What Else Is There To Do in Monterey, CA Besides the Aquarium?

in Things To Do in Monterey Bay

Point Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove
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“I’m taking a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and am looking for things to do that evening. Any recommendations on how to spend a couple hours in Monterey?”

In the AM, plan on taking the Movies Made in Monterey Tour, which starts from the downtown convention center in Monterey. The MMMT takes you throughout Monterey and nearby cities, including Pebble Beach and its 17 Mile Drive with all its mansions (including one owned by Clint Eastwood). This is an excellent way to find out what there is to offer as well as see where many famous movies were made. You’ll be back by lunch time.

After the movie tour, plan on having lunch at First Awakenings, a great restaurant in Pacific Grove just a walk around the corner from the aquarium. First Awakenings is inside a large building that houses factory outlet stores. It is the best site in all of Monterey for brunches…their Benedicts are to die for.

After lunch, plan on 2-4 hours in the aquarium. You will want to take in their new otters of the world exhibit. They are fun critters to watch. Also the gorgeous jelly fish are captivating. After the aquarium, walk around Cannery Row and look over some of the old canneries made famous by Steinbeck. There are also good restaurants in that area if dinner time rolls around. Bubba Gumps is a fun place for shrimp…what else?

Monterey Aquarium Feeding an Octopus The World's Best Fish Sea Animals & Aquatic Plants HD

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

John D May 3, 2009 at 5:21 pm

the monterey pier is pretty fun to spend some time at. there are a bunch of cool shops and places to eat, plus there are always sea lions playing in the water around there. Also, there is a park across from the VA hospital that is SO much fun if you have kids. They have an old locomotive parked there for kids to play on and explore. There are tons of things to do if you have the time to drive around and find them!
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Jim K May 3, 2009 at 6:03 pm

You might want to check out Pacific Grove. Really pretty town with a nice museum and good restaurants.
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Live in Marin

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xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo May 3, 2009 at 6:22 pm

if you drive on the 101 north bound for a few miles u will hit Santa Cruz….There is the boardwalk,some restaurants and bars. theres also a spot u dont hear much about but I found when I was living out there.It's called Capitola state beach.It's a very old fishermans town. they have a margarittaVille club and it's a very hip/artsy type atmosphere. theres actually an old movie theatre that still operates there and its 5 feet away from the sandy beach.It's awesome little town.I fell inlove with it. have a good one.
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limendoz May 3, 2009 at 7:09 pm

After you finish at the aquarium, walk down the street…stop wher eyou hear music that you like. there are plenty of retaurants/ bars; many with views of the bay.

Driving a couple of miles N to Carmel is a good evening outing.
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LIHK May 3, 2009 at 7:21 pm

You can walk around Cannery Row & Fishermens Wharf to have dinner or check out little shops & boutiques.

Here's some info for Monterey's night life:

http://www.monterey.com/mc5/mc5c1.html
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eyeonthescreen May 3, 2009 at 7:38 pm

In the AM, plan on taking the Movies Made in Monterey Tour, which starts from the downtown convention center in Monterey. The MMMT takes you throughout Monterey and nearby cities, including Pebble Beach and its 17 Mile Drive with all its mansions (including one owned by Clint Eastwood). This is an excellent way to find out what there is to offer as well as see where many famous movies were made. You'll be back by lunch time.

After the movie tour, plan on having lunch at First Awakenings, a great restaurant in Pacific Grove just a walk around the corner from the aquarium. First Awakenings is inside a large building that houses factory outlet stores. It is the best site in all of Monterey for brunches…their Benedicts are to die for.

After lunch, plan on 2-4 hours in the aquarium. You will want to take in their new otters of the world exhibit. They are fun critters to watch. Also the gorgeous jelly fish are captivating. After the aquarium, walk around Cannery Row and look over some of the old canneries made famous by Steinbeck. There are also good restaurants in that area if dinner time rolls around. Bubba Gumps is a fun place for shrimp…what else?
References :
Have a beachfront vacation place in Monterey.

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