Monterey is an easy place to travel with kids. The big attractions are close together, and there is plenty to do outdoors for free. Here is a two-day plan from Pacific Inn on North Fremont Street.
Day 1 morning: the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Get to the Aquarium early with timed tickets bought ahead. It is about nine minutes from the hotel. Start with the sea otters and the kelp forest before the crowds build, then check the day's schedule for feedings.
Day 1 afternoon: Cannery Row and the Coastal Trail
- Walk from the Aquarium along Cannery Row and look for sea otters in the kelp just offshore.
- Rent bikes or a surrey and ride the flat Coastal Recreation Trail toward Fisherman's Wharf.
- Watch the sea lions on the rocks near the wharf.
Day 2 morning: Dennis the Menace Park
This free playground on Lake El Estero is about five minutes from the hotel. Kids love the climbing structures and the old steam locomotive, and the lake path is good for little legs.
Day 2 afternoon: a beach day
- Monterey State Beach is right across Del Monte Avenue from the park for sandcastles and kite flying.
- For more space, drive about 10 minutes north to Fort Ord Dunes State Park for wide sand and dunes.
- The water is cold and the surf can be strong. Keep kids at the water's edge.
Tips for families
- Pack layers. Monterey mornings are often foggy and cool, even in summer.
- Grocery stores and restaurants are within walking distance of Pacific Inn, which makes snacks and picnic lunches easy.
Staying at Pacific Inn Monterey
Pacific Inn is on North Fremont Street with quick access to Highway 1, minutes from Monterey Regional Airport. Rooms have Keurig coffee makers for early mornings. Book direct at pacificinnmonterey.com.
Photo: Dennis the Menace playground 2024-07-06 by Cloud atlas, via Wikimedia Commons. Original photograph and this image adaptation licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized; website renditions may be cropped and converted in format. This license applies only to the photograph.
