1. Indulge in Local Food and Wine in Monterey County
While many people prepare to bid farewell to summer, the fall brings to Monterey County, Calif., the area’s ‘second summer’ and its warmest temperatures of the year. These optimal conditions and fewer crowds make it the perfect season to explore the amazing natural beauty of this iconic central coast destination. To help travelers plan their perfect getaway, Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau (Monterey County CVB) has compiled the Top 5 things for visitors to do in the destination this fall.
Monterey County is known for its agricultural bounty, the catalyst to an amazing culinary and wine scene. A must-visit stop on any trip should include Pezzini Farms in Castroville. The 80-year-old staple gives guests the opportunity to taste the quirky green vegetable – the artichoke – for which the town is celebrated. Visitors can also set their sights on new dining options that have popped up all over the county in recent months. From Taco Shack Vegan Kitchen in Monterey’s historic Cannery Row to multiple additions in Carmel-by-the-Sea, including women-owned Village Gem, fueled by local farmer’s markets, and Edwin’s Carmel, specializing in Southeast Asian fare, there is something for every taste bud.
Carmel Valley is a wine lover’s paradise, with newer tasting rooms including Albatross Ridge’s Tasting Cottage and Scratch to more established spots like Folktale Winery & Vineyards – with the latter working on a soon-to-launch wine that has been aged under the Monterey Bay. Other notable wineries include Scheid Vineyards Tasting Room, which offers a low-calorie/low-alcohol content wine with zero residual sugar, and the newer Lepe Cellars Tasting Room, both in Carmel-by-the-Sea. In Salinas Valley, family-owned Rustiqué is the newest addition to the River Road Wine Trail.
2. Book An Experiential Tour in Monterey County
Visitors can work up a sweat on the new Handcar Tours at Fort Ord Dunes State Park in Marina. Ride-goers chug along the former Monterey Branch rail line that once connected Monterey to San Francisco on this scenic tour. Head further inland to explore the area’s lush vineyards on the VineCycle Tour, or sample local food and drinks as riders cycle from Carmel-by-the-Sea to Point Lobos State Park on the Carmel Bikes, Bites & Bevs tour – both of which use electric assist mountain bikes (e-bikes), making the tours accessible for any fitness level.
For sea lovers, head to Moss Landing to experience Sea Goddess Whale Watching, which offers guaranteed whale sightings year-round thanks to its Monterey Bay Canyon location known to attract an abundance of sea life. Or for an educational tour by land, take a step back in time with a tour of King City’s Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum (MCARLM). The museum’s grounds include a 19th century schoolhouse, one of the last remaining Southern Pacific railway depots and an early 20th century blacksmith shop.
3. Enjoy Unmatched Scenery of Monterey County
Get outside and explore the area’s natural beauty by golfing Bayonet & Black Horse in Seaside, paragliding atop the sand dunes in Sand City and Marina, hiking Toro Park in Salinas, or kayaking at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove. No trip to Monterey County is complete without a stop at one of the area’s stunning beaches, like Del Monte Beach in Monterey or the pet-friendly Carmel Beach.
Those who prefer the wind in their hair will love to see Monterey County’s 99-miles of coastline by car along the iconic US-1 coastal highway or 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach. Classic cars are available to rent through Monterey Touring Vehicles, with choices from a 1954 Chevy Bel Air Convertible to a 1938 Rolls Royce Phantom III.
4. Check Out Fall Events in Monterey County
Several of Monterey County’s beloved events are back in action this year, including the California Rodeo Salinas (Sept. 23-26), one of the top 10 rodeos in the United States and largest in California featuring hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls. In Monterey, there is the cycle-filled Sea Otter Classic (Oct. 7-10), and the two-week Carmel Bach Festival at the Sunset Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea (Oct. 23 to Nov. 5). While the Monterey Jazz Festival (Sept. 24-26) is sold out, visitors can still check out the MJF After Hours program that extends the live jazz to hotels, restaurants and other venues throughout the city each evening.
Late in the season, the Big Sur Food & Wine Festival (Nov. 4-6) gathers the best and brightest chefs and winemakers on the central coast in one of the world’s most ruggedly beautiful locations.
5. Spot Local Wildlife in Monterey County
There is no better place to spy sea life than the world-renown Monterey Bay Aquarium, packed with penguins, sharks, jellyfish and more. Celebrate Sea Otter Awareness Week (Sept. 19-25) with a visit to the Elkhorn Slough in Moss Landing, home to the highest concentration of the cute and playful animals in Monterey County, along with tons of migratory birds, sea lions and other wildlife. Fall is the ideal time to visit the Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove, as they flock to the region beginning in October and stay for the winter.
Visitors are encouraged to travel responsibly in Monterey County by following all current health and safety guidelines and respecting the area’s iconic landscapes by staying on trails and leaving no trace behind. For more information on fall happenings in Monterey County and to plan and book a trip, visit www.SeeMonterey.com.
ABOUT MONTEREY COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Monterey County CVB) is a 501c6 non-profit organization that drives tourism for Monterey County. Tourism is the largest industry on the Monterey Peninsula and the second largest in the County. The MCCVB is a partnership of the hospitality community and local governments that aims to drive business growth through compelling marketing and targeted sales initiatives that maximize the benefits of tourism to its guests, members and the community. Travel spending in Monterey County was $3.24 billion in 2019, representing a 3.3 percent increase from 2018. This $3.24 billion in visitor spending supported 27,120 jobs, contributed $296 million in total taxes and generated $153 million local tax dollars that directly benefited the community. For more information, visit www.SeeMonterey.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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