Monterey
Monterey is a Central Coast town on Monterey Bay, home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the old sardine-canning waterfront on Cannery Row and a coastline that runs south toward Big Sur.
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Monterey is a town on the Central Coast of California, on the curve of Monterey Bay about two hours' drive south of San Francisco. The waterfront was once the center of the sardine canning trade. The old canneries on Cannery Row now hold shops, restaurants and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The aquarium is the main draw, and its exhibits draw on the bay's kelp forests.
The trip suits a coast-focused plan: one or two days for the aquarium and the bay, a side trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea and its beaches, and a drive on 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach. Some trips continue south on Highway 1 to Big Sur, where the road runs along cliffs above the Pacific. Spring and early fall are the mildest months, and summer mornings are often foggy over the water. Plan at least two nights if you want time for Carmel or a day along the coast.
Monterey in five
- Book the aquarium ahead on weekendsThe Monterey Bay Aquarium is the city's main draw. Buy timed tickets on the official site for weekends and school holidays, and plan 3 to 4 hours.
- Stay overnight if you want Big SurMonterey is the gateway to Highway 1 south through Big Sur. Check the road status before you plan it, since slides and repairs can close sections.Big Sur
- Expect fog in summerJune to August often brings morning fog and cool, breezy days. September and October are usually clearer and warmer.
- Drive the 17-Mile Drive in the morningThe Pebble Beach scenic road charges a toll for cars, and it gets busier midday. Check the official site for the current fee and gate hours.
- Combine it with San Francisco or NapaMonterey is about 2 hours from San Francisco and fits a California coast route. Add a night in Carmel if you want a quieter base.San Francisco
Things to do in Monterey
See all attractions in Monterey
Need to know
- Airport
- Monterey Regional (MRY); San Jose (SJC) is the larger alternative
- Getting there
- Drive Highway 101 and 156 or Highway 1: San Francisco about 2 hours
- Getting around
- Car, bike or bus; Cannery Row and the harbor are walkable
- Best base
- Monterey near Cannery Row, or Carmel-by-the-Sea for quiet
- Time needed
- 1 day from San Francisco; 2 to 3 days with Carmel and Big Sur
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Whale watchingJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whale watching
- FebruaryClear9 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Gray whalesFebruaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Gray whales
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Gray whales, windyMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 121 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Gray whales, windy
- AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Mild, windyAprilClear
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- MayClear4 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Fog, mildMayClear
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fog, mild
- JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh18°Low12°June gloomJuneClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
June gloom
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Fog, coolJulyClear
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fog, cool
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Fog, coolAugustClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fog, cool
- SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh21°Low14°Warm, clearSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Clear, mildOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, mild
- NovemberClear7 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Mild, quietNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Cool, holidayDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, holiday
Average daily high and low in Monterey, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Sep Monterey Jazz Festival
Right now in Monterey
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 16°
- Humidity
- 46%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 1%
Monterey
12:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today20°11°1%Monday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Tue17°12°35%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Wed21°11°6%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Thu24°12°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri26°13°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat28°14°0%Saturday: Clear. High 28°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun28°15°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 12:13 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- SepMonterey Jazz FestivalMonterey
Day trips by train
- Carmel-by-the-Seaabout 10 to 15 minutes by carA village of cottages, galleries and a white beach.
- Big Surabout 30 to 90 minutes south, depending on the stopCliffs and redwood stops along Highway 1. Check road status.Read the guide
- San Franciscoabout 2 hours by carThe usual start or end of a California coast trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Monterey
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Monterey, checked
- Check whether you need an ESTA or a visa before flying to the US, using only the official CBP ESTA site.Source
- Do not approach, feed or chase sea otters, seals or whales; federal rules limit how close boats and people may come to marine mammals in Monterey Bay.Source
- Tip at restaurants and bars with table service; counter orders at cafes are usually not tipped.
Plan around Monterey
Highway 1 and the coast south of Monterey
Read the guideSan FranciscoThe usual start of a California coast trip
Read the guideNapa ValleyWine country, 3 hours north
Read the guideMammoth LakesSierra skiing and lakes over the mountains
Read the guideAll of the USAStates, parks and cities in one planning hub
Read the guideESTA, explainedWho needs it, the fee and how to apply
Read the guideMonterey FAQ
Is Monterey worth visiting?
Yes for the aquarium, the harbor and a base on the Central Coast. It works well as a stop between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and as a gateway to Carmel and Big Sur.
How many days do you need in Monterey?
One full day covers the aquarium and Cannery Row. Two or three days lets you add Carmel, the 17-Mile Drive and a stretch of Big Sur.
Can you visit Monterey as a day trip from San Francisco?
Yes, about 2 hours each way. A day covers the aquarium and the waterfront, but not Big Sur or a relaxed meal. Stay a night if you can.
When is the best time to visit Monterey?
September and October are warmest and clearest. April and May are mild, while June to August often brings fog.
Do I need a car in Monterey?
Not for Cannery Row and the aquarium, which are walkable. A car is easier for Carmel, the 17-Mile Drive and Big Sur.