Things to do nearMonterey Bay
Monterey Bay is a protected marine sanctuary along California's Central Coast, celebrated for its rich kelp forests, abundant wildlife, and dramatic coastal scenery.
Monterey Bay has shaped the identity of California's Central Coast for centuries. The Ohlone people relied on its waters long before Spanish missionaries arrived in the late eighteenth century. By the early twentieth century, the sardine industry had transformed the shoreline into a bustling industrial corridor, a history immortalized in John Steinbeck's writing and still visible in the repurposed canneries that line the waterfront today.
The bay was designated a National Marine Sanctuary in 1992, protecting one of the most biodiverse marine environments in North America. Beneath the surface, submarine canyons drop thousands of feet, creating upwelling conditions that bring cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface and support an extraordinary food chain. Visitors can explore this underwater world through the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, which sits directly on the bay and offers close encounters with kelp forest ecosystems, deep-sea species, and local marine life.
Above the waterline, the bay offers kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, scuba diving, and whale watching tours departing from Fisherman's Wharf. The surrounding towns of Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Moss Landing each offer their own character, from Victorian architecture to roadside artichoke stands and fresh seafood served at harborside restaurants.
Monterey Bay remains one of the few places on the California coast where nature still sets the pace, making it a destination that leaves a lasting impression on anyone who spends time along its shores.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Monterey Bay
Visit during the fall months for some of the best whale watching conditions, when humpback and blue whales feed actively in the bay.
Try kayaking from Cannery Row early in the morning before winds pick up and tour boats begin their routes.
Bring a windproof layer regardless of the season, as the marine layer keeps temperatures cool and the breeze off the water is persistent.
Walk the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail between Lovers Point in Pacific Grove and Cannery Row for sweeping bay views with minimal car traffic.
Look for sea otters near the kelp beds off the Moss Landing area, where some of the bay's largest otter populations tend to gather.
Top tours & experiences near Monterey Bay
2-3 Hour Monterey Bay Whale Watching Cruise
Spot whales from a reduced-capacity yacht with a naturalist guide
Monterey Bay 3-4 Hour Whale Watching Cruise
Cruise Monterey Bay on a spacious yacht with a naturalist guide
Santa Cruz 5-Hour Deep Sea Cod Fishing Trip
Fish Monterey Bay’s deep local reefs for cod, ling cod, and rockfish
Monterey Bay Whale Watching Cruise
Cruise Monterey Bay with narrated wildlife viewing from a heated vessel
Santa Cruz 1.5-Hour Sunset Sailing Cruise
Sail Monterey Bay's coastline as the day gives way to sunset
Private Sailing Cruise on Monterey Bay
Private keelboat sailing for up to 6 from Old Fisherman’s Wharf
Private Whale Watching Charter on Monterey Bay
Watch Monterey Bay wildlife from your own fast, open-deck boat
Santa Cruz Small-Group Wildlife Boat Tour on Monterey Bay
Get a low-to-the-water view of Monterey Bay wildlife with a captain-naturalist
8-Hour Monterey Bay Seabird Tour
Scan Monterey Bay for shearwaters, albatross, and other seabirds
Stand-Up Paddleboard Rental in Monterey Bay
Glide across Monterey Bay on a stable stand-up paddleboard rental
Underwater Naturalist Scuba Specialty Course in Monterey
Learn to observe marine life responsibly and recognize underwater behaviors
Introductory Sailing Lesson on Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz
Take the helm or sit back and enjoy the sail
Deep Sea Rock Cod & Ling Cod Fishing in Monterey Bay
Fish for ling cod and rock cod in Monterey Bay with onboard instruction
Whale Watching Cruise in Monterey Bay Canyon
Cruise Monterey Bay to spot whales and dolphins with onboard marine biologists
4-Hour Private Boat Charter in Monterey Bay
Design a private Monterey Bay outing around your group’s plans
Stand Up Paddleboard Lesson & Tour on Monterey Bay
Get started on a paddleboard with an experienced guide
Santa Cruz Regatta Sail
Watch Santa Cruz’s Wednesday regatta from a 65-foot catamaran
3.5-Hour Santa Cruz Whale Watching Cruise
Search Monterey Bay for seasonal whales and marine wildlife with a naturalist
Small-Group Monterey Bay Whale Watching from Moss Landing
Get low-to-the-water views of Monterey Bay wildlife
Sunset Whale Watching Cruise in Monterey Bay
See Monterey Bay wildlife from a fast, low-to-water boat at day’s end
Guided Kelp Forest Snorkeling Tour in Monterey
Explore Monterey Bay's kelp forest canopy with a certified guide
Stand Up Paddle Board Rental on Monterey Bay
Try stand-up paddling on a board built for stability
Monterey Bay Kelp Forest Kayak Rental on Cannery Row
Paddle the kelp canopy with a chance to spot otters, seals and sea lions
Stand Up Paddle Board Lesson & Tour on Monterey Bay
Try stand up paddleboarding with an experienced guide