How To Spend Two Days in Monterey & Beyond: Whale-Watching, Kayaking, Monarch Butterflies & Coastal Hikes
Monterey is located on the beautiful Pacific Coast in Central California. Along with a bunch of other picturesque towns, it sits on Monterey Bay, which is an absolute hotspot for marine life and coastal views. For anyone who loves nature and charming coastal towns, this is an incredible destination to visit. There are so many things to see and do: venture out into the bay on a whale-watching tour, spot sea otters and sea lions while paddling in a kayak, stroll along the coast in Monterey, hike at nearby Point Lobos, watch one of those awe-inspiring California sunsets, explore tide pools on the rocky shoreline, and so much more.
If you are planning your trip around Monterey and love the outdoors, this is the post for you.
In a Nutshell: What to Expect from This Guide
- I’ve created this guide for anyone looking to explore Monterey and the surrounding area with an outdoorsy focus.
- If you’re planning to spend 2 days or a weekend around Monterey, or just want some ideas, you’ll find plenty here that fit comfortably into two days.
- Whether you want to hike, paddle, or spot wildlife, there’s something here for you.
- No matter if it’s your first time visiting or you call Monterey home, this post is for you (and feel free to skip what you’ve already done).
Settle in, grab a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever you need to get cozy, and let’s get started!
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Table of Contents
First Day
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a just a short drive (10-15 minutes) from Monterey and a place to admire the immense biodiversity and beauty of the Californian Central Coast. Every time I am in the Monterey area, I just have to visit Point Lobos. There are numerous (short) trails within the reserve that allow you to immerse yourself in stunning scenery and let you spot so much wildlife.
The trails along the coastal bluffs offer awe-inspiring views of the Pacific ocean, rugged shoreline, and if you are lucky you may even spot a whale or a pod of dolphins out in the ocean. Definitely bring binoculars! But there’s even more to see than the beautiful coast: Walk the Cypress Grove Trail to see the Monterey Cypress in its natural habitat, one of only two places in the entire world (note the Monterey Cypress is not rare in terms of number of living individuals as it is a popular as a horticultural plant around the world, but extremely rare regarding its natural distribution). There’s also lots of marine mammals and birds to see along the trails. Watch for harbor seals, sea lions, pelicans, or great blue herons. Another magical trail is the lace lichen trail where you can immerse yourself in a forest where yellow-green lichens hanging mythically from the trees, often shrouded in fog. If you’d like to learn more about the trails at Point Lobos, check out my Guide To The Best Short Hikes At Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
Dive Deeper Into Point Lobos With a Naturalist-Guided Tour
If you want to dive deeper into the history and ecology of Point Lobos with a naturalist guide who knows the best spots for wildlife viewing, you can book a guided nature walk and learn more in a small-group setting. Check below for availability and details.
Monarch Butterfly Sancturary (Fall & Winter Only)
Monarch butterflies clustering in a eucalyptus tree at the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. Photo taken in October.
If you’re visiting Monterey between mid-October and February, make sure to stop by the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove, just next door to the city of Monterey. This peaceful grove is the largest overwintering site for monarchs in Monterey County and one of the most reliable places in California to see them gather during the cooler months.
A short trail winds through eucalyptus and pine trees, where—if you're lucky—you'll spot clusters of monarchs hanging like leaves from the branches, especially when temperatures are below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s a truly fascinating journey the monarchs take. Starting in fall, monarch butterflies travel up to 2,000 miles from as far north as Canada to escape the freezing temperatures of winter. Even more incredible? None of them have ever been to their overwintering sites before. This migrating generation—often called the “super generation”—is different from their short-lived summer relatives. They live up to eight times longer than typical monarchs, delaying reproduction until spring after they’ve overwintered.
Besides the butterflies, the sanctuary itself is a quiet and beautiful place to enjoy a short walk and even a bit of autumn color in the fall.
The number of butterflies varies each year, depending on climate conditions, breeding success, and habitat availability. To get the latest monarch count and helpful tips for visiting, check with the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, which tracks the overwintering population at the sanctuary.
Monarch Butterfly Essentials
Best Time to Visit
- Mid October to February is the best period to see monarchs clustering, with peak activity between November and January.
- Any time of day can be rewarding:
- Cooler temperatures (below 60°F) in mornings and evenings encourage monarchs to cluster tightly.
- During warmer hours, monarchs tend to be more active and flutter around more.
Binoculars & Photographing Monarch Butterflies
- Butterflies often gather high in trees, so bring binoculars for a better view.
- For photography, pack a telephoto lens of 250mm or longer for close-up shots.
Leave No Trace
- Be mindful where you step — monarchs sometimes rest on the ground and blend in with leaves.
- Walk carefully to protect these fragile butterflies and their habitat.
A Threatened Species
- Monarch populations have declined by around 90% over the past 25 years.
- Threats include loss of coastal overwintering sites, loss of milkweed along migration corridors, and climate change impacts like droughts and extreme weather.
How to Support: Plant Milkweed (With Exceptions)
- Planting milkweed native to your area helps restore monarch habitat and provide habitat for caterpillars.
- Exception: In California, avoid planting milkweed within 5 miles of coastal overwintering sites and in higher elevation forests where milkweed does not naturally occur, as this may disrupt monarch behavior and harm populations.
- Near overwintering sites where milkweed isn’t advised, planting native nectar flowers is a great way to support monarchs and other pollinators as well.
Asilomar State Beach: Tide Pooling, Coastal Trail & Sunset Spot
When the ocean recedes during low tide, it reveals a wealth of life usually hidden underwater. A rich variety of animals and plants appears—some of which might seem strange or even out of this world. Looking into the ocean like this is fascinating because it shows us a part of nature we rarely get to see. While it’s exciting to watch larger marine mammals like seals, sea lions, or even whales, the smaller creatures that live hidden lives are just as amazing.
Tide pooling is a great way to explore the coast, and it feels like a little scavenger hunt with many surprises and no way of knowing what you’ll find exactly. Sometimes, what you discover is as obvious as a sea star clinging to a rock; other times, it takes a closer look to spot something like an octopus tentacle waving from beneath a ledge.
Asilomar State Beach is an amazing spot to go tide pooling, with rocky pools at both ends of the beach. The beach itself and the area are absolutely stunning and also connected to the coastal trail, so definitely plan a good amount of time to explore both the tide pools and the surroundings. This is a great sunset spot, too!
Tide Pooling Essentials
Timing & How
- Tide pooling is only possible at low tide when receding water reveals ocean life usually submerged underwater.
- I recommend visiting 1–2 hours before the lowest tide. This timing allows ample time to explore while the tide is still receding, without worrying about incoming water.
- Marine life can be found in puddles or on rock surfaces. Different areas of the intertidal zones are home to different species. Sea anemones and sea stars often hide in the shade, so crouch down and look towards the bottom of rocks to spot them.
Explore & Contribute: iNaturalist
- iNaturalist is a fantastic resource to explore local tide pooling sightings.
- Search for particular species or get a full overview of marine life others have spotted in a particular area.
- Contribute your own observations via the app or website and help build community science data that supports conservation efforts.
Guidelines for Responsible & Safe Tide Pooling
- Walk gently and avoid stepping on rocks that host marine life, including small organisms like mussels.
- Respect wildlife and habitats by not removing or touching anything in tide pools or on rock surfaces. Disturbing these habitats can cause irreversible damage or stress to marine life.
- Avoid turning over rocks, as this disturbs the marine life living underneath.
- Watch for incoming tides to avoid getting stranded. The difference between low and high tide can be several feet, submerging areas accessible during low tide.
- Observe wet vs. dry areas to gauge where water reaches at high tide.
- Rocks can be extremely slippery. Wear shoes with good grip.
Second Day
Explore Monterey Bay From The Water
A visit around Monterey wouldn’t be complete without exploring the bay directly from the water, in my view! Luckily, there are many ways to explore Monterey Bay, so there’s something for everyone—whether you’re looking for something more active like kayaking, watching whales on the often choppy bay, or, if you’re not up for potential seasickness, a calm boat ride on a slough with the chance to spot otters and other marine life.
Option 1: Whale-Watching Tour
Monterey Bay is renowned for its stunning marine life and spectacular whale-watching opportunities, so you shouldn’t miss out on a whale-watching tour! There are many tour providers to choose from, departing from locations such as Monterey or Moss Landing. As for your chances of seeing whales, you’ll likely do well with any tour — we started in Monterey, and the different providers all seemed to visit pretty much the same spots. Of course, whales are wild animals, so sightings can’t be guaranteed. That said, the chances of seeing them are extremely high. To make your choice easier, here’s one of the most popular and best-rated options:
Recommendation: Discovery Whale Watch (Starting From Monterey)
Discovery Whale Watch offers 3- or 4-hour tours from Monterey with excellent reviews. Each tour is narrated by marine biologists or naturalists. Tours often sell out. Check availability and book your spot below.
Already sold out? Here are More Excellent Choices
Whale-Watching Essentials
Seasickness
- Come prepared for seasickness, and consider bringing different types of medication if you’re unsure what works best for you.
- I took ginger-based pills before and during the trip, which supposedly work well for many people, but they didn’t work for me—so bring alternatives in case something doesn’t go as expected.
Binoculars & Photographing Whales
- Bring binoculars, and if you intend to take photos, a telephoto lens to get a closer look at the whales, which may be some distance from the boat (though some do get close—the orcas weren’t shy and even swam beneath our boat).
- Be cautious when using binoculars or telephoto lenses excessively while the boat is moving, as this can worsen motion sickness.
Best Time
Whale watching in Monterey Bay is exceptional year-round, with peak times during migration seasons:
- Humpback whales can be seen year-round, with the peak season in summer and fall.
- Orcas are spotted year-round in smaller, transient groups. They are more frequently seen during spring and fall, but occasionally appear at other times to hunt marine mammals.
- Gray whales migrate along the coast from December to April. Unlikely to be seen outside of these months.
- Blue whales, the largest mammals on Earth, are commonly sighted from June to October and are unlikely to be seen at other times of year.
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary provides further information on the whales and their migration cycles.
Note: Even though chances to spot whales are generally great in Monterey Bay, there is no guarantee of seeing them, as these are wild animals that don’t follow the schedule of a whale-watching tour.
Option 2: Kayaking On Monterey Bay
If you’d like to dip the paddles yourself into the bay and get close to the water, renting a kayak is a great option! It’s also an excellent way to explore the bay at your own pace and see otters, seals, sea lions, and birds along the way.
Option 2: Elkhorn Slough Boat Tour
If you love otters, seals, and other marine life but aren’t keen on kayaking or venturing out into the rough ocean, this tour is perfect for you! The boat tour lets you relax while enjoying the wildlife and plant life of the calm Elkhorn Slough — unlike whale-watching tours, seasickness is unlikely here. This peaceful estuary is home to many marine mammals and birds, making it a wonderful spot to explore nature. This tour starts in Moss Landing, about a half-hour drive from Monterey. See availability and secure your spot below.
Coastal Trail Including Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row & Monterey Bay Aquarium
After exploring the bay from the water, change perspectives and take in the views along the Coastal Trail in Monterey. This scenic path winds along the waterfront, offering stunning ocean vistas, chances to spot marine life, and the fresh scent of salty sea air. Start at Old Fisherman’s Wharf, where seafood and sailboats set the mood—it’s also a great spot to grab a fresh seafood plate—then continue toward Cannery Row, known for its rich history, coastal charm, and local shops. You can walk or bike the trail.
If you’re curious to learn more about the marine life you’ve seen so far, stop at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, located right on Cannery Row (just a heads-up: this isn’t a quick visit, expect to spend several hours!). It’s one of the world’s most renowned aquariums, featuring massive ocean tanks, hands-on exhibits, and a strong focus on conservation.
Where to Stay
The Monterey Peninsula has no shortage of beautiful places to stay — whether you're looking for oceanside hotels, cozy rentals, or peaceful inns tucked among cypress trees. Here are a few areas worth checking out:
- Monterey: Central, walkable, and great for easy access to Cannery Row, whale-watching tours, the aquarium, and coastal trails.
- Pacific Grove: On the southern edge of Monterey Bay, directly bordering Monterey. Beautiful coastline, tide pools, and a relaxed, local feel.
- Carmel-by-the-Sea: Quiet, romantic, and storybook-pretty cottages. Ideal for art galleries, boutique shopping, and a peaceful village vibe. However, it’s usually the priciest option for accommodation.
- Seaside: A laid-back alternative just north of Monterey with wide beaches, quick access to Highway 1, and often more budget-friendly options.
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