Visite de la Baie de Monterey
Written/Edited by: Northern Latitudes Editorial Team
Updated: 8/15/2026
La Californie est souvent réputée pour sa beauté. Cet État de l'Ouest américain regorge de paysages magnifiques, et Monterey en fait partie. La baie abrite de nombreuses villes et de magnifiques parcs à visiter. Que vous aimiez l'air marin, la nature ou que vous empruntiez la CA 1, la visite vaut vraiment le détour. Si vous prévoyez de visiter la baie de Monterey, voici une liste d'activités à faire.
What is Monterey Bay?
The Bay of Monterey is a large inlet on the coast of California. Thanks to its marine geography, it features an incredibly rich wildlife, and scenery among the most beautiful in California.
Source: Northern Latitudes
Where is Monterey Bay?
Monterey Bay is located in the central latitudes of California, approximately 2H30 away from San Francisco, and 5H45 from Los Angeles. Here is a list of major cities and their driving time to Monterey.
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San Diego - 8H30
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Las Vegas - 8H
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San Jose - 1H45
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Seattle - 15H
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Portland - 11H45
There are several cities spread along the length of the bay, among which Santa Cruz and Monterey are the biggest.
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Source: Northern Latitudes
Weather in Monterey Bay
The Monterey County Farm Bureau describes the climate of Monterey as mild, and the temperatures uniform. There is little wind throughout the year and most of the rains occur during winter. Summers are often cloudy, and temperatures seldom go above 70F.
Here are the average high and low temperatures of the city of Monterey (South of Monterey Bay) at different points across the year. Source: U.S. Climate Data
JAN
58F
44F
MAY
63F
48F
SEP
70F
53F
Fog in Point Lobos State Park. Source: Northern Latitudes
Staying in Monterey Bay
Finding a place to stay in Monterey Bay is not difficult. There are a lot of campings and hotels available. The question is thus; Where is the best area to stay in?
Source: Northern Latitudes
During our own visit to Monterey Bay, we stayed a little bit further north of Monterey and found it to be convenient enough. This location allowed us to reach both the areas in the south and north without having to drive too much. Nonetheless, we encourage you to check which part of the bay you would like to visit before deciding on your staying spot.
The area of Santa Cruz is often better to visit the north of the bay while Monterey is best when visiting the south. The driving between the two extremes of the Monterey Bay is seldom longer than 1H.
Within the city of Monterey, Downtown/Old Monterey is great to be near the major attractions while also having conveniences around. The neighborhood of Pacific Grove is also popular for its calm and ocean views.
In Santa Cruz, the best area for tourists is the Boardwalk. The neighborhood has a convenient proximity with the beach and major attractions of Santa Cruz.
Can you visit Monterey Bay without a car? Guide to Transportation.
Yes, with a little bit of planning you can visit Monterey without a car. To do so, you may use the following transit system.
The Monterey Salinas Transit agency (MST) operates its own bus system which you may use to get as far as Santa Cruz. Their website allows you to plan your trip ahead of time, and track the buses in real time.
Seasonally, the MST also operates a FREE trolley that takes visitors to the major sites of Monterey. The trolley operates daily from May 23 to September 7.
Fares
According to the MST website, regular fares are the following:
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Single Ride (2H) - $2.00
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Day Pass - $6.00
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7 Days Pass - $20.00
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for discounts. You can find more information here.
Santa Cruz Metro also operates a bus system as well. Below are the fares provided on their website:
The SC Metro also operates the Santa Cruz Beach & Downtown Shuttle which connects the downtown of Santa Cruz, and its wharf area.
Aside from public transportations, you can also rent bikes to get around the city.
And finally, you can book a private tour around the Bay. Some tours include transportation in their cost.
When is the best time to visit Monterey?
There are several good windows to visit Monterey during the year. Fall is one of the best periods as it mixes good weather, low crowds and the arrival of Monarch Butterflies.
Another good period is Spring with fresher temperatures, but gorgeous landscapes thanks to the blooming flowers and active wildlife.
Species like the Monarch Butterflies visit Monterey Bay during specific time of the year. Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
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