Best Things to Do in Monterey, CA With Kids
Monterey's essential family day includes the Monterey Bay Aquarium (genuinely world-class, worth the ticket price), a drive down 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach, a whale-watching cruise from Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row's aquarium-adjacent strip, and a guided sea-otter kayak tour for kids old enough to paddle.
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1Area photo: Rhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Monterey Bay Aquarium
One of the best aquariums in the country, not a marketing claim — the three-story kelp forest tank and the sea otter exhibit are the standouts, and the touch pools are genuinely well-run for younger kids. Worth the ticket price.
Watch out: Timed-entry tickets are essential in peak season — walk-up can mean an hour-plus wait. It's a big building; plan 3–4 hours minimum and expect tired legs by the end.
2Area photo: Rhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)17-Mile Drive (Pebble Beach)
A paid scenic toll road past the Lone Cypress, coastal golf courses, and dramatic Pacific overlooks — an easy, low-effort activity that works as a calm half-day after the aquarium. Toddlers can nap through most of it and older kids get the photo stops.
Watch out: The toll fee is refunded with a minimum purchase at some Pebble Beach restaurants — check current terms before paying twice. Several stops have no restrooms; plan accordingly.
3Area photo: Rhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Monterey Bay Whale Watching Cruise
Monterey Bay's underwater canyon brings deep-water species close to shore, which makes this one of the more reliable whale-watching spots on the West Coast across multiple seasons — gray whales in winter/spring, humpbacks and blues in summer/fall.
Watch out: No sightings are guaranteed on any single trip, though odds here are genuinely good. The open bay can be choppy; consider motion-sickness precautions for kids prone to seasickness.
4Area photo: Rhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Cannery Row & Fisherman's Wharf Walk
Former sardine canneries turned into a walkable strip of shops and restaurants, right next to the aquarium — a natural before-or-after stop rather than a destination on its own. Sea lions are often visible barking from the rocks near the wharf.
Watch out: Very tourist-priced restaurants along the main strip — walk a block or two off Cannery Row for better food value. Not much here beyond browsing and snacks; don't over-schedule time for it.
5Area photo: Rhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Guided Sea Otter Kayak Tour
Paddling out among sea otters, harbor seals, and kelp beds gives a different, quieter perspective on the bay than the aquarium tank does. Self-guided rentals are cheaper than a fully guided tour if your family is comfortable on the water.
Watch out: Keep real distance from otters and seals — they're wild animals and getting too close is both harassment and a liability issue for the outfitter. Cold water and wind mean wetsuits or layers even on a sunny day.
Frequently asked
Do we need aquarium tickets in advance?
Yes, especially spring break, summer, and holiday weekends — the Monterey Bay Aquarium uses timed entry and walk-up availability is unreliable in peak season.
What is the best whale-watching season in Monterey?
Something is usually visible year-round thanks to the underwater canyon, but gray whales migrate past in winter/spring and humpbacks and blue whales are more common in summer/fall.
Is 17-Mile Drive worth the toll for a family?
Yes as a low-effort scenic add-on, especially paired with the aquarium — it's short, doesn't require getting out of the car much, and the Lone Cypress stop is a real photo moment.
How cold is the water for kayaking or swimming in Monterey?
Cold — typically 50s to low 60s°F year-round. Kayak tours provide or require wetsuits; this isn't a warm-water swim destination like Southern California beaches.
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