Things To Do
McWay Waterfall Trail
The McWay Falls trail is one of the Bride's most favorite leisure hikes in California. The trail is quite short , under a mile, with low elevation changes. The trail can be completed in under an hour and is fun for the whole family!
Monterey Bay Aquarium
This is a family favorite on the Bride's side. You will not be disappointed by the incredibly beautiful sea life that lives here. Be sure to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium website for details and to book tickets before arriving!
Cannery Row
Take stroll down Cannery Row! Cannery Row is full of restaurants, shops, and hotels, but once it was the center of a large-scale sardine canning industry. The setting for John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name, Cannery Row used to be called Ocean View Avenue. Visit canneryrow.com for a list of attractions and accommodations along Cannery Row in Monterey, California.
Castle Rock Viewpoint, Bixby Bridge
The Castle Rock Viewpoint is perhaps the best place on Highway 1 to take in the beauty of Big Sur’s coast. The multiple turnouts are centered around one of the world’s highest span bridges. Built in 1932, the concrete bridge crosses a crumbly canyon by the sea.
Pfeiffer Falls Trailhead
Hike the redwoods at Pfeiffer Falls! This is one of the Bride's favorite forest trail locations. The giant redwoods are absolutely mesmerizing. Be sure to visit the parks.ca.gov website before your visit for current updates and must know trail tips!
Point Sur Lighthouse
Point Sur Lighthouse and its supporting light-station buildings, now a California State Historic Park, stand atop a dramatic volcanic rock just off-shore in Big Sur, California. This historic aid-to-navigation has a modern aero-beacon which still guides ships along the treacherous Central California Coast. For tour information and to visit the Point Sur Lighthouse visit pointsur.org
17 Mile Drive
Want to see the Pacific Coast but short on time? Drive the 17 Mile Drive! This part of the California coast line will not disappoint! 17-Mile Drive is widely recognized as one of the most scenic drives in the world. The famous coastal landmark runs through Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach, from the dramatic Pacific coastline to the majestic Del Monte Forest. The awe-inspiring vistas and legendary sites can easily fill an entire day with exploration and discovery, although visitors with less time should not miss the opportunity to experience this wondrous journey as well.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Fall in love with the quaint little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, the whimsical seaside village, along California's Monterey Peninsula known for its many art galleries, sandy beaches, and storybook cottages. The most famous of the structures—which appear to be straight out of Snow White—were designed by self-taught architect and builder Hugh Comstock in the 1920s, and they have influenced the town’s architecture and style ever since. Whether you want to visit the Carmel's sea or storybook cottages, visit carmelcalifornia.com ahead of time for a list of things to do!
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Dramatic coastal scenery and an incredible diversity of wildlife makes Point Lobos an amazing place to discover. Visitors are awed by the glorious ocean scenery, with the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean striking rocky bluffs and outcrops. Scenic hiking trails lead through forests of Monterey pines and cypress trees, as well as marine terraces, tide pools, and fields of coastal scrub blooming with vibrant wildflowers. In springtime, an abundance of wild lilacs and California poppies blanket the fields. A highlight for many is seeing Point Lobos' marine mammals. The Sea Lion Point Trail leads hikers down to a staircase that offers a good vantage point of coves where the barking sea lions rest on offshore rocks. Be sure to visit the parks.ca.gov website to ensure you're prepared for your visit to Point Lobos!
Lovers Point
According to local legend, this park was originally called "Lovers of Jesus Point," back in the era when Pacific Grove was a Methodist retreat camp. Since the late 1800s, the beach at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove has been a popular spot for boating and swimming, and over recent decades surfers have joined the mix.