The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Monterey, California (CA)

July 14, 2021 Matilde Konrad

Think picnics on gorgeous, uncrowded beaches, fabulous seafood restaurants, and great hotels overlooking beautiful Monterey Bay… Monterey is a great place for a romantic getaway. Nature buffs can explore the bay by kayak for a close-up look at sea lions, seals and otters.
Restaurants in Monterey

1. Bella Monterey Bay

Excellent
97%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 340 reviews

Bella Monterey Bay

Private Wildlife Tours, Sailing on 47'Luxury Italian Racer Cruiser sailing yacht for your personal and intimate pleasure for sailing our beautiful Monterey Bay Sanctuary.

2. Pierce Ranch Vineyards Tasting Room

499 Wave St, Monterey, CA 93940-1424 +1 831-372-8900 http://www.piercevineyards.com/
Excellent
88%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 25 reviews

Pierce Ranch Vineyards Tasting Room

3. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail

Monterey, CA +1 831-646-3866 http://monterey.org/en-us/Departments/Monterey-Recreation/Parks-and-Beaches/Monterey-Bay-Coastal-Trail
Excellent
81%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 799 reviews

Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail

Popular hiking trail running along the Pacific Grove and Monterey coast.

Reviewed By Dao1949 - Chiang Mai, Thailand

It stretches along the coast of Monterey from Fisherman's Wharf all the way through Pacific Grove Beach and Lover's Point. Incredibly scenic views to be viewed along your walk with the Pacific Ocena waves crashing in. In the Cannery Row stretch, walk through history of a famous street of canneries that harvested millions of tons of fish, many decades ago. The Pacific Grove section is completed with the walk through of Lovers Point which features a pristine sandy beach in a protected cove.

4. Pacific House Museum

Monterey State Historic Park 10 Custom House Plaza, Monterey, CA +1 831-649-7118
Excellent
36%
Good
54%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 28 reviews

Pacific House Museum

History museum showing what life was like in Old Monterey more than 150 years ago.

5. Path of History

Monterey, CA [email protected] http://www.parks.ca.gov
Excellent
58%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 69 reviews

Path of History

Self-guided 2.7 mile walking tour around 46 historic buildings in downtown Monterey.

Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States

We walked the Path of History while in Monterey. This is an interesting walk to take to see historical sites and buildings. There is information boards to read about the area.

6. Jacks Peak County Park

25020 Jacks Peak Park Road, Monterey, CA 93940 +1 831-755-4899 [email protected] http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/parks/jackspeak.html
Excellent
58%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 113 reviews

Jacks Peak County Park

Reviewed By L0ve2travle

The park was pretty empty during week days, I came across two more hikers. The trails were very shady for a moderate hike. A $2 dollar entrance fee was well worth to pay for access to a beautiful area.

7. Monterey Bay

Monterey, CA +1 831-899-2441 http://monterey.org/
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,791 reviews

Monterey Bay

Reviewed By V236FJrobertn - Monterey, United States

The Central Coast's Monterey Bay is one of the most attractive and interesting places in the country. Beautiful Pacific Coast scenery, and lots to do along the coast, from numerous beach walks, to whale watching on boats out of Monterey, Moss Landing and Santa Cruz, and of course, a number of fine surfing spots.

8. Dennis the Menace Park

Pearl Street and Camino El Estero, Monterey, CA +1 831-646-3866 http://www.seemonterey.com/things-to-do/parks/el-estero
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 714 reviews

Dennis the Menace Park

Designed by the creator of Dennis the Menace, this park has all sorts of unique attractions.

Reviewed By lizzybl8 - Monterey, United States

great fun. lots to do for all ages, tunnels to hide, climb, walk paths, and views of the lake, ducks, bird watching, bathrooms, 711 and many eateries very close by. mcdonals walking distance. skate park is big, grassy areas to sit, benches too.

9. Doc Rickett's Pacific Biological Laboratories

800 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940-1023 +1 831-372-8512 http://www.monterey.org/museums/City-Museums/Pacific-Biological-Laboratories
Excellent
57%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 54 reviews

Doc Rickett's Pacific Biological Laboratories

A landmark on Cannery Row, this is the spot where John Steinbeck's good buddy and biologist Ed "Doc" Ricketts prepped the marine life he collected before shipping it to schools and medical facilities.

Reviewed By sfcawannabe

Growing up reading Steinbeck, I thought that Doc (Ed) Ricketts was a fictional character... I learned otherwise. Ed Ricketts was the grandfather of modern Marine Biology, and he was a real character. They only open up his lab once or twice a year for visits, but I can't remember when. If you're interested in Steinbeck and/or Marine Biology, this is a MUST SEE! Fun fact: Ed Ricketts was the man responsible for frog disection in high school biology classes.

10. 17-Mile Drive

Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, Monterey, CA 93953 +1 800-654-9300 http://www.pebblebeach.com/activities/explore-the-monterey-peninsula/17-mile-drive
Excellent
64%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12,463 reviews

17-Mile Drive

Seals bask on the beach and pelicans perch on rocky cliffs along this famous drive that passes through many popular spots.

Reviewed By sjwillkommen - Munich, Germany

We consider it a „must see“ when in town or nearby. From beautiful mansion and tree-lined streets with abundant flowers to the world-renowned Pebble Beach Golf Course to a wild and rugged coast and many wildlife - it‘s an amazing peninsula! We did it 3 times by now - and in very different weather. It‘s worth on sunny as well as clouded, foggy, rainy days.

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