10 Free Things To Do In Monterey Ca.

Free Things To Do In Monterey

     When your on vacation it's always nice to save a little money. Especially if you have a family or young kids along on the trip. Some of this stuff will suit both adults and children so that way everyone enjoys their trip. So here are my top 10 free things to do in Monterey Ca.

The Beach

     The beach is the number one free thing to do in Monterey. Why, well because the beach suits everyone and it's definitely free and available always. The beaches in the Monterey area are very different so there is something for everyone. You can go to Lovers Point in Pacific Grove for little ones so there is not much surf so less worry about the waves due to the breakwater. Or if surfing is your thing check out Carmel Beach. If you are a hang glider or para sailor then you need to go to Marina state beach. So as you can see there is definitely something for everyone. Whether it's climbing on rocks or building sand castles. Or even flying a kite, the beach is the spot. Hey maybe you just want to work on your tan and read a book from cover to cover while your kids play on a Boogie board. Whatever it is, the beach is the best free thing to do in Monterey.

The Pacific Grove Bike Path

     The next thing on your list should be the Pacific Grove Bike Path. But specifically the purple carpet section. It's one of my favorite place to go for a walk or a bike ride because when it's in bloom it's really beautiful. Not only that but this bike path basically connects the whole Monterey Peninsula and beyond. It goes through Pacific Grove, Carmel, Monterey, Seaside, Sand City, Marina and all the way out to Watsonville. So basically it can take you wherever you want to go in the Monterey Bay area.

Festivals and Fairs 

     One of the great things about the Monterey area and all the little cities and large towns is they all have their own identities. From those identities come all the festivals and fairs we have going on basically year round. The picture above is from the Feast of Lanterns in Pacific Grove which is a very unique event that's been going on for about 100 years. If you come into PG during Feast of Lanterns time you will see the whole town, houses businesses trees covered in paper lanterns for the occasion. It's really beautiful.

     Some of the other festivals and fairs are the artichoke festival, and the strawberry festival. First night Monterey on New Years Eve. Just something going on every month at least.

Fisherman's Wharf Clam Chowder 

     A favorite of mine is to go to the Monterey Fisherman's Wharf and do a clam chowder tasting. Basically all of the local restaurants are handing out free samples of their clam chowder.  The best way to get it in my opinion is on a cold day in a sourdough bread bowl. So hit up all the local chowder samples and see who has the best chowder in Monterey. By the way don't forget to Facebook like or Tweet about your winner. These chef's put a lot of work into their chowder and they would appreciate it. Later in the week if your looking for a seafood place don't forget about the place that made the best chowder.

Monterey Museum of Art

     Every third Thursday of the month The Monterey Museum of Art offers Art After Hours. A free art showing and they always have wine and live music and sometimes even hors d'oeuvres. So come out on Thursday night and see some local and national artists showing some of their latest works.

The Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove

     The butterfly sanctuary in Pacific Grove is exactly that a sanctuary for Monarch Butterflies on their long journeys from Mexico to Canada and back again. The do this throughout their life cycle. If you are lucky enough to come here and see them all here in late February march you will get a chance to see them all fly away at once it is truly an awesome sight. At first they just look like part of a tree but then you realize it's thousands of monarchs all piled together on the limb of a eucalyptus tree. They also have demonstrations on what you can plant in your own garden to help the monarchs along on their journey and just so you can see more monarchs in your own day.

Leave a Message on The Sand City Sand Hill For a Loved One

     This is one of my favorite ones of all. If you drive past Sand City Ca you will see it that giant sand hill sticking up next to Hwy. 1 with messages written on it with the brush that is on the hill. Some just say I love you mom. Hey don't we all. To M heart Y or you get the idea so one of the best free things to do is to go out to that sand hill and leave a message to a loved one and drive them past it unsuspecing. Or sneak out of your hotel room in the morning for a walk and put up the message and drive them past on your way to breakfast. Pretty cool in my book.

Walk Into Point Lobos

     If you walk into Point Lobos State Reserve in Monterey you will get a treat of one saving ten dollars on parking because that's what it costs to drive your car in and park. Then you will get to explore the miles of trails and beutiful coastline that is Point Lobos. This is truly one of California's Gems. It ranks up there in my mind with Yosemite and that is pretty hard to do. But for true coastal beauty a day a t Point Lobos is unsurpassed. The docents really know their stuff they can answer all of your questions yet will stay out of your way if you just want to hike and take pictures. Don't forget your camera and your loved ones.

Explore The Tide pools at Asilomar Beach

     The Tide pools here are really amazing you can spend a day or several days climbing around on the rocks and checking out all the sea life that inhabits all the cracks and crevices that finds their home here. Your kids will love it as well as the kids at hear. You can find everything from anemones to mussells to small fish to stars you name it it's here. Please just look and don't take anything but pictures we want this place to still be around for our grandchildren. It is a very unique place to visit and there is a very nice beach near by so when you are done here you can go there and play.

Spend a Day at Dennis the Menace Park

     This is everyones favorite playground. You see it as soon as you drive in to Monterey and every kid and some adults eyes are glued to the windows saying I want to go there. You really should. They have some of the best rides of any playground I've been to. A real steam locomotive,  a huge bridge across the whole playground, you can even stick your head in a lions mouth. The rides have gotten tamer as the years have gone by and I'm sure the litigation piled up. This playground used to be known for toys that could maim you. Not anymore, it's very save now.  If you have kids you have to spend one day of your trip here. Don't go on Monday they are closed for cleaning.

This is my list of free things to do in Monterey Ca. If you can think of anymore please leave them in the comments or if you did some of them on your trip and enjoyed them leave a comment and let the business or park know that you appreciate the free day. That way it stays free and they know people appreciate it.

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