Located on the California coast, about two hours south of San Francisco, Monterey is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise! Read below for the perfect 3-day adventure itinerary in Monterey, California featuring ocean-front hikes, kayaking with sea otters, whale watching boat tours, a scenic road trip into Big Sur, a culinary farm tour, and incredible California-centric food. If you love outdoor adventures, these are some of the best things to do in Monterey!

This itinerary was put together in partnership with See Monterey.

Monterey, California weekend itinerary

DAY 1: Delicious Pastries, Hiking in Pinnacles National Park, & Kayaking with Sea Otters

Breakfast at Alta Bakery

Start your morning with some of Monterey’s best pastries! Housed in a beautiful historic adobe building in downtown Monterey, Alta Bakery offers a delicious array of fresh pastries made daily. Highlights include their pistachio rose swirl and cinnamon roll. If the weather is nice, enjoy their large patio in the back which is surrounded by vibrant flowers.

Hike at Pinnacles National Park

After breakfast head to Pinnacles National Park for a half day of hiking. We recommend entering through the west entrance, which is about an hour and 15 minutes from Monterey. Two of the best hikes on the west side include Juniper Canyon Trail to High Peaks, which is a 4.2 mile (round trip) hike which can have amazing views of California Condors soaring above, and the Balconies Cave Trail, which is a 2.6 mile (round trip) hike that winds along a flowing underground creek. Be aware that this trail closes periodically depending on the water levels in the creek, so check trail conditions beforehand. We recommend packing shoes you don’t mind getting wet! 

Note: Be aware of hot summer temperatures at Pinnacles, which can be 20+ degrees hotter than Monterey and the coast. 

Lunch at Cucuyo’s

After working up an appetite after your hike(s), enjoy lunch at Cucuyo’s in Soledad. Cucuyo’s serves fresh, authentic Mexican food which REALLY hit the spot after a full morning of hiking. Expect large portions – we shared their veggie fajitas, fresh guacamole, and homemade tortillas. Their flavors are vibrant and delicious!

Kayak with Sea Otters in the Elkhorn Slough

If you only have time for one activity in Monterey, go kayaking in the Elkhorn Slough, which is famous for its resident population of sea otters! We rented kayaks from Monterey Bay Kayaks, which is located on the slough. After just a couple minutes of paddling, we spotted over a dozen sea otters! Paddling through the slough is relatively easy since it is protected from the ocean (no big waves!). You will also likely see harbor seals, cormorants, and pelicans. This is seriously one of the best things to do in Monterey!

Check in to Asilomar

Asilomar is a beautiful, rustic hotel located next to the beach. The accommodations are modest, and the sound of waves crashing in the distance is soothing. Asilomar is technically located in a State Park, so if you have extra time, check out one of the free, ranger-led nature tours that begin in the lobby.

Dinner at Schooners Monterey

End your evening with dinner at Schooners Monterey, located along Cannery Row. We recommend making a reservation and requesting outdoor seating overlooking the ocean. Their outdoor patio has a glass railing with sweeping views of Monterey Bay! We saw sea otters from our table!

DAY 2: Whale Watching & California Agriculture Tour

Breakfast at Ad Astra Bread

Located in downtown Monterey, Ad Astra Bread is a micro bakery that focuses on fresh pastries made daily. We loved watching the bakers hard at work in their cafe through the large windows in their cafe space. Their kougin amann and yuzu cream puff pastries were both delicious!

Ag Venture Tour at Pezzini Farm

After breakfast, head to Pezzini Farm for a private farm tour. This area of California is renowned for being the largest producer of artichokes in the United States. We recommend booking a half day agricultural tour with Ag Venture Tours, where you can learn all about farming in the Monterey region.

If ag tours aren’t your jam (see what I did there?!) I recommend spending the morning strolling or biking at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove or checking out the charming streets and shops of Carmel!

Whale Watching in Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay is famous for its abundance of sea life, including many species of whales! Spend your afternoon whale watching with Princess Monterey Whale Watching, which is a 4-hour boat tour to find whales. There is a good chance that you’ll see whales year-round. This time, we spotted about a dozen humpback whales, including a baby whale! Note that it is not uncommon for guests to feel a bit seasick on these boat tours.

Dinner at Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette

After working up an appetite from a full day adventuring, enjoy dinner at Salt Wood located at the Sanctuary Beach Resort. Salt Wood’s menu focuses on Monterey Bay’s rich, agricultural bounty. We loved their Grilled Chicory Beet Salad and Smoked Coriander Carrots.

Check into the Sanctuary Beach Resort

After dinner, check into the beautiful Sanctuary Beach Resort, just a short walk from Salt Wood. This beach-front hotel has luxurious modern rooms overlooking the ocean. Each night they host bonfires on the beach at sunset for guests to enjoy! Afterward, the sound of the crashing waves lulled us to sleep. It was the best sleep we’ve had in a long time!

DAY 3: Hiking at Point Lobos & road tripping into Big Sur

Breakfast in bed at the Sanctuary

Start your morning with breakfast in bed at the Sanctuary. Guests can place their breakfast order with the hotel concierge the night before, and have breakfast delivered to their room as early as 7:00 AM. We thoroughly enjoyed their French Toast, fresh coffee, and avocado toast while watching the sunrise from our room! 

Hike and tide pool at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

After breakfast, head to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve for a morning of hiking and tide pooling. We hiked the 6.4 mile (round trip) Point Lobos Loop Trail which skirts the perimeter of the park and overlooks beautiful alcoves along the coast. Make sure to stop at the Whalers Cabin along the hike. If you time low tide right, we recommend tide pooling at Walker Beach. We’ve hiked this trail many times, and can attest that it’s one of the best things to do in Monterey. Be aware of poison oak at Point Lobos – we recommend wearing or packing long pants!

Drive down Highway 1 into Big Sur

Shortly before lunch start your drive south along Highway 1 into Big Sur. This is one of the United State’s most famous and scenic drives, known for its massive redwood trees and sweeping ocean views. There are countless turnouts along this drive to step out of the car (safely!) and take a picture of the ocean views below!

Enjoy Lunch at Sierra Mar

Sierra Mar is an incredible restaurant that sits high atop the cliffs of Big Sur. Their floor to ceiling glass windows offer spectacular views of the Pacific ocean, and guests are treated to a delicious farm-driven dining experience. We recommend booking a lunch reservation in advance. 

Explore Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

After lunch, head to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for an afternoon of hiking. This park is renowned for its giant coastal redwoods that tower above the hiking trails. We loved hiking the 0.8 mile Big Sur Nature Trail and the 1.6 mile Pfeiffer Falls Trail. This was our first time exploring the park, and I can confidently say this is one of the best things to do in Monterey, especially in the Big Sur region! 

Watch sunset during dinner at Nepenthe

End your weekend with dinner at Nepenthe, an iconic and eclectic restaurant overlooking the ocean, and an excellent spot to watch the sunset! I would highly recommend asking for a seat outside on their back patio to watch the sunset. We thoroughly enjoyed their margaritas and their famous Ambrosia and veggie burgers!

Final thoughts on the best things to do in Monterey

Monterey is a must-see gem on California’s Coast! From the high peaks and caves of Pinnacles National Park, to the scenic drive down Highway 1 into Big Sur, to epic whale watching in Monterey Bay, this adventure-packed itinerary truly showcases some of the best things to do in Monterey!

When visiting the Monterey and Big Sur areas, please remember to Leave No Trace! This means the following:

• Only hike on established trails (don’t wander off-trail!)
• Do not approach wildlife. Please stay 100+ feet away from wild animals to respect their space.
• Pack out everything you pack in trash – this includes food wrappers, orange peels, nut shells, toilet paper, etc.

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