Is Monterey California Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2026

I visited Monterey, California, as part of a pretty massive road trip down the coast from San Francisco to San Diego. And even though Monterey wasn’t necessarily at the top of my list of places I absolutely had to visit, I ended up having a surprisingly great time here.

Monterey itself is pretty small, but it has some really fun things to do, beautiful nature all around, and some really good food and coffee. So it pretty much ticked all the boxes for me!

Since I know Monterey isn’t necessarily the biggest tourist hotspot in California, and some of you might not really know what to expect, I put together this guide on is Monterey California worth visiting, including what I liked about it, what I didn’t like so much, and some of my favorite things I did while I was here.

Is Monterey California Worth Visiting? My Quick Answer

To give you the quick answer, I’d say yes, Monterey, California, is absolutely worth visiting, but I do want you to have the right expectations before you go.

I really liked Monterey. I loved the waterfront, the pier and the whole old-school seaside-town charm it has. But I’ll be honest, there isn’t a huge amount going on within Monterey itself. And that’s totally fine! It’s definitely not a reason to skip it, because one of the things I loved most about Monterey was the whole region around it.

You’ve got Carmel-by-the-Sea, the vineyards in Carmel Valley, Big Sur and Santa Cruz all within reach. So while Monterey itself is a great little destination, it’s also a fantastic base for exploring more of the Central California coast, which is exactly what I’d recommend doing.

We spent a couple of nights in Monterey and also stayed in nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea, and I thought both were great bases for exploring the surrounding area.

What I Loved About Monterey California

Fantastic Location for Exploring

One of my favorite things about Monterey was definitely its location. I love exploring when I travel, and I really took advantage of how much there is to see around here.

We visited Carmel-by-the-Sea, went to several vineyards and wineries inland, and also explored Santa Cruz and Big Sur. There’s just so much within driving distance that you could easily spend several days here without running out of places to visit.

For me, that’s one of the biggest reasons to come to Monterey. You get to explore the town itself, but you also have an awesome base for checking out some of the best parts of the Central California coast.

Beautiful Nature

The nature in and around Monterey was absolutely gorgeous, and one of the places that surprised me the most was Monterey State Beach.

We went for a walk along the beach, and I honestly had no idea how beautiful it would be. We didn’t exactly have the best weather for a proper beach day or swimming, but going for a walk along the coast was absolutely worth it anyway.

Another place I can highly recommend is, of course, 17-Mile Drive. It costs $12.50 per vehicle to enter, by the way, but the coastline is absolutely beautiful. And right next to it, you’ve got Asilomar State Beach, which is completely free. Little tip for you guys!

It’s Not Very Touristy

Another thing I really liked about Monterey was how relatively untouristy it felt, especially compared to nearby places like Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur.

The main places where I noticed tourists were around the famous Fisherman’s Wharf and when we went on our whale-watching tour. Other than that, Monterey felt pretty relaxed, and I never really felt like I was constantly surrounded by crowds.

After visiting San Francisco and Lake Tahoe earlier in our road trip, I actually really appreciated that. Sometimes it’s just nice to visit somewhere that doesn’t feel completely overrun with tourists.

Much Cheaper Than Nearby Towns

Here’s a little tip if you’re planning to explore this part of California, especially if you also want to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea but are traveling on a smaller budget: consider staying in Monterey instead.

I found some surprisingly affordable hotels here for well under $100 per night, and Carmel-by-the-Sea is only about a 10-minute drive away. (Stargazer Hotel is my rec for a cheap hotel!)

And trust me, based on my own experience looking at accommodation prices, Carmel-by-the-Sea can be WAY more expensive. So if you’d rather save some money on your hotel and spend it on exploring the area instead, Monterey is definitely worth considering as your base.

What I Didn’t Like About Monterey

It Can Be a Little Too Quiet

On the one hand, I was obviously happy to be somewhere that felt a little quieter and less touristy than many other places in California. But on the other hand, I sometimes felt like Monterey was a little too quiet.

I remember walking down the famous Fisherman’s Wharf and there were barely any people around. It was nice not having to deal with huge crowds, but at the same time, it did make the place feel a little sleepy.

Some Tourist Areas Felt Overpriced

I thought places like Fisherman’s Wharf felt a little overpriced for what they were. We had lunch at one of the restaurants there, where I tried clam chowder for the first time. I enjoyed it, but I also thought it was a little expensive for what it was.

I was also surprised that 17-Mile Drive wasn’t free to drive through. I understand that it’s privately managed and not just a regular public road, but I honestly assumed it would be free to drive along the coast. Just so you know, it costs $12.50 per vehicle to enter.

My Favorite Things to Do in Monterey

1. Drive the 17-Mile Drive

One of my favorite things we did in Monterey was driving the 17-Mile Drive, which is a scenic coastal road connecting the Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea area.

We started in Monterey and drove all the way down, stopping at around five different spots along the way to check out the coastline. And honestly, the views were gorgeous. We even saw a bunch of sea lions, which was super cool!

Entrance to the 17-Mile Drive costs $12.50 per vehicle, but I think it’s worth it for the scenery alone. If you’d rather skip the entrance fee, though, here’s a little tip: Asilomar State Beach is right nearby and has some similarly beautiful coastal scenery, and it’s completely free to visit.

2. Join a Whale-Watching Tour

I love a good whale-watching tour, and the Central California coast has some of the best whale watching I’ve ever done. We did a tour here in Monterey and then went whale watching again later in Morro Bay. Both experiences were incredible.

The cool thing about this area is that you can go whale watching throughout the year. The types of whales you’re likely to see change depending on the season, so there’s always a chance of spotting something different.

We saw humpback whales, which was awesome!

3. Walk Down Fisherman’s Wharf

One of the things I’d definitely recommend doing in Monterey is walking down Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s the famous pier here, with tons of seafood restaurants and places serving the clam chowder Monterey is known for.

We went to Old Fisherman’s Grotto, one of the most famous restaurants on the wharf, and I can tell you it was great, that was my first clam chowder too and i loved it. The food was delicious, and the views over the harbor were fantastic.

4. Spend the Day at Monterey State Beach

Hopefully, you’ll get a little luckier than we did with the weather! We only ended up going for a walk along Monterey State Beach, but I still thought it was absolutely beautiful.

If you visit on a nice summer day, I can for sure imagine spending a whole afternoon here. The beach is dog-friendly, the views are gorgeous, and apparently, you can even spot dolphins and whales from the shore sometimes.

5. Take a Day Trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea

And lastly, I’d absolutely recommend taking a day trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea, which is this tiny, fairytale-looking town just about a 10-minute drive from Monterey.

In fact, I’d probably combine it with the 17-Mile Drive, since the route takes you toward Carmel anyway. Do the drive in the morning, stop in Carmel for lunch or a coffee, wander around the beautiful little streets and houses, and then head back whenever you’re ready.

My favorite coffee shop here was Mad Dogs & Englishmen, so I’d definitely stop there if you need a caffeine fix.

FAQs About Whether Monterey Is Worth Visiting

What Is There to Do in Monterey?

Monterey has a really cool waterfront, and Fisherman’s Wharf is definitely worth checking out if you want to grab some clam chowder and enjoy the views over the harbor. I’d also recommend driving the famous 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach, which was one of my favorite things we did in the area.

How Many Days in Monterey Do I Need?

If you only plan on exploring Monterey itself, I’d say one full day is enough. However, if you want to use Monterey as a base for exploring the surrounding area, including Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley and Big Sur, you could easily spend 3–4 days here.

Is Monterey Expensive to Visit?

I visited Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea back to back, and Monterey was WAY cheaper. So no, I wouldn’t necessarily call Monterey an expensive destination, especially compared to some of the nearby towns.

If you’re planning to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea but want to save some money, I’d definitely look into staying in Monterey instead. Hotel prices can be much more affordable, and it’s only about a 10-minute drive between the two.

Can I See Whales in Monterey?

Absolutely! We went on a whale-watching tour in Monterey and got to see humpback whales, which was awesome. Apparently, you can also sometimes spot whales from Monterey State Beach if you’re lucky, so keep your eyes open when you’re walking along the coast!

When Is the Best Time to Visit Monterey?

I’d say late summer is a great time to visit Monterey, especially if you want to spend some time at the beach. Spring is also a good option if you prefer milder temperatures.

Just be aware of June Gloom, when the coast can get pretty overcast, even during summer.

Final Thoughts on Is Monterey Worth It

All in all, I absolutely think Monterey is worth visiting. Whenever someone asks me whether they should come here and how long they should stay, my answer is pretty much always the same: it depends on whether you just want to explore Monterey itself or use it as a base for seeing more of the surrounding area.

You could easily spend one day exploring Monterey, but if you also want to visit Carmel Valley, Santa Cruz and Big Sur, you’ll want to give yourself a few extra days.

My personal highlights were definitely driving the 17-Mile Drive toward Carmel-by-the-Sea and going whale watching, where we got to see humpback whales. Both were such fun experiences and absolutely worth making time for.

I hope this guide on whether Monterey, California, is worth visiting gave you a better idea of what to expect and helped you decide whether to add it to your own California itinerary.

Check Out My Other Monterey Guides

Where to Stay in Monterey California: My Favorite Areas and Hotels

Cafes & Coffee Shops in Monterey: My Top Spots for a Good Coffee

How Many Days in Monterey Do You Need? My Honest Day by Day Guide

Is Monterey California Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

Things to Do in Monterey California: My Top Activities and Places to Visit

Is the 17-Mile Drive Worth it? My Honest Review