Monterey
Fisherman's Wharf
At Old Fisherman's Wharf, it's fun to set off on a whale watching or bay cruise, look for sea lions and harbor seals playing in the water, and sample locally caught fish, seafood and old fashioned salt water taffy.
Boat cruises on Monterey Bay - Take a 45 min. cruise around the bay to see marine life in the "wild." At you pass out of the marina, kids will see scads of sea lions lolling on the rocks, flippers poking in the air for warmth. The highlight of the cruise is the kelp beds, where you might see a sea otter gently sleeping with a circle of kelp tucked around him, or mom with a baby curled on her tummy.
Whale watching - For a longer boat trip (3 hours or more), go on a whale watching cruise. December - April you'll look for the migrating gray whales. May - November, humpback and blue whales hang out in outer Monterey Bay. On the cruise, you're likely to see dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and the occasional killer whale.
Tip: Even if the day is sunny, be sure to bring warm clothing as it's much cooler out on the water.
Sea lions and harbor seals - On the east side of the pier (near the bronze fisherman statue) is a raft, usually full of barking sea lions, or also look for sea lions zipping around in the water.
Walk around the wharf toward Cannery Row on the Recreation Trail, and you're likely to see harbor seals lolling on the rocks or flopped on the sandy beach. (Harbor seals look like blimps, with short flippers and rounded tummies.)
Tip: Wondering how tell the difference between a harbor seal and California sea lion? Read our blog post: Seal or Sea Lion
Sidewalk seafood - Dig into clam chowder in a bread bowl or the tasty fried calamari (squid is caught locally in Monterey Bay), and try seafood pasta dishes. Plenty of restaurants on the wharf and fish markets.
Beaches - Spend an afternoon playing on the beach. The flat sand beach at Monterey Bay Park goes on and on (you can pick up sand toys at the shops on Old Fisherman's Wharf). Careful about wading and pay attention to the signs posted at the beaches.
Lake El Estero and Dennis The Menace Park -
Dennis The Menace Park is a fantastic children's playground, with lots of play structures, a rope bridge, a hedge maze, old steam locomotive to climb on, sand and grassy areas – toddlers won't want to leave.
Expend some excess energy zipping around the lake on pedal boats, or just run around looking at the ducks and other water fowl.
