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Visit Monterey Peninsula, California

Discover the best activities and accommodations in Monterey Peninsula, California

What to Do in Monterey Peninsula

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A sea lion basks in the sun at Monterey's Coast Guard Pier while tourists eagerly snap photos. Soon bored with the attention, he slips into Monterey Bay's chilly waters and floats next to Fisherman's Wharf, where visitors feast on fresh catches at seafood restaurants or wait to board a whale-watch cruise. A gaggle of people aim their cameras at the sea lion, hoping for a souvenir-worthy shot, but instead he goes into an underwater nosedive, oblivious to the stylish boutiques, cafés and wine-tasting rooms lining Cannery Row.

Most Popular Hotels

Discover the best hotel experience. Review properties cleanliness, amenities and more. AAA brings you the best hotels in the city.

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Hotel

Monterey Marriott

diamond-threeinspected-clean
Hotel

Monterey Beach Hotel

diamond-threeinspected-clean
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Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa

diamond-threeinspected-clean
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Hilton Garden Inn Monterey

diamond-threeinspected-clean
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Comfort Inn Monterey Peninsula Airport

diamond-threeinspected-clean
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Comfort Inn Marina on the Monterey Bay

diamond-approvedinspected-clean
Hotel

Comfort Inn Carmel By The Sea

diamond-approvedinspected-clean
Hotel

Carmel Valley Ranch

diamond-fourinspected-clean
Hotel

Wave Street Inn

diamond-threeinspected-clean
Hotel

Victorian Inn

diamond-threeinspected-clean
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Cruise Deals

Your Next Great Voyage Awaits

AAA has partnered with the top cruise lines in the industry to give you exclusive AAA member benefits on cruise and river cruise bookings. Get ready to set sail!

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Carnival Radiance5 Nights - Mexican Riviera from Long Beach (Los Angeles)Departing from Long Beach, California | 1 Sailing
Carnival
Ruby Princess11 Nights - Inside Passage (with Glacier Bay National Park)Departing from San Francisco, California | 1 Sailing
Princess
Carnival Legend4 Nights - Baja Mexico from San Francisco, CaDeparting from San Francisco, California | 9 Sailings
Carnival
Ruby Princess5 Nights - West Coast Getaway with San DiegoDeparting from San Francisco, California | 2 Sailings
Princess
Carnival Panorama6 Nights - Mexican Riviera from Long Beach (Los Angeles)Departing from Long Beach, California | 1 Sailing
Carnival
Carnival Firenze4 Nights - Baja Mexico from Long Beach (Los Angeles)Departing from Long Beach, California | 5 Sailings
Carnival
Carnival Radiance4 Nights - Baja Mexico from Los Angeles, CADeparting from Long Beach, California | 2 Sailings
Carnival
Carnival Firenze4 Nights - Baja Mexico from Los Angeles (Long Beach), CADeparting from Long Beach, California | 3 Sailings
Carnival
Carnival Radiance6 Nights - Mexican Riviera from Long Beach (Los Angeles)Departing from Long Beach, California | 4 Sailings
Carnival
Carnival Radiance5 Nights - Mexican Riviera From Los Angeles, CADeparting from Long Beach, California | 38 Sailings
Carnival

Travel Tips & Inspiration

AAA Travel Inspiration, Destination Information and More

Be inspired by articles and videos from AAA Travel experts, offering insights on top destinations, recommendations and travel tips for your upcoming getaway.

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EDITOR PICKBest Beach Towns in the U.S.AAA Travel Editor, Sherry Mims05/09/2024 : Discover America's best coastal towns for the ultimate beach getaway.
EDITOR PICK7 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Road Trip on the California CoastAAA Travel Editor, Katie Broome04/25/2024 : Make your next road trip on the California coast even more eco-friendly with these road tripping tips.
EDITOR PICK21 U.S. Places That Will Remind You of Cities Around the WorldAAA Travel Editor, Laurie Sterbens06/01/2023 : International travel is off the table for now, but there are fun places to go in the U.S. that resemble destinations around the world.
EDITOR PICK7 Exciting Things to Do on a Vacation to Monterey, CAMichelle Palmer04/28/2023 : From the Monterey Bay Aquarium and whale-watching tours to Cannery Row, find the seven most exciting things to do on your Monterey vacation!
EDITOR PICKKeep Sustainable Travel in Mind with AAA and Tourism CaresAAA Travel Editor, Sherry Mims04/12/2023 : AAA Travel and Tourism Cares are joining together to work toward a sustainable future.
EDITOR PICKFun Things to Do Without Leaving Your CouchAAA Travel Editor, Laurie Sterbens04/05/2023 : While the coronavirus pandemic has put a temporary hold on vacation plans and closed entertainment options, self-isolation doesn't mean you have to completely miss out on your favorite attractions and activities. Many are offering virtual options so you can enjoy them from the comfort and safety of your own home until it's time to get back out and see them in person. Here are just a few of the virtual experiences you can enjoy while self-isolating.
EDITOR PICK7 Luxury Hotels for Your Big Sur Road TripAAA Travel Editor, Laurie Sterbens04/05/2023 : If you're looking for places to stay for your Big Sur road trip, these nearby AAA Four Diamond hotels offer luxurious amenities, fine dining and recreational activities to enhance your trip.
ARTICLEIntroduction A sea lion basks in the sun at Monterey's Coast Guard Pier while tourists eagerly snap photos. Soon bored with the attention, he slips into Monterey Bay's chilly waters and floats next to Fisherman's Wharf, where visitors feast on fresh catches at seafood restaurants or wait to board a whale-watch cruise. A gaggle of people aim their cameras at the sea lion, hoping for a souvenir-worthy shot, but instead he goes into an underwater nosedive, oblivious to the stylish boutiques, cafés and wine-tasting rooms lining Cannery Row.
NATIONAL PARKAngeles National Forest Rising above the northern rim of the Los Angeles Basin, the Angeles National Forest covers more than 650,000 acres of the rugged San Gabriel Mountains, which in 1894 famed naturalist John Muir described as “one vast bee-pasture, a rolling wilderness of honey-bloom…” The forest encompasses terrain ranging from rugged, arid desert on the north slope to heavily timbered high mountain ridges and meadows.
ARTICLEIn Depth Although Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to enter Monterey Bay, came within sight of the bay's pine forest-edged beaches in 1542, he was unable to reach land due to high seas. It would be another 60 years before Sebastián Vizcaíno explored the bay and named it for the Count of Monte Rey, viceroy of Mexico. Vizcaíno also named a nearby valley after his patron saint, Our Lady of Carmel.
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The information contained on this page is provided by independent third-party providers and may not include all applicable taxes, fees, and charges. Please note prices and product details are estimates only and are subject to availability at the time of booking. All information, including pricing, product details, and availability, is subject to change without notice. Please see independent third-party providers' websites for more details. AAA is not responsible for content on external websites.
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