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MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:
17-Mile Drive: www.pebblebeach.com. Scenic driving tour of Pebble Beach, scenic lookouts and famous golf courses. Entrance fee.
Big Sur: www.bigsurcalifornia.org. Scenic area of Monterey County encompassing a 90-mile stretch of breathtaking dramatic coastline from Carmel to Hearst Castle. Inns, restaurants, camping spots, beaches and hiking trails can be found along the iconic Highway 1.
Cannery Row: www.canneryrow.com. One of the most popular destinations in the Central Coast and named for Steinbeck’s novel, Cannery Row offers waterfront luxury hotels, boutiques, restaurants and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Carmel-by-the-Sea: www.carmelcalifornia.com. Charming village with boutique shops and 110 art galleries. Quirky laws including no street addresses, live music, neon lights or high heels without a permit still exist.
Fisherman’s Wharf: www.montereywharf.com. Popular attraction with seafood and chowder vendors, unique shops, restaurants, whale watching tours and sailing and fishing.
Monterey Bay Aquarium: www.montereybayaquarium.org. Featuring daily shows, feedings, tours and a dozen exhibits including Monterey Bay Habitats and new for 2016 - ¡Viva Baja! Life on the Edge.
Monterey Wine Country: www.montereywines.org. Monterey County is home to more than 175 vineyards, nearly 60 wineries and tasting rooms, and 42 varietals. There are wine tasting opportunities throughout the county including in Salinas, Carmel Valley, Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey.
National Steinbeck Center: www.steinbeck.org. Museum devoted to the life and works of John Steinbeck.
Pinnacles National Park: The national park is a popular spot for outdoor activities ranging from hiking to birdwatching to stargazing to rock climbing. It is also a perfect outdoor classroom for lessons in geology, botany and biology. Pinnacles Campground offers tent, group and RV sites.
ACTIVITIES:
Beaches: Many public areas for walking, picnicking, surfing, snorkeling, kite flying and tide pool and sand dune exploration.
Biking: From the rugged challenges of mountain biking at Fort Ord Public Lands to the cliffs of Big Sur to the gentle, paved coastal Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, there's a ride in Monterey County for every level of cyclist.
Camping: The Los Padres National Forest, Pinnacles and many state beaches and parks offer campsites throughout Monterey County. RV camping is also available at select sites.
Fishing: Deep sea, surf and freshwater fishing are popular activities. Fishing regulations and license information can be obtained from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife.
Flightseeing Tours: Explore scenic Monterey County from the sky by helicopter or plane.
Golf: Monterey County is a world class golf destination with 26 public and private golf courses playable year-round and in a variety of scenic settings.
Hiking: Monterey County’s parks and recreation areas feature various hiking trails for the day visitor and the backcountry traveler including trails along the coast and redwood forests.
Horseback Riding: Guided tours and beach and trail ride packages are available in Big Sur, Carmel Valley, Moss Landing and Pebble Beach. Those who have their own horses can also explore equestrian trails throughout Monterey County.
Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding: Guided tours, lessons and rentals are available in Monterey, Moss Landing, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach.
Sailing: Tours and charters leave from Monterey Harbor, giving visitors the opportunity to take in local wildlife like whales, seals, sea lions and otters and enjoy coastal views.
Skydiving: Available in Marina at the Monterey Municipal Airport. Jump from 18,000ft with views of Monterey Bay.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving: With more than 6,000 sq miles of water and 276 miles of coastline, there are plenty of areas to snorkel or dive in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary including the Breakwater in Monterey, Lovers Point in Pacific Grove and Whaler's Cove in Point Lobos State Park.
Whale Watching: Many chartered whale watching tours are available from Fisherman’s Wharf and Moss Landing and can be enjoyed year-round. Sightings include: gray whales, humpbacks, blue whales, minke whales, fin whales, orcas, dolphins and more!
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