Monterey is a fishing town whose economy and activities are all closely tied to the ocean, as are its main attractions: Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fi­sherman's Wharf, lighthouses and marine sanctuaries.

You will be charmed by the picturesque beauty of this authentic destination, a typical and perfect stop on a California tour holiday. 

FISHERMAN’S WHARF

Fisherman's Wharf is a historic wharf that served as a fish market into the 1960s. It is an integral part of Monterey's history as the first European explorers came ashore close to this spot four centuries ago.

Today Fisherman's Wharf is a tourist attraction in its own right. It is lined with candy and gift shops, restaurants, a theatre, boat rentals and fish markets. It is easy to park in the area, even with an RV, in one of the 4 nearby parking lots.

Open 365 days a year.

MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM

The Monterey Bay Aquarium was built in 1984 in Cannery Row, on the site of a defunct sardine cannery. It receives around 1.8 million visitors each year and houses some 35,000 animals belonging to 600 species, including rescued sea otters. The aquariums are filled with fresh ocean water from Monterey Bay, which is pumped continuously into the different exhibits. It is without a doubt one of the largest, most beautiful and best-known aquariums in the world.

You must reserve.

NEARBY

17-MILE-DRIVE 

17-Mile Drive is a private, paid scenic route between Pacific Grove and Carmel that passes through one of the richest and most famous residential neighborhoods on the West Coast of the United States. The 17-Mile Drive gates are open to the public from sunrise to sunset.

You will wind through wind-sculpted forest of cypress trees and along a rocky coastline with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

Several points of interest deserve a stop including Seal Rock where you can enjoy a picnic and watch the sea lions, Cypress Point whose lookout offers spectacular views of the ocean, and the iconic Lone Cypress , one of the most photographed trees in North America, which has been clinging, alone, atop its rocky perch for over 250 years.

CARMEL

At less than 7 km from Monterey, Carmel-by-the-sea (or Carmel) is a town that abounds in inspiring vistas. Picture a white sandy beach, a small town by the sea… Isn't that a sight you'd like to wake up to every morning? As you stroll along the beach, you will feel like one of those celebrities who seek refuge in the anonymity of a town rocked by the sound of the waves...

Fun fact about Carmel: not only does the one-square-mile village have no streetlights or parking meters, its businesses, cottages and houses have no street numbers.

Take a walk along Ocean Avenue , which is lined with shops and leads to Carmel Beach .

HIGHWAY 1

If you only drive one scenic route in California, it should be Highway 1, especially the stretch between Carmel (to the north) and San Simeon (to the south), which is widely considered to be one of the most scenic driving routes in the United States, if not the world. For the most spectacular views, we strongly suggest going in the afternoon, as the coastline is often cloaked in fog in the morning (especially from June to August).

You're in for an exciting ride along Highway 1, with its dizzying mountains, rugged terrain, coastal landscapes, coves and stunning beaches.

Here are the Top 3 must-see stops along this section of Highway 1:

Point Lobos State Reserve

Located just 4 miles south of Carmel, Point Lobos State Reserve is an area of headlands, coves and rolling meadows. The offshore area forms one of the richest underwater habitats in the world and is very popular with divers.

Wildlife includes seals, sea lions and sea otters and migrating gray whales (from December to May). Thousands of seabirds also make the Reserve their home.

Hiking trails follow the shoreline and lead to hidden coves, such as Bird Island Trail and Sea Lion Point Trail which provides views of sea lions.

At Whalers Cove, which used to be a whaling station, a small cabin built by Chinese fishermen at the turn of the century still remains and is now a cultural history museum.

Please note that any vehicle over 21 ft long is not allowed to drive or park within the reserve.

Big Sur

Big Sur Village is even quieter than Carmel and has a population of only 2,000. Intrepid surfers like to brave the impressive waves crashing on its rocks. Being at the foot of a mountain, access to the village is occasionally blocked by the closure of Highway 1 due to a landslide.

Once you get there, you must stop at the legendary Nepenthe Cafe (48510, Highway 1, Big Sur). In operation since 1949, it is perched on a cliffside overlooking the coast, allowing you to take in breathtaking scenery while enjoying a delicious meal.

Pfeiffer Beach

This magnificent beach is off the beaten path in the heart of Big Sur and a favourite with the locals. It can be hard for tourists to find as there is no road sign indicating its presence. From Highway 1, near Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, turn onto Sycamore Canyon Road, which is unmarked but has a small yellow sign indicating "Narrow Road" and "No RVs - Trailers".

Don't miss this beautiful beach with its breathtaking ocean scenery, dramatic outcroppings of rocks, intense waves (be careful, there can be a dangerous undertow), and purple-tinged sand coloured by the presence of manganese garnet.

The beach is generally open ½ hour before sunrise and until ½ hour after sunset (unless it is closed because of bad weather).

Monterey Car Week

Dates: early August

This week of festivities presents a host of automobile events and activities including races, rallies, exhibitions and auctions. Presented since 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is one of the festival's flagship events, where you can admire the most beautiful collector cars in the world. Held at “The Lodge at Pebble Beach”, on 17-Mile Drive.

Monterey Jazz Festival

Dates: September 

For more than 60 years, the Monterey Jazz Festival has been bringing the world's best jazz to the region for 3 nights and 2 days of musical enjoyment. Each year, more than 100 shows feature 500 artists performing on 8 different stages.