Find all the wonderful things to do in the Monterey Bay area for a day,
a weekend or a week – it’s endless! Monterey’s big draw, the
Monterey Bay Aquarium, was recently voted "Best Aquarium" by
Zagat. There are so many exhibits and activities, one visit is not enough.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium has over 200 exhibits and galleries,
including tanks of jellyfish, octopuses, sea otters kelp forests, a
million-gallon tank of open ocean fish (these are the big ones!), an
aviary with shorebirds, a "touch" pool and many others. Huge
windows provide stunning views of Monterey Bay from the Aquarium.
Once you have spent some time with Monterey
Bay’s sea life, visitors can look forward to many other local
attractions, including The Monterey State Historic Park and the
Maritime Museum of Monterey. Families should stop at the Dennis the
Menace Playground and the coastside Recreational Trail for a walk or a
surrey ride. Go whale watching (the best time is winter, during
migration, but they can be seen any time) or rent a kayak to explore
Monterey Bay. Surrounding towns of Pacific Grove, Carmel, Carmel
Valley, Pebble Beach and the Big Sur coast to the south each offer
additional sightseeing, shopping, dinning and recreation. Monterey
attractions are listed below.
Monterey Bay Aquarium, west end of Cannery Row, Monterey. One of the world's largest and premier aquariums.
(831) 648-4888, (800) 756-3737 (California only).
Monterey Bay. Excellent boating and deep sea fishing.
(831) 375-5951 Chris' Sportsfishing, (831) 372-2203 Monterey Sportsfishing.
Monterey State Historic Park, near Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey.
Self-guided walk among preserved adobes and historic buildings from
Monterey's early days.
(831) 649-7118.
Cannery Row, Monterey. Shopping and dining area in and among old cannery buildings.
Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey. Whalewatching and sightseeing cruises
depart from here. World-class deep sea fishing opportunities.
Restaurants line the pier.
Laguna Seca Raceway, off Hwy 68 between Monterey and Salinas. Site of car and motorcycle races.
(831) 648-5100.
