TOP ATTRACTIONS
Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, the internationally renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the region’s shops, galleries and restaurants are very popular with visitors.

WINE TASTING
The county also has more than 45,000 acres of quality vineyards. Monterey Wine Country is the third-largest fine wine producing region in the US, formed as a coalition of more than forty vineyards and wineries, many with public tasting rooms.

SPECIAL EVENTS
A full calendar of events, beginning with the First Night celebrations held New Year’s Eve in downtown Monterey, and ending with the annual Winter Concert at the nearby Carmel Mission, provides something for everyone. Whale fests, wine tasting, music festivals, classic auto shows, and many other events draw visitors from all over the world.

GOLF
With twenty-eight golf courses, the Monterey Peninsula was voted by Golf Digest as the No. 1 golf destination in the world. One of the largest events is the Pebble Beach AT&T National Pro-AM Golf Tournament in February.

ARTS & CULTURE
There are also numerous museums or cultural centers in the region. The Maritime Museum of Monterey is located at 5 Custom House Plaza, just across from the entrance to Fisherman’s Wharf. Colton Hall on Pacific Street, now a museum, was the site of the California Constitutional Convention in 1849.

The spectacular Central Coast scenery makes the region an artist’s paradise. Painters, sculptors, photographers, and others have long come here to practice their crafts. Their creations can be viewed at galleries, art centers, and museums in and around the Peninsula. The Monterey Museum of Art includes a main gallery in downtown Monterey and a satellite facility in an old adobe on the east side of the city.

If you’re a music lover, Sunset Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea is an acoustically superior performing arts venue that hosts exceptional programs throughout the year. Also, the world renowned Monterey Jazz and Blues Festivals and the Carmel Bach Festival are among dozens of yearly festivals and events in the region.

BEACHES
There are many public access areas for walking, picnicking and tide pool exploration. The variety of sea life and the National Marine Sanctuary designation also makes the ocean and bay popular for all levels of snorkeling and Scuba diving.

BOATING
Kayaking, sailing or just rowing along the shoreline are popular activities on the bay.

WHALE WATCHING
Whales can be observed seasonally from land or by boat; many chartered whale watching tours are available from Monterey and Moss Landing.

FISHING
Deep sea, rock and surf fishing are popular activities; many charter fishing trips leave from Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf. Lake fishing is available at Lake San Antonio. Fishing regulations and license information can be obtained from the state Fish & Game Department (831-649-2870).

CAMPING
The Los Padres National Forest and many state beaches and parks provide hundreds of campsites throughout Monterey County; RV camping is widely available in the county, and in Pacific Grove, Marina, Laguna Seca, and Carmel Valley.

HORSEBACK RIDING
Several riding stables around the county provide beach and trail ride packages; locations include Big Sur, Carmel Valley, Pebble Beach, and Salinas.

SKYDIVING
Monterey Bay offers a variety of air sport opportunities and lessons.

HIKING & BIKING
Monterey County is full of parks and recreation areas offering a variety of well-kept trails for the day-tripper as well as the seasoned back-country traveler. The Monterey Peninsula Recreation Trail, running along 19 miles of the county's shoreline, is an excellent opportunity for walkers, bikers, roller-bladers, and runners alike.

MOTOR SPORTS
Monterey is home to the world famous Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway that hosts five world-class racing weekends each season attracting hundreds of thousands of motor sports fans.