My Perfect Monterey Itinerary for 1 to 2 days

I live only a two-hour drive from the coastal town of Monterey. It is my favorite weekend getaway and one of the best places to visit with friends and family on a day trip from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Monterey is also a great overnight stop on a San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip. There are so many attractions to explore here, such as the 17-mile drive, coastal town of Carmel, Big Sur scenic drive, and more.

The Monterey Coast is filled with stunning vista points and hidden beaches waiting to be explored.

Every trip, I find something new to do in Monterey, be it the Monterey Coastal Trail, exploring Pacific Grove, taking the scenic 17-mile drive, or finding a hidden beach along the coastline.

Join me as I share the perfect Monterey itinerary covering some of the top things to do here.

Monterey Itinerary Overview

This Monterey itinerary is for 2 days but you can use it for a day trip to Monterey as well, or an extended stay on the Central California Coast.

For me, every visit to Monterey starts at Cannery Row, the bustling waterfront hub of Monterey.

Then, depending on the time at hand, we either explore the Monterey Coastal Trail, drive through the scenic 17-mile drive, or spend the day relaxing at the beach.

Day 1: Explore Cannery Row and Monterey Coast

Start your morning by exploring Cannery Row, the main waterfront shopping and dining hub in Monterey and home of the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Then, rent a bike (or a family bike!) and explore the Monterey Coastal Trail. Make sure to stop at Lover’s Point Beach.

Finally, end your day by relaxing at Monterey State Beach and later having dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Cannery Row

Cannery Row in Monterey, California, is a historic waterfront district famed for its past as the sardine-packing heart of the city. Today, it’s a lively hub with a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

You can walk along the length of Cannery Row and explore the many souvenir and gift shops here. I collect magnets from each place I visit, so stopping in a souvenir shop is a must for me!

We typically eat brunch or lunch at one of the oceanfront restaurants here. We recently tried El Torito, which serves good Mexican food and offers amazing ocean views if you can snag a table by the window.

Ghirardelli ice cream shop is another family favorite here.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

The most popular attraction on Cannery Row is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. If you have never been inside, it is a must-visit. It is not just for kids. We grown-ups have also enjoyed it immensely several times!

We had the annual family pass for the aquarium for several years when my kids were growing up. We visited several times a year and were always fascinated by its exhibits and educational programs.

Renowned for its advanced marine research and conservation efforts, the aquarium offers spectacular views of diverse marine life, including kelp forests, jellyfish, and various deep-sea creatures.

Monterey Bay Coastal Trail

The Monterey Coastal Trail starts from the North of Monterey State Beach and hugs the coastline of Monterey all the way to Pacific Grove.

I think this trail offers the real beauty of Monterey. The sweeping ocean views and the sound of the crashing waves is something to be experienced here.

Most of the trail is fenced here, and we saw some seals lounging at one of the beaches during the spring nesting season. It was a cool sight!

We typically rent bikes or the family bike on Cannery Row and go all the way to Lover’s Point Beach. We once did a 4-seater family bike and also a 6-seater one when we visited with family friends. The 6-seater bike was harder to navigate! It is a fun family activity.

We have also, at times, just walked the trail instead. There are benches at various vista points where you can sit and admire the views.

Lover’s Point Beach

Lover’s Point Beach is a cozy beach around 1.5 miles from Cannery Row. It is almost a ritual for us to walk or bike the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail from Cannery Row up to Lover’s Point Beach.

There are always a lot of families at this beach, as the cove does not have very strong waves. Note that there are steps to go down to the beach here. There is a kayak rental shop and a cafe here.

The Lover’s Point Park next to it is great for picnics. It’s a laid-back place to relax and soak up some beautiful ocean views.

Monterey State Beach

After exploring the Monterey coast, we typically chill at Monterey State Beach, which is known for its wide sandy stretches, perfect for sunbathing, picnicking, and beach games.

The water is typically cold here, but that doesn’t keep the kids from going in the water. We sometimes do a day trip to Monterey State Beach in the summer and bring a picnic along.

The Del Monte Beach which is closest to Fisherman’s Wharf is also a good beach spot with parking, playground, and restrooms.

Fisherman’s Wharf

Make sure to find time in your day to take a leisurely stroll around the Old Fisherman’s Wharf area in Monterey and explore its many seafood restaurants and shops.

There are various water activity tours here, such as the famous Monterey whale watching tours. Monterey enjoys a year-round whale-watching season, so make sure to try to witness these awesome sea creatures in their natural habitat. You can also rent charter boats here.

We have witnessed a lot of wildlife in Monterey over our various trips, like sea lions, seals, otters, dolphins, whales, and various species of birds. But if you are short on time, I highly recommend the Monterey Bay Aquarium to be able to see everything during your trip.

Day 2: 17-mile Drive

On Day 2, buckle up and enjoy the iconic scenic drive through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach called the 17-mile Drive. This iconic drive offers breathtaking views of the ocean, dramatic cliffs, and lush forests.

Along the way, you’ll see iconic golf courses, luxury homes, and famous landmarks like the Lone Cypress. The drive has plenty of spots (17 to be exact) to pull over and take in the stunning scenery.

The 17-mile Drive is exactly 17 miles long, and you have to pay an entrance fee to drive on it. We paid $12 when we visited most recently.

They gave us a map that listed the stops and their locations. The drive is marked by a red line on the road and is very easy to navigate, with signs throughout.

I recommend doing this if you are in the area. We have done this drive several times over the years, and we always bring our visiting family and friends here.

The drive can be done in as little as 2 hours, or you can spend a whole day here exploring the various beaches and trails here.

Some of my favorite stops on the 17-mile drive are:

Spanish Bay Beach

This white-sand beach (although quite rocky!) is great for a walk and a picnic. A coastal trail here goes to Asilomar State Beach.

Restless Sea

A nice stop to watch the dramatic ocean views and crashing waves.

Bird Rock

The name tells it all. There is a large rock island here with hundreds of birds. We have occasionally seen sea lions and seals resting there as well.

Seal Rock

The small beach here has very soft white sand and is a great place to relax. The gingerbread house across from the beach has a very interesting-looking roof, and there is a forest trail next to it.

Crocker Grove

This was my favorite stop on the drive as I really love forests, and Crocker Grove has some of the oldest Monterey Crypress trees. It was very serene here.

Lone Cypress

This is the most popular stop on the 17-mile drive. The Lone Cypress is a single tree perched on a rock in the ocean, and is more than 250 years old.

The tree is like a celebrity and is on the logo of Pebble Beach Resorts.

Where to stay in Monterey

Being only 2 hours away from Monterey, we often do a day trip, but on a few occasions, we have stayed overnight in Monterey as well for a relaxing getaway.

You can stay in Monterey, Pacific Grove, or Carmel, which is only 5 miles away.

Places where we have stayed –

Andril Fireplace Cottages (in Pacific Grove) – Beautiful property with cottages. We stayed in a two-bedroom cottage with a full kitchen. The resort is within walking distance from Asilomar State Beach and the coastal trail.

Carmel River Inn (in Carmel) — Most recently, we stayed in a Carmel River Inn, which is at the southernmost point in Carmel. It was a nice, newly built studio cabin. There is a huge shopping center across the highway. We had a delicious breakfast at the restaurant ‘From Scratch’ here.

More recommendations –

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa (Cannery Row, Monterey)—If you want to stay right in the middle of all the Cannery Row action, this is the place to be! This luxury waterfront resort has amenities like a full-service spa and two on-site restaurants.

Top Tours in Monterey

• Taking a whale-watching tour is a popular thing to do in Monterey Bay year-round!
• Explore 17-mile drive on a guided electric bike tour.(starts in Carmel)
• Monterey and Cannery Row 1 hour GoCar tour

How many days do you need in Monterey?

One to two days should be plenty to see the main attractions of Monterey, such as Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the 17-mile drive, and the beaches. I highly recommend an overnight stay if this is your first time visiting Monterey.

You can easily spend a week here, keeping Monterey as your base and exploring Monterey, Carmel, Point Lobos, and Big Sur.

What else is nearby?

• 17-mile drive – scenic drive with epic ocean views, beaches, and golf courses.
• Carmel-by-the-sea – a charming coastal town with a cute downtown filled with art galleries and restaurants.
• Point Lobos State Park – excellent hiking trails with ocean views, wildlife, and beaches.
• Big Sur – an iconic California coastline with dramatic views, state parks, and landmarks like Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls.

Final takeaways: Monterey Itinerary

For me, Monterey has always been a great getaway destination with stunning ocean views and coastal trails, along with the bustling vibe of Cannery Row.

My itinerary will allow you to experience the best of Monterey in a short duration.