Once the “Sardine Capital of the World,” the Monterey of the 1900s looks quite a bit different from the Monterey we know today. Though writers and artists alike have long called Monterey home, seeking to immortalize its beauty, this seaside city was more known for its fisheries than for its tourism.

But when Monterey’s economy collapsed in the 1950s due to overfishing, this California city adapted, becoming a haven for visitors looking to experience a wonderland of outdoor adventures, fine dining, and wildlife sightings. 

From kayaking alongside otters to hiking surrounded by monarch butterflies, there are so many unique things to do in Monterey and its surrounding areas. You should always keep your eyes peeled in Monterey; you never know what kind of stunning creatures you may find nearby!

With so many incredible things to see and do, it’s hard to know just where to begin. So we’ve compiled our list of the absolute must-do things in Monterey for you. Add these unique activities to your Monterey bucket list, and there’s no doubt you’ll have an amazing time exploring this gorgeous coastal city.

15 Fun and Unique Things to Do in Monterey

1. Spend a Day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Considered one of the best aquariums in the world, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is always building new exhibits, so there are constantly interesting creatures to discover. Marvel at the gigantic Japanese spider crabs, spot the ever-elusive and mysterious giant Pacific octopus, and watch the playful tufted puffins splash their way around their exhibit.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium puts a lot of focus on conservation. Built out of the remains of the once-bustling sardine canneries, the aquarium knows the city’s history well and understands the threats humans can pose to the environment. Today, the aquarium leads conservation teams to promote a better relationship between people and Monterey’s natural wildlife.

One of the most prominent ways the aquarium helps its environment is by rehabilitating injured wildlife or young creatures that were separated from their parents. The aquarium is well-known for its history of helping Monterey’s otter population. While you’re watching the aquarium’s otters play, surrogate otter moms are teaching baby otters how to survive on their own behind the scenes!

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Monterey, adults and kids alike will relish a day at the aquarium. You’ll love learning about all the diverse creatures, while your little ones will enjoy the multiple touch tanks that will give them hands-on experience studying sea stars, urchins, and more. 

With interactive exhibits teaching everything from how octopuses camouflage to how plastic particles move up the food chain, there’s so much to learn, but this aquarium makes learning a lot of fun! Easily one of the best Monterey attractions, you shouldn’t end your trip without taking a day to explore the aquarium.

2. Kayak around Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay is teeming with sea critters. Whether you want to bring your own kayak or rent one, you can get out on the water and get a little closer to these majestic creatures. Watch a pod of dolphins jump out of the water, see sea otter mates holding hands as they nap while wrapped in kelp forests, or say hi to sea lions as they pop their heads up to say hello!

While it’s always important to keep a respectful distance from these gorgeous animals, kayaking allows you to get a much closer look than you would otherwise get walking along the shore. Plus, it provides a fun workout. You’ll be “oohing” and “aahing” at the beauty of the bay so much that you’ll hardly notice you’re actually doing some great cardio.

If you’re new to kayaking or a little nervous about getting on the water by yourself, you can also book a guided kayaking tour. If you’re willing to wake up a little early on your vacation, you can even take a tour at sunrise and watch the sky light up in vibrant pinks and oranges over the clear blue waters. This is easily one of the best things to do in Monterey!

3. Walk along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is one of the best spots for Monterey sightseeing. Located where the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks once ran, this recreation trail spans 18 miles, going from Castroville in the north to Pacific Grove in the south. You can rent bikes, surreys, and even in-line skates from businesses along the trail or simply go for a walk along the shore.

Grab a bite to eat with a beautiful view of the bay, or plan an oceanside picnic. No matter where you stop to rest, you’ll find a gorgeous scene. Don’t forget to pack your binoculars because you’ll likely see sea otters, sea lions, and harbor seals along your journey.

The recreation trail is a great way to see some of Monterey’s best tourist destinations without having to drive. When you take this trail, you’ll reach some of the most iconic Monterey attractions, like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row!

4. Take a Hike at Ford Ord

There’s a rich history behind the beauty of Fort Ord National Monument. As many as 1.5 million American troops once trained at Fort Ord, which was a leading training and deployment staging ground during the Vietnam War. 

Today, Fort Ord serves as a prime recreation spot, offering 86 miles of trails that you can hike, bike, or ride your horse through. This former military base is now protected by the Bureau of Land Management, which ensures that the 44 species of rare plants and animals there can continue to call the property home. 

If you’re visiting Monterey in April, you’ll want to stop by Fort Ord to take in the Sea Otter Classic. This four-day event is one of the largest consumer bike expos in the world and brings over 10,000 bikers and 50,000 fans from across the globe into Monterey every year. Cheer on your favorite biker, or sign up yourself to race through Fort Ord!

5. Take in the Sights and Sounds of the Monterey Jazz Festival

The Monterey Jazz Festival, which is the longest-continuously-running jazz festival in the world, typically arrives every September. Started in 1958, the non-profit event has long been celebrating the creativity and culture of American jazz by featuring legendary jazz musicians and young rising stars alike.

Held at the 10-acre Monterey County Fairgrounds, this festival is all about the full experience. In addition to three days of incredible music, you’ll also enjoy a diverse array of local foods and wines. 

With more than 50 artists performing across four stages, you can guarantee that there will always be something to do, see, and hear at the Monterey Jazz Festival! The question is whether or not three days is enough to do it all. But we guess that just means you’ll have to come back next year and do it all over again.

6. Cruise along Picture-Perfect 17-Mile Drive

Considered one of the most scenic drives in California, 17-Mile Drive takes you in and around Monterey, from Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach. Download a self-guided tour and hit the road to get the whole 17-Mile Drive experience.

The drive features plenty of iconic landmarks, like the Ghost Tree, Spanish Bay, and Stillwater Cove. You’ll want to have your camera ready throughout your journey, not just because of the beautiful places but also for the abundant wildlife. You’re bound to see and hear barking sea lions at Bird Rock and deer running through Del Monte Forest. 

Although it’s called 17-Mile Drive, you can also consider hopping on a bike or e-bike instead. While there’s an admission fee for cars to enter this stretch of road, biking is free! It’ll also save you from having to worry about parking at each landmark. Just remember to get an early start, as it’s safer to avoid going later in the day when more cars are on the road.

Get your 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour here!

7. Go Whale Watching from Old Fisherman’s Wharf

Monterey Bay is considered one of the whale watching capitals of the world, and there’s no better place to go whale watching than Old Fisherman’s Wharf. Once an essential part of Monterey’s sardine harvesting industry, the wharf now serves as a top tourist destination and is full of the best sights in Monterey.

While you can often see otters, sea lions, and harbor seals just by standing on the wharf, you can also venture out on the waters on the wharf’s daily whale watching tours. It’s not uncommon for whale watchers to see a variety of creatures on their trip, including humpback whales, killer whales, and dolphins.

These peaceful cruises are often between two and four hours, which may be a little long for younger ones in your group. But if you’d still like to get out on the water, you can hop aboard a glass-bottom boat tour instead to get a look at Monterey Bay’s kelp forests and the critters that call them home.

8. Shop and Dine at Cannery Row

Cannery Row got its name thanks to its important position as a hub for Monterey’s fishing and canning industries. But these days, Cannery Row is home to some of the best dining and shopping in Monterey. If you’re looking to while away a few hours, a trip to Cannery Row is one of the top things to do in Monterey.

Though Monterey had problems with overfishing in the past, strong conservation efforts have brought the fish back and allowed the city to create a more sustainable infrastructure for the fishing industry. Those efforts are why Monterey now has some of the freshest seafood around, and many restaurants on Cannery Row are home to seafood dishes that are unmatched anywhere else.

Grab a table at Lalla Oceanside Grill, take in the view of the bay, and dine on locally-caught sanddabs in a decadent lemon caper sauce. Or head over to Chart House for the best mahi-mahi around. Finish your meal off with a Ghirardelli hot fudge sundae while you sit overlooking the water.

Looking for the perfect gift to take home to your family and friends? You’ll find it on Cannery Row. With art galleries, clothing boutiques, jewelry shops, outdoor adventure gear stores, and even an olive oil-tasting bar, there’s something at Cannery Row to suit everyone.

9. Play at Dennis the Menace Playground

The Dennis the Menace Playground, a part of the El Estero Park Complex in Downtown Monterey, was designed with the help of Hank Ketcham, the creator of the Dennis the Menace comic strip and a resident of nearby Carmel. Ketcham wanted a place for the local kids to just be kids, so he created one filled with fun and play.

This playground features plenty to do to keep the little ones entertained, from a rock wall to a maze. And when your children are done playing with Dennis, there’s even more to do in the El Estero Park Complex. 

This 45-acre recreation complex includes a dance studio, an exercise course, and a skate park. It also has Lake El Estero, where you can take a paddleboat adorably designed as a swan or a rubber ducky out on the water. It’s a fun time for the whole family that will give you a peaceful tour of the park.

10. Walk among the butterflies at the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary

Every year, thousands of monarchs fly south for the winter. And along their route, they end up in nearby Pacific Grove. From mid-October to mid-March, you can get an up-close look at these beautiful creatures at Pacific Grove’s Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary.

The busy sanctuary is easily one of the best sights in Monterey County, especially from November to January. The time of day also affects what you might see. Visiting early in the morning will show you clusters of butterflies, while coming in the afternoon will allow you to view the monarchs in flight.

The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary offers several trails for you to take on your butterfly-viewing journey. Remember to always stay on the path, as it’s essential not to disturb these fascinating insects. If you want to learn more about the migration of monarchs, head over to the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, where its monarch exhibit is open year-round.

11. Grab a Beer with Your Pup at a Brewery

Napa may be known for its wines, but we’d argue that Monterey is known for its local brews. Many of the city’s breweries feature relaxed, often dog-friendly environments where you can drink up some unique beers.

Head to Dust Bowl Brewing Co. for everything from sours to seltzers. This brewery, located nearby Old Fisherman’s Wharf, features a cozy indoor space and an expansive outdoor area with picnic tables and Wedo’s Food Truck on standby to complement your drink. 

We also love Alvarado Street Brewery over in Downtown Monterey for its unique brews, specialty cocktails, and juicy burgers. The outdoor seating is also dog-friendly and is enclosed, making you feel like you found a little paradise away from the hustle and bustle of the downtown city streets.

Not too far from Alvarado Street Brewery is another one of our top picks, Fieldwork Brewing Co. This brewery keeps a smaller menu, which allows them to rotate in and out popular and seasonal flavors. Sit around the fire pit with your pup while you sip a flight of brews you can’t get anywhere else.

12. Take in a Show at the Golden State Theatre

After you grab a drink at Alvarado Street Brewery, you don’t have far to go to get to the Golden State Theatre. Stepping into the Golden State Theatre is like stepping back in time, and catching a show here is one of the most unique things to do in Monterey. This well-preserved historic theater has been entertaining Monterey since 1926.

The 15,000-square-foot live performance venue was intricately designed and extravagantly decorated, but it was recently refurbished to suit more modern comforts. With plush velvet seats and a state-of-the-art sound system, every seat is the best seat in the house.

From concerts to film festivals to stand-up showcases, there’s always something happening at the Golden State Theatre. And if you fall in love with the magical venue like we did, you may even want to rent it out for a special event.

13. Scuba Dive at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Point Lobos is considered one of the top things to see in and around Monterey for a good reason. Located in nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea, there’s plenty to do at Point Lobos for anyone who loves the beauty of nature. 

Explore the emerald waters of China Cove, hike the Point Lobos Loop Trail, or go tide pooling at low tide. But Point Lobos is also home to several popular dive spots, located at Whaler’s Cove and Bluefish Cove, meant for both beginner and more advanced divers alike. 

If you’re in the mood for underwater adventure, explore the giant kelp forests, study the coral reefs, and keep your eyes peeled for otters, sea lions, seals, and more!

14. Go Golfing at Pebble Beach

If you ask most golfers, they’ll say that the top thing that needs to be on your Monterey bucket list is going golfing at Pebble Beach. Unanimously rated the “No. 1 Public Golf Course in the Country,” the Pebble Beach Golf Links were designed in part with the help of famous golfer Jack Nicklaus. Although it’s difficult to get a coveted tee time, golfers all across the world say it’s more than worth a visit.

Many of the greatest golfers in the world, from Tiger Woods to Arnold Palmer, have played at Pebble Beach. Depending on the time of year you visit, you just might be able to view such stars in action. 

Pebble Beach has been home to six US Opens, more than any other course in the last 50 years. It will be home to four more US Opens between 2027 and 2044, as well as four more championship events between 2023 and 2048. 

Every February, the PGA TOUR arrives for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. This tradition began all the way back in 1947 and features professional golfers teaming up with a celebrity partner for charity. 

If you’re unable to get a tee time at Pebble Beach, don’t fret. Monterey and its surrounding cities are home to more than 20 golf courses, including Spyglass Hill and Poppy Hills, which are right next to Pebble Beach and feature similarly beautiful views.

15. Explore the Alvarado Street Farmer’s Market

Every Tuesday, Alvarado Street in Downtown Monterey welcomes locals and visitors alike to a street-long farmer’s market filled with delectable treats, local produce, and one-of-a-kind finds. With Monterey County being California’s third-largest agricultural producer, it only makes sense that Monterey strives to highlight the folks who work so hard to sustain the state.

You’ll find some of the freshest produce around at the Alvarado Street Farmer’s Market, with seasonal treats showing up throughout the year. But you’ll also find small businesses creating foods that you’ll fall in love with. 

Do yourself a favor and grab as many hummuses and pita chips from Hummus Heaven as you can before they sell out because they will sell out. And if you see Ad Astra Bread Co., buy a loaf of milk bread before it’s gone. 

Even if you don’t buy anything at all, the Alvarado Street Farmer’s Market is a lovely stroll through one of the most historic parts of Monterey. Listen to live music, take in the smell of baked goods in the air, and marvel at the beauty of Old Monterey.

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Monterey. What’s your favorite thing to do in Monterey?

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