Top Things to do in Monterey County
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10 Tours in Monterey County That You Shouldn't Miss
Monterey offers a host of historic attractions from Cannery Row to the famed Monterey Aquarium. This incredible sliver of oceanfront offers an amazing bounty of things to do, with marine, floral and vine-fresh delights to savor. Monterey-Salinas Transit and Amtrak let you take your eyes off the road. Charming towns, world-class golf courses and idyllic inns lie at the hem of the glittering Pacific. Whether you're looking for calm or noisy beachside fun, the Monterey Peninsula has it in buckets.
Restaurants in Monterey County
1. 3-Hour Monterey, Cannery Row and Pacific Grove Sea Car Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Explore Monterey Bay and the Central Coast in a GPS-guided Sea Car, cruising through town or along the Pacific on this 3-hour self-drive tour. Hop into your own 2-seater convertible that navigates itself and provides narration about landmarks along the way, including Monterey’s historical buildings and beautiful ocean vistas. The talking scooter car tells you where to go, from downtown, Lake El Estero and Cannery Row all the way to Pacific Grove’s butterfly sanctuary and Asilomar State Beach.
Inclusions: Rental of GPS-guided touring car, Orientation, Tank of gas, Helmet, Map
Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Collision Damage Waiver for $12.00 (covers up to $500 in damages)
Reviewed By elizabethoT5990ZX
The best experience ever!!! The people friendly and funny. Explained everything. Understanding accomadated our party of 4. Highly recommend and will do again.
2. The Original Monterey Walking Tours : Guided Tours of Cannery Row
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Walk in the footsteps of Steinbeck's characters as we explore the Monterey waterfront and Cannery Row, from the breakwater to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Inclusions: Guide
Exclusions: gratuities
Reviewed By shoffman0518
We found the tour very informative and didn't realize all the history in Monterey or the sights. Tour guide was very friendly.
3. The Creative Carmel Scavenger Hunt
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Alley Kat Adventures is an Austin, TX-based event design company offering city scavenger hunts in 30 cities in the US and Mexico as well as custom events worldwide. Our specially hand-crafted, interactive quests are equal parts tour, cultural experience, creative challenge, detective hunt, & social experiment! Guests get to discover hidden gems off the beaten trail while completing fun missions! Discover hidden alleyways and courtyards, delight in architectural wonders, explore tide pools, and more!
Inclusions: scavenger hunt document
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Dianne F
Great way to learn about Fort Lauderdale. I live here but had a friend visiting and it was fun for both of us. This would be great for a group of friends, coworkers, or bachelorette party. The remote adventure coach, Katie, was great- helpful when needed!!
4. Carmel Point: Discover its rugged coastline on an audio walking tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
This self-guided, self-paced audio walking tour will explore the rugged Carmel coastline where you will have stunning views of Point Lobos, Carmel Beach and Carmel River State Beach. The tour winds its way through the charming tree-lined streets of Carmel Point where you'll discover a number of the unique homes built on this one-time windswept treeless bluff. Along the way, you'll hear about Carmel's famous houses, its flora and fauna, the movies filmed on the point, and the first softball league in the US. You'll come across some colorful characters from the past such as Jean Arthur and Robinson Jeffers. The tour is ready whenever you are. The tour begins and ends at the Walker House Cabin on the Rocks. So start your tour with the VoiceMap app, put your phone in your pocket, and let us direct you on this adventure of Carmel-by-the-Sea Carmel Point Walking tour. Happy Adventures!
Inclusions: Lifetime access to this tour in English, VoiceMap App for Android and iOS, Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Exclusions: Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route, Smartphone and headphones, Transportation, Food and drink
Reviewed By 658johnq
I’m still not even sure what I paid for. I could’ve just downloaded the audio from the app. I basically just have you $40 for no reason.
5. Macaron making with a Master Chef - Carmel-by-the-Sea - + Take Home Apron
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
You will be baking macarons with a macaron master who has been featured on the Cooking Channel. You will receive hands-on training and all the techniques, tips and tricks to create these gourmet treats at home!
Inclusions: Bottled water
Exclusions:
Reviewed By AshishS209
The instructor is fantastic - friendly, warm, step by step teacher and an expert baker. However the location is not the best but understandable in Covid times. We had leaves fall into our cooking area. It was not the most sanitary given in was in the baker’s patio. Also the ultimate product we took home, macrons probably by other students, and were not that great. The filling was way to sweet and my daughter even found hair in a few of them (which admittedly could be ours, but doubtful). Overall Cheryl was a fantastic instructor, which was the point of the class.
6. Summer Afternoon Whale Watch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Our team prides themselves on their personality, passion for the industry, and overall drive to bring you the best experience possible. We take out smaller loads of people to ensure a more personal touch between our crew and our passengers.
Inclusions: Life Jackets
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Joseph N
I never fail to get my limit of rockfish and Captain Tom got us to the fish again. Deckhand Alfredo was very helpful in so many ways. I have mobility issues and he and even some of the other fishermen were very accommodating. I make an annual trip to fish in Monterey Bay, so see you next year !
7. Highway 1 Self-Driving Audio Tour (Pacific Coast Highway)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Welcome to the GPS-enabled driving tour of California’s famous Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway! This self-guided audio tour stretches between San Francisco and Los Angeles, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world! This self-guided audio tour allows you to explore Highway 1 with maximum flexibility and value. Purchase one tour per car. Everyone can listen at the same time! Within 30 min, we'll send you two things: a unique password and an app. Download the app onto your phone and enter the password. Then download the tour inside. Start at the first stop and follow the instructions! Stick to our route for the best experience. This tour doesn’t include entrance to attractions along the route. Check pandemic rules before your visit. No expiration — the tour is available from the minute you book until forever! ALERT: Highway partially closed due to storm damage.
Inclusions: GPS Map, Audios and Text, Online Support
Exclusions: Admission to Paid Attractions
Reviewed By GrandTour632361
please fix the app the navigation does not work it is impossible to get back on the route if you get off please tie it in with a GPS system or something for the love of god this was excruciating we spent 2 hours and pretty much saw the buffalo bayou river because we looped around it so many gosh darn times xoxo
8. 3-Hour Electric Bike Tour Along 17 Mile Drive of Coastal Monterey
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 149 reviews
Legendary for it's beauty, 17-mile Drive meanders up and down the hills of Pebble Beach, past amazing mansions and it's famous golf courses. We wind our way along the rugged coastline and through thick cypress groves, stopping at all the amazing viewpoints. Our local guides share their knowledge of the area's unique ocean wildlife and iconic landmarks...the Lone Cypress, Point Pinos Lighthouse, Lover's Point, Asilomar Beach. 23 mi. round trip, approx 3 hrs. Min. height 4'10"; Max. weight 350lb. Alternating between separated bike lanes & road shared with vehicles (25 mph speed limit), we recommend "youth" riders be ages 16+ to ride solo. Parents may book a bike for ages 13+ if their child is experienced enough to ride on a 25 mph road shared with vehicles. The "child" rate is for children between 40 lb. & 120 lb. riding tandem with a parent on a RadWagon bike.
Inclusions: E-bike, Helmet, Gloves, Guide, Bottled water
Exclusions: The listed price does not include parking fee, Metered street parking on Ocean View Avenue is $1.75/hr, Free street parking available 1/4 mile down Ocean View Avenue towards Lover's Point Park.
Reviewed By tobiethefoodie
Customer Service par Excellence! That is an apt definition of big. The equipment is top-notch and the value cannot be overstated. The location is perfect for a safe ride as the Monterey Coastal Trail is literally right in front of Big Sur Adventures... That bike path provided breathtaking views. There's something special about an empty road going on and on and on to the horizon and where the ocean breezes the world away and the crystal blue sky blurs the line between heaven and earth.
9. Carmel Small-Group Food and Wine Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 183 reviews
Discover the charming coastal town of Carmel and savor a series of tantalizing food and wine tastings on this 3-hour guided walking tour. Your passionate guide will share stories about the history, culture and architecture of Carmel as you stop at restaurants, stylish watering holes and food shops to meet business owners and sample different food items. You may visit places like a classic European Restaurant, a local tavern serving the area's best fish & chips, purveyors of the best street tacos on the Monterey Peninsula (and why they specialize in Mezcal), and a local producer of confections made from century-old recipes. In general, the tastings add up to an average lunch.. Ideal for both tourists and Carmel residents, this tour is a leisurely and tasty way to learn more about this quaint town. This small-group tour is limited to 16 people, ensuring more personal attention from your guide.
Inclusions: 3-hour food and wine tasting tour, All food samplings (enough for lunch), All beverages, Professional foodie guide
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By SedonaFlyFishingAdv
Great activity for history, drinks, and food. We did the bike tour first. Stacy the owner came on our bike tour and she was Awesome! Funny, personable gal that kept the tour on pace. She passed us off to Amber, great gal that really knows her history and cuisine in the Carmel by the Sea area. She took us on a walking food, drink, and history lesson in the town. 4 stops sampling different drinks and food from Carmel’s best. From signature cocktails to Carmel’s best wine, this trip definitely covered it. It was a lot of food and a lot of booze! We had a great couple along on the tour. It gave us the chance to chat and have fun as well. Definitely put it on your things to do list!
10. Half-Day Whale Watching Tour From Monterey
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 267 reviews
Embark on a 4-hour whale watching tour. All trips are narrated by a naturalist or marine biologist guide, who will also spend one on one time with guests while on deck. Professional photographers are often sent to capture the spectacular sights seen from on board and are available to offer tips for your own photography.
Inclusions: Live commentary on board, Professional guide
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Food and drinks, Souvenir photos (available to purchase), Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By Joseph N
I never fail to get my limit of rockfish and Captain Tom got us to the fish again. Deckhand Alfredo was very helpful in so many ways. I have mobility issues and he and even some of the other fishermen were very accommodating. I make an annual trip to fish in Monterey Bay, so see you next year !
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