This route is much more scenic than Highway 101, as the stretch along Highway 280 runs parallel to the wooded rolling hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. When the Highway 101 route has a lot of traffic, the Highway 280 + Highway 17 route from San Francisco to Santa Cruz may be the faster option. and the town of Salinas, home to the National Steinbeck Center. Two worthwhile detours near Monterey on the Highway 101 route include the Mission San Juan Bautista with its elaborate building complex, gorgeous manicured grounds, and the original Spanish plaza, all of which is designated as a National Historic Landmark, as well as a California State Historic Park. A place for recreation and seaside vacations, Santa Cruz offers fun in the sun at its sandy beaches, historic boardwalk amusement park, and lively downtown. The two towns are only 43 miles apart, yet the ambience is completely different. Recommended Stops along the Highway 101 Route: If you love classic beach towns, you will want to stop in Santa Cruz on your way to Monterey. The remainder of the drive, from Santa Cruz to Monterey, takes about 50 minutes along Highway One, which follows alongside the coastline and affords stunning views. This route includes highway roads much of the way, but you may encounter traffic in the San Jose area and, unfortunately, the ride is not scenic until you reach Santa Cruz. The drive from San Francisco to Monterey takes about 2.5 hours on the quickest route, usually the Highway 101 route. Many travelers prefer to enjoy a weekend getaway from San Francisco rather than a day trip, because the drive is quite long for just one day of sightseeing. Having a car allows for flexibility in trip planning. From San Francisco to Monterey by Car Wildflowers along Monterey Bayĭriving is the best option for travelers who would like explore at their own pace and perhaps stop along the way. In Monterey, Monterey Whale Watching is your best bet in Moss Landing, book a trip on Sanctuary Cruises instead.1. However, if you're looking for one of those picturesque moments with some of the ocean's biggest creatures, you'll want to visit from mid-December to April when the migrating gray whales pass through the Monterey Bay.Īlthough you can generally see these magnificent creatures from the shorelines on the Monterey Penninsula, there are also a variety of whale watching cruises you can take to get an up-close look at the action. Humpback and blue whales can be found throughout the year in Monterey Bay, and it's not unusual to also spot a rare fin or minke whale here, too. In fact, the only thing that changes is what type of whale you might see when you go out: It might be humpback whales feeding, orcas pursuing a gray whale and her calf, or even a rare beaked whale. Monterey Bay is one of the best places on the West Coast for whale watching since it experiences the longest whale migration season in California, which more or less lasts all year long. While tickets are required to enjoy the facilities, some area hotels offer package deals that include admission to the aquarium. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is located at 886 Cannery Row in Monterey and is typically open from 10 a.m. You also won't want to miss the Outdoor Tide Pool, which is home to the aquarium's popular otter exhibit. Additionally, younger kids will enjoy the touch pools, which invite guests to reach out and touch a few ocean creatures like bat rays, starfish, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins. One of the most popular exhibits is the living kelp forest housed in a two-story-tall tank, which shows guests what life is like in the bay outside the aquarium. It takes about half a day to tour the exhibits at a leisurely pace, but the aquarium can sometimes be very crowded, which may slow down your trip. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of California's most popular attractions and is often rated as a top family destination in the United States.
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