With the area's great year round climate visitors can always enjoy the area's Number 1 attraction - the great outdoors. Whether your desired mode of transportation is by car, bike or foot there's plenty of spectacular scenic vistas, wildlife habitat, museums and other attractions for the whole family to enjoy.
- Take a drive along Pebble Beach's 17 Mile Drive
- The drive south on Highway 1 to Big Sur has some of the most scenic views to be found anywhere in the USA.
- Walk on the Monterey Coastal Trail to Old Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row
- Walk on Monterey's Path of History
- Day hike the trails in the Point Lobos State Reserve
- Day hike the trails in Garrapata State Park's 3000 acres of rocky shoreline, redwood canyons and steep mountains
- Day hike in Big Sur's parks
- Day hike in the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District
- Bike on portions of the Monterey Coastal Trail
- Bike on Pebble Beach's 17 Mile Drive (full 17 mile access on weekdays, limited access on weekends)
- Mountain bikers can enjoy the Cooper Ranch area in Garland Park and the former Ft. Ord area
- Horse back riding is available at The Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley, Andrew Molera State Park in Big Sur and on the Pebble Beach Trail Rides
- Kayak and scuba dive in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Spend a day tanning or surfing on Monterey State Beach, Asilomar State Park and Beach and Lovers Point in Pacific Grove, Carmel's Carmel River State Beach and Carmel Town Beach or Big Sur's Pfieffer Beach
- Sail on Monterey Bay
- Take a Whale Watching trip - sea otters, seals, sea lions, dolphins and birds too
- Fish for albacore tuna, salmon, rock cod and halibut in Montrey Bay
- Visit the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove (Oct-March)
- Did we mention golf? Check out our special Golf page
- Take a guided walking tour of Carmel
- Visit the Art Galleries in Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Shop in the outlet and specialty stores on Cannery Row
- Dine in the area's excellent restaurants
Area attractions include
Many Special Events, including the AT&T National Pro-Am Golf Tournament, the Sea Otter Bike Classic, the Big Sur Marathon, The Monterey Jazz Festival, the Champ Car Grand Prix of Monterey and the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance take place in the Big Sur and Monterey Peninsula area throughout the year. Event Calendars can be found on the web sites of
Within a short drive of the area there are other attractions worth noting
