Road Trip to Monterey County Full of Beauty and Surprises

There is so much to do in Monterey County, and it is one of our family’s favorite places to vacation. We have been to Monterey County several times recently and the whole family had a blast exploring this widely diverse area of Central California. From the blue, blue ocean to the postcard-perfect mountains, sugary sand dunes and towering redwood trees, a road trip to Monterey County is just the ticket for a family escape.

Why Road Trip to Monterey County?

Many seasoned travelers suggest a road trip to Monterey County is the best way to enjoy this region. The main reason is because the area is so diverse. Visitors can enjoy many vacation experiences all wrapped into one destination. Plus with a car to explore the area, families can take their time and enjoy the journey. All the little stops along the way can bring some of the best new discoveries.

For those not living within driving distance, visitors can fly directly into Monterey County Airport from a number of destinations across the US. A small airport with rental car facilities directly onsite, the transition to road travel is quick and easy.

Plan Your Road Trip to Monterey County

While planning a road trip to to the Central Coast of California, have a look at this guide to the best hotels in Monterey County. Among this list can be found recommendations for many different tastes and budgets.

Top Sights in Monterey County for Families

After traveling to Monterey County many times with my family in tow, I’ve created a hit list of our top favorites to help guide itinerary planning. By no means is this exhaustive, but we did accommodate a variety of interests for the entire family. Let the road trip to Monterey County begin!

Shop and Dine in Cannery Row

Made famous the world over by John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name, Cannery Row has deep historic roots. What began as fishing docks and sardine canneries in the early 1900s is now a bustling visitor destination. This history lends charm to the waterfront buildings, many of which date back to those early canning roots. Now the area is occupied by seafood restaurants, colorful shops, art galleries, and many quirky businesses worth a duck into.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

At the foot of Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium sits oceanfront and ready to welcome guests to its underwater magic. This facility is widely recognized as one of the best aquariums in the world. It features many different displays of sea life, overwhelming in their beauty and grandeur.

Guests can stand for hours watching pulsating jellyfish make their way through their tank waters. Several dozen beautifully arranged tanks are filled with colorful fish from around the world. According to statistics supplied by the Aquarium, the tanks contain more than 2.3 million gallons of water. There are more than 35,000 creatures on display, representing some 550 species. The enormous 3-story kelp bed tank is mesmerizing, encompassing nearly 345,000 gallons of seawater. Twenty-eight-foot kelp fronds sway slowly in the waves, while fish lazily swim through the branches.

Kayak with Sea Otters on Monterey Bay

To get up close and personal with some of the sea life, kayaks are available for rent to paddle through Monterey Bay. On a recent visit, our group paddled out from the harbor with a guide, weaving among the moored boats along the wharf and out to the breakfront. Along the way, starfish and sea anemones can be seen latched onto piers and rocks on the shoreline. Among a group of anchored boats, a mother sea otter and her baby float on their backs in the sun.

For those visitors taken by the cuteness factor of local otters, there are many opportunities to purchase a stuffed version to bring home as a keepsake.

Out farther along the breakfront rocks, hundreds of sea lions lazily perch in the sun. Their bellows are surprisingly loud, particular at this close proximity since they can often be heard from hotel rooms blocks away from the waterfront. For details about this amazing experience, view the guided kayak tours at Adventures by the Sea.

Hike Among the Redwoods in Big Sur

If a land-based experience sounds more comfortable, no road trip to Monterey County is complete without a drive down Highway 1 to Big Sur. These are the views that thousands of visitors stop to photograph in landscapes and selfies. The views here have been painted and photographed so many times by some of the world’s top artists, and they’ve made Big Sur famous. These are views that will take the breath away from visitors and bring tears to their eyes.

Within close proximity, Big Sur is less than an hour’s drive from downtown Monterey. A winding two-lane road brings cars into the middle of towering redwoods and thickets of ferns and wildflowers. Check out a list of hiking trails in Big Sur here.

Take in the Beauty at Point Lobos State Nature Preserve

Situated between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur sits Point Lobos State Nature Preserve. Nestled along the rocky coastline, Point Lobos is a generous natural habitat filled with flora and fauna of all kinds. The walking trails are easy for even the smallest kids, and there is plenty to see and do. If the beach is calling, there are several ways to walk down to the sand and oceanfront. To view a variety of sea mammals, numerous clifftop spots are sprinkled throughout the 1,300-acres for watching sea lions, playful otters, nesting birds, and sometimes whales.

Families often bring picnic lunches, stopping at one of several rustic spots to relax near the ocean. After the meal,  poke around the rocks and peer into tide pools teeming with marine life. (Please remember to look but don’t touch.) The sea breeze, warm sunshine and salt air make for a great combination to feel and enjoy the great outdoors here.

Where to Eat in Monterey County

Monterey County is also known as a culinary destination, particularly for seafood. This popularity may have begun with Cannery Row during the area’s original life as a fishing center. Now there are many wonderful places to eat here, seafood or not. Here’s a short list based on recent memorable dining experiences.

Sardine Factory

This institution is truly a bastion of old-school fine dining and is absolutely a must on a visitor’s restaurant list. There is something so comforting about having a meal in an established and historic restaurant that serves delicious food. Homey and yet showy, the Sardine Factory is a Monterey institution dating back decades. The wine cellar has famously welcomed Presidents, Hollywood legends, California dignitaries and more. It contains more than 20,000 bottles of wine, some hundreds of years old. The restaurant’s menu is diverse and reasonably priced, including seafood, steaks, pastas and more.

Alta Bakery & Cafe

Located inside a historic adobe in downtown Monterey, Alta Bakery & Cafe is one of those gathering spots where visitors mix with locals. Visitors staying in the downtown Monterey area can take an early morning walk from their hotel to sample the pastries. The coffee drinks are popular with guests, and the baked goods are eye-popping. On a recent visit, the choices between savory and sweet were so vast that several items were sampled, all with exceedingly good reviews. Locals suggest getting here early, because when a favorite pastry is gone, it’s gone for the day. Seating options include inside the historic space or in the garden patio, where guests can enjoy the historical surroundings while munching their goodies.

Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill

Monterey County is the largest producer of Chardonnay wine in the US and the largest producer of Pinot Noir in the State of California, and the area turns out some amazing vintages. Locals are also becoming well known for their brewing prowess, and the local specialties at Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill stand out. Of particular note are the Land & Sea Extra Pal Ale and the dark and malty Brewing in Stereo Belgian-style mild ale. The food here is also top-notch. A local favorite is the crispy chicken sandwich with sweet cole slaw, served with thick fries dipped in ranch dressing. Check ot the menu and list of brews at Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill.

Nepenthe

Perched out on the edge of a cliff in Big Sur, Nepenthe Restaurant has some of the best views in Monterey County. This bohemian-style restaurant is a gathering spot for socialites, aging hippies, nature lovers, and families alike. Everyone co-mingles peacefully here, enjoying the scene and waiting for a table to dinner or have a glass of wine. Outside seating lines the cliff-front edge of the restaurant building, and guests can practically dangle their legs over the rocks below. At night, fires glow inside the restaurant as delicious plates of comforting food are served. The Famous Ambrosia Burger is a popular choice, and the California Beet Salad is among the best we’ve tasted. Plan to wait a bit for your table at Nepenthe, but it’s worth it whether you choose to sit inside or outside for lunch or dinner.

Additional Activities in Monterey County

Here are a few other things to do on your road trip to Monterey County:

World-Class Golf – Pebble Beach is here – need we say more?

California Mission – The Carmel Mission Basilica is one of the prettiest in the State of California.

Monarch Butterflies – Pacific Grove is winter home to migrating Monarchs who fly up from Mexico in hoards to hang in the trees (October – February).

Where to Stay in Monterey County

Here is a list of the best hotels in Monterey County to consider for planning purposes.