Monterey has a rhythm all its own. It's not just the ocean air or the sea otters or the cliffs that seem to lean into the Pacific—it’s the way everything here asks you to notice. A little more slowly. A little more deeply. As I walked its historic paths, wandered through tide pools and museums, and paused at overlooks that silenced conversation, I kept thinking, “This is the kind of place that softens you.” Not in a fleeting way—but in a way that stays.
Best Things to Do in Monterey, CA
Wandering the depths at Monterey Bay Aquarium
The moment I stepped into the kelp forest exhibit, everything slowed. Light filtered through the water like stained glass, and sea creatures moved with a calm that felt contagious. At one point, I just stood there and thought, “This is what wonder feels like.”
What I Loved Most: Watching a sea turtle glide past a school of sardines, the world on the other side of the glass moving like a dream.
My highlight? A post-visit lunch at Fish Hopper on Cannery Row—clam chowder in a sourdough bowl with a view of sea otters bobbing just offshore. Warm, salty, and unforgettable.
Monterey Bay Aquarium At a Glance
- Cost: $59.95 adults; discounts available
- Vibe: Immersive, educational, inspiring
- Highlights: Kelp forest, sea otters, jellyfish, deep sea exhibits
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings
- Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
- Address: 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
Letting art breathe at Monterey Museum of Art
There was something grounding about the Monterey Museum of Art. It didn’t overwhelm—it invited. Intimate galleries, quiet corners, and a collection that felt personal and thoughtful. I caught myself thinking, “Art doesn’t have to shout to stay with you.”
What I Loved Most: A black-and-white Ansel Adams photograph that held more emotion than I expected. I lingered longer than I meant to.
My highlight? A lavender latte and almond croissant from Parker-Lusseau Pastries just a few blocks away. Soft, buttery, and exactly right after time spent among brushstrokes and light.
Monterey Museum of Art At a Glance
- Cost: $15 general admission
- Vibe: Quiet, curated, classic coastal
- Highlights: California painters, photography, rotating exhibits
- Best Time to Visit: Early afternoon for calm, uncrowded galleries
- Hours: Thurs–Sun, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Address: 559 Pacific St, Monterey, CA 93940
Walking through memory on Cannery Row
Cannery Row was more than I expected. Yes, it was touristy, but under all the shops and smells of saltwater taffy, there was history in the bones of the buildings. I remember thinking, “This is what it looks like when a place reinvents itself but still remembers where it came from.”
What I Loved Most: Reading Steinbeck quotes on weathered plaques and looking out over the same water he once wrote about—it felt like a small literary pilgrimage.
My highlight? Fried calamari and a local beer at Chart House, with waves crashing beneath the deck and fog rolling in. Moody in the best way.
Cannery Row At a Glance
- Cost: Free to explore; parking fees apply
- Vibe: Historic, lively, oceanfront
- Highlights: Waterfront shops, restaurants, literary landmarks
- Best Time to Visit: Early evening for soft light and fewer crowds
- Hours: Open daily
- Address: Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
Standing at the edge of the sea at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Looking out at the marine sanctuary from the shore, it felt like I was witnessing something ancient and alive—something still unfolding. The water stretched wide and unknowable. Without even meaning to, I found myself thinking, “There’s so much happening beneath the surface, and I’ll never see it all.”
What I Loved Most: Watching harbor seals sunbathe on the rocks while waves curled in like breath after breath.
My highlight? A simple sea-salted caramel gelato from Gusto, eaten while leaning on a railing with the wind in my hair and a seagull eyeing every bite.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary At a Glance
- Cost: Free (no admission to view)
- Vibe: Wild, powerful, reverent
- Highlights: Wildlife viewing, kayaking, coastal viewpoints
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring and summer for visibility and marine life
- Hours: Open 24/7 from the shore
- Address: Coastal access via Cannery Row and Pacific Grove
Biking the coast on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail
Riding the trail along the bay felt like freedom. With the scent of sea air and the sound of waves on one side, and cypress trees leaning overhead, the miles slipped by almost without me noticing. I remember thinking, “Every city should have something like this.”
What I Loved Most: Stopping often—sometimes for sea otters, sometimes for just a view I didn’t want to ride past too quickly.
My highlight? A sandwich from Sea Harvest—grilled halibut with lemon aioli—packed to go and eaten on a bench with a view of the harbor.
Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail At a Glance
- Cost: Free
- Vibe: Breezy, scenic, effortless
- Highlights: Bike-friendly path, ocean views, easy access points
- Best Time to Visit: Morning for light and quiet
- Hours: Open 24/7
- Address: Trailhead near Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA
Relaxing in Monterey State Historic Park
Wandering around the adobe buildings and gardens of Monterey State Historic Park felt like slipping into a quieter century. The city’s roots were right there in the creak of wood floors and stories told by guides in period dress. What surprised me most was how personal it all felt—like I was being let in on something locals had known forever.
What I Loved Most: A peaceful stroll through Custom House Plaza, where the sea breeze met the scent of old wood and blooming rosemary.
My highlight? A garden-side latte and lemon scone from Cafe Lumiere afterward. Light, quiet, and a perfect way to let the history linger.
Monterey State Historic Park At a Glance
- Cost: Free to walk through; guided tours available
- Vibe: Historic, peaceful, layered
- Highlights: Custom House, Pacific House Museum, gardens
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning for light and access
- Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wed–Sun (some buildings vary)
- Address: 20 Custom House Plaza, Monterey, CA 93940
Conclusion: Monterey, Felt in the Quiet Moments
What I carried home from Monterey wasn’t just photos of sea life or notes from a coastal trail. It was the feeling of sunlight on a bench in the early afternoon, the hush of kelp forests behind glass, the soft clink of silverware after a long walk. It’s a place that doesn’t push—it simply offers. Beauty, depth, and space to reconnect with something slower and more meaningful. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.