Best places: Things to dos in Monterey County

👍👍 The best picnic spot on highway 1 between Big Sur and Carmel. What we did was stop at the Safeway in carmel and grab some to-go sushi and drinks. We drove about 30 minutes south to Hurricane Point, brough out some chairs, cozied up with the blanket, and whale watched. Being up so high was truly brea...

Famed 4,200 ft art deco suspension bridge open to car, bike & foot traffic.

The city's 1,017-acre oasis draws hikers, bikers, art lovers & music fans, plus gardens & museums.

👍 Perfect place to watch the sun go into the water. Unobstructed views for a spectacular sunset.

Scenic coastal area featuring diverse sea animals & wildlife, hiking, diving & a whaling museum.

Waterfront hiking through wildflowers, with shipwreck views & access to the Sutro Baths ruins.

White sandy beach backed by a trail & cypress trees popular for dog walking, volleyball & surfing.

Petite beach park with swimming, surfing & other water recreation, plus kayak & bike rentals & more.

55 acres of serene gardens showcasing diverse plants from around the world & a magnolia collection.

Famous park & recreation area featuring wooded trails, historic sites & Golden Gate Bridge views.

Park featuring 200-foot-high bluffs for hang gliding, plus trails for hiking & horseback riding.

Famed & highly touted 18-hole coastline public golf course with dramatic sea views & a clubhouse.

Gondola access to an urban rooftop garden with trees, flowers & play equipment, plus a cafe terrace.

Paved, 2.2-mile road-racing track used for auto & motorcycle racing, plus special events.

Tranquil place featuring a 1-mi. stretch of sandy beach & rocky coves, along with a walking trail.

This mile-long beach offers bird watching opportunities & a popular scuba diving entry point.

👍👍 It was a beautiful beach with clear water and White Sand. The parking was full and occupied. We had to wait for a while and take some rounds of the parking lot. The near by houses were beautifully made and designed to see the beach from their homes. Almost all the houses were made of Glass windows o...

👍👍 Glad we did the whole 17-mile drive and this was definitely a pretty place to stop. I’m sure this would be an amazing view at sunset, we just didn’t have enough time to stick around, so plan your drive appropriately to get the most out of it. Please also watch out for the bicyclists and I wouldn’t l...

Renowned 1932 Beaux-Arts performing arts center & home to the San Francisco Ballet.