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- Ask a Local
- Locals have answered 6 questions about Monterey.
- Ask Monterey Locals
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1. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is, without a doubt, the GREAT outdoors. It's the perfect place for a daytrip of hiking along picturesque coastal trails... read more
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- Recreation & Natural Areas
- Nile Expert Tip: Reserve camping spaces in advance as they fill up quickly. Visit the beach at sunset, but be sure to...
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2. Pat Hathaway Historical Photos
- Established back in 1970, this store houses Pat Hathways's extensive archive of historical photographs of Central California. The shop is a tiny... read more
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- Landmarks
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3. Monterey Bay Aquarium
- The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a world class facility located in the heart of Cannery Row, housed (somewhat ironically) in a repurposed sardine and... read more
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- Zoos/Aquariums
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4. Pinnacles National Monument
- Rising out of the chaparral-covered Gabilan Mountains, east of central California's Salinas Valley, are the spectacular remains of an ancient volcano.... read more
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- Recreation & Natural Areas
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5. Monterey County Youth Museum
- At this hands-on museum, your kids will never be scolded or reminded not to touch anything,as the Monterey County Youth Museum was designed to... read more
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- Museums
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6. Cannery Row
- Cannery Row is a waterfront street steeped in history and immortalized by the eponymous book by John Steinbeck, where it was described as "a poem,... read more
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- Landmarks
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7. Adventures by the Sea
There's more to do in Monterey then meander through its historic streets and soak up the scenery on Cannery Row, and Adventures by the Sea gets...
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- Outdoor Recreation
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8. Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation
- Founded in the late 1970s in one of the original member's living rooms, the Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation (MPAF) was created with the vision... read more
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- Art Museums/Galleries
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9. Skydive Monterey Bay
"Skydiving" must surely be on some travelers' bucket lists. If the urge to soar hits during your stay in the Monterey Bay, you're in luck because...
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- Adventure
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10. Hahn Estates/Smith & Hook Winery
- A little off the beaten path (about 45 minutes from Monterey), you'll be transported to another world at Hahn Estates. The grounds are gorgeous,... read more
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- Wineries
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The Best of NileGuide
- There are so many places and fun activities around the bay that you'd be hard-pressed to find a second of boredom on a trip to Monterey. Most famous, of course, is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Located on the southern end of the bay between Pacific Grove and Monterey, this is one of the best-known aquariums and marine research stations in the world. Great for visitors of all ages, the Aquarium is least busy in the off-season. The city of Monterey also has trolley rides, which are a nod to the trolleys that were used as a main mode of transport for the bay's citizens. Some trolley rides have themes, such as a ghost ride, and there are also winery tours done by trolley. In Santa Cruz, on the northern end of the bay, the most popular activity is to take to the boardwalk. It's just what you'd expect from a full amusement park on the shore of the California coast, complete with rides, arcades, and some darn good seafood. There's usually live music going on in the summer, and you can grab a beer and find some classic boardwalk souvenirs as well. Some beautiful natural areas are along the shores of the bay, such as the Natural Ridges State Park, which is the wintering place for the annual monarch butterly migration. Many of these areas have miles of good hiking trails, and the beaches can be much less crowded although equally beautiful. And as you can do in nearly any bay in California, a lovely day can be spent out on the water. Sailboats, kayaks, and windsurfing boards are all available for rent or hire, and lessons can easily be arranged. In late winter and early spring, you might just catch a glimpse of a whale. Whalewatching cruises are another good way to get out on the waves, too.
- Best Of Monterey
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Restaurants
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Nightlife
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