A gentle stretch of California coast with a world-class aquarium
Monterey gives you the best of the California coast without the effort the scenery usually demands. The Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the finest anywhere, sits right on the water at the end of Cannery Row, the old sardine-canning street that John Steinbeck made famous. A flat, paved trail runs for miles along the bay, where sea otters and sea lions are part of the everyday view, and you can walk or simply sit and watch the water.
Just beyond town, the 17-Mile Drive loops through Pebble Beach with some of the most photographed coastline in the country, all enjoyed from the car. Carmel-by-the-Sea, a storybook village of cottages, galleries, and a historic mission, is 15 minutes away. The weather is mild all year, and the pace is unhurried, which is exactly why it suits a relaxed trip.
Two small things to know. The coast stays cool and often foggy, especially on summer mornings, so you will want a jacket even in July. And it is not a cheap destination, particularly in Carmel and Pebble Beach, though the aquarium, the coastal trail, and the views are worth it.
Older travelers love Monterey for the aquarium, the easy flat trail along the bay, the wildlife, and the drive-from-car scenery of the 17-Mile Drive. It is one of the gentler, more accessible stretches of the California coast. Just pack layers for the cool, foggy mornings.
The coast here is easy: a flat trail and a scenic drive
Much of what makes the Monterey Peninsula beautiful can be enjoyed with very little walking. The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is flat and paved, running right along the shoreline past the aquarium, Cannery Row, and the wharf, with benches and otters along the way. And the 17-Mile Drive delivers the dramatic Pebble Beach coastline entirely from the car. You do not need to hike to see the best of it.
Monterey stays cool, and summer mornings are often gray and damp with coastal fog that usually clears by midday. Even on a sunny afternoon the breeze off the bay is brisk. Bring a warm layer and a light windbreaker, and plan outdoor activities for the afternoon in summer, when the fog has lifted and the light is best. Fall, in September and October, is the sunniest and warmest time of year.
Where to Stay in Monterey: The Best Areas
The Best Things to Do in Monterey
The Best Day Trips from Monterey
- Big Sur, 30 minutes to the start. One of the most spectacular drives in the world heads south on Highway 1, past the iconic Bixby Bridge and rugged cliffs to the redwoods of Pfeiffer Big Sur. It is enjoyed from the car with frequent pull-offs, no hiking required. Sections of Highway 1 occasionally close for landslide repairs, so check current road conditions before you set out.
- Carmel Valley, 20 minutes. A sunny, sheltered valley inland from the coast, warmer than the foggy shore, with tasting rooms, gardens, and the village of Carmel Valley. A gentle, scenic outing and a good choice when the coast is gray.
- Hearst Castle, about 2 hours south. William Randolph Hearst's opulent hilltop mansion on the Central Coast, toured by guided bus from the visitor center. The tours involve some walking and stairs, but staff can advise on accessible options. A grand, memorable day, easily combined with the drive down the coast.
- Santa Cruz, 45 minutes. Across the bay, Santa Cruz has its classic beachside boardwalk, a pier, and a more casual, lively feel. An easy, fun change of pace, especially pleasant on a warm day.
- Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing, 25 minutes. A calm tidal estuary halfway to Santa Cruz, home to the largest gathering of sea otters in California, plus seals and hundreds of birds. Gentle pontoon-boat nature tours glide through the still water, an easy and delightful wildlife outing.
- Salinas and the Steinbeck Center, 25 minutes. Inland in the agricultural Salinas Valley, the National Steinbeck Center celebrates the Nobel-winning author who grew up here and set so many works on this coast. A worthwhile, accessible indoor stop for anyone who enjoyed Cannery Row.
The Best Time to Visit Monterey (Month by Month)
Monterey is mild all year, but the seasons differ more in sunshine than in temperature. Fall is the clear winner for weather, spring is lovely, summer brings fog, and winter is quiet with whales offshore.
September to October, the sunniest season
This is Monterey at its best. The summer fog has gone, the skies are clear and blue, and the days are at their warmest, which is still only the upper 60s and low 70s here. Crowds ease after Labor Day. If you want the finest weather, come now.
April to June, mild and fresh
Spring brings green hills, wildflowers, and pleasant, mild days, with fewer crowds than summer. Mornings can still be gray, but it is a lovely, lower-stress time to visit, and gray whales are still passing through into spring.
Summer (July to August), cool and often foggy
Summer is the busiest season, but the coast stays cool, and mornings are frequently gray with a marine layer that usually burns off by afternoon. It is comfortable rather than hot, so pack layers and plan outdoor time for later in the day. Book hotels and the aquarium well ahead.
Winter (December to February)
Winters are mild, green, and quiet, with the lowest rates of the year and the annual gray whale migration just offshore. Bring a warm layer and a rain jacket for the occasional storm, but a winter visit is peaceful and good value, with the monarch butterflies in Pacific Grove into February.
Getting to Monterey and Around the Peninsula
- Fly into San Jose or San Francisco. Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is small with limited flights, handy when it works. Most visitors fly into San Jose (SJC), about an hour and 15 minutes north, or San Francisco (SFO), about two hours, and drive down the coast or Highway 101.
- A car is useful. You will want a rental car for the 17-Mile Drive, Carmel, Point Lobos, and Big Sur. The drive into Monterey is easy, and parking is available at the main sights, though it fills on summer weekends, so arrive early.
- The free summer trolley. In summer and on some holidays, the MST trolley runs a free loop connecting downtown, Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, and the aquarium, which saves walking and parking. Check current dates and stops at your hotel.
- The waterfront is walkable. Once you are parked near Cannery Row or the wharf, the flat coastal trail links the main sights, so you can leave the car and stroll. Comfortable shoes and a jacket are all you need.
Insider advice for senior travelers in Monterey
- Always bring a jacket. The coast is cool and breezy year round, and summer mornings are often foggy. Layers and a light windbreaker keep you comfortable, and you can peel them off if the afternoon sun comes out.
- Buy aquarium tickets in advance. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is popular and uses timed entry. Book online before you go, especially in summer and on holidays, and arrive earlier in the day for a calmer visit.
- Know how the 17-Mile Drive works. There is a per-car fee at the gate, cash or card, and the loop is well signed with numbered stops. Allow a couple of hours with photo stops. If you have lunch or dinner at a Pebble Beach restaurant, the gate fee is often credited back.
- Wear shoes for uneven ground in Carmel. Carmel-by-the-Sea is charming but has sloped streets, uneven stone paths, and a steep walk down to the beach. Supportive shoes help, and you can enjoy the village without tackling the beach if the slope is too much.
- Match whale season to your visit. Gray whales pass in winter and spring, humpbacks and blue whales in summer and fall, so there is something most of the year. Morning trips tend to have calmer seas. Take a layer and, if you are prone to seasickness, a remedy.
- Budget for a pricey area. Monterey, and especially Carmel and Pebble Beach, runs expensive. You can keep costs down by staying in Pacific Grove or downtown, using the free trolley, and enjoying the aquarium, the coastal trail, and the drives, which deliver the most for the money.
Aggregated reviews from across the web
Our Review Finder checked TripAdvisor, US News Travel, AARP Travel, Road Scholar reviews, and senior travel forums to summarize what travelers over 50 say about Monterey.
Monterey Itinerary: 4 Days at the Perfect Pace
Because mornings can be foggy, save the big outdoor drives and viewpoints for the afternoon when the sun is out, and use the cooler mornings for the aquarium and indoor stops. Keep the days gentle, with the flat coastal trail always there for a stroll.
Day 1, arrival and the waterfront
Settle in near Cannery Row. Take an easy stroll along the coastal trail, watch the otters, and have an early seafood dinner on the water. A relaxed start while you get your bearings.
Day 2, the aquarium and the wharf
Spend the morning at the Monterey Bay Aquarium with a timed ticket, then lunch on Cannery Row. In the afternoon, head to Fisherman's Wharf for a whale-watching trip or a harbor stroll. Dinner downtown.
Day 3, the 17-Mile Drive and Carmel
Drive the 17-Mile Drive in the late morning, stopping at the Lone Cypress and Bird Rock, then continue to Carmel-by-the-Sea for lunch, the galleries, and the mission. An easy, scenic day, mostly from the car and on foot in the village.
Day 4, Point Lobos or Big Sur
Choose a gentle morning at Point Lobos, with its short coastal paths, or a scenic drive south into Big Sur to the Bixby Bridge and back. Confirm Highway 1 conditions first. Return for a final dinner on the bay.
Flying to Monterey: The Closest Airports
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) sits just minutes from town with a handful of regional flights, which is the easiest option when the schedule and price line up. For more choice, most visitors fly into San Jose (SJC), about an hour and 15 minutes north, or San Francisco (SFO), about two hours away, and drive down through the coastal hills or along Highway 101.
The drive in is straightforward, and a rental car is worth having for the 17-Mile Drive, Carmel, Point Lobos, and Big Sur. Once you are settled near the waterfront, the flat coastal trail and the summer trolley cover the main sights without driving.
For a longer California coast trip, Monterey pairs naturally with a drive south into Big Sur and the Central Coast, or north to Santa Cruz and San Francisco.
Gear seniors actually use on this trip
Senior-tested travel essentials from our packing list above. View deals on items that are most commonly packed for this destination.