Monterey

Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau / Monterey, CA

An Aha! moment in Monterey

Monterey Bay Aquarium; coastal heritage; Big Sur

Major coastal destination

outdoors, learning, landmarks

17-Mile Drive follows the Pacific coastline and includes the Lone Cypress.

Discovery Waypoints

• Monterey Bay Aquarium / Museum / Learning
• 17-Mile Drive / Local Attraction
• Big Sur / Bixby Creek Bridge / Landmark / Architecture
• Cannery Row / Local Attraction — A Monterey County attraction associated with Steinbeck.
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve / Park / Protected Landscape — A state natural reserve listed among Monterey County attractions.
• Carmel-by-the-Sea / Local Attraction
• Old Fisherman’s Wharf / Local Attraction
• Pinnacles National Park / Park / Protected Landscape

Local Knowledge

• Monterey Bay Aquarium / Museum / Learning — The aquarium is described as world-renowned.
• 17-Mile Drive / Local Attraction — The route includes the Lone Cypress, identified as one of the most photographed trees in North America.
• Cannery Row / Local Attraction — The Monterey Bay Half Marathon course runs along Steinbeck’s Cannery Row.
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve / Park / Protected Landscape — It is included among the area’s iconic attractions.

From Monterey Bay Aquarium to 17-Mile Drive and Big Sur / Bixby Creek Bridge, every stop can become an Aha! Discovery Point—helping visitors explore more deeply while connecting them to the businesses and stories that make Monterey distinctive.

Additional local facts are awaiting source verification. Place listings do not imply Aha! partnerships or installed Discovery Points.

Hero photograph: MR Ledger / Pexels.

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