Monterey
The jewel of California's Central Coast provides a veritable feast for the outdoor adventure enthusiast: from mountain biking to whale watching, trail running to staggering sunsets, Monterey County has it all *and* some of the best food and wine anywhere in the world.
Top Adventures in Monterey
Sail on Monterey Bay
Few places along the California coast are perfectly suited for a day of sailing. While San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Long Beach, San Francisco, and Catalina Island offer sailing adventures, none of them offer wide open Pacific waters wit...
Scuba Dive Breakwater Cove
Located near Cannery Row, San Carlos Beach is home to Breakwater Cove. This is a great place for beginner scuba divers to practice their diving, get open water certified, and do their first ocean dives.
San Carlos Beach is home to a large colon...
Relax at Lover's Point Beach
Getting there: Drive to the bottom of Ocean View Boulevard in Pacific Grove, California. You will reach a small parking lot. Unfortunately, the parking here is limited. On the bright side, this means the crowds never get too big! The ocean has ope...
Explore Lovers Point
LOVERS POINT PARK AND BEACH:According to local legend, this park was originally called "Lovers of Jesus Point," back in the era when Pacific Grove was a Methodist retreat camp. Since the late 1800s, the beach at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove has b...
Bikepack Highway 1: Monterey to San Luis Obispo
Please be aware that this is NOT a route for beginning cyclist. It is a very hilly route and you will be sharing the road with cars for the entire route, the shoulder is sometimes very slim. This should not scare you from doing the trip, just be a...
130 miles
9000 ft gain
Visit the Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
Thousands of monarchs can be found here October through February. It's a small park with a path through the center. Park near the Monarch Grove hotel at the sign that says "Caution: Butterflies present", and cross the street to walk down the short...
1 miles
Play Volleyball at Asilomar Conference Grounds
Asilomar translates to “refuge by the sea,” a phrase that accurately depicts the Asilomar Conference Grounds. The area started as a YWCA women’s empowerment camp in 1913 and
has since transitioned into a well-preserved state beach. It is located i...
Exploring Asilomar's Ancient Sand Dunes
Asilomar State Beach covers 107 acres of land. It is home to a delicate ecosystem that has been sustained through the years after it was almost destroyed. The intricate dunes at Asilomar are what have survived after the over-grazing back in the ea...
Catch Sunset on Asilomar State Beach
Asilomar, or “refuge by the sea” definitely lives up to its name. The beach is expansive and less-populated than other nearby destinations. With large sandbars and rocky outcroppings, it is a great place to enjoy sunset.
This beach is also known ...
Bike at Asilomar State Beach
At Asilomar State Beach, adventure is accessible in many forms. I had the opportunity to rent a bike from Adventures by the Sea. Rentals start at $25, and while you are not permitted to ride along the boardwalk that leads you to the beach, you may...
Hike Asilomar State Beach
Activities off the trail include sea kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. The ocean is cold - so a wetsuit is recommended. This trail is also great for nature sightings: tide pools, kelp beds, sea lions, and the occasional otter! The trail is op...
2.7 miles
183 ft gain
Hike the Earl Moser Trail
This trail is shared by hikers, dog walkers, and runners. The trail is accessible year round. The trail is located in Jacks Peak County Park.
This loop hike is perfect for families or hikers looking to squeeze in a quick hike, fun for all ages. I...
1.8 miles
400 ft gain
Nearby camping, hotels, and more
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Pacific Grove, California
Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds
RoomsIn keeping with its rest and reflection traditions, the guest rooms at Asilomar are simple and beautiful—and most importantly free of modern-day distractions such as telephones and televisions...From $176/night
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Watsonville, California
Creekside Paradise
We only have one campsite so you can have a completely private experience in the beautiful Santa Cruz redwoods next to beautiful Browns creek. Welcome to your Tentrr Campsite! Welcome to your Ten...From $158/night
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Big Sur, California
Big Sur Lodge
This 62 rooms lodge, handles Wedding and Corporate events up to 100 people. The Restaurant sever Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and the Café and store are open daily.From $199/night
