HISTORIC INTEREST

Colton Hall Museum - Built in 1849 to serve as a public school and town meeting hall, Colton Hall is now a museum and open for public viewing.

Historic Cannery Row - At one time the 4th largest commercial fishery in the world.

Old Fisherman's Wharf

Point Sur Lightstation - Rugged and remote site on top of a mountain, available for veiwing on weekends only.

Point Pinos Lighthouse - The oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast.

Maritime Museum of Monterey - Preserves the maritime history of Monterey.

Tor House and Hawk Tower - Several historic houses in Carmel.

Monterey State Historic Park - A collection of historic buildings and beautiful gardens in Old Monterey.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Holman Ranch - Offers private lessons and tours, practice and jumping arena. Located in Carmel Valley.

Molera Horseback Tours - Welcomes novice to experienced riders. Tours through Andrew Molera State Park, a beautiful area along the Big Sur Coastline.

Pebble Beach Trail Rides - Lessons available, private and public rides through Pebble Beach, tours along the beach.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Hearst Castle - The magnificent estate of William Randolph Hearst.

Monterey County Wine Tasting - Includes a detailed map and winery guide.

National Steinbeck Center - An extensive museum commemorating local writer/hero, John Steinbeck.

Kayak Connection - Kayak tours of Monterey Bay and Elkhorn Slough, as well as rentals and lessons.

Go fly a kite - One of the top 8 places to fly a kite in the USA is Monterey State Beach in Seaside

Monterey Bay Kayaks - Rent kayaks and also take guided tours through the Monterey Bay and Elkhorn Slough.

Adventures by the Sea - Kayak, bicycle and in-line skates rentals. Also kayaking and bicycle tours.

Elkhorn Slough Safari Nature Tours - A 2-hour, guided natural history tour on a 27-foot pontoon boat through Elkhorn Slough.

Roaring Camp & Big Trees Camp - Ride a historic 1880 steam engine through the redwood forest.

Monterey Bay Whale Watch - Year-round whale watching, daily trips. Types of whales seen depends on time-of-year: Humpback, Blue and Gray Whales. Often see seals, sea otters and various types of dolphins.

Laguna Seca Raceway - Watch world class racing, take driving lessons, or even race your own car on the track.

The Butterfly House - An enchanted home where imagination and color touch hearts and souls in many magical ways.

Day Tripper - A company that provides guided tours of the central coast - from Big Sur to Monterey and as far north as San Francisco.

Monterey Movie Tours - This fascinating two-tours-in-one outing features both magnificent landscapes and blockbuster scenes from some 200 movies filmed across the Monterey Peninsula.

MORE FUN PLACES TO VISIT

Point Lobos State Reserve
With its rocky cliffs and sweeping vistas, The Point Lobos State Reserve spreads 550 acres on land and 750 acres underwater. It is home to more than 250 animal and bird species, and more than 300 plant species. Visitors to this majestic state park may tour the Wailers Cabin Museum, picnic, hike, scuba dive, or learn about the rich history behind point lobos. www.pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/

Carmel Beach
Carmel Beach is a picturesque white sand beach that forms the western border of Carmel. Visitors to this beautiful beach will find that it is one of the few places that you can go to have a fire, walk your dog without a leash or just watch the sunset while drinking a bottle of wine. www.carmelcalifornia.com

Carmel Mission
Established in 1771 the Carmel mission was home and later burial place to Father Junipero Serra. The mission is one of the few built of stone instead of adobe with its historic architecture and lush garden it is a site not to be missed. Visitors to the mission may tour the mission quadrangle, the church, or the room once occupied by father Serra. Visitors are also welcome to visit the mission chapel where daily mass is still celebrated. www.carmelmission.org

17 Mile Drive
Beginning at the Pacific Grove gate near Spanish bay, the 17-mile drive through pebble beach offers many sites along the way. Along the coast there many places to stop and enjoy including Bird Rock, Point Joe, the Lone Cypress and more. Inland you will drive through the pebble beach forest and view the amazing mansions, then by the world famous golf courses. www.pebblebeach.com

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
This beautiful state park offers an 80-foot waterfall, rocky cliffs, sandy beaches. With its wildflowers and majestic redwoods there is something for everyone. The park also offers day camping, hiking and diving for experienced divers. www.reserveamerica.com

Asilomar state Beach
Asilomar state beach is a perfect mix of rocky shores and sandy beaches. This state beach is the perfect place to watch the sunset, explore the tide pools or take a stroll on the beach. www.visitasilomar.com

Monarch Grove
Monarch Grove Sanctuary is 2.4-acre patch filled with Monterey pines, cypress and eucalyptus trees where thousands of beautiful monarch butterflies nest during the winter months. Visitors can walk the trail while viewing the canopy of butterflies overhead or just sit and enjoy the serenity of the sanctuary while learning about the monarch's migration. www.pgmuseum.org

Pinnacles National Monument
Located between Monterey and San Benito County this national park has countless things to see. Visitors to the park can view the breathtaking landscapes and wild flowers, hike the many trails or explore the caves. The park is home to 149 different species of birds, 49 species of mammals, 23 reptile species and countless species of insects. It also offers day and over night camping and an information center. For those looking to relax and picnic in the sun there is a pool surrounded by the natural beauty of the
park.www.nps.gov/pinn/

Pfeiffer Beach
Drive a mile off highway 1 thru fern a fern lined canyon. Pfeiffer beach is a short walk through the cypress tress, which opens up to a beautiful sandy beach. With the rocky cliffs as a backdrop you can relax on the beach while viewing the rock formations with their many tunnels carved out by the oceans strong currents.