Big Sur Coast Drive from Monterey
Stunning beauty! Blue-green water seen from vertical cliffs. Many breathtaking stops along the way.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Beach
A stunning hike overlooking a white sand beach, bright blue-green waters, and a waterfall falling onto the beach.
Dennis the Menace Park
A super fun park with several unusual playgrounds, a rockclimbing wall, a Southern Pacific railroad engine, a swaying bridge, huge wavy slides on a hill, cement tunnels and more!
Downtown Monterey
Downtown Monterey has a youthful vibe, and gorgeous historical buildings and trees.
China Cove and Gibson's Beach
A stunning white-sand cove with clear green-blue waters, baby seals, and cliffs covered in flowers.
Asilomar Beach and Conference Center
Conference center filled with ambience and blinding white beach.
Lovers Point Park, Beach, and Walk
A walk above the ocean, past seals basking in their own private cove, to a lovely beach for wading.
17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach (actually seven miles)
Private land ($12 to enter) where you can drive through a Monterey Cypress forest and stop at many stunning overlooks or lookouts. The drive is actually seven miles long.
Point Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove
A beautiful, well-cared-for lighthouse with idyllic views of the golf course, dunes, and sea, and a garden with bright flowers.
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Pacific Grove
Monarch butterfly grove that is magical all year, but especially when butterflies are flittering about Nov-Feb.
Treasure Hunt Pirate Ride, Cannery Row
Animatronic theme park ride similar to Disney but in a much easier and nicer place to bring your family!
John Denver Beach, Pacific Grove
Adorable beach with jutting rocks to climb, water swooshing in, and colorful stones on the shore.
Perkins Park Walk, Pacific Grove
Stunning clifftop walk with new views around every corner! Hard-packed dirt 1.2 mile walking path from John Denver Beach to Lovers Point Park Beach.
San Carlos Cathedral, Downtown Monterey
Also called Royal Presidio Chapel, this is a gorgeous church! Inside it is in pristine condition, with the loveliest folk-style painted designs.
Pacific Grove town
Victorian storefronts and cafes on cozy Lighthouse Ave, up high above the sea. Steep side streets, with Victorian homes, leading down to the ocean. Gorgeous oceanfront blvd with walking path.
Northridge Indoor Mall, Salinas
A modern, elegant mall with a Miniso Asian goods store, Hollister Co. teen clothing, Claire's Accessories, Hobby Lobby crafts, The Children's Place kids clothing, and large department stores.
Asilomar Coastal Trail, Pacific Grove
1.7 mile hard-packed dirt walking path directly on the rocky coastline's edge. New sights around every corner!
Sunset Beach, Pacific Grove
Magical little cove along the Asilomar Coastal Walking Trail. Rounded rocks, perfect sand, kelp balls, tidepools.
Path of History Walk, downtown Monterey
Some of the best-preserved early 19th century architecture in California- especially lovely at Christmastime.
Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey
Touristy wharf with souvenir shops, mediocre restaurants, but gorgeous blue-green water and sometimes seals swimming by!
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Amazingly beautiful aquarium, but unbearably crowded and ridiculously expensive.
Harbor Seal View Point, Moss Landing
Place where harbor seals and sea otters take refuge near a power plant, in a cold, foggy area.
Monterey Skate Park, Lake El Estero
Small, nice skate park in a serene setting next to Lake El Estero.
Laguna Grande Park
Circular walk around a lake. Geese, ducks, plenty of trees, and two great playgrounds!
Seaside Beach
A wide stretch of beach with white sand, chilly winds, barking seals, and gorgeous sunsets.
Custom House Plaza
A large pedestrian-only area with big fountain, gorgeous historical buildings and museums, but no shade.
Downtown Carmel-By-The-Sea
Elitist yet touristy streets with gingerbread-style storefronts. Thick and oppressive fog.