11 Fun Things to Do in Monterey with Kids
Monterey, California, is a picturesque coastal community on the North Pacific Ocean’s coast.
There are many opportunities in this lovely city for you and your loved ones to have one of the most memorable holidays.
Families love it because there are so many enjoyable things for kids of all ages, including beautiful parks, museums, lively wildlife centers, and lovely beaches.
Look through this specially curated list of fun things to do in Monterey with kids I created exclusively for you as you prepare for an exciting journey with your family!
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
A world-class aquarium with more than 35,000 creatures representing at least 550 distinct species is the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
At least two million people visit it annually, making it one of the best locations to take kids in Monterey.
Why Your Family Should Go
Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium with your loved ones to see the splendor and majesty of aquatic life.
You may visit its many displays while learning about marine life and having the opportunity to get up and personal with some creatures.
What to Do with Kids
This weekend, take your kids to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and get ready to have a blast doing lots of activities together.
For instance, you may stroll through a stunning aviary, see humpback whales from an ocean view deck, observe life on the bottom by gazing at its underwater displays, get wet at the splash zone, and much more.
Recommended Ages
Family outings to the Monterey Bay Aquarium are ideal for children of all ages.
- Dennis the Menace Playground
Families like the Dennis the Menace Playground for all its entertainment options.
This playground is located at El Estero Park.
Why Your Family Should Go
If you’re looking for free, family-friendly activities in Monterey, give Dennis the Menace Playground a go.
This playground ensures that your kids will have a good time as you rest your feet and breathe fresh air without breaking the wallet.
In addition to the usual playground equipment, it has a labyrinth and a rock climbing wall.
What to Do with Kids
Visit Dennis the Menace Playground and spend quality time there with your kids.
You may relax and take a break while your children enjoy various activities at this playground.
For instance, rock climbing, sliding down different slides, navigating a hedge maze, walking over suspension bridges, crawling through tunnels, playing in a jungle gym, and many more activities.
Recommended Ages
Toddlers, their parents, and older siblings will enjoy themselves at the Dennis the Menace Playground.
- Point Sur State Historic Park Lighthouse
A historical location is the Lighthouse at Point Sur State Historic Park.
It is located within Point Sur State Historic Park, California’s most well-known state park.
Why Your Family Should Go
Visit the Point Sur State Historic Park Lighthouse, Monterey’s most recognizable landmark.
This well-known tourist destination provides enjoyable trips so the entire family may have a special time.
Additionally, this lighthouse provides breathtaking ocean vistas, which are perfect for group photos.
What to Do with Kids
Teenagers will like visiting the Point Sur State Historic Park Lighthouse since many different tour choices are available.
You may take specialized excursions like ghost-hunting and whale-watching in addition to seeing the lighthouse and learning about its fascinating history.
Recommended Ages
Your older children should see the lighthouse at Point Sur State Historic Park.
Certain trips, like the ghost-hunting one, can be too spooky for your smaller children.
- MY Museum
The Monterey County Youth Museum is the full name of the MY Museum.
It is a colorful museum geared toward younger children.
Why Your Family Should Go
Are you seeking the top toddler-friendly activities in Monterey while on vacation with your young ones?
If so, a trip to the MY Museum should be your first option.
The MY Museum is energetic and offers younger and older children various engaging events, enjoyable activities, and interactive displays.
What to Do with Kids
Spend some quality time today at the MY Museum with your kids.
Together, you may do arts and crafts, play music, carry out experiments, dress up in silly costumes, and let the kids experience what it’s like to be a firefighter, doctor, and other professional.
Recommended Ages
Children nine years old and under should visit the MY Museum.
It is also an excellent choice if you travel with a baby since it has secure play spaces for children under three.
- Del Monte Beach
A secret gem of Monterey is Del Monte Beach.
It has a sandy coastline, crystal-clear water, and gorgeous scenery.
Why Your Family Should Go
Enjoy affordable family entertainment at a beautiful and well-kept beach like Del Monte Beach.
This alluring beach provides you and your family many activities and leisure opportunities.
It offers a variety of comforts to make your beach vacation more enjoyable, including benches that are ideal for relaxing and taking in the scenery, clean toilets, and picnic tables where you can eat your meals away from the sand.
What to Do with Kids
Adventure at Del Monte Beach to make memories that will last a lifetime.
You may play exciting beach activities with your kids while lounging by the sea at this gorgeous stretch of coastline and assisting them in building towering sandcastles.
While you’re away, your adolescents may enjoy exhilarating activities like surfing, paddle boarding, and swimming in the water.
Recommended Ages
Enjoy a fantastic day at Del Monte Beach with your children, pre-teens, and older children.
- Cannery Row
One of Monterey’s most well-known tourist destinations is Cannery Row, a seaside promenade.
Why Your Family Should Go
A walk down Cannery Row is one of the top things to do in Monterey with kids.
This coastal neighborhood has many attractions, including family-friendly eateries, a variety of stores, and pleasant activities for all ages.
What to Do with Kids
You and your tribe are in for much fun at Cannery Row.
Playing laser tag, playing golf, going shopping together, getting your future predicted by a card reader, attempting to escape an escape room, taking exciting excursions, and other activities are just a few things you may do with your kids.
Recommended Ages
Both you and your kids of all ages can find something to enjoy at Cannery Row.
- Monterey Bay Whale Watch
One of the top whale-watching trip companies in the area is The Monterey Bay Whale Watch.
Why Your Family Should Go
One of the best things for families to do in Monterey before leaving the city is to book a trip with the Monterey Bay Whale Watch.
It is an enjoyable and captivating event that will astound and astonish your loved ones.
What to Do with Kids
With a reservation for a trip with the Monterey Bay Whale Watch, you and your group will get the opportunity to explore the ocean while searching for amazing marine life, including dolphins, orcas, humpback whales, blue whales, and other species.
Recommended Ages
You, your little children, and your teenagers will enjoy this spectacular event.
- Old Fisherman’s Wharf
Old Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular tourist destination and an important historical location.
It is situated on the North Pacific Ocean’s coast.
Why Your Family Should Go
Old Fisherman’s Wharf is a must-visit location where you may engage in various activities with your family.
This thriving, historic neighborhood offers a wide range of entertaining activities, including beautiful restaurants, amazing tour options, reasonably priced shopping options, etc.
What to Do with Kids
Looking for family-friendly activities in Monterey?
After that, spend a pleasant day together in Old Fisherman’s Wharf.
You may choose from various activities, like taking a glass-bottom boat trip, going deep-sea fishing, dining at a beachfront restaurant, seeing sea lions and otters swim past, and much more.
Recommended Ages
Old Fisherman’s Wharf is open to visitors of any age.
Your older children, however, may find the tour alternatives more interesting than your younger ones.
- Jacks Peak Park
Monterey’s top hiking area is Jacks Peak Park or Jacks Peak County Park.
Views of the surrounding landscape, the ocean, and the city below are breathtaking.
Why Your Family Should Go
Jacks Peak Park is the ideal location to explore with your tribe if you want to take in the full beauty of nature.
You may escape the routine of your everyday life here and spend some much-needed quality time with each other in the middle of nature.
What to Do with Kids
You may engage in various activities with your kids at Jacks Peak Park, like taking a romantic trek on simple trails, enjoying a picnic while grilling delicious burgers, shooting a tonne of photos together, riding a horse, and so many more activities.
Recommended Ages
Your older children and preteens might benefit more from visiting Jacks Peak Park.
- McAbee Beach
The shoreline of McAbee Beach is picture-perfect, with fine, golden sand and shimmering, shallow waves.
Why Your Family Should Go
Visit McAbee Beach with your kids for a special beach day.
Because of its smooth, clear water and soft, sandy beach, this seashore is ideal for your children.
It is also conveniently located near many other well-known attractions, restaurants, and hotels that welcome families.
What to Do with Kids
McAbee Beach offers a variety of kid-friendly activities you may enjoy with your kids.
Take swimming, assisting your adolescents in creating sandcastles or sculptures, playing beach volleyball, kayaking in calm waters, and scuba diving as examples.
Recommended Ages
McAbee Beach is ideal for parents and children of all ages.
- Monterey Bay Kayaks
A renowned tour operator with a tonne of packages and family-friendly choices is Monterey Bay Kayaks.
Why Your Family Should Go
Are you seeking interesting and enjoyable activities with kids in Monterey?
If so, get in touch with Monterey Bay Kayaks and plan an amazing experience for you and your kids.
Rental choices for watercraft are available from Monterey Bay Kayaks, as are many types of guided tours.
What to Do with Kids
Have one of the finest family vacations ever at Monterey Bay Kayaks, one of the city’s family-friendly activities.
You may participate in sports like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, learning about the diverse marine life, taking classes, taking guided tours, and a tonne more, depending on the tour you choose to do.
Recommended Ages
You and your older children should use Monterey Bay Kayaks.
There are tight age limitations on several of the available alternatives.
For instance, your children must be at least 13 years old to take stand-up paddleboarding courses.
