The Perfect 3-Day Monterey Itinerary (+ Best Things to Do)
Monterey’s unique location and plethora of things to do attract people from all backgrounds, social classes, and interests. Thanks to its central location among so much natural wonder and its offering of massive luxury services (golf at Pebble Beach, anyone?), this area is wildly diverse. It’s what makes planning a Monterey itinerary so special!
You are truly in for some amazing experiences, like exploring Big Sur and seeing its dramatic coastline, going whale watching or seeing wildlife from the Wharf, visiting the aquarium, or just relaxing at a hotel or spa.
However you plan your three-day itinerary, you will fall in love with this area and all the best things to do in Monterey.
How to Plan a 3-Day Itinerary to Monterey, California
Feel free to move this Monterey itinerary around based on the day of the week. Example: It’s probably smarter to visit the aquarium on a weekday rather than a weekend.
Another thing to note is that I never know when to start this itinerary. Does it begin on the day you arrive, or on the first full day? Anyway, have fun with this three-day Monterey itinerary and explore all the best things to do!
Day 1: Explore Monterey
Monterey is a great coastal city. I’ve been twice, but only explored the downtown area once. (I camped in town the other time on my way to and from Big Sur.) The vibes are exquisite, people are friendly, the views are amazing, and you’ll have a wonderful time.
Monterey Aquarium
The city’s prize is the Monterey Aquarium. Readers know how much I enjoy wildlife, and this place was incredible. I can only imagine how a kid would feel looking at all the fish, sharks, jellyfish, otters, crabs, and whatnot.
Jaimie and I spent over 2.5 hours here to give a good estimate of how long it takes to move through the space.
I recommend doing this in the morning so you can spend as long as you want here. After the aquarium, walk around the Wharf, grab some lunch, and enjoy the ocean views, which will likely include seals and sea lions.
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Afternoon in Monterey on the 17-mile drive
After seeing your fair share of fish, it’s time to explore more of the area. One fun spot is the 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach. It costs about $12, but it’s well worth it. Make sure to stop at the Cyprus Tree for views and some photos. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Monterey.
If you’re not into being in a car, consider taking a stroll through the Monterey Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. Double-check the time of year for when the Monarchs will be there. Even if it’s not butterfly season, this place still offers a great walk in nature.
Sunset at Fort Ord Dunes State Park
To wrap up the day, head out to Fort Ord Dunes State Park to watch the sunset. The western part of Monterey can be a little hard to navigate. To make things easier, drive a bit out of the city to get an unobstructed view to the west. Make sure you have an extra layer as the temperatures will drop quickly.
Recap of what to do:
- Aqarium
- Walk around the Wharf
- 17-mile Drive
- Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
- Fort Ord Dunes State Park
Day 2: Highway 1 and Big Sur
Hands down the best thing to do in Monterey.
Grab some snacks and make sure your gas tank is full as we’re exploring Big Sur today! I’ll be honest, this is the best part of your Monterey itinerary. For first-timers, I’d plan a full day down here. It’s a stunning sight and one of the most magical places in America.
That said, it’s decently hard to navigate, in that pull-offs can be hard to find, there are hardly any gas stations, and there aren’t a ton of places to eat/drink. Otherwise, it’s a straight north/south road, and you shouldn’t get lost.
What to see in Big Sur
Your first stop heading south out of Monterey will be Garrapata State Park. Four potential pull-off spots are as follows (from North to South): China Point, Vista Point, Painters Point, and Whale Peak-Soberanes Point. Most of these should have a parking area and trails to walk along. These areas hug the coast and are cliffy, so keep young kids close.
Further South is Garrapata Beach and the Calla Lilly Valley (seasonally blooms).
As you keep driving, another great viewpoint is Notley’s Landing. You’ll have stunning views of the coastline looking south.
15 minutes south of Garrapata (you’ll notice these are all bunched together) is Great Sur Vista Point—another fantastic photo opportunity.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
This is usually where I recommend people as their turnaround spot. Otherwise, you might end up with 5 hours of driving on the day.
Pfeiffer Big Sur SP is a great area to hike, take a break, and grab some food at the lodge. I highly recommend taking an easy hike out to Pfeiffer Falls. It’s around two miles round trip under towering Redwoods. Another short hike is the Big Sur Nature Trail. This is a 1-mile loop.
For those looking to stretch their legs a bit more, check out Manuel Peak Trail. This is 11 miles with 3,400 feet of gain. It’ll take you into the mountains above the state park.
Pfeiffer Beach and Keyhole Arch
You can’t go to this area without going down to Pfeiffer Beach. It’s a separate charge (uggh) of $15 per car. But this is the only way to get beach access. I think it’s worth it as it’s a beautiful cove. Expect a 10-15-minute walk out to the beach from the parking area.
Sunset Sail
Depending on what time you leave Big Sur and if you want to keep movin’ and groovin’, you could do a sunset sail in Monterey Bay and into the Pacific Ocean. This would understandably be a long day. Still, nothing beats relaxing on a boat, with a drink in hand, watching the sun set over the horizon.
Recap of what to do:
- Garrapatta State Park
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pfeiffer Beach/Key Hole Arch
Day 3: Whale Watching and Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Final day of your Monterey itinerary!
Monterey is one of the best places to go whale watching in the USA. They’re in a unique position with incredible sea life migrating north and south almost year-round. I would strongly suggest a morning tour and getting out onto the water for three to four hours.
Some of my favorite moments in California have been whale watching. While I haven’t done it in Monterey, I have done it in Santa Barbara, which offers similar world-class whale tours.
If you’re not feeling like going out on the open ocean, there are other options to get on the water and see nature, but in a more chill way.
Option 1: Elkhorn Slough is one of the last great coastal wetlands. There is tons of wildlife potential, and it is way calmer than the ocean. You can check out tours here.
Option 2: If you’re not feeling like a boat, you could opt to rent kayaks and get on the water that way.
An Afternoon at Point Lobos
Point Lobos is a perfect place to spend 3 hours in the afternoon during your Monterey itinerary. There’s nice hiking, fantastic views, and if you get lucky, a massive sea lion colony. What you’ll notice is that most of the hiking trails are short and easy. So you can do 3-4 trails and not pass five miles in total.
Here are the places I’d prioritize for the best things to do:
- Whalers Cove
- Cyprus Grove hike `
- Seal Lion Point
- Bird Island Trail
It’s $10 to visit, which isn’t too shabby.
Recap of what to do:
- Whale watching
- Point Lobos
Bonus Day 4, if possible: Pinnacles National Park
I was torn on what day to put this. But since you’re visiting Monterey, I wanted to keep you near the ocean for most of the trip. If you’re feeling adventurous and have an extra day, go check out the least-visited national park in California.
It’s a 90-minute drive to the western entrance of Pinnacles National Park. Here, I recommend the Juniper-to-High Peaks Trail. It’s a decent climb with cool views of the park, but the part you’ll want to keep an eye on the most is the weather.
I did this in July, and while it was 60-something degrees on the coast, the temperature at Pinnacles was 95. I was not prepared for such a drastic swing and nearly turned around on the hike. It was brutally hot.
Pinnacles is definitely the least interesting national park in CA. The only reason to visit is if you’re in the area. If you want to save 3-4 hours of driving round-trip, you can skip it.
Best things to do in Monterey
Here’s a quick list of the best things to do in Monterey.
Whale Watching
Monterey Bay is one of the best whale watching destinations in the world, thanks to a deep underwater canyon just offshore that attracts an abundance of marine life. Humpbacks, blue whales, and orcas all pass through seasonally, with peak season running roughly May through November.
Book a tour – Book a sunset tour
Monterey Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is widely regarded as one of the finest aquariums in the country, known for its stunning kelp forest exhibit and world-class sea otter program. It sits right on the waterfront of Cannery Row, making it an easy anchor for your first day in town.
Playing Golf at Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of the most iconic public golf courses in the world, hugging the rugged coastline along 17-Mile Drive with views that are hard to match anywhere. It’s a bucket-list round for golfers, though tee times are pricey and book up well in advance.
Explore Elkhorn Slough
Elkhorn Slough is one of the largest coastal wetlands in California, stretching inland from Moss Landing just north of Monterey and serving as a critical habitat for hundreds of species.
It’s best known for its resident sea otter population — you’ll often see them rafting together in large groups, which is a rarer sight than spotting them solo along the bay. Kayaking or taking a guided boat tour through the slough is the best way to experience it up close.
Drive Highway 1 and see Big Sur
Highway 1 south of Monterey winds along some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the United States, with sheer cliffs dropping into the Pacific and redwood canyons tucked just inland. Big Sur is just about 30 miles from Monterey, making it an easy and unforgettable half-day drive.
Explore Point Lobos
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is often called the crown jewel of the California State Park system, packed into a surprisingly compact stretch of headlands, coves, and cypress groves. It’s an outstanding spot for wildlife — harbor seals, sea otters, and seabirds are commonly seen — and one of the best photography locations on the Central Coast.
Drive out to Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles is one of California’s lesser-known national parks, featuring dramatic volcanic rock formations, talus caves, and one of the few places in the world where California condors nest in the wild. It’s about an hour and a half inland from Monterey, making it a solid full-day side trip if you want to break up the coastal itinerary.
Go Kayaking
Kayaking in Monterey Bay puts you right at water level with sea otters, harbor seals, and the occasional dolphin passing by. Guided tours and rentals launch from Cannery Row and are a great way to experience the bay from a completely different perspective than the shoreline.
What to know about traveling to Monterey from the Bay Area
Can you fly into Monterey directly?
Yes! You can easily fly into Monterey Regional Airport. Denver and Phoenix have nonstop flights to Monterey. This makes getting there extremely easy and saves you the hassle of going into the Bay Area.
What other airport could I fly into and then drive down?
You’ll want to fly into San Jose. From there, you have an easy 90-minute drive down south to Monterey. Obviously, try to avoid rush hour when leaving the Bay Area.
Distance from:
- San Francisco: 2.25 hours
- San Jose: 90 minutes
- Oakland: 2 hours
- Los Angeles: 5.5 hours
Where to stay in Monterey
Monterey has a ton of lodging options, including a campground in the middle of the city. You can go incredibly luxurious or more on the budget side. I will note that many hotels, even ones we think of as more budget-friendly, are still in the $300 range.
Camping: Veterans Park Campground – first-come, first-served – $47 per site (note cheap, I know)
Budget Friendly: The Monterey Hotel | Pacific Inn
Mid-Tier: Holiday Inn Express Monterey | Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
Luxury: Hyatt Vacation Club At Highlands Inn | Hyatt Carmel Highlands | La Playa Hotel
Is Visiting Monterey Worth It?
I find Monterey an incredible place to visit and so worth it. There are a vast number of things to do in Monterey for all types of travelers. Plus, with it being so close to Big Sur, tons of wildlife potential, and nearly perfect temperatures year-round, there aren’t many better places to spend three to four days.
I’m convinced you’ll fall in love with this area and have plans to come back again!
More Photos from Big Sur and Monterey
Enjoy more photos from the area, and hopefully, all the things to do in Monterey inspire a visit.
Final Thoughts on this 3-Day Monterey Itinerary and Best Things to Do
Monterey, California, offers an incredible combination of natural wonders and luxury/city vibes. And best of all, you don’t have to go far to enjoy either of them.
Now, I’m much more on the nature/outdoors side of the spectrum, which is why I really enjoy Monterey. Being close to Big Sur, Pinnacles, Point Lobos, and so much wildlife is what makes it magical. (I didn’t even mention being 90 minutes from Santa Cruz and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park either.)
All in all, you’re in for a treat when you visit, and I hope this 3-day Monterey itinerary helps you plan an incredible trip!
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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