8 Compelling Reasons to Visit Monterey County Today

From iconic coastal drives to world-class wines, discover why Monterey County is a must-visit destination. Plan your trip now.

1) 99 Miles of Breathtaking Coastline

https://www.flickr.com/photos/caroline_gray/14541256046/in/photolist-o9XJP9-aCtzo4-6bvcdj-jaLSDA-7tsFPZ-cixsEo-9rd7hF-9npHMR-6FVMPr-qAeECt-7k47XX-9mU3kS-kdUtKe-87YjmK-9pbZns-o7A33U-mjV3Z-7tsFNV-deWj1t-9qT6u5-7tsFNp-jHMWkY-8ADDr4-j88grz-9jTu4Z-8HNsiY-aWySmR-qvq3z3-9irHuo-zBory-dcZ6gL-nmq6t9-7jUL99-8M6NTr-jrYmuV-bHdtgx-9wCdk9-aDU3yz-9U5VAK-T4Mdc-7twE5j-gsU8vh-6WmboJ-qKHJJq-zD9nju-7tsFMg-9pWCFj-fhpx7-6bNpHd-dQxnx6

Flickr/Caroline Gray

And Dramatic Ocean Scenes Like These

Flickr/Dan K

Plus Iconic Coastal Vistas

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamiemjennings/2823075234/in/photolist-5isZUW-6v7XTC-6f5CLf-7VHFnQ-65nM27-6RMhMr-7hib4f-69vzeR-arJULE-9oQsL9-61T45g-6aHCZ8-aDJwJC-62br5v-9exZPe-8Smgop-9AvFVv-62o2Wk-6i93hq-6gY1uX-6jajtf-9ujCBr-8v9eeF-7dtEHZ-mpASCm-7vNrAo-afJpBw-8uXfuL-7AB8Eu-7vsAVz-7ms7vW-8wMHaj-8wJJEt-7dxwYo-9dmbkb-bUJkrm-qEbtMt-69MEtu-9wBGSD-61LwjR-9nxyem-9haQCh-o9XJP9-aCtzo4-6bvcdj-jaLSDA-7tsFPZ-cixsEo-9rd7hF-9npHMR Flickr/Jamie Jennings

2) Abundant Marine Life in Monterey Bay

With the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the bay itself, and direct Pacific Ocean access, spot sea otters, seals, and more.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/janitors/15174545093/in/photolist-p7VvzP-pMiggR-pMihoF-pMigvP-p7SSBf-pMeUyr-q2yWM9-p7VvuZ-pMjW1q-q2yYAQ-pMh4b1-pMjYpU-p86Hah-pJPpRF-qDik8C-pMmkSG-p7Uhz3-cKLZr-p5FHW6-fnpjxk-cKMGs-p5FEgb-cKMbo-pk8SPu-q4w5en-p5EEXz-cKM2V-ppyuWM-fo1rxf-cHJtm-pnaXnF-6H8Rgr-p5FSTe-7i6rhu-rZwdY-pMh48A-pMeUbn-pMh3UE-qrBJ3e-pMjWFd-a1Azs-qFvNJj-qp2TnN-5vjBxp-9y7WZZ-qFqqnz-4cK426-oUcj4K-a1Azv-6QGi4h Flickr/Karlis Dambrans

Seals and Sea Lions Abound

https://www.flickr.com/photos/innereye/17192580198/in/photolist-scft7w-nizJCT-6UftMD-orAg8X-hPbhQ-p6Hbx7-bvo4Mj-aMEMM2-o3NQyr-vQUQPk-pTbfnh-fNfjah-oQE4rc-do2Jvh-6dXQHC-wsuXGG-sgoFMm-sjaiQe-sBJA1w-oKu3cW-nuz16c-x99r7R-4QpuW4-6eJFFG-efsXeD-ssK3vn-8j15c3-avkRPw-78WLnw-7iYWy-6eEuJX-7iYWx-6eEvhM-6eJEyh-6eEvQM-6eJF5d-6eJGrh-dep4ay-6dTGQr-wtCzuq-wr8NJF-wsuY1h-dkBeCs-sArxHE-dn166p-vSQPjx-neLqUt-7iYWw-6UfuhD-797H2u Flickr/John C. Bruckman Flickr/Tory Kallman

Winter Whale Watching Season

During migration from December to April, join a whale-watching cruise or fishing boat for unparalleled ocean experiences.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/29319103@N03/18344683558/in/photolist-tX4iiy-rDBmgU-7hNjPL-9j1LPp-qTRXRr-ry5a4u-sArtLw-ssKoDP-srxZNm-rwQkxA-znGx5V-xZU3Wj-9uVVJg-8h13ce-ss7m4N-vRQR2Y-xbJs4E-if1u2N-xnZZ7c-xr2qmG-pcHtLM-nsw4pd-ngh1ey-7JtgWU-pcqPVA-scov3R-v98egt-dfZNkr-scft7w-nizJCT-6UftMD-orAg8X-hPbhQ-p6Hbx7-bvo4Mj-aMEMM2-o3NQyr-vQUQPk-pTbfnh-fNfjah-oQE4rc-do2Jvh-6dXQHC-wsuXGG-sgoFMm-sjaiQe-sBJA1w-oKu3cW-nuz16c-x99r7R Flickr/Vanessa Carney

3) Pristine Beaches and Activities

Spectacular Sunsets

https://www.flickr.com/photos/d10b/9658462976/in/photolist-fHu9xJ-juttir-q55BkC-ok2oEA-p8abB1-qqCuSJ-aDhKuu-6nuu4A-ytM8LU-mhtgcN-fvKgdq-qKcezK-npHN5t-x85Euf-pFyJHk-qmnav-2Wp6SR-8X2eHy-ovQ37g-nNR66R-onjS1D-dqCccX-ooF1ow-seS6zy-nbdYVi-mKeCXM-r4t4Qe-kVskap-83hrs-qnPYHd-rTcoqc-r2Nzwx-oKkvS7-o5Lx67-qbttW9-a6KeMF-qdKaS9-y9JKci-pEY8CP-rAb4c7-nTKnAW-xmwSLs-pvcENS-rS8P93-kc2ChV-kt3pPk-aZubuB-mZNqdZ-rWoYUi-9uovdr Flickr/Othman Al-Zanki

World-Class Surfing

https://www.flickr.com/photos/architectgja/11431045053/in/photolist-iq86rF-ryS9NW-rjAozU-v8LJGo-s7rkXS-uRQMzT-v6ruTV-rQS8FF-sb385V-sb44BF-refRSc-sBiYKE-sERGTw-rTzZ34-suG9Hj-scKTxu-rTtFcs-suSG3H-rSJUhJ-rJbrne-soqxHb-tLu3uQ-tPqc2u-tNTntD-sabzUg-tRHsSF-tzahJQ-tziJng-trCoeH-suSxuR-sEZmci-iRLrdR-qVPYbY-qW2KKF-rQyG9b-rSHTN9-rSPYVV-qVQoA9-qW3wea-rSPqxD-rQx6nQ-rAntUk-rSRpKT-ryvRBH-qW3v6t-qW2ZBP-tKNSDv-tJJapk-tsamRi-tt6kXA Flickr/Ed

Shell and Sea Glass Hunting

https://www.flickr.com/photos/catklein/9122255580/in/photolist-eU6WLC-duJJCu-wUWpvj-7KNM58-4MnTPY-ar85Jj-jTu2mK-oXmpUU-oZ7RKH-oGTGHq-oZohAP-rY2fx8-jTvz15-y3uoQ-e4qeG-e4qdz-e4qe6-aCuWMw-81Jpc1-8rT3W-4AeMh2-7wMttR-ak1zqg-7wMtGt-oXmqA3-xpqDS-8XMCCh-8XMCD7-5hB7Dw-5G2GUC-8VGgwY-7wQM4f-7wQLVm-7wLZ8n-7wQLNy-7wQMfd-7wQLFA-7wLYmp-7wQMm7-7wLZtF-7wQLA7-48GbA1-e2E388-7x3szj-46Nqoz-pQW46c-oXmqR3-5f7h3t-4n9F7i-7RZHRp Flickr/Cat Klein

Monterey's warm season runs from July to mid-October with average highs above 67°F. Winter visits (December-April) are cooler but rarely below 40°F.

Hidden Gems Like Secret Beaches

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kptripathi/15961455035/in/photolist-qjsCuB-9ZNAyX-8popKC-cw5XVu-cw6z1o-cw6imd-bPJDkX-cw6d6u-7mPJLy-u9tb6V-bqQ4zv-9j2tSv-986UX4-892UZB-d6M5i3-4CvYcE-896am5-bghNpn-poUZqA-pp5AA7-oZKC39-bEdroE-q4pc2H-3bdWm-dFQN2m-bT8968-f6zmxf-aG5Vap-f5j9SG-5D4c2n-9UWnQi-5stLGy-gmsTHT-5TzZxu-cTt2M5-aG63iM-9UWnAx-i5USoA-kyMPoY-dx1nHR-jYEw8J-5TzZwj-bNeShZ-f54Urn-79bUNZ-uVfp6a-buNVHv-6mNXGK-aG5S7Z-aG5Vtp Flickr/KP Tripathi

Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur features lavender sand and dramatic sunsets. Access via unmarked Sycamore Canyon Road, 0.25 miles south of Sur Station. Note strong tides—swim elsewhere.

4) Over 85 Wineries Producing Premier Varietals

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sergiomore/5566366058/in/photolist-9tT5GA-h98Pmt-ntjDQC-nbN3GG-tVs3Bd-ogLTax-5pn272-hLNUJP-9ksywn-dNTeVH-zgFFm5-dhyBLC-aXsr1x-odZVSy-prep2w-oLgoP6-qbYsKS-8DzMU3-2Gzdw-8DzMWo-8DwFL4-8DzMuA-bF7quk-8DzMfY-ciwL1o-jBdWFP-jkZ1Ei-hoFVS6-79nK17-dMTFaP-5oWMuJ-9kW2qx-5j6SAk-ecUbvd-bctnFB-nAPaaP-8GpzLo-rHz973-bkVWEi-7qjbkg-6N4S7d-jBfr87-dCSRTS-5egq2z-6Dcq26-6DgxW1-6DcpLM-6DgxZY-kU6qDa-69VmJk Flickr/Sergio

Sip Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Amid Stunning Views

https://www.flickr.com/photos/billselak/2775549027/in/photolist-5egq2z-6Dcq26-6DgxW1-6DcpLM-6DgxZY-kU6qDa-69VmJk-cUWi9Q-zAfT2V-ynsS2S-nGGqvt-ynsUDq-nEGY4E-9D3ah3-noqJ8M-7HKkZC-6t496M-bizVe6-8Kyxm-5uhcHG-5uhy75-aoPZX4-rmTcR6-rL68Q5-93Yx9M-pcGfvw-d9FzPx-hc57Vq-hc4Cb1-8KzWe-6P7jaQ-6P3ari-6P7jah-69VmKV-8Dkgob-8DkgpY-8Dhan4-ynsNNs-xrv5wT-cGsPBW-8Dkgr3-yhsfKB-aPgDTa-aPgABt-aPgykx-aPgq32-aPgmNk-aPgBQe-aPgoGa-MkVFh Flickr/Bill Selak

Or Vineyard Landscapes Like This

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15511924@N03/14852015880/in/photolist-oCqsTj-u4Byry-t88MK8-tMoqw3-3EGX3y-d9feF-4obCbZ-5Uys4r-7AFPKW-tMwJx8-gaDNsr-5r1BkX-c9xS3b-58ZsEE-a1S5T1-roWtaF-5qD5m7-bYwtPo-7xtkrR-qJoPiU-rFiSs6-u58KZH-7bZnWG-6wLDS5-7veqH7-roPyES-81NBuL-oJhWra-rn5d66-81NBkJ-qJoRhU-rFiWyH-rD83UN-roQ1LQ-roX6UH-ur6hiJ-usZGh1-twoPXC-ubXJaM-twyUQ2-twyVtX-ubQ3uu-ubQ1bb-ubQ3Rb-ur6gYq-usZEgh-abAEgK-5qD39J-7kFqVP-4sU7xy Flickr/Rod Heywood

Monterey County, boosted by the "Blue Grand Canyon" underwater feature, produces 42 wine varieties. Cooler fog-moderated climates yield diverse, high-quality grapes.

5) World-Class State Parks and Reserves

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, dubbed the "crown jewel of California's State Park System" by Lonely Planet, offers rugged terrain and beaches. Entry: $10/car off Highway 1, 3 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Spot sea otters, lions, seals, and wildlife.

Stunning Point Lobos Views

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kirklougheed/12628188923/in/photolist-keULBe-bp3V3D-9sPN4Q-iS7Jco-vjLsT6-iKFJTM-79yeDY-cx8w4y-2tzT-yizE3Y-mJanwk-8QmshK-3HQnZ1-7TbgPG-pmiSx-dRJRii-6iXABJ-8259Dq-5Rg5Va-dmnW9C-7KBd8C-mzd5po-oL4f6v-pk8pdo-pFyJHk-9gGqg1-6fR213-iyG6mN-dwSpak-cZdfvQ-beKHTe-bxYn45-mJbZbA-pzHyL5-gxBcmB-c7tNDE-qEkbCJ-5UBdiM-oBcZnG-6Yjhzb-6Yfgyr-9atDo1-69YmVG-aK5Hwr-pR2eG3-5SB98i-p787MT-5XnMGp-52qwP-626TDw Flickr/Kirk Lougheed

Prime Sea Otter Spotting

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eliya/2839029124/in/photolist-5jSLs1-4PDaSQ-31NpmL-wUWpvj-fDh7Lp-9BNebZ-iYUYgz-7zMbV6-9LnCXi-4uPCzP-aEwXPd-4uTGr5-f9HXNo-5jSLAs-6yR7VY-4uPCx2-4uPCyi-gA9WxF-5zQYK3-d9JVH3-d9JVNB-4uTGaj-4uPCBt-4YEDpw-uc4M5J-qJ1ZUK-rBgz4U-yxmbow-wTmQpL-qJ2116-qFTRNL-s6sYaz-snKZBf-wUWpEh-s6jY9C-d9JW3Y-opzgs-4uNWd2-93qNNz-5PieuB-6S644u-7AFb22-frTyfV-cyYhjY-gA9xVj-gA9Xgz-DEn9v-52M4Zj-4uNZKX-bJB7sc Flickr/Eliya Flickr/Michael Yang Photography Flickr/Jared Hughey

Big Sur Redwoods and Trails

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lonecypress/2560779266/in/photolist-bzEjtH-986UX4-cEspUf-9JSa8n-babDv6-aRyu7n-dWNBcR-8WyhXb-8JcBhE-adPGWy-dGzY7P-9sNo8M-o52d3C-jW2AXZ-6ZebBS-dXgAFp-a3UQpU-abyVYd-f6Lrj7-dUmXkq-arin2Y-6wFKGq-dn4vag-amyZze-agVtPu-pBhNEJ-8AtceM-aacLj8-776kYe-agDesd-nT5fXb-fxKd6D-bmBQpN-dWUfo3-9UQtCk-8CVFgc-aLu2Nz-b6vuag-ppBS1E-dm6jvV-9n1yGp-jdRcyv-iMoBWn-a7yTj6-9kS4rU-g9pBXS-dT3C1Y-9f4xaG-g47F6D-4UhEsE Flickr/TLC Fotografie Flickr/Dare*2*Dream

Majestic Waterfalls

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ugnzlz/19054817878/in/photolist-v2NVuJ-gxUHt-f5wZ4X-gxXcw-aDU3yz-bLakQv-pG14ab-bxfCFh-fJSFV-cRa8ww-9d7kig-bLaktz-dbeW9o-qbd8UC-f7jsib-ekVXk7-bJhW3Z-gueBhL-bJgB9D-eNTUKU-GDGAM-qGhygF-8dtERw-psFcH6-gYu9kt-86jSme-byfFjP-9PGTui-nsxuab-mnDMQw-ksX5p7-dwFnyA-nP5MxN-eegEfP-qf6R5P-nbkPQ4-49RB9W-9i3CPU-aLu2Nz-viePfr-ufPrFa-9sANGu-uSLMq-d9GGpL-ceLid1-2iZd7E-gYu9cx-fzgLVJ-a4m8xX-ddUk2n Flickr/UGnzlz

Endless Scenic Trails

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ronkroetz/9141312352/in/photolist-eVMBFE-eVAcot-5iZbv2-h25uC-5gNv3C-5j4tDj-5gJapK-5gJb6t-5gJaCV-5gNuKY-5gNvu9-5gJamp-5gNvah-5gJadx-5gNveG-5gNuVU-5gJarK-5gJaET-5gNvwh-5gJazF-5gNvrh-5gNuX3-5gNvsd-5gJaMM-5gNvqG-5gNuZf-5gNuU5-5gNvbG-5gJaDK-5gJaiM-5gJaGM-5gNvfL-5gNuNY-5iZaR6-5iZaBe-5iZbgz-5iZaux-5iZb7n-5iZbCc-5iZbpH-53yKkU-h25D9-h25yq-d3TXxS-AB3f6-AB3gE-aTyAJ6-qHX6K1-7vwRTu-9KwNZF Flickr/Ron Kroetz

26 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, Big Sur features ancient redwoods, diverse wildlife, and extensive hiking trails.

6) Charming Coastal Towns

Carmel-by-the-Sea

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougstocks/5966511924/in/photolist-a6eW8f-7hBnPu-ukQCvG-7sZ5NE-ahAcyE-5fsCR9-afXRzz-a1S2wr-ahAcfU-ahxrea-8yG2YJ-8nA3s8-8zqnzo-rsRAyM-eJqYSx-8nDaXf-r9DMVT-eJx3yW-8oCB8n-eJx2dJ-8nDaPo-c3vFaf-8nA2Zn-8nDbB3-8nA3zg-8nA38r-8nA2Xp-8mJcZj-8nDb6h-8mF5Ax-8nDb8W-8nA3pk-8nA3eK-8yCWCe-afPR6y-7sZ5AU-afM4Yg-ahxr6x-7sZird-agfVKV-agiFho-ag1AVf-ag1Bvo-ag1BaJ-ag1AYY-afXRSX-7ztxdi-8mJcSu-8ewBL8-cRCHqu Flickr/Doug Stocks Flickr/WanderingYew2

Monterey

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sammers05/4922034609/in/photolist-8uWHpF-oDe16p-8aDtbj-8WW4QS-wSGnoe-8iBHKJ-oqpCMw-nQMLzq-fe68nh-omRYcA-bs73rJ-qs76do-9xWpYu-9yqUCi-56QxMu-iupQCf-9yHFAh-arBCZC-y9KwR2-mo9aK-zLoxP-xjruXb-oDe1Ng-kx755N-xyJng9-dUtjJg-9YVtfF-6b8Tt2-bDn3i-bY3TvC-9rBcys-aomaXH-4Eiq8Y-mGX4kv-yL31b7-ePGHSN-y6BNB5-9xWpXw-ccubmE-7o9ZNC-xjroTQ-xBEk6T-eMRJJ8-ezAycG-wSxdWs-a73Fd3-xAe5PJ-D1Knc-9n1Xxz-xjxNEV Flickr/Samantha Decker Flickr/PhotoDingo Flickr/Dave Toussaint

7) Luxurious Accommodations

Stay at quaint hotels and B&Bs, including family-friendly options.

Carmel Valley Ranch

This 4-Diamond resort spans 500 acres in the Santa Lucia foothills, offering beekeeping, golf, and more.

Pine Inn

Carmel's first hotel (1889), a 4-star favorite praised by Fodor's for its historic elegance.

8) Exclusive Hotel Deals Await

https://www.flickr.com/photos/72566665@N00/2295225433/in/photolist-4uPCyi-5n3Zhb-4mKq1-pqLsJi-SvJG1-tRX4Ev-dpCym-krE1ct-7mELgc-4eUgsz-qzUyJ-6x3jkt-6x3jfT-6x7ukS-arBbTC-8aqdjG-7ZCvv9-7ZCvcL-p2ZQoa-p3g6yp-p3g9gt-6q3Npk-AWGzx-AWGyp-gA9Xgz-gA92ZA-4Hgrt5-uBUJ8K-gA9xVj-p2ZSiH-p2ZN5T-p2ZRaF-oKM48M-oKLpPG-oKLMok-oKLDef-oKLMud-p1e7MU-oKLhKS-oKLHAS-oKLTrT-p3dXHW-p3g7W4-p3e5m5-oKLDBS-p3gh3k-oKLPVf-p2ZwnF-oKLQzb-p1e8pW Flickr/KrustyKreme

Book Now and Start Your Adventure