Located on California’s Central Coast, Monterey is world-renowned for its natural beauty and ocean views. Whether you’re a Big Little Lies fan, or you get stationed at the Defense Language Institute or Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey is a great place to be stationed or to visit.
If you go for a week or a weekend, here are some of the must-see spots in the area. Be forewarned, Monterey isn’t what you might imagine when you think of a California beach town. It’s often a little overcast and temperatures run in the mid-60s. Bottom line: if you pack a bathing suit, you might not use it. Still, it’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth with visitors who keep coming back.
1. Stay at the Naval Postgraduate School/Hotel Del Monte
Before it was the Naval Postgraduate School, Herrmann Hall was Hotel Del Monte, playground to the rich and famous with visitors including Bob Hope, Charlie Chaplin, Amelia Earhart, Walt Disney, Clark Gable, and more. Now it’s run through the DoD, and you can make reservations online. The building is stunning with high ceilings and a huge ballroom that still hosts banquets and events. While staying there, be sure to grab a drink at the Trident Room where students and staff have mugs dangling from hooks and then walk out into a beautiful rose garden. The rooms are a little dated, but it’s a neat spot and generally less expensive than most of the rest of Monterey.
2. Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is famous across the globe for good reason. It’s home to a variety of sea life and looks out on the water. There’s even a room dedicated to jellyfish. Watch sea otters swim, get a view of a kelp forest, and see giant sunfish swim around for a delightful afternoon at any age.
The aquarium building itself is an old canning facility at the end of Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck. Before or after you visit the aquarium, take a stroll through the famous street and visit some local shops and eateries.
3. Explore 17 Mile Drive
This iconic drive is a hop-skip-and-jump away from Monterey in Pebble Beach. There’s a $12 entrance fee, and once you’re in, you can follow the red-dotted line through what truly feels like an enchanted forest. You’ll also get some ocean and cliff views and pass world-renowned golf courses. Note that there are no motorcycles allowed.
4. Taste Local Wines
Monterey County is huge – more than double the size of Rhode Island – and home to many agricultural endeavors, including a bevy of vineyards. Monterey proper has several tasting rooms on Cannery Row and nearby. You can also head a little way south to Carmel-by-the-Sea for even more wineries to choose from. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, drive out to Carmel Valley, a quaint inland town with great wines and warmer temperatures.
5. Check out Lovers Point Beach
According to lore, this beach was originally called “Lovers of Jesus Point” by locals, and the name evolved to simply Lovers Point Beach. This beach and park are just south of Monterey in Pacific Grove. Lovers Point Beach tends to be a little sunnier than Monterey, but it’s not necessarily much warmer. It’s a beautiful spot with a nice grassy area to play lawn games or have a picnic.
6. Take a Hike
Monterey is a dream for outdoor enthusiasts. There are several popular hiking trails in Monterey and nearby areas. Point Lobos Natural State Reserve has a particularly pretty trail oceanside that’s good for most activity levels. Garland Ranch Regional Park is another fun area with trails that offer views of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Lastly, Jacks Peak Park in Monterey has some easy strolls and water views. There are more difficult hikes farther south in Big Sur or inland past Carmel Valley. For the casual hiker, these parks are a good place to start.
7. Drive to the Bixby Bridge
If you did watch Big Little Lies, you saw plenty of shots of the Bixby Bridge. Even if you didn’t watch the show, you’ve probably seen this bridge in countless car commercials over the years. It’s about an hour south of Monterey along the coast, and the drive alone is worth it. The highway hugs the coastline and has several scenic pull outs. Once you cross the bridge and get into Big Sur, there are some fun shops and the Henry Miller Memorial Library to check out.