Things to Do in Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur
An aquarium in a cannery, a storybook village and the cliffs of Highway 1.
See top-rated activities »Things to Do in Northern California Coast Country, from Santa Cruz to Big Sur
Ask for the top things to do in Northern California coast towns and Monterey Bay comes up first, an easy two-hour drive south of San Francisco. Santa Cruz, on the bay's north shore, is a surf town with a 1907 seaside amusement park, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and its wooden Giant Dipper roller coaster. Around the curve of the bay, Monterey was the capital of Spanish and Mexican California, and its adobe buildings survive in Monterey State Historic Park. The sardine canneries that John Steinbeck wrote about on Cannery Row closed long ago; one of them now holds the Monterey Bay Aquarium, famous for its kelp forest and sea otters. Whale watching boats leave from Fisherman's Wharf all year.
Next door, Pacific Grove has Victorian houses and a monarch butterfly grove where the insects cluster in winter. The 17-Mile Drive, a private toll road, winds through the Del Monte Forest and Pebble Beach past rocky shores, golf links and the Lone Cypress. It ends near Carmel-by-the-Sea, a village of cottages, galleries and courtyards with a white sand beach, and the Carmel Mission, where Father Junipero Serra is buried.
Just south, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve has some of the most beautiful coastal trails in the state, with sea lions, harbor seals and coves of green water. Then Highway 1 enters Big Sur, about 90 miles of cliffs, canyons and redwood groves with few towns and no big hotels. The Bixby Creek Bridge, finished in 1932, is the classic photo stop, and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park are favorite stops. It is the place most people picture when they list things to do in Northern California coast country, and it deserves an unhurried day. Slides close parts of the road at times, so check conditions with Caltrans before you go. Fill your tank before you leave Carmel.
Don’t Miss
A large aquarium in a former Cannery Row cannery, known for its kelp forest, sea otters and jellyfish galleries.
A seaside amusement park from 1907, with the wooden Giant Dipper coaster and a historic carousel.
A toll road through Pebble Beach with ocean viewpoints, golf courses and the Lone Cypress.
A mission founded in 1771 with a stone church, gardens and museums, the burial place of Junipero Serra.
Coastal trails past coves, cypress groves and wildlife; entry is limited, so arrive early.
The 1932 concrete arch bridge on Highway 1, one of the most photographed spots on the coast.
Redwood groves along the Big Sur River, with trails, a lodge and a campground.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Monterey and Big Sur
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. Best of NoCal may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »Monterey and Big Sur — FAQ
How long does it take to drive Big Sur?
The 90 or so miles from Carmel to San Simeon take about three hours without stops, but allow a full day for viewpoints and short hikes. Drive north to south to stay on the ocean side of the road.
Is the 17-Mile Drive worth the fee?
For most visitors, yes. The per-car fee buys a scenic loop with about 20 viewpoints and picnic spots, and you can enter from Pacific Grove, Carmel or Highway 1. Cyclists enter free.
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