LOCATION

Monterey County is situated on California's stunning Central Coast with its northern border approximately 100 miles south of San Francisco and about 50 miles from San Jose. Its southern border is approximately 240 miles north of Los Angeles.

AIRLIFT

The Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is conveniently located just 10 minutes door-to-door from downtown Monterey and is just:

• 15 minutes from Carmel-by-the-Sea
• 25 minutes from downtown Salinas
• 45 minutes from Big Sur

The Monterey Regional Airport is known for its short and hassle-free security lines. Visitors can fly direct via international and domestic connecting routes on Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, American Airlines, United Express and US Airways. Fly direct from airports including Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Phoenix (PHX), San Diego (SAN), Denver (DEN), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Las Vegas (LAS). Charter and private flights are also available.

Other large airports near Monterey County include:

• Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), located 75 minutes from Monterey
• San Francisco International Airport, located less than 2 hours from Monterey 

Monterey Airbus and Main Event Transportation offer convenient door-to-door service to and from SFO and SJC.

CLIMATE

• Average summer temperatures range from 50º F to 70ºF (10º C to 21º C)
• Average winter temperatures range from 44º F to 61º F (7º C to 16º C)
• September is on average the warmest month, and January on average is the coolest month

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

17-Mile Drive: Scenic driving tour of Pebble Beach, picturesque lookouts and famous golf courses.

Big Sur: Scenic area of Monterey County encompassing a 90-mile stretch of breathtaking dramatic coastline from Carmel to Hearst Castle. Inns, restaurants, camping spots, beaches and hiking trails can be found along the iconic Highway 1.

Cannery Row: One of the most popular destinations in the Central Coast and named for Steinbeck's novel, Cannery Row offers waterfront luxury hotels, boutiques, restaurants and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Carmel-by-the-Sea: Charming seaside village with boutique shops and 110 art galleries. Quirky laws including no street addresses, live music, neon lights or high heels without a permit still exist.

Fisherman's Wharf: Popular attraction with seafood and chowder vendors, unique shops, restaurants, whale watching tours, sailing and fishing.

Monterey Bay Aquarium: Featuring daily shows, feedings, tours and a dozen of exhibits including the Open Sea, Kelp Forest, Life on the Bay, Monterey Bay Habitats, Splash Zone & Penguins and much more!

Monterey Wine Country: Monterey County is one of California's largest premium wine grape producing regions with approximately 46,000 acres of vineyards planted. The destination is home to 42 different wine grape varietals and over 60 wineries and tasting rooms. There are wine tasting opportunities throughout the county including in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Monterey and Salinas Valley.

National Steinbeck Center: Museum devoted to the life and works of author John Steinbeck.

Pinnacles National Park: The national park is a popular spot for outdoor activities ranging from hiking to birdwatching to stargazing to rock climbing. It is also a perfect outdoor classroom for lessons in geology, botany and biology. Pinnacles Campground offers tent, group and RV sites. 

Salinas Valley: Fondly nicknamed the Salad Bowl of the World, Salinas Valley grows much of our nation's produce like lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli. In addition to the agricultural bounty and scenic beauty, the region also offers wine tasting, museum tours, cattle drives and shopping.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Beaches: Many public areas for walking, picnicking, surfing, snorkeling, kite flying, tide pool and sand dune exploration.

Biking: From the rugged challenges of mountain biking at Fort Ord NationalMonument to the vista of 17-Mile Drive to the gentle, paved coastal Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, there's a ride in Monterey County for every level of cyclist.

Camping: The Los Padres National Forest, Pinnacles National Park and many state parks offer campsites throughout Monterey County. RV camping is also available at select sites.

Fishing: Deep sea, surf and freshwater fishing are popular activities. Fishing regulations and license information can be obtained from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Golf: Monterey County is a world class golf destination with 20 public and private golf courses playable year-round and in a variety of scenic settings.

Hiking: Monterey County's parks and recreation areas feature various hiking trails for the day visitor and the backcountry traveler including trails along the coast and redwood forests.  

Horseback Riding: Guided tours and beach and trail ride packages are available in Carmel Valley, Moss Landing and Pebble Beach. Those who have their own horses can also explore equestrian trails throughout Monterey County.

Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding: Guided tours, lessons and rentals are available in Monterey, Moss Landing, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach. 

Sailing: Tours and charters leave from Monterey Harbor, giving visitors the opportunity to take in local wildlife like whales, seals, sea lions and otters and enjoy coastal views.

Scuba Diving: With more than 6,000 square miles of water, there are plenty of areas to dive in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary including Breakwater Cover in Monterey, Lovers Point in Pacific Grove and Whaler's Cove in Point Lobos State Park.

Whale Watching: Many chartered whale watching tours are available from Fisherman's Wharf and Moss Landing and can be enjoyed year-round. Sightings include: gray whales, humpbacks, blue whales, minke whales, fin whales, orcas, dolphins and more!

CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT

Art Galleries: From Moss Landing to Monterey to Big Sur, galleries and art studios are located throughout Monterey County including 110 galleries in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Art festivals include the annual Carmel Art Festival and the Sand City West End Celebration.

Events: Nearly 300 special events take place in Monterey County annually including AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Golf Tournament, Concours d'Elegance and Monterey Car Week, Monterey Jazz Festival, races at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Pebble Beach Food & Wine, Big Sur International Marathon and other food, wine, cultural and family festivals.

History: Discover Monterey County's rich historic heritage through guided and self-guided tours of 19th century buildings and landmarks, historic missions and museums.

Music and Theatre: Several live performance theaters offer a variety of productions year-round. Resident musical groups include the Monterey Symphony Orchestra; and the Carmel Bach Festival, California Roots Music and Art Festival and Monterey Jazz Festival are among popular music events.