California Destinations - The Monterey Peninsula

The Monterey Peninsula lies a little less than 3 hours south of San Francisco, at the south end of the Monterey Bay, and the northern limit of what is considered the Big Sur Coast. The peninsula is home to the cities of Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Grove, as well as the privately owned, unincorporated, Pebble Beach.

As a destination, the Monterey Peninsula offers some of the most gorgeous coastal scenery in California, a smorgasbord of activities for families and adults, and access to both Big Sur, and the diverse wildlife of the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary.

Quintessential Tours Destination Rating:  5 Stars

Highlight Places to See:

17-mile Drive: One of the most famous and scenic stretches of road in the United States, 17-mile Drive wends through the rocky coastline, golf links and community of Pebble Beach, between Pacific Grove and Carmel.

Cannery Row: An historic stretch on the Monterey waterfront where sardine canneries from a once-thriving fishery now host shops, restaurants, and other attractions. The subject of local author John Steinbeck's book by the same name, Cannery Row's scenic location and vibrant atmosphere make it a favorite for Monterey visitors.

Monterey Bay Aquarium: This world-class aquarium is among the largest, and most highly-regarded in the world. It features a variety of excellent exhibits focused on marine life in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Popular attractions include the sea otters, the enormous pelagic tuna tank, and the surreal jellyfish exhibit.

Fisherman's Wharf: A haven for seafood lovers, marine life enthusiasts and souvenir shoppers, Fisherman's wharf is an exciting place to enjoy the sounds of the sea lions and seafood cocktails, or to use as a launching point for a variety of water-based activities, including nautre cruises, kayaking and whale watching.

Downtown Carmel: Carmel by the Sea is famous for the charm of its downtown architecture, its sidewalk cafès and the myriad galleries that draw art aficionados en masse every year. A gorgeous beach at the bottom of town completes a world-class romantic setting.

Point Pinos Lighthouse: The oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the west coast of the United States, the Point Pinos lighthouse, in Pacific Grove, is open to the public.

Monterey Historic State Park: Once a Spanish, then Mexican settlement, Monterey was the first capital of California. The Historic Park features the state's first theatre, customs house, and several other 19th century historical buildings, as well as the maritime museum.

Carmel Mission: Final resting place of California's famous missionary and mission founder, Father Junípero Serra, Carmel's Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo represents one of the best-preserved of California's 21 historic missions.

Point Lobos State Park: A hidden gem for hiking and beach-combing enthusiasts, Point Lobos features miles gorgeous, accessible trails through along unspoiled rocky coastline. Sea lions, harbor seals, otters and waterfowl are here in abundance.

Downtown Pacific Grove: Pacific Grove's quiet and understated streets, feature quaint restaurants and shops, along a beautiful stretch of the peninsula's coast.

Downtown Monterey: Upscale bars, taverns, restaurants and hotels, define Monterey's vibrant downtown area.

Highlight Activities

Whale Watching: The Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary is a haven for not only the migratory species like the humpback and gray whales that wend their way up and down the west coast of North America each year, but also for year-round pelagic species like blue and right whales, orca, and several species of dolphins.

Sea Kayaking: Kayaking tours, offered both along the Monterey waterfront, as well as 15 miles to the north through the marine wetlands of Elkhorn Slough, are a great way to see the local scenery and wildlife up-close. Sea otters, harbor seals and an abundance of waterfowl are among the things you'll see while kayaking in the area.

Wine Tasting and Vineyard Touring: The peninsula is a short drive from the wineries and tasting rooms of Carmel Valley, and a midland drive of 45 minutes to an hour from the wineries of the Salinas Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Several wineries also feature tasting rooms in and around the peninsula.

Sailing: A few outfitters offer sailing trips out of Fisherman's Wharf. These are a wonderful way to get out onto the bay, minus the hum of the diesel engines on the power boats, and enjoy the bay and its wildlife with only the sound of the wind to accompany.

Bicycling: The peninsula is a great place to enjoy by bicycle. Rental shops are in handy locations, and there are great trails along the coast, as well as mountain biking opportunities for the more adventurous.

Hiking: Coastal and inland trails are plentiful both within the populated area of the peninsula, and in the more natural settings of Point Lobos and Andrew Molera State Parks to the south.

Horseback Riding: Within a reasonable drive of the peninsula, at Andrew Molera State Park, horseback tours are offered both along the Big Sur coast and inland.

Gallery Hopping: Carmel is home to a thriving artist community. Dozens of galleries host a dazzling array of paintings, sculpture, jewelery and other offerings from local artists.

Golf: The links courses of Pebble Beach are, of course, among the most revered golfing destinations in the world. Several other excellent courses, both on the peninsula and within easy striking distance, offer plenty of attractive alternatives as well.

Fishing: Depending on the time of the year, salmon, albacore tuna and rockfish can all be caught in abundance on trips departing from Monterey's harbor.

Other things to do and see in and around the Monterey Peninsula

• Comb the areas plentiful tidepools.
• Stroll along the beaches.
• Dine out at any of the area's diverse and sumptuous restaurants.
• Enjoy a night on the town.
• Take a 20 minute nature cruise along the waterfront.
• Stroll through the boats in the harbor.
• Fly a kite in the sand dunes north of Monterey.
• Take a leisurely paddleboat ride on the pond in Dennis the Menace park.