Carmel and spend the late afternoon or evening strolling down Ocean Avenue. Ocean Avenue is a picturesque road and the main street in town. It’s easy to spend an hour or two window-shopping at the art galleries and boutiques, searching for Hugh Comstock’s fairytale cottages, and walking down to Carmel Beach.

⌛TIME SPENT: 1-2 hours
📍ADDRESS: Carmel Visitor Center l Carmel Visitor Center (Suite 219A), Ocean Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921 (Navigate here if you’re looking for parking close to Carmel Beach)

Additional Thing to Do in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Visit Garrapata State Park for coastline views at Painter’s Point, panoramic ocean views at the end of Soberanes Canyon Trail (for the views, make sure to take the 4.1 mile loop and not the shorter 2.8 mile out-and-back trail), and cala lilies in Calla Lily Valley (February through May only).

Day 3 – Big Sur Itinerary

Big Sur is located about 40 minutes south of Carmel (~26 miles) along Highway 1. The main highlights of this Big Sur itinerary are:

Stop at Bixby Bridge

If you’ve seen “Big Little Lies” or heard about the Big Sur bridge, you’re thinking about Bixby Bridge. First opened in 1932, Bixby Bridge is one of the longest (714 feet) and tallest (280 feet) open-spandrel arch bridges in the world. It remains one of the most photographed bridges in California and a must-see highlight on Highway 1. Pictures and words pale in comparison to the first-hand experience of seeing the bridge. The scale and majesty of the tall columns and the delicate arch, positioned between the cliffs with the Pacific Ocean on the side is simply breathtaking.

Bixby Bridge Viewpoint

The most iconic photo spot of the Bixby Bridge is the Castle Rock Viewpoint. There’s a small parking area that is easy to pull into but you’ll want to get here early as space is limited. You can also walk up a small path to Bixby Bridge Vista Point for a different perspective.

💡TIP: Bixby Bridge is currently open. Always check the news before your visit to make sure the bridge and surrounding areas are open. This is especially true if you’re traveling from Southern California as you’ll want to make sure you can actually cross the bridge and take Highway 1 into Monterey County.

⌛TIME SPENT: <1 hour
📍ADDRESS:Castle Rock Viewpoint l 27494 Cabrillo Hwy, Monterey, CA 93940

Pfieffer Beach – Temporarily Closed

Check the California Department of Parks and Recreation website for updates. Last updated January 19, 2023.

Julia Pfieffer Burns State Park – Temporarily Closed

Check the California Department of Parks and Recreation website for updates. Last updated January 19, 2023.

Thanks for reading 3-day Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur itinerary. As usual, feel free to leave comments if you have any questions & I will always reply 😊

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What is Monterey Famous For?

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