I’m a beach person, born and raised on an island. There is something about being close to the water that keeps me sane. It doesn’t even have to be warm. Walking on the beach or even chasing two kids down the beach can pretty much guarantee a great day.
I guess that’s one of the reasons I enjoy Monterey so much. Miles and miles of beautiful beaches, a world famous aquarium, entertaining wildlife, and great food. There’s something for everyone in the family.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Seahorses, jellies, and sea otters, oh my! More than 35,000 animals and plants call the Monterey Bay Aquarium home. Consistently rated one of the best in the country, a visit to Monterey isn’t complete without a trip to the aquarium. Everybody goes, so avoid lines and buy your tickets online. Mornings tend to be busy, but crowds typically thin out a bit during the afternoon. If an air mattress doesn’t make you run for the nearest hotel, considering sleeping with the fishes—see my post on overnights at the aquarium. Seeing the aquarium after dark has many perks, most notably, no crowds! Whenever you go, don’t forget the touch pools, or your camera.
Cannery Row
The aquarium is essentially the end of Monterey’s Cannery Row. Once home to a booming canning industry, that included salmon and sardines, the historic stretch now serves as a waterfront play area for residents and visitors. It’s a great place to wander in the sun. The main drag is lined with hotels, restaurants, shops … you get the idea. I don’t typically do movies when I’m on vacation, but the IMAX theatre on Cannery Row is a nice bonus, especially on a rainy day. There is also a paved path that goes through Cannery Row and into Pacific Grove—a great place to take a family bike ride (a variety of bike rentals are available including kids’ bikes and surreys).
Dennis the Menace Playground
Pack a picnic and spend a few hours (more if you have the time) at the fabulous Dennis the Menace Playground. But be warned, at some point, you will lose sight of your kids. There’s just too much for them to do, and so many places for them to hide. Slides, climbing walls, and tunnels top the list. Kids have the run of a real locomotive parked at the entrance to the playground. A suspension bridge stretches across the park between two hills. Though most of the attractions are cushioned by sand, there’s plenty of grass to lay out a blanket and relax. The park was created with the help of Hank Ketcham, creator of the Dennis the Menace comic strip.
