Things to Do in Monterey California
The La Quinta Inn is conveniently located off Coastal Highway 1, just minutes away from some of the Monterey Bay area’s area finest attractions. Stay with us and enjoy a wide range of indoor and outdoor recreational activities, including the renowned Monterey Aquarium, museums, shopping, world-class golf, historical points of interest, and much more, all on the Monterey Peninsula. Enjoy fantastic entertainment and dining just a few minutes away from our comfortable rooms.
Cannery Row.
A historic waterfront district, once the heart of a thriving sardine-packing industry, that was immortalized in John Steinbeck's novel, Cannery Row. Today the area offers great shopping with a few surprises that offer a glimpse into its industrial past.
www.canneryrow.com
Monterey Jazz Festival. The Monterey Jazz Festival was founded in 1958 and is now an annual event showcasing the best jazz performers in the world. The Festival features three days of jazz performances, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, clinics, and an international array of food, shopping and festivities at the Monterey Fairgrounds each September.
www.montereyjazzfestival.org [Top]
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www.canneryrow.com
Monterey Jazz Festival. The Monterey Jazz Festival was founded in 1958 and is now an annual event showcasing the best jazz performers in the world. The Festival features three days of jazz performances, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, clinics, and an international array of food, shopping and festivities at the Monterey Fairgrounds each September.
www.montereyjazzfestival.org [Top]
Dennis the Menace Playground. This famous playground, created in 1956 by cartoonist Hank Ketcham, is known throughout the state for its unusual playground equipment, including a swinging rope bridge, roller slide, and a life-sized hedge maze. The park also offers a lake, complete with picnic area and ducks. Open to kids of all ages, daily from 10am - dusk. Carmel Mission. The Carmel Mission was founded in 1770 by Father Junipero Serra and offers visitors a glimpse of some of the most significant religious artifacts in California, including California's first library, as well as a collection of tools, equipment and appliances used by the Spaniards and Native Americans in their day-to-day life at the mission. Open Mon. - Sat., 9:30am - 4:15pm, Sun. 8:30am - 4:15pm, June through August. [Top]
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. Learn about the life cycle of Pacific Grove's famous Monarch Butterflies, see native local animals in full life dioramas, or climb “Sandy the Whale” - a life-sized bronze gray whale sculpture at this great, kid friendly museum. Open Tues. - Sat., 10am-5pm, free admission. www.pgmuseum.org Pebble Beach Golf Courses. With world-class golf courses and spectacular views of the Monterey Bay, Pebble Beach offers a superb golfing experience. Home to several annual professional events, including the AT&T National Pro-Am and the U.S. Open, the courses at Pebble Beach Golf Links, Poppy Hills, Spyglass Hill, Spanish Bay, and Del Monte, offers some of the best golfing available in the world. www.pebblebeach.com or www.poppyhillsgolf.com [Top]
Point Lobos State Reserve. Known as the “Crown Jewel of the State Park System,” Point Lobos offers a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as sightseeing, nature study, picnicking, diving, and jogging. Enjoy views of rare plants, unique geological formations, and sea lions. The park opens daily at 9am and closes at 5pm in winter, 7pm in summer. Entrance fees range from $8.00 for passenger cars to $100 for tour buses.
Monterey Bay Aquarium. Housed in the former Hovden Cannery on Monterey’s Cannery Row, the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium offers exciting exhibits that will please the whole family. This non-profit aquarium is dedicated to marine research and inspires ocean conservation with fabulous, exhibits that include shark encounters, a life-sized kelp forest, live otters, jellyfish, hands-on activities for children, and much more. Open daily, except Dec. 25 from 10am - 6pm. www.mbayaq.org [Top]
Monterey Bay Aquarium. Housed in the former Hovden Cannery on Monterey’s Cannery Row, the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium offers exciting exhibits that will please the whole family. This non-profit aquarium is dedicated to marine research and inspires ocean conservation with fabulous, exhibits that include shark encounters, a life-sized kelp forest, live otters, jellyfish, hands-on activities for children, and much more. Open daily, except Dec. 25 from 10am - 6pm. www.mbayaq.org [Top] Monterey Wine Country. If you enjoy fine wines, Monterey County is the place to be. The area produces a variety of fine wines that are prized by connoisseurs and fine restaurants throughout the world. From Carmel Valley to the coast, Monterey County offers a virtually endless variety of wineries to choose from. Call the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association at (831) 375-9400 or visit www.montereywines.org for a wine country brochure with winery listings, tasting events and a map.
National Steinbeck Center. Enjoy a permanent display of literary works from Nobel Prize-winning author, John Steinbeck. The museum, located in the heart of old town Salinas, offers a historical look at Monterey County's favorite native son through its diverse, interactive exhibits highlighting famous novels, like Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, and Cannery Row. Open daily, 10am - 5pm, excluding holidays. www.steinbeck.org [Top]
National Steinbeck Center. Enjoy a permanent display of literary works from Nobel Prize-winning author, John Steinbeck. The museum, located in the heart of old town Salinas, offers a historical look at Monterey County's favorite native son through its diverse, interactive exhibits highlighting famous novels, like Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, and Cannery Row. Open daily, 10am - 5pm, excluding holidays. www.steinbeck.org [Top]
Old Fisherman's Wharf.Enjoy a glimpse of local sea lions and otters, see a new view of the bay on a glass bottom boat tour, look for migrating whales, or simply shop till you drop at this fun Monterey attraction. Fisherman’s Wharf is the perfect place to take in the sights, sounds and smells of Monterey and enjoy a fabulous meal of fresh local seafood at the same time. www.montereywharf.comMazda Raceway at Laguna Seca.This world-class raceway is home to the Honda Grand Prix, motorcycle racing, historic auto races, and several festivals and concerts throughout the year. Conveniently located halfway between Monterey and Salinas on Highway 68, the Laguna Seca Recreation Area also offers a county park for camping in tents and RVs while you enjoy the Raceways attractions. www.laguna-seca.com [Top]
Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail. This waterfront recreation trail stretches 18 miles, from Castroville to Lover's Point in Pacific Grove. This popular paved path hugs the coast, following the same route as the old Southern Pacific Railway and is a great way to enjoy beautiful views of the Monterey Bay and visit Monterey’s best attractions without the hassle of traffic or parking. Shops along the trail offer bicycles, surreys, in-line skates, and kayaks for rent.
17-Mile Drive. The world famous,17-Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, which follows the coastline, passing through famous golf courses and near mansions. The road runs adjacent to beaches and up into the coastal hills, providing many scenic viewpoints, including the famed Lone Cypress Tree, the official symbol of Pebble Beach. Auto entry is $8.75. Pedestrians an bicycles enter free. [Top]
17-Mile Drive. The world famous,17-Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, which follows the coastline, passing through famous golf courses and near mansions. The road runs adjacent to beaches and up into the coastal hills, providing many scenic viewpoints, including the famed Lone Cypress Tree, the official symbol of Pebble Beach. Auto entry is $8.75. Pedestrians an bicycles enter free. [Top]
