In my last blog post, I shared a list of year-round attractions you can enjoy in SLO County. Today, as your Central California real estate agent, I’d like to share a list of attractions and activities you can enjoy year-round in Monterey County! No matter what day of the year it is, you can embark on one of these adventures, or plan a trip to one of these attractions. It’s one of the perks of living in Central California!

• Take a hike. There are an insane amount of hiking opportunities in Monterey County. You could hike to the top of Garrapata State Park, which has a great view, or hike to McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, which is a famous view off Highway One. You can bike and hike around the old military base, Fort Ord National Monument, or take a day hike just about anywhere.

• Embark on an adventure. If you’d like to take your activity up a notch from hiking, you could go skydiving with Monterey Bay Skydive and see the Monterey Peninsula from above, go hang gliding above the sand dunes at Marina State Beach, or go rock climbing at Pinnacles National Park. Pinnacles is America’s newest National Park! Check out the West side in Soledad or the East side by King City.

• Go camping. There is no shortage of campsites in Monterey County to choose from! Pitch a tent and stay overnight at the Lake Nacimiento campsite, and enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking and more. Other great campsites include Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Limekiln State Park in Big Sur, Veterans Memorial Park in Monterey, Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Salinas and many more.

• Sip local drinks. Just like SLO County, Monterey County has its fair share of local wines and beer! Carmel-by-the-Sea and Carmel Valley both have numerous tasting rooms with handcrafted wines. River Road in the Salinas Valley has Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and beautiful views! If beer is your drink of choice, check out Peter B’s Brewpub or Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill for a local craft brew.

• Visit Monterey Bay Aquarium. This is one of Monterey County’s most famous, popular attractions for tourists and residents. They bring ocean life to you, up close and personal, so you can view, touch and learn about all of the creatures that live alongside us in the Central Coast waters. From whales and jellyfish, to sardines and starfish, this a great full-day, family-friendly attraction.

For more attractions and adventures to enjoy in Monterey County, check out this extensive list of ways to “grab life by its moments” from See Monterey. Was your favorite attraction or activity not mentioned in the list? Share what it is!

Want help moving to Monterey County, or anywhere in Central California? As your Central California real estate agent, I am always available to help you with your home-buying and home-selling needs!

From Grace Borzini
grace@oakshoresrealty.com