Ideas for Monterey please!

[Coroico97]

We are off on a US holiday in a week with DH, DS (20) and DD (almost 19). We are staying a few nights in Monterey which looks amazing. Can anyone recommend nice things to do or good places to eat? We have heard the aquarium is very good! DD and DS very sporty/outdoorsy and would love to try surfing. Thanks!

Whale watching (we went down to Moss Landing to do this - the company was called 'Sea Goddess' - I'd definitely recommend them).

You can go kayaking from the pier and see the sea otters and seals.

We had a great time at Dust Bowl Brewery - really nice atmopshere, great drinks and food.

Thanks @SaffyWall! All those things sound amazing and just the kind of thing we are looking for!!

We had a great meal at Abalonneti Bar and Grill at Old Fisherman's Wharf.

The aquarium is great and Point Lobos State Reserve is worth a visit (it's Big Sur in miniature).

Definitely recommend whale watching- was amazing to see them in the wild! We used Monterey bay whale watch and would recommend.

We used a company called ‘Fast Raft’ for whale watching. It’s more expensive but it’s a small fast boat that only seats 6 and so much fun. 100% recommend!

The two dinners we had there we picked because they had gluten free options for dh but they were both excellent. Giannas pizza and Hula’s Island Grill 👌

Yes to pp to Point Lobos State reserve being an excellent place to visit too. We went as a stop off on our way to our next destination (and before embarking on the pacific coast highway). We stopped off at a supermarket just before and picked up lots of picnic food to eat there. It has some beautiful views ❤️

Are you on the FB group for West Coast trips? It's fab for this kind of advice. It's called California Dreamers and West Coast Wanderers. Just doing a couple of searches on people's posts will bring up loads of ideas.

I would recommend Rosine's restaurant on Alvarado Street.

I take it you're driving? Visit Carmel by the Sea. Do the 17 mile drive. We spent a nice afternoon at Point Lobos State Preserve. I love the coast round there.

We went whale watching in Moss Landing too but were not as lucky as others. Apart from the usual dolphins and sea otters we saw only one whale in all the hours we were out, and it was basically just a tail every so often. It was a bit disappointing to be honest, but such is luck!

By the way it can be cool at night. And it's definitely cold out on the water. Can be fog along the coast at times. Be careful you don't get burnt on what looks like an overcast day. It is VERY deceiving!

Where else are you going on your trip? I'm so jealous. We went 2 years ago and did San Francisco, across to Yosemite National Park (bloody amazing!), back to Monterey, then Cambria, Santa Barbara, Laguna Beach and San Diego. (none of us were bothered about LA so apart from using the airport on the way home the most we saw of it was of a dodgy Taco Bell near the hood when we stopped for lunch. We ate it in the car and I was scared to even get out of the car to put the rubbish in the bin. 😂)

You'll have the most amazing time! But your wallet will be a lot lighter!!

Thank you everyone for amazing tips!! Love the sound of the Los Lobos Preserve picnic. One of the things my kids are looking forward to most is choosing snacks in an enormous supermarket 😂!! We are starting with two nights in LA and visiting Warner Bros (Friends was a big favourite here!) then four nights in Monterey, two nights in San Francisco (Alcatraz booked and looking at Napa Valley maybe), two nights in Yosemite, two nights in Death Valley and two nights back in LA as we have tickets for a baseball game. Yes we are driving and have all hotels booked. All tips gratefully received! Thanks for info on the Facebook group. I will look!
Everyone v excited! First time in 20 years we can go anywhere slightly out of season as one at uni and one embarking on a gap year!

Laughed out loud at your Taco Bell experience @CurlyhairedAssassin . That will be me 🤣🤣!!

Sounds like a great trip. You'll be doing a lot of driving so make sure you've got a compfy car with enough space for your luggage.

Yosemite is spectacular - we could have spent weeks there. You need reservations to get in to the park currently (if you want to enter between 8am and 4pm ) - it's only $2 but make sure you get one if you're planning on going on a weekend - https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm

As you're driving up to Monterey you can stop and see the elephant seals just near San Simeon.

Hello! Just found this thread as looking for places to stay in Monterey for one night in half term. Can't decide on hotel, air bnb - any advice welcome :) thanks x

For just one night I'd go with somewhere like the Colton Inn (or the Portola if your budget allows) - both are central and you can easily walk and explore the town from them.

@SaffyWall awesome thanks! The Colton inn looks fine and super convenient and the Portola looks gorgeous. We're going to be there for Halloween- do you reckon there's any neighbourhoods nearby that would be ok for trick or treating? (Random I know) thanks so much x