Take Hwy 1 south to Monterey. Look for the Monterey Bay Aquarium sign and exit onto Fremont Street. Follow brown directional signs on Fremont to Camino El Estero and turn right. Just past the Visitor Information Center, turn left on Del Monte Ave and continue (in the right two lanes) past Fisherman's Wharf then through the tunnel to Foam Street. Follow the brown directional signs to Cannery Row parking and the aquarium. During summer months and major holiday periods, look for signs directing you to parking in downtown Monterey for the free WAVE visitor shuttle.
The exhibits take you into the hidden world of Monterey Bay, a spectacular ocean realm at the heart of the nation's largest marine sanctuary. The exhibits re-create the bay's habitats, from shallow tide pools to the open ocean and deep sea. The main feature is the Outer Bay Waters exhibit, the one-million-gallon tank containing tuna, sharks, ocean sunfish and sea turtles. At last count, they were home to almost 300,000 individual plants and animals. They exhibit approximately 550 species. Ticket costs: Adult-$29.95, Child (3-12)$17.95, Child (under 3)$free, Student-$27.95, Senior (65+)$27.95, Military Discount Note: For some people, a couple of hours at the Aquarium are enough but for others, even 2 whole days isn't enough time. For the best experience, go on a guided tour with a docent or pick up a guide book at the facility to help lead you through the exhibits. Note: We always get asked about coupons or discounts at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Since it is a non profit, we are not aware of any discounts except that some area hotels will give your 2 day tickets for the price of a 1 day ticket. For information on hotel packages including guest room and two, two day adult passes, Click here for an extensive listing of Aquarium hotel packages
Fisherman's Wharf
Location:
Downtown Monterey
Directions:
From Hwy 1 heading south, take the Pacific Grove/Del Monte Ave exit off the Hwy. Continue straight ahead and follow the signs. It will be on your right
Hours:
Varies by store/restaurant
Description:
Fisherman's Wharf is a great place to start if you have never been to the area before. Just park in their lot and travel on foot to a variety of shops, seafood restaurants and activities including whale watching, sailing and fishing. From Fisherman's Wharf, you can hook onto the coastal recreational trail heading to Cannery Row (just about a 10 minutes walk or rent a bicycle or kayak from Adventures by the Sea). The Wharf is also a great starting point for Monterey's Path of History walking tour and just across the street from our main downtown "Alvarado Street." A really unique thing to see -- an old fashioned "organ grinder" -- a man and his monkey who will entertain you for small change (I think you get a kiss for $1 -- from the monkey that is).
Cannery Row
Location:
Cannery Row (near Fisherman's Wharf), Monterey
Directions:
From Hwy 1 heading south, take the Del Monte/Pacific Grove exit. Continue on Del Monte Avenue and then veer to the right, following the signs to Cannery Row, and go under the tunnel. Veer to the right again onto Foam street. Access Cannery Row by turning right down any of the next few streets towards the water.
Hours:
Varies
Description:
Cannery Row is one of the most visited areas on the Monterey Peninsula. If you have never been here before, or even if you have, this is a great place to visit. You can park in one of many lots (or metered parking along the stree), and stroll to restaurants, unique shops, wine tasting rooms, the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium and more. There are also recreational opportunities including kayaking, bicycling, rollerblading, and a scenic walking path. Most of all, Cannery Row is a place of history - a place where not too long ago sardines where canned by the thousands in buildings that remain on the row today (but the smell is gone!)
Wild Things
Location:
400 River Road, Salinas
Directions:
From Hwy 1, take Hwy 68 heading East towards Salinas. Take the Reservation/River Road exit and turn right at the light. Continue for approximately 3 miles and the entrance will be on your right.
Hours:
Daily at 1 pm only
Description:
Wild Things is one of the premier companies that rents out "wild" animals for films. They also provide a tour for just $10 (adults) or $8 (children). No Reservations needed. Tour lasts one hour and they house over 100 Animals.additional 3pm tour in the months of June, July & August
Bonfante Gardens
Location:
3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy
Directions:
From Salinas/Monterey: Take US 101 north to the Monterey St. exit. Turn left onto northbound Monterey St. Then turn left onto westbound West Luchessa Rd. Then turn left onto westbound Thomas Rd. and proceed to Santa Teresa Blvd. Turn right onto northbound Santa Teresa Blvd. Turn left on Hwy. 152 (Hecker Pass Hwy.) The entrance to Bonfante Gardens will be to your left just past Burchell Rd.
Hours:
In general, the park operates weekends only in April, May, and early June; 7 days a week mid June through late August; weekends only in September and October.
Description:
Acres of trees, plants, water and rocks combine with 22 rides, 20 attractions, picnic grounds, miniature golf and spectacular gardens in phase one of this extraordinary project. This $100 million state-of-the-art theme park highlighting trees -- integrated with rides, amusements, entertainment, food and merchandise -- creates a family attraction like no other. A total of 42 rides and attractions include:
* Monarch Garden, in a greenhouse so large that a train, a monorail, and a river will run through it
* The "Quicksilver Express" mine coaster
* A rock maze that will change every day
* A boat ride through gardens of annual color
* An antique car ride that you can enter in the 1920's or in the 1950's;
* A 1927 Illions Supreme Carousel that has been painstakingly restored to its original beauty
Although it is not even in Monterey County, it is just about a 35 - 40 minutes drive away and is a great family friendly activity. Rates not yet set for 2003 season.Ages (11-61) $44.99 &Children(3-10) & Seniors 62+ $34.99
Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca
Location:
Monterey/Salinas off of Hwy 68.
Directions:
Take Hwy 1 South to Marina then East on Reservation Road (or, continue on Hwy 1 South to Seaside, then Hwy 218 (Canyon Del Rey) to the Gen'l Jim Moore Blvd entrance) to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Hours:
Varies by event
Description:
This is one of the premier racing tracks in the country! Some of these top events that attract thousands of people from all over the world ticket office #(800)327-7322
Monterey Path of History
Location:
20 Custom House Plaza, Monterey
Directions:
Located in downtown Monterey. Simply go to Fisherman's Wharf and the museum is located in the red brick plaza (Custom House Plaza) just before the entrance way to Fishermans Wharf.
Hours:
Cooper Museum & Garden are open until 10a-4pm daily, Custom House & Pacific House are open weekends & holidays only from 10a-4pm, The
Stevenson House is open from 1pm-4pm
Description:
Free public tours of historic buildings & Monterey walking tours are cancelled until further notice.Private group tours for up to 20 people may be reserved in advance
by calling 649-7172, fees apply for group tours. History buffs will enjoy following Monterey's Path of History winding through the downtown area of the city. Begin your tour just about anywhere, by following the permanent yellow discs marked "Path of History" that have been embedded in the sidewalk. Let your imagination take you back in time as you tour some of the city's oldest structures, including the Custom House, the First Theater of California, and the Cooper-Molera adobe. Maps are available, and guided walking tours are available for a fee, starting from the Maritime Museum. Tours are free.
Carmel Mission
Location:
3080 Rio Road, Carmel
Directions:
From Hwy 1 heading south past downtown Carmel, turn right onto Rio Road and follow it to Lasuen Drive. The Mission will be on your left.
Hours:
Open Mon - Sat 9:30a - 5pm & Sundays 10:30a - 5pm
Description:
Established in 1771 by Padre Junipero Serra, this is the second oldest mission in all of California. There is a beautiful altar, the main church (where many weddings and services still take place today), a garden courtyard, historic rooms (California’s first library, kitchen) and gift shop. Considering that most of the Monterey Peninsula only has buildings dating back to the late 1800’s, this is truly the most historic place to take a walk-through.
MORE:
Click here for a complete listing of all the great things to do and places to go in Monterey County along with your own personalized itinerary, maps, visitor guides, and valuable coupons and discount offers.
California Legacy Tours
Location:
Downtown Monterey at Stanton Center near Fisherman's Wharf
Directions:
Stanton Center is in Custom House Plaza which is located is located just in front of Fisherman’s Wharf in the center of downtown Monterey.
Hours:
Daily Waliking Tour at 11am
Description:
Owners David Wittrock and Monica Hudson operate a living history walk over Montereys Path of History. 1.5 hour tour that cost just $20 per person. Other tours they host include photo tours, walking tours of historic Point Lobos State Reserve, garden tours and a tour of Steinbeck's Cannery Row.
Earthbound Farm's Farm Stand
Location:
7250 carmel valley rd carmel ca 93922 3.5 miles East of Hwy 1 on Carmel Valley Road
Directions:
From Highway 1 heading south towards Big Sur, turn left onto Carmel Valley Road. Follow this road for about 3.5 miles and the farm stand will be on your right hand side.
Hours:
Monday - Saturday 8a - 6:30pm Saturdays 9a - 6pm
Description:
Almost every Saturday there's something exciting going on at Earthbound Farm’s Farm Stand. It’s a wonderful place to learn about organic farming, gourmet cooking, floral arranging with organic flowers, and crafts. A must-do-experience for anyone visiting California’s Central Coast! Some events on their recent calendar include a bug walk, an organic bumper crop sale, chef walk and flower walk.
Carmel Walks
Location:
Meet in the outdoor courtyard of the Pine Inn
Directions:
Proceed to downtown Carmel on Ocean Avenue and park nearest to the intersection of Lincoln and Ocean Avenue (or Ocean and Monte Verde). Walk to the courtyard to the right of the Pine Inn.
Hours:
10 am Tues-Fri and 10am and 2pm on Saturdays
Description:
Two hour walking tour including a tour of Carmel cottages, gardens and hidden courtyards. Filled with history and interesting tid bits about this former artist colony.$25 per person
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