Treasure Island, Point Lobos Dennis the Menace Playground Henry Miller Pacific Coast Central California Scenic Mountain Monterey Gray Whales

Free Things to Do in Monterey

Monterey Path of History. Get a taste of what life was like in the early days of old Monterey on the Monterey Path of History tour, which visits more than 40 historic buildings and sites (Free self-guided and docent-led tours available).

Monterey Bay Chocolate Factory. Take a tour and sample sweets at Monterey Bay Chocolate Factory in Seaside.

Treasure Island. Walk into (cars are charged a fee, pedestrians are not) Pt. Lobos State Reserve and hike to the cove said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Visit the Whaling Museum, count the number of wildflowers you see, or picnic nearby wave-crashing rocks.

Monterey County Movie Map. Pick up a Monterey County Movie Map and visit sites where such films as “Play Misty for Me,” “Basic Instinct,” “Turner & Hooch,” “National Velvet,” “From Here to Eternity” and more were filmed.

Great Tide Pools. Follow in the footsteps of great John Steinbeck characters by visiting the Great tide pools along the Monterey Bay coastline.

Monterey Bay Recreation Trail. Bike, rollerblade or jog along the scenic Monterey Bay Recreation Trail, an 18-mile stretch of paved pathway that runs alongside Monterey Bay. [Top]

Dennis the Menace Playground. Climb a real, full size 1956 steam engine at Dennis the Menace Playground, designed by Dennis the Menace creator, Hank Ketcham.

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Visit several free museums including the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History (where children can climb on "Sandy the Whale,” a life-sized bronze sculpture located outside the museum’s front doors), or the Pacific House Museum, featuring Monterey’s rich history as the capital of Spanish and Mexican California.

Maritime Museum of Monterey. Watch a fascinating free film on California’s history at the Maritime Museum of Monterey, and then visit the historic Custom House to see where California commerce began. (Be sure to check out the California ‘bank notes’ that hides of the plentiful cattle roaming the western lands)

River Road Wine Trail. Uncork the oenophile inside with a tasty trek along the burgeoning River Road Wine Trail, featuring seven award-winning wineries as of April 2005.

Henry Miller Memorial Library. Visit the bookstore and redwood-shaded lawns at the Henry Miller Memorial Library in Big Sur, honoring the writer who spent 18 years in the area.

Marina State Beach. Grab a kite, pack a picnic, and head to the sand dunes at Marina State Beach for a day of play. Also a great place to catch the sunset.

Fisherman’s Wharf. Explore Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf and do your own clam chowder sampling provided free by several of the wharf’s restaurant kiosks.

Sea Lions. See the sea lions on the rocks at the end of the Coast Guard Pier.

Birding. Do some birding at Point Lobos, Elkhorn Slough, Salinas River State Beach or Lake San Antonio. [Top]

Scenic Mountain Bike Trails. Head out on nearly 90 miles scenic mountain bike trails and roads on the former Fort Ord military base.

Garland Ranch Regional Park. Enjoy spectacular Carmel Valley views from trails at Garland Ranch Regional Park.

Gray Whales. Watch gray whales on their annual winter (Dec-Mar) migration between Alaska and Mexico from one of Monterey County’s promontories: Pt. Pinos, Pt. Lobos or the Big Sur coastline.

Asilomar Ramble. Take a free personal “Asilomar Ramble” tour with local California State Parks rangers and cut loose on 80 acres that includes historic architecture, forested hiking trails and ready-to-wear dunes topped with wooden walking trails. Key sites include 16 structures designed by Julia Morgan ( Hearst Castle) between 1913 and 1928.

The Farm. View jolly giant farmers standing 20 ft. high in the fields off Highway 68 at the entrance to The Farm. Crafted by local artist John Cerney, these larger-than-life statues of packers, trimmers and irrigators are a tribute to the hard-working men and women of Salinas Valley. Follow up with some fresh veggies from the farm stand. [Top]