Now that Spring is in full bloom, it’s a great time to explore the scenic Monterey Peninsula in Northern California. This world-renowned travel destination not only offers a plethora of great hotels and resorts to stay at, it’s also home to a wide variety of activities and experiences. From golfing and hiking to whale watching, wine tasting, and kayaking, here are several fun activities to do on the Monterey Peninsula in Spring.
Visit Local Beaches
When visiting the Monterey Peninsula, make a plan to pack a picnic lunch and grab your sunscreen before heading to one of the picturesque beaches. From Carmel Beach and Monastery Beach to my personal favorite (Carmel River State Beach, pictured above), there are so many beautiful beaches to relax at in this gorgeous locale. Not to mention – many of the beaches are dog-friendly and provide incredible views of the surrounding mountains and coastline.
Whale Watching
Another memorable way to spend an afternoon on the Monterey Peninsula is to go whale-watching on a chartered boat. From schools of dolphins to pods of migrating whales, hopping aboard a boat is a fun-filled way to discover the incredible sea life and breathtaking coastal vistas that this area has to offer. Most of the whale-watching tours depart from Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, which is a charming area to explore (as it features a variety of seafood restaurants, unique boutiques, and coffee shops).
Kayaking
In addition to sightseeing on board a whale-watching boat, another fun way to experience the natural beauty of this majestic coastline is to go kayaking. Tour groups such as Adventures-by-the-Sea offer kayaks for rent at multiple launch spots throughout the Monterey Peninsula, from Cannery Row in Monterey to Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove. Not only is kayaking an awesome opportunity to see sea life (such as harbor seals, sea lions, otters, and birds), but it’s also a great outdoor workout too.
Hiking
If you prefer to explore the Monterey Peninsula by foot, then lace up your hiking shoes and set out on one of the many coastal hiking trails. From Carmel’s magical Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (which offers miles of trails with epic coastal and forest views) to scenic hiking trails along the Pacific Coast Highway (such as Soberanes Canyon Trailhead, which is located en route from Carmel to Big Sur), there’s no shortage of breathtaking hiking trails to explore in this spectacular area.
Golfing
Aside from the world-renowned golf courses in Pebble Beach, California, the Monterey Peninsula is home to a variety of other challenging and delightful golf courses. From Quail Lodge Golf & Resort to Carmel Valley Ranch, another fun way to spend a day on the Monterey Peninsula is to go golfing.
Wine Tasting
Over the past few decades, Monterey County has grown to become a large producer of award-winning wines. Because of this, it’s now become a popular destination for wine aficionados, as there are dozens of wineries and wine tasting rooms to visit throughout the Monterey Peninsula. A few great places to enjoy wine tasting set within a charming atmosphere are Folktale Vineyards, Joyce Wine Co, and Albatross Ridge Wine Tasting Room.
Dining Out
From cute and casual eateries (such as The Forge Restaurant & Bar) to fine dining at Michelin-star-rated restaurants (such as Aubergine Carmel), the Monterey Peninsula is renowned for a wide variety of great places to enjoy dining out. Whether you’re in the mood for California cuisine, European-inspired dishes, Mexican or Asian food, there’s no shortage of options to choose from.
Shopping
Last, but not least, when visiting the Monterey Peninsula, make sure to spend a couple hours shopping at the unique and charming boutiques located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove, and Monterey. From handcrafted home goods and artisanal treats to designer apparel, accessories, and more, the Monterey Peninsula offers a variety of outstanding stores to shop from.
For a local’s view of the best places to experience around the Monterey Peninsula, follow Christina-Lauren Pollack on Instagram. To discover more inspiring vacation ideas and travel tips, check out the Travel section on Inspirations & Celebrations. To learn about other incredible travel destinations, hotels, restaurants & lounges, and activities to enjoy in each destination, join 65k+ email subscribers and sign up to receive exclusive travel e-newsletters from I&C.
