Wine Tasting, A Food Tour, The Aquarium, Whale Watching & More Are All-Weather Activities In Monterey Bay
A great destination when the sun is out, it does occasionally get wet in Carmel and Monterey, California.
And when that happens, there’s no need to sit around the hotel room flipping channels on the TV or going through your smart phone trying to find something that grabs your interest, for there’s activities that can keep the traveler (and the locals) entertained for hours, if not days.
PubClub.com has assembled this Top 10 list of things to do while it’s raining in Monterey Bay so your rainy day won’t become a wasted day.
1.) Go To The Monterey Bay Aquarium
The top attraction in Monterey Bay is as good when its raining as it is when it’s sunny. In addition to the animals in the tanks – and you can get an up-close look at Monterey Bay’s famous otters – there are daily shows and feedings. General admission is $49.95. The hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Website: www.montereybayaquarium.org
2.) Go To The Carmel Mission
The Carmel Mission, or more formally the San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission, is a museum and church with old Mexican architecture with interactive displays. artwork and artifacts of the mission
The Basilica Church is registered as a National Historical Landmark. The hours are 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m., and admission is $6.50.
Websire: www.carmelmission.org
3.) Go To The Steinbeck Museum
Why not learn a little bit about the man who wrote Cannery Row while your in Monterey Bay? The National Steinbeck Center has displays on historic aspects of the area. It’s open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week. Admission is $12.95.
It’s important to note the museum is in downtown Salinas, at least half and hour from Monterey.
Website: www.steinbeck.org
4.) Go Wine Tasting
Now we’re talking, right!? Both Carmel and Monterey have wine tasting rooms you can walk to; Carmel even has the Carmel Wine Walk, a passport that enables you to have tastings at most wine tasting rooms in town. Of course, you can also dive out to tasting rooms in Carmel Valley or along Highway 101. But don’t drink and drive!
5.) Visit Craft Breweries
Monterey is a small but highly-recognized area for craft beer – Peter B’s beers have won multiple awards – and there are three craft breweries in town. Peter B’s Brewpub is tucked in behind the Portola Hotel just a few steps from Fisherman’s Wharf (it also has great food, a full cocktail bar and Monterey Bay wines poured from special wine taps), the Alvarado Street Brewery is a few blocks away on Alvarado Street and a good place for people-watching and beer drinking at night, and Cannery Row Brewing Company is on Cannery Row.
6.) Take The Carmel Food Tour
This is a tasty stroll through Carmel-By-The-Sea with a local foodie. Stops include a fantastic cheese shop, a great pizza place, what is probably Carmel’s most romantic restaurant (Casanova) and includes bites and wine from a deli. Speaking of wine, there’s tastings of it and a sparkling wine tasting room stop. Price: $65, includes all food and wine.
Links:
• Carmel Food Tour
• Carmel Food Tour Review
7.) Play Golf
Hey, it never rains on a golf course, right? There are several golf courses in the area, from the high-end Pebble Beach and Spyglass to public courses.
Link: Golf Courses In Monterey Bay
8.) Do The 17-Mile Drive
Okay, it’s not as scenic on a rainy day as it is on a sunny day, but the coastline is so gorgeous it’s even beautiful when it’s raining. You’ll see wildlife (including a lot of deers grazing on the golf courses), waves crashing against the shore, the Lone Cypress that is the logo of Monterey Bay and The Lodge at Pebble Beach. Buy something from the golf pro shop and get your $8.95 entry fee (per car) refunded.
Link: 17-Mile Drive Map
9.) Go To Cannery Row
With restaurants, live music at Sly McFly’s , inside shopping in some unique shops – one features “As Seen On TV!”items – there’s enough to keep you occupied for a few hours at Monterey’s primary tourist destination. It’s just down from the Aquarium of the Pacific so make a day of it. And top it all off by going to one of the wine tasting rooms!
10.) Go Whale Watching
In Monterey Bay, whale watching is a near year-round experience. There are several whale-watching boats on Fisherman’s Wharf, and of course you’ll also get up close to sea otters and the harbor seals and sea lions, of which there are plenty in Monterey Bay. Just be sure and dress for the weather (and that means as dry and warmly as possible).
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