Monterey is an area that has many things for families to enjoy.
With 4.6 million visitors each year, it is without a doubt a popular city that offers many activities, museums, parks, and places to enjoy the sand, sea, and water.
Monterey is located on the central coast of California.
San Francisco is 100 miles north and San Jose is 50 miles away.
This location makes it easy to enjoy the Pacific Ocean.
Many attractions allow kids and families to learn more about the ocean and the animals that live there, but there are also museums and play areas that allow families to create a diverse vacation experience.
Things to Do in Monterey With Kids
Monterey Bay Aquarium
As one of the top aquariums in the world, children and adults are able to learn more about ocean fish and other creatures that call the water their home.
People are drawn to the Open Sea aquarium which provides a huge view of many different types of fish, octopuses, and eels in a close-up environment.
Other exhibits focus on different types of sharks and educate about their habits.
The African penguin and sea otter exhibits are also very popular.
Exhibits also focus on the diverse habitats in the ocean including a Kelp Forest exhibit, Open Water habitats, and Deep-Sea Habitats.
To engage children, the museum also has a number of activities such as animal fact cards, puzzles, and games.
Monterey Zoo
Your family will enjoy exploring the over 100 animals at this 51-acre zoo.
There are lions, leopards, bears, elephants, rhinos, zebras, and more.
In the primate area, the whole family can experience baboons, lemurs, and monkeys.
In the birdhouse, there are a wide variety of exotic birds such as parrots, eagles, ravens, and birds of prey such as owls and hawks.
The Rydables tour puts kids and parents on safe electric scooters for a tour of the zoo exhibits.
The zoo also offers multiple educational programs for families to enrich the experience.
Dennis the Menace Playground
Located in El Estero Park on Lake El Estero, this playground is a great place for kids to play and burn off some excess energy.
Created with Hank Ketcham, the cartoonist who designed Dennis the Menace, this park is especially popular with younger children.
Along with playground equipment, there are ladders and a suspension bridge for climbing on.
Three big slides add to the fun.
There is also a climbing wall, adventure ship, Southern Pacific steam engine, and hedge maze.
The park is free and open all year.
Whale Watching
Whale watching in Monterey Bay is a popular activity for the whole family.
Several species of whales migrate through the region at different times of the year.
Grey whales migrate during the winter months.
Other species that can be seen include orcas, sperm, blue, and humpback whales.
While they can sometimes be seen from the shore, a whale-watching trip is highly recommended to get closer views.
You may also see dolphins, birds, sea turtles, and some sea lions.
Point Sur State Lighthouse
Take your kids on a step back in time with a tour of a real lighthouse!
Built and opened on August 1, 1889, the lighthouse has protected ships and boats from the shores in the area.
All three-hour tours are guided and cover the grounds, as well as the inside.
Visitors get to climb up to learn the history of the lighthouse and the purpose it served.
Tours are offered several times a week so check their website before heading out.
Old Fisherman’s Wharf
This historic pier stretches out in the Monterey Bay.
With many shops and restaurants, the family can dine on fresh seafood and then follow it with sweet treats offered by area vendors.
There are also a number of souvenir shops to bring home a little reminder of your family vacation.
But these are not the only reasons to visit the pier, the views are simply incredible.
While watching the ocean, you might glimpse dolphins or a whale as they swim through the bay.
Also, the seals, sea otters, and birds are fun to watch.
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
During the mating season of October through February, the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary is a beautiful place to visit.
The sanctuary is located near the water which means thousands of monarch butterflies are attracted to the area.
The best viewing time is between noon and three pm when the day is warmer.
Docents at the facility share information about the butterflies and answer any questions kiddos (or parents) have.
Highway 1 Golf, Games & Grub
For family fun, try the Highway 1 Golf, Games & Grub on Cannery Row.
This is mini-golf and more!
The black light nine-hole course brings new fun to the games complete with murals and music.
There are several themed courses based on cities located on Highway 1 including La, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Big Sur.
To enter the center, guests walk through a giant redwood tree.
Speed Freak is a game that allows interactive but friendly competition.
The arcade features a number of the latest video games from Namco.
MY Museum
The interactive Monterey County Youth Museum (MY Museum) is dedicated to the enrichment of children and families.
Through dozens of hands-on exhibits can learn about things in their world.
Exhibits are designed for kids who are four to nine years old, but everyone seems to have fun.
The interactive exhibits include My Town Hall where kids learn about construction, My Hospital, where kids can examine x-rays, My Healthy Farm, where kids learn about tractors and food production and the Creation Station where kids can create works of art.
These are just a few of the exhibits and activities that are available.
Asilomar State Beach
Located in Pacific Grove, this is a one-mile strip of beach that is fun for the whole family.
This rocky beach boasts beautiful views.
While swimming is not recommended due to rip tides and rocky areas, the beach is clean and beautiful.
There are also walking trails within the park area to better enjoy the breathtaking views.
Other Beaches
There are a number of other beaches to explore in the Monterey area.
Many are located around the Monterey Bay area.
This gives kids time to play in the sand, explore the water and have fun with family members.
Some of these include
Del Monte Beach
This is a long flat beach. A boardwalk leads through the dunes to the tables.
Benches and picnic tables are available.
It is located between Windows on Bay Beach and Houghton M. Roberts Beach.
It is also usually not too crowded.
McAbee Beach
Located near Cannery Row, this beach changes greatly with the tides.
At high tides, there is a small strip of beach among the large smooth boulders.
During the summer and during low tides, there is more beach sand for the family to explore and enjoy.
This is a very scenic spot that is also often used by kayakers and scuba divers.
There are a number of hotels and restaurants nearby.
This is a great beach to simply sit on a rock and enjoy the scenery.
San Carlos Beach Park
Located between Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf, this is a great place to experience wonderful views.
It is best known for scuba diving. The beach area is worth exploring.
There are also grass lawns to hang out on.
Benches and picnic tables are available.
The Monterey Peninsula Recreation Trail is right behind the beach.
This is perfect for anyone who wants to walk, run or bike along the trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
We want to visit the Monterey Aquarium. Are advance tickets required?
Yes.
There is no on-site ticketing.
All tickets must be purchased through the website.
Your reservation will be checked on your phone when you arrive.
When is the best time to plan a Monterey vacation?
The weather is mild throughout the year.
Many enjoy visiting during the late spring when there are fewer crowds and warmer temperatures.
There are also several interesting festivals in spring.
During the summer, there are more crowds for the warm weather.
Fall is a good time, but there is a risk of the fire season or weather changes.
Winter is also a popular time to visit and when the best hotel rates are offered.
Be prepared for a few rainy days.
How warm is the water in Monterey?
The water is never particularly warm here.
It’s warmest in August.
For most of the year, the water is around the mid-fifties.
That should not stop your family from enjoying the sandy beaches and dipping their toes in the water.
Given the water temperature, there are family-friendly wading areas at Monterey State Beach.
Most beaches do have gentle waves.
Be aware of any signage that signals rip tides or dangerous waves in the area that can make the water unsafe.
I’ve booked our trip. What do we need to pack?
While during the day, the weather is warm year-round, but expect cool mornings and evenings.
This means that you need to have layers to keep comfortable throughout the day.
This can include light sweaters or jackets to keep everyone warm.
Other items to consider include raincoats for rainy days.
Pack swimsuits for the pool at the hotel.
If your family intends to go kayaking, everyone will need wetsuits or some kind of waterproof clothing to protect everyone from the cool to cold water.
Walking or running shoes are a must while the family is out exploring the area.
Lastly, sunglasses and sunscreen are needed for everyone.
Even if it is a sunny day, there is still the risk of developing a sunburn.
A painful sunburn can make the family vacation a lot less fun for everyone.
Monterey is a fantastic destination for families.