Monterey, California
Monterey, California at a Glance
Costs: $180-$350 per day - upscale coastal destination with mid to high seasonal prices for lodging and tours.
Safety: Generally safe - generally safe for tourists; some property crime exists in tourist zones.
Best Time: September-November (greatest clarity), April-June - mild temperatures and calm seas; late summer fog often clears in autumn.
Why Visit Monterey, California?
This coastal city draws foodies, marine-life enthusiasts and fans of literary history to a compact waterfront setting. Stroll Cannery Row, visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium to watch kelp forests and sea otters, and taste cioppino at a seafood restaurant overlooking the bay. Nearby 17-Mile Drive and historic Carmel add dramatic coastal scenery and charming villages to the city’s maritime cultural mix.
Best Things to Do in Monterey, California
Museum
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Small museum in lighthouse chronicling surfing history
Lake
Laguna Seca
California motorsport raceway with iconic corkscrew turn
Museum
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Large California aquarium renowned for marine conservation exhibits
Cape
Pleasure Point, California
Coastal Santa Cruz neighborhood and popular surfing spot
Church
Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo (Monterey, California)
Historic Spanish mission-style cathedral in Monterey
Park
Andrew Molera State Park
California coastal state park on Big Sur with beaches
Park
Natural Bridges State Beach
Coastal state beach featuring natural rock arches
Park
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Coastal redwood park with hiking and river access
Monterey, California Bucket List
Don't Miss
Monterey Bay Aquarium - World-class aquarium dedicated to local marine ecosystems and its iconic kelp forest exhibit.
Cannery Row - Historic waterfront street lined with shops, seafood restaurants, and oceanfront promenades.
17-Mile Drive (Pebble Beach) - Scenic coastal route past famed golf links, cypress trees, and dramatic shoreline viewpoints.
Hidden Gems
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Coastal reserve with hidden coves, tidepools, and abundant marine wildlife near Carmel.
Pacific Grove’s Lovers Point Park - Small rocky beach ideal for tidepooling, picnics, and quiet seaside walks.
Colton Hall Museum - Historic hall where California’s first constitutional convention met, featuring local exhibits.
Day Trips
Big Sur - Drive south for towering redwoods, dramatic coastal vistas, and Pfeiffer Beach photography stops.
Carmel-by-the-Sea - Quaint village with art galleries, white-sand beaches, and boutique dining only minutes away.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Monterey, California
Monterey is best in spring and fall when the coast is clear and temperatures are mild. Summers are cool and foggy but perfect for avoiding heat and finding peaceful seaside spots.
Winter
Cool, wet, and quiet - foggy mornings clear to crisp afternoons; great time for whale watching, museums, and fewer tourists overall.
Spring
Mild, breezy, and floral - comfortable walks along the coast, calmer crowds than summer, and improving ocean visibility for kayaking often.
Summer
Cool, foggy, and pleasant - summer is surprisingly mild; bring a jacket for chilly mornings and enjoy quieter beaches on sunbreak afternoons.
Temperate climate with mild summers (peaking in September) and cool winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 6°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (739 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 6° - 15° | 11° | 148 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.8h |
| February | Good | 7° - 16° | 11° | 128 mm | some cloud | 82% | 3.9 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.7h |
| March | Very Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 116 mm | some cloud | 83% | 4.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 53 mm | some cloud | 83% | 4.6 m/s | 1.6 very high | 13.0h |
| May | Excellent | 9° - 18° | 14° | 11 mm | mostly sunny | 82% | 4.9 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 14.0h |
| June | Excellent | 10° - 19° | 15° | 5 mm | mostly sunny | 82% | 4.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.5h |
| July | Excellent | 11° - 20° | 15° | 3 mm | mostly sunny | 83% | 4.4 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 14.2h |
| August | Excellent | 11° - 20° | 16° | 2 mm | mostly sunny | 83% | 4.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.4h |
| September | Excellent | 11° - 21° | 16° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 80% | 3.8 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.3h |
| October | Excellent | 10° - 20° | 15° | 37 mm | mostly sunny | 77% | 3.6 m/s | 1.0 high | 11.1h |
| November | Very Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 108 mm | mostly sunny | 78% | 3.6 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.1h |
| December | Good | 6° - 15° | 11° | 118 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.6h |
How to Get to Monterey, California
Monterey is served directly by Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) and by regional bus/shuttle links to the Bay Area. The city is compact and most visitors combine shuttles, local buses and walking; a rental car is useful for wider Peninsula or Big Sur trips.
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY): The closest commercial airport to Monterey city - 5-10 minutes by car to central Monterey. Options: rental cars and taxis/rideshares from arrivals (taxi fares to downtown commonly $12-$25, 10-15 minutes). Seasonal flight schedules vary so check connections.
San Francisco International (SFO) / San Jose (SJC): If flying into SFO or SJC, driving to Monterey takes roughly 2-2.5 hours (from SFO) or 1.5-2 hours (from SJC) depending on traffic. There are also coach services (e.g., Monterey Airbus, regional shuttles) from SFO/SJC to Monterey - fares typically $40-$60 and travel time about 2-3 hours.
Train: There is no direct Amtrak service into downtown Monterey. The nearest Amtrak station is in Salinas (Amtrak Thruway and Pacific Surfliner connections vary); from Salinas you can take Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) or a short taxi (~20-30 minutes).
Bus: Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) provides local bus services around Monterey County, including routes from Salinas and the airport area. Regional coach services and airport shuttles connect Monterey with the Bay Area and San Luis Obispo.
How to Get Around Monterey, California
Monterey is easy to reach via MRY for short transfers or by shuttle from the Bay Area; local travel works well by MST, bike or on foot. Rent a car if you plan to explore beyond the city along the coast.
- Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) taxi / rideshare ($12-$25) - Short, inexpensive rides to downtown Monterey - typically 10-15 minutes and about $12-$25. Good for quick transfers with luggage to nearby hotels and Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) ($1.50-$3.00) - Local bus network serving Monterey, Salinas, Carmel and nearby communities. MST is the main public option for getting around the county; routes and schedules are posted on the MST website. Buses are reliable for local trips and shore excursions.
- Coach / Shuttle from SFO/SJC (Monterey Airbus, regional shuttles) ($40-$60) - Convenient if you arrive at San Francisco or San Jose airports. Travel time about 2-3 hours depending on traffic; fares commonly $40-$60 one-way. Pre-booking is recommended during peak season.
- Rental car ($40-$90/day) - Recommended if you plan to drive scenic routes (17‑Mile Drive, Big Sur). Parking in central Monterey can be limited but is available; rental gives flexibility for day trips along the coast.
- Bicycle / e-bike ($10-$35/day) - Popular for short rides along the waterfront and around Cannery Row. Bike rentals are widely available and local routes are scenic, though some hills exist outside the immediate waterfront.
- Walking - Monterey’s main attractions (Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, Old Fisherman’s Wharf) are compact and very walkable. Walking is often the best way to explore downtown and coastal trails.
Where to Stay in Monterey, California
Budget
Cannery Row / Downtown - $60-140/night
Monterey offers hostels and modest motels near Cannery Row and downtown. Good value if you book outside peak summer weekends.
HI Monterey Hostel - Hostel near downtown and Cannery Row
Budget motels & guesthouses - Several affordable options around town
Mid-Range
Cannery Row / Fisherman’s Wharf - $180-320/night
Mid-range hotels line Cannery Row and the waterfront with comfortable rooms, on-site dining and easy aquarium access. Popular in summer and holidays.
InterContinental The Clement Monterey - Upscale waterfront mid-range feel
Monterey Bay Inn - Comfortable rooms with ocean views
Luxury
Cannery Row / Pebble Beach - $350+/night
Luxury stays include boutique waterfront hotels in Monterey and full-resort experiences at Pebble Beach. Expect premium service, sea views and higher seasonal pricing.
Spindrift Inn - Romantic rooms right on the water
The Inn at Spanish Bay (Pebble Beach) - Resort luxury a short drive away
Where to Eat in Monterey, California
Cannery Row & Wharf Seafood
Monterey’s menu emphasizes local catch-clam chowder, Dungeness crab and seasonal fish-served at family-run wharf restaurants and refined tasting rooms.
- The Sardine Factory - Iconic seafood dining near Cannery Row.
- Old Fisherman’s Grotto - Classic clam chowder and seafood plates.
- Passionfish (Pacific Grove) - Sustainable seafood, inventive preparations.
- Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar - Oceanfront dining with panoramic views.
Casual Breakfasts & Bakeries
Start days with coffee, fresh pastries and hearty breakfasts at neighborhood cafés before exploring the aquarium and coastal trails.
- LouLou’s Griddle In The Middle - Classic breakfast, friendly local spot.
- Local bakeries and cafés - Fresh pastries and morning bites.
- Casual cafés on Cannery Row - Sandwiches, coffee and harbor views.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Monterey, California’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Monterey, California
Monterey’s nightlife is relaxed and centered on waterfront restaurants, brewpubs and a handful of bars with live music. It’s not a high‑energy club scene, but evenings are enjoyable with seafood dining and casual drink spots.
Shopping in Monterey, California
Shopping in Monterey is focused on Cannery Row, Old Fisherman’s Wharf and downtown Monterey where galleries, souvenir shops, boutique clothing stores and marine‑themed retailers cluster. The aquarium’s shop is a popular stop for gifts and educational items. For larger department stores and chains, nearby Seaside and Salinas offer additional options.