One of the most scenic drives on the Monterey Peninsula, 17-Mile Drive is a3visually stunning stretch of roadway which hugs the pacific coastline from Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach featuring awe-inspiring sights along the way.... [read more]

Known for its distinctive white sand, Asilomar State Beach, in Pacific Grove, is about a mile long, with Sunset Drive and the California Coastal Trail behind it. This stretch of the Coastal Trail is composed... [read more]

Carmel City Beach is a spectacular white-sand beach fronting the village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, known for hand-crafted cottages from its days as an early artists’ colony, for its galleries, shops, and restaurants, and also for its... [read more]

Carmel River State Beach offers fine views of Carmel and Point Lobos, and Monastery Beach (also called San Jose Creek Beach), at its southern end, is a popular diving spot. The beaches themselves are not... [read more]

If you blink you might miss the tiny town of Davenport, a favored dining stop with vacationers traveling from the Bay Area to the Monterey Bay. Davenport Landing is a small sandy pocket beach just... [read more]

This 1,400-acre reserve protects wetlands and uplands for scientific research, public education, and visitor enjoyment. Five miles of steep trails over rough terrain lead through oak woodlands and grasslands to viewpoints overlooking wetlands and the... [read more]

A half-mile hike brings you to some of Big Sur’s most spectacular sights, including the much-photographed 80-foot McWay Falls, which drops from a vertical bluff to a little beach below. Unless it's a cold or... [read more]

A popular destination for surfers, bicyclists, and dog walkers, Lighthouse Field State Beach lies south of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and north of Natural Bridges State Park. There is no wheelchair access to the... [read more]

Every fall and early winter, thousands of Monarch butterflies travel amazing distances from the northern United States and southern Canada to spend the winter at a handful of sites along the California coast. One of... [read more]

The Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail is a link in the 1,200-mile Coastal Trail that is planned to run the length of California. This section traverses some 18 miles of coastal beauty (there are some... [read more]

In fall and winter, up to 150,000 monarch butterflies come to Natural Bridges State Park from the northern United States and southern Canada to roost and mate. During these months you can see thousands of... [read more]

This peaceful freshwater marsh lies within a 44-acre park tucked between a wastewater treatment plant and a residential neighborhood in the city of Santa Cruz. The 14-acre marsh includes a lagoon, which you can cross... [read more]

Pfeiffer Beach, while hard to find, is one of the most popular beach access points in Big Sur. On our rainy weekday visit it was nearly deserted, but it’s easy to see why crowds gather... [read more]

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, 821 acres in the redwoods and along the Big Sur River, is popular with families and may be the best place for wheelchair riders to stay overnight and enjoy the... [read more]

This rocky, forested headland was named Point Lobos in the late 18th century, for the sea lions (lobos marinos, “sea wolves”) whom Spanish settlers heard barking on offshore rocks. Hundreds of them live here almost... [read more]

This small urban park on the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz has a duck pond, accessible playground, and large lawns. Many fairs and festivals are held here, and on Saturdays there’s a farmers market.... [read more]

The Arboretum & Botanic Garden is a conservation garden which maintains collections of rare, endangered and unusual plants encompassing 135 acres. You’ll find groupings of plants of California Natives, New Zealand, South Africa and one of the... [read more]

Santa Cruz Harbor offers a variety of experiences for a visitor, from sailing, kayak rentals, sport-fishing charters, and eco-tours to whale watching and walking along paths with scenic views. Most charter boats are not accessible,... [read more]

Scott Creek Beach, just off Highway One, several miles north of Davenport, is a great place to watch surfers but not so good for swimming due to a strong undertow. At its northern end, if... [read more]

Seacliff State Beach stretches for nearly a mile along the northern end of Monterey Bay in the town of Aptos, connecting to New Brighton State Beach to the north. People come here to swim, picnic,... [read more]