Things To Do
17 Mile Drive
The 17-Mile Drive is a road that passes through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula, scattered with gorgeous houses and stellar ocean views. If you want to see the Lone Cypress (picture at the top of the page) or visit Pebble Beach, this is the only way to get there.
Explore Downtown Carmel
Ocean Avenue is the main artery running through Downtown Carmel’s center. Great shopping here! At the Carmel Visitor Center (still on Ocean Avenue between Junipero & Mission), you can pick up a map that indicates where the fairy-tale cottages are located and then go on a self-guided tour. One of the most popular activities in Downtown Carmel is wine tasting. There are 20 wine-tasting rooms within one square mile (pairs well with shopping)!
Point Lobos Hiking
The Point Lobos State Park (about 15 minutes away) is a great place to explore. This area has one of the two naturally growing stands of Monterey cypress trees remaining on Earth! Bird Island Trail (0.8-mile loop) is one of the most popular hiking trails in Point Lobos. Sea Lion Point Trail (0.4 mile loop) at the northern end of Big Sur, just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The main draw here is to see (and hear) the sea lions! Cypress Grove Trail (1 mile but can be extended with other loops) views of the ocean and the cypress trees. Please note there are stairs and this is not an ideal hike after a rain.
Carmel Mission Inn
The Carmel Mission Basilica and Museum is a famous historic landmark with art, artifacts, and lots of California culture and history.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
This one speaks for itself. It's a must see for the otters alone!
Whale Watching Tour in Monterey
The peak time to see whales is in July, although we have been told May-November are the best times to go. It will likely be worth the scenery and time on the water either way!
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach Golf Links is open to the public, and it's rated the number 1 public course in the country. If you are staying at Pebble Beach Resorts, you can reserve a tee time at Pebble Beach Golf Links up to 18 months in advance. Non-guests can only reserve tee times 24 hours in advance. In looking online, it looks like it is about $625 per person and then a $50 golf cart fee to play there. If you are dying to golf here, I would recommend calling first thing in the morning the day before you are hoping to go.