Monterey with Kids: 20 Ideas Your Entire Family Will Love

You will find so many fun things to do in Monterey with kids when you visit. I've put together my list of the top 20, which includes ideas that your entire family will enjoy.

Top picks include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, hiking, and whale watching. Your children will also love heading to the beach, checking out some kid-friendly museums, and cruising along the famous 17-Mile Drive.

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

1. Monterey Bay Aquarium

My top recommendation for things to do in Monterey with kids is to head over to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This amazing attraction is one of the top-rated aquariums in the world.

Spend time watching the fish swim around in the huge Open Sea aquarium. Your entire family will also love the Kelp Forest.

In addition to the exhibits, the museum also offers a variety of activities. Some of these include crossword puzzles, animal bingo, and animal fact cards and games.

>> More tips to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium

2. Dennis the Menace Playground

This cute playground at Pearl Street and Camino El Estero in Monterey was designed and donated by the creator of the Dennis the Menace comic strip in 1956.

Your kids will have a blast exploring the park, which includes fun playground equipment, a suspension bridge, a climbing wall, a hedge maze, and a giant adventure ship.

During high season, the snack bar and paddle boat rentals are also a hit.

With the lake and walking paths, which are all part of the larger El Estero Park, your children will be entertained for at least a couple of hours. 

When you're ready to change gears, there is a popular public skatepark next to the playground and a McDonald's within walking distance.

The playground and park are open year-round and are free to enter.

>> For more free things to do in Monterey, check out my top 15 list

3. Point Sur State Lighthouse

Point Sur State Lighthouse is another fun thing to do in Monterey with kids. This historic gem opened on August 1, 1889. Since then, it has saved many boats and ships from accidentally running ashore around the Point Sur area.

All visitors must sign up for a tour in order to step inside. Their 3-hour guided tours will tell you all about the history of the lighthouse and give you a look inside.

The tour covers less than a mile in distance (some of the tour is outside) and includes a few staircases, the longest with 61 steps.

The tours are offered three times a week in the winter and four times a week in the summer. They also offer some special tours, such as their popular Moonlight, Halloween, and Ghost tours, several times each year.

>> Visit their site for a schedule of upcoming tour dates and book your tickets

4. Mirror Maze

Head into Monterey's Mirror Maze and work as a team to get through the challenge. With heart-pumping music and high-tech lighting, this is one of the most thrilling things to do in Monterey with kids.

The Mirror Maze is tricky and fun all at the same time. You will see infinite reflections of yourself throughout the maze, which makes it more difficult to find the route to the end.

You'll run into dead-ends, walk in continuous circles, and get stuck in corners as you navigate your way through it.

It's fun, entertaining, and a different experience each time. You'll find this fantastic family attraction at Cannery Row.

Fun Monterey Activities

5. Monterey Zoo

The Monterey Zoo is another one of the best family-friendly things to do in Monterey. This 51-acre ranch is home to more than 100 exotic animals.

During your visit, you will encounter numerous lions, tigers, and leopards. They also have black bears, elephants, rhinos, and zebras.

Make sure to check out the primate area, which is home to lemurs, a Capuchin monkey, and baboons.

In addition to visiting the animals, the Monterey Zoo offers several educational programs, a safari camp, and an overnight program.

You will find the zoo at 400 River Road in Salinas.

6. Whale Watching

Just off the coast of Monterey, you will get the chance to see a variety of whales throughout the year. It's on a popular migration path for several species of whales, and many spend a little time here refueling for their long journey.

In the winter, you will mostly find gray whales in the waters off the shore. Other whales that migrate through here include blue, orca, humpback, and sperm.

Sometimes you might see a whale from the shore, but for a better chance to see them, I highly recommend heading out on a whale watching cruise.

On these cruises, you will also get the chance to appreciate other marine wildlife, including dolphins, sea turtles, sea lions, and birds.

Monterey's Best Whale Watching Tours

7. Mini-Golf

Another fun family attraction in Monterey is Tipsy Putt, where you can bring the kids to play mini-golf, table golf, and other classic board games.

They welcome all ages until 7 pm, after which it's 21+. 

They open at 9 am every day, so during the day you can still come to enjoy their local craft brews while your little ones munch on a selection of casual Mexican fare between games.

You might stop here before or after a visit to the aquarium, or to stop and take a break from shopping around Cannery Row.

8. MY Museum

The MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum) is a wonderful place for kids and the entire family. This hands-on, interactive museum includes more than a dozen exhibits and activities.

Most of them are geared toward those in the 4- to 9-year-old range, but you will find plenty of things to do for kids of all ages. As a family, grownups are encouraged to participate as your children learn.

Some of the most popular picks among their exhibits include "MY Day at the Beach," "MY Healthy Farm," and "MY ImagiTree." They also host several events throughout the year.

This museum is located at 425 Washington Street near Old Monterey. They are open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

>> More great Monterey museums

9. Asilomar State Beach

The Asilomar State Beach is a one-mile strip of beach near Pacific Grove. With its gorgeous views, it's a fun place to spend a few hours with the family.

The water off the shore is a bit rocky with some riptides, so I don't recommend swimming in those rockier areas. However, the beach is clean and pristine. You will also find a nice, wooded, and handicap accessible walkway along the beach.

Don't forget your camera as you will find many picture-perfect moments during your stop.

You will find the beach at 800 Asilomar Blvd.

10. 17-Mile Drive

Another one of the fun things to do in Monterey with kids is to check out the attractions along 17-Mile Drive. This gorgeous ride takes you through the unincorporated area called Pebble Beach (famous for their golf courses).

It costs $12 to enter, but the fee is per car, so it covers everyone in your vehicle.

There are five gates that will get you into the 17-Mile Drive. I prefer entering through the Pacific Grove Gate and driving all the way south to exit near Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Alternatively, if your active family loves cycling, you might consider taking a guided electric bike tour of the 17-Mile Drive. The tour companies provide helmets and have toddler seats and wagon options to make sure the little ones enjoy the ride safely.

Some of the best stops on the route include the Lone Cyprus, Pescadero Point, and China Rock Vista Point. Trust me, you'll want to take advantage of these incredible photo ops.

>> More about visiting 17-Mile Drive by car

11. Hiking

You will find plenty of hiking around the Monterey Bay for the entire family. These are just a few of my favorites.

Point Lobos State Reserve: My absolute favorite place to hike in Monterey with kids is at Point Lobos State Reserve. This park and nature preserve offers you the chance to get in a little hike while you also encounter a variety of wildlife. It offers amazing views of the water as well as a couple of small beaches. You will find Point Lobos State Reserve off of Highway 1, about 4 miles south of Carmel-By-The-Sea.

Monterey Coastal Trail: This flat trail runs from Lovers Point Park in Pacific Grove all the way to Castroville. The trail between Pacific Grove and Monterey runs either along the shoreline or just a few blocks away. This 18-mile trail then heads inland on its way to Castroville. You can pick it up at several locations around the Monterey Bay.

Toro County Park: Just a few minutes away from Monterey, you will find Toro County Park. It's a great place to take the kids, as it has more than 20 miles of trails. You will find options for easy hikes as well as some that are a bit more challenging. Toro County Park sits off of Highway 68 between Monterey and Salinas.

12. Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary

The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary is a gem for families vacationing in Pacific Grove in the winter months. Located near the water, this sanctuary attracts thousands of Monarch butterflies during mating season.

The best time to see them is from mid-October to mid-February. You will find most of them out during the day when it's a bit warmer.

I recommend visiting between 11 am and 3 pm, when the sanctuary usually has docents on hand to answer any of your questions.

The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary is at 250 Ridge Road in Pacific Grove. It is open from sunrise to sunset and is free to visit.

13. Family Festivals & Events

You will find plenty of family-friendly festivals and events all year long in Monterey. Many offer kids' activities or special areas with fun things for them to do. You will also find some carnivals, food festivals, and other family fun.

Click the links below for details for each month of the year.

14. Highway 1 Through Big Sur

Another fun thing to do in Monterey with kids is to head south to Big Sur. The Highway 1 drive through Big Sur is like no other, with sweeping vistas and gorgeous views, this drive is sure to please everyone in the family.

One of the highlights here is the Bixby Bridge, which offers a heart pounding drive over a valley. You can also hop out of the car at several stops to soak in the views, do a little hiking, or relax for a while on the beach.

15. Old Fisherman's Wharf

Old Fisherman's Wharf is a historic pier over the waters of the Monterey Bay. You can sample handmade sugar treats, enjoy fresh seafood, or pick up a few souvenirs for yourself or friends.

The views from here are amazing too. You can watch the sea otters, seals, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. If you are lucky, you might even get a glimpse of a whale or some dolphins as they pass through the area.

I typically spend about an hour or two strolling around Fisherman's Wharf whenever I come to Monterey Bay.

16. Lovers Point Park

Lovers Point Park is another great beach on the southern end of the Monterey Bay in Pacific Grove. This small park has some great views of the water.

It's perfect for the whole family, as there are lots of benches, picnic tables, and BBQs. There is also plenty of space to hang out on the beach.

This is a wonderful place to spend some time soaking in nature with your family while in the Monterey area.

17. National Steinbeck Center

The National Steinbeck Center is another great find in Salinas. This museum is dedicated to the beloved American author John Steinbeck, who was born in Salinas in 1902.

This permanent exhibit is a walk through his biography. It offers displays about his writings as well as details about the places he visited throughout his life.

The exhibits are mostly theatrical sets and displays, which allow visitors to step back in time and relive Steinbeck's experiences.

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, with the exception of major holidays. You will find it at 1 Main Street in Salinas.

18. Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History is another fun thing to do in Monterey with kids. Inside this museum, you and your family will get the chance to learn about the wildlife and culture that make this area unique.

One of the top exhibits inside the museum is Birds of Monterey, which is home to about 300 different bird species.

In the Monarch Gallery, your children will find details on the butterfly's life as well as some hands-on activities. In the Geology exhibit, they'll come across a 2,400-pound Jade boulder!

This fascinating museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. They also host periodic events. 

19. Beaches

If you want to relax a bit while the kids play in the sand, then you will find a variety of beaches along the Monterey Bay coastline. Del Monte Beach is one of my favorites, as it's long and flat and is often not too crowded.

You can also spend some time in McAbee Beach, which is just steps from Cannery Row. You will find it by walking through the Steinbeck Plaza toward the waterfront.

I also like spending time at San Carlos Beach Park. It has gorgeous views and is right between Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf.

The weather is often cool here, but relaxing on the beach is still a favorite pastime for locals and visitors. These are all great beaches to hang out at when you visit Monterey with kids.

20. High Scores Arcade

This Monterey attraction is guaranteed fun for the whole family. High Scores Arcade forms part of one of the largest collections of arcade games on the West Coast.

With over 40 machines on the floor, you'll find lots of nostalgic options so you can have a blast from the past while playing with your young ones.

The selection of vintage games includes Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Galaga, Frogger, Tron, Star Wars, and so much more. They even have their own hand-built custom-made games, like an Oregon Trail wagon and a sparkly pink Super Smash Bros. 

They're open every afternoon until late (They close at 10 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays). 

Find them at 459 Alvarado Street in Old Monterey.

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