Monterey Bay Monterey California, things to do two day itinerary

50 Things to Do in Monterey California

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Top Things to Do in Monterey California

Researching all the great things to do in Monterey California while working full time can be overwhelming. You’ve heard great things about Monterey. You want to visit all the must-see attractions and eat local food. You don’t want to spend hours on the internet doing research. Use this Monterey bucket list full of attractions, tours, and museums to plan your city break. You will find Save time and plan your perfect itinerary for Monterey California with these 50 things to do, see, and eat.

If you are planning a trip to Monterey California and looking for the best things to do, see, and eat while visiting, you are in the right place.  Monterey sits on California’s postcard-perfect central coastline. The city is known for dramatic cliffs, sand dunes, fishing ports, redwoods, fish canneries, a historic mission, wine tasting, clam chowder, a lighthouse, aquarium, whales, sea otters, and a world-class golf course, but there’s more! Browse the must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal Monterey California bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your Monterey trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!

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Monterey Canning Company Things to do Monterey California
Monterey Canning Company

Things to Do in and Around Monterey California

Take a bike ride along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

Check out the 55 historical sites along the Path of History

Visit the Old Monterey Jail

Have a glass of wine at A Taste of Monterey

Explore the Monterey Museum of Art

Eat clam chowder at the Old Fisherman’s Wharf

Photograph the fishing boats in the harbor

Go whale watching

Have a cocktail next to a fire pit at the Inn at Spanish Bay

See the 19th-century adobe homes in Monterey State Historic Park

Spend an afternoon exploring the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Aquarium California
Monterey Aquarium

Browse the Old Monterey Farmer’s Market

Check out the Walker Residence built by Frank Lloyd Wright

Kayak in Monterey Bay

Check out the Big Little Lies filming sites

Explore the Dali 17 Museum

Hang out with the sea lions at Monterey’s Coast Guard Pier

Photograph the old canneries along Cannery Row

Browse Cannery Row Antique Mall

Check out the view from the rooftop of Monterey Plaza Hotel

Have dinner at the haunted Restaurant 1833

Take a selfie or two at Selfieville Experiential Museum

Eat artichokes and sardines

Fisherman's Wharf Monterey Bay Things to do Monterey California
Fisherman’s Wharf

Explore the tidepools on McAbee Beach (behind the Spin Drift Inn)

Check out Monterey’s Old Whaling Station

Take a selfie with Dennis the Menace at El Estero Park

Watch the sunset from the proposal bench on the Asilomar

Have afternoon tea at the Steinbach House in Salinas

Enjoy a picnic at Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove

Enjoy a food tour through old Monterey

Explore the Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove

Check out the Victorian Homes on Ocean View Blvd in Pacific Grove

Photograph Pacific Grove’s Point Pino Lighthouse

Drive the scenic 17-mile Drive and photograph the Lone Cypress

Build a sandcastle on Carmel Beach

Explore Carmel’s Hansel and Gretel Houses

Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trial Things to do Monterey California
Monterey Bay Coastal

Tour the Carmel Mission

Take the Carmel Art Tour through galleries and secret gardens

Browse the boutiques in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Drive past Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch

Watch the golfers tee off at the famous Pebble Beach golf course

Hang out with the harbor seals at Whaler’s Cove

Enjoy the Arroyo Seco Gorge swimming holes

Take a bike ride at Fort Ord National Monument

Go for a hike at Pinnacles National Park

Photograph the sand dunes at Marina State Beach

Go wine tasting along the River Road Wine Trail

Shop for souvenirs at Moss Landing’s fishing port

Check out the Farm Sculptures off Hwy 68

Drive Hwy 1 through the Big Sur coastline

Check the Monterey California Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.

Bookmark and Pin Things to Do in Monterey California

Plan Your Trip to Monterey California

Monterey California Travel Guide

Pick up a California Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.

Book Your Accommodation in Monterey California Now

Spending the night? Search Booking.com and VRBO in one place to find the perfect property!

Monterey Attractions and Day Tours

The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.

Travel Essentials

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Have a great vacation!