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Visit Monterey Bay
California is often renowned for its beauty. The state of the American west is full of gorgeous scenery, and Monterey is one of those. The bay welcomes many towns and beautiful parks that can be visited. If you either love the coastal air, nature, or you are taking a trip via the CA 1, the visit is definitely worth it. If you plan to visit Monterey Bay, here is a list of things to do.
Summary:
Fact on Monterrey Bay:
Location: California, USA
Best time to visit: Spring or Fall
Where is Monterey Bay?
Monterey Bay is located along the California coast. It is about 75 miles (120km) south of San Francisco, and is accessible via the CA 1 and US101. One of the northernmost cities is Santa Cruz, and one of the southernmost includes Monterey.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
​The aquarium is one of the most popular things to do in Monterey. Having appeared multiple times on television, it is a well known aquarium which brings millions of visitors each year. It is also known for its progress and efforts being the first aquarium to exhibit a living kelp forest, as well as being the first to successfully care for and display a great white shark. As of 2025, the aquarium has more than 500 different species including penguins, sharks and sea otters. Additionally, the aquarium offers shows and tours for an additional fee.
Ticket Cost
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Adult (ages 18-69) – $65.00
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Youth (ages 5-17) – $50.00
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Senior (ages 70+) – $50.00
Open Daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM except for December 25. They have extended hours in summer.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Point Lobos has often been called “The crown jewel of the California State Park System”. This simple statement says a lot about the beauty of the area. And definitely, the place is gorgeous. The area was once the site of industrial activities like whaling, gravel quarries or cannery. The area was then protected, and is today very popular for sightseeing, photography, nature study, picnicking, and many more activities. The offshore area, part of the Monterey National Marine Sanctuary, forms underwater habitats very popular with divers.
Day Use Entrance Fees:
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Vehicle - $10.00
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Senior - $9.00
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Disabled (with Discount Pass) - $5.00
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CA Explorer Annual Pass - $195.00
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Golden Poppy Annual Pass - $125.00
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Point Lobos Brochure/Map - $2.00
​Specific information regarding bus are given on the official website of California State Parks.
The reserve is open from 8AM to 7PM daily, and no entrances are accepted after 6:30PM.
The information Station and Whalers' Cabin Museum are open from 9:00AM to 5:00PM.​
Carmel-by-the-sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small beach city south of Monterey. This charming place possesses a rich artistic history and is very popular for its architecture. In Carmel, you can find a nice beach, as well as shopping and multiple places to eat. You may not spend days there, but it is still an enjoyable little stop when around Monterey Bay.
You can find more information on Carmel here.
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Santa Cruz
Along the Monterey Bay, you will find several small cities or villages. The most well known of those tend to be Carmel (mentioned earlier), Monterey, or Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is located on the northern edge of Monterey Bay. It was founded at the end of the 18th century, and throughout the years became a well known seaside resort community. It welcomes several nice activities that you may enjoy. Here are some of those:
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk & Wharf
Like most seaside towns, Santa Cruz has a wharf. It features boat tours, dining, gift shops, and it can also be a sea lion viewing area. And just a few minutes from there, you can find the Boardwalk, a small amusement park founded in 1907. Both are free of access, but the attractions are charged.
Photo by Ian Mackey | Unsplash
Santa Cruz Beach Train
The Santa Cruz Beach Train offers to travelers of all ages a journey through the Santa Cruz mountain onboard an old steam train. The train departs from Roaring Camp at 10:00am and 2:00pm, and from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk at 12:00pm and 4:00pm. From there, it offers a journey through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, the San Lorenzo River Gorge, an old 1909 steel truss bridge and more! It takes 1H each way (more than 2H for the whole trip).
​Tickets cost: $44.47 for adults (13+), $29.63 for children (2-12), and Free for 2 years old and younger.
Natural Bridges State Beach
Natural Bridges State Beach is another place where you can enjoy Monterey Bay’s beauty. As the name suggests, it features natural bridges, but it also offers nice views of the bay fauna and flora.
Admission: $10 for the day for one regular sized vehicle. Special fees may apply for big vehicles.
Photo by Laura Ockel | Unsplash
Monterey Old Fisherman's Wharf
​When looking for the best thing to do in Monterey Bay, the Old Fisherman’s Wharf may often show up. The reason behind that is that the Wharf is one of the most popular tourist attractions there. The Wharf was previously a wholesale fish market into the 1960s, and progressively became what we know today. Nowadays, the wharf contains multiple souvenir shops as well as a bunch of seafood related restaurants. It may also be a nice spot to observe some of the local marine wildlife, but not the best.
The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
Do you like Monarch butterflies? If you do, know that these big orange insects come in the area each year starting around the month of October. Pacific Grove is for the Monarch a stop on their longer migration toward Mexico. If you go in the area of Monterey Bay around the month of October, you can visit the Monarch Grove Sanctuary. There are multiple points across the area where Monarch may go, but the sanctuary is a monitored environment and it is free!
Want to know something amazing? What makes the migration of the monarchs truly special is the fact that the migrating monarchs have never been to their destination before. They naturally know where to go!
HOURS:
Daily from sunrise to sunset.
Dogs are not allowed.
Final Words
The bay of Monterey is truly beautiful. It is one of the rare places where humans can still closely observe animals. For those who love outdoor activities, animals, beautiful sceneries or even history, the Monterey Bay is a mix of all these things. If you plan on going there, enjoy the trip! And never forget to respect nature there.
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