If you’re looking for things to do in Monterey with kids, you’re in luck! There are so many things to do in Monterey with kids! It’s always exciting to get out of town and visit a new city (or favorite vacation spot!). Monterey is near and dear to our hearts, and we visit often. However, we’ve learned there is always something new to check out in Monterey with kids.
You are going to learn all about the top things to do in Monterey with kids.
After reading this post, you’ll be ready to plan an awesome trip to Monterey with your family.
If you need some great recommendations for RV Parks in Monterey, check out our post all about favorite parks in the area.
This post is all about things to do in Monterey with kids
1. Things to do at Casa De Fruita
While this is not necessarily IN Monterey, Casa De Fruita is always a place we stop either going to or leaving Monterey. It’s about 1 hour from Monterey, so if it’s not on your route into town, then it could always be a fun excursion for the day. They have so much to explore, see and buy.
Why Your Family Should Check It Out:
Our favorite part of Casa De Fruita, now that we have kids, is the rides! They’ve got a train that goes around the entire property that’s perfect for kids. They also have a merry-go-round and playgrounds for the kids.
Casa De Fruita has a candy shop, local wine tasting, a restaurant, and lots of fun shops filled with snacks and treats for you and your family. Better yet, they have a huge area for truck and RV parking and even an RV Park if you wanted to stay the night! It is a great stop for our family because we can park, have lunch in the RV and then go get a treat and stretch our legs.
It’s a favorite little stop for our family, we always like to pop over and grab some fresh fruit, snacks, and a train ride!
{Related Post- 6 Tips You Need When Planning An RV Trip}
2. Monterey Bay Aquarium with kids
You’ll likely see the Monterey Bay Aquarium on every list when looking for family-friendly activities in Monterey. It’s a timeless part of the city, and it’s absolutely perfect for kids of all ages to explore and learn about so many sea creatures.
Why Your Family Should Check It Out:
Monterey Bay Aquarium is truly a stunning aquarium! Your kids will never forget looking up at the giant Kelp Forest and seeing the massive kelp sway as the fish swim around. They’ll get to laugh as they watch the penguin feeding, and enjoy watching otters as they play together. The deep-sea comes alive at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
3. Dennis the Menace Park- the Ultimate thing to do with kids
This is one of the coolest parks we’ve ever been to! There are so many areas to play on and explore. Fun fact, it was actually designed by the creator of the Dennis the Menace comic!
Why Your Family Should Check It Out:
It’s completely free to enter and has everything from a large suspension bridge, to huge slides and ladders. There are multiple play structures for kids to play on. In the busy season, there is a snack bar and boat rentals on the pond. It also has ocean views. We visited for a couple of hours one morning and it felt like there was still more to do!
4. MY Museum
This is now going to be a MUST every time we visit Monterey! We had an open day last time we visited and wanted to do something new. I found MY Museum online and we checked it out. Our 2.5-year-old had a blast exploring every section!
Why Your Family Should Check It Out:
The separate areas to explore were a blast! I got to watch our 2.5-year-old’s imagination come alive. We played doctor, performed on a stage, went mini-golfing, rode a fire truck, became a farmer, ran a store, and more all in about an hour and a half. We belly-laughed as we shot pom poms into the air through pipes and created things in the Creation Station. It was seriously a blast, we will for sure be back!
{Related Post- RV Parks in Monterey}
Nearby Hotel- Victorian Inn Monterey
5. Beaches in Monterey with Kids
Del Monte Beach- Just minutes from downtown Monterey, across from Dennis the Menace Park and walking distance to Old Fisherman’s Warf. A great beach to camp out at for the day and still be close to it all!
Marina State Park- This is one of our favorites, as it’s a bit more secluded and not quite as busy as some of the others.
Lover’s Point Beach- Another great beach just a short drive from Cannery Row! Beautiful views and the perfect place for a little family picnic.
Spanish Bay Beach- This is a popular beach is a stop on the beautiful 17 Mile Drive!
Nearby Hotel- Sanctuary Beach Resort (this is one of our favorites!)
6. Monterey Zoo
The Monterey Zoo is 51 acres and houses over 100 animals. From big cats, small cats, primates, bears, birds, elephants and so many more, you’ll have a full afternoon of fun with the family.
Why Your Family Should Check It Out
The Monterey Zoo has lots of great tour options if you’d like a special experience during your visit. They have a range of tours that you and your family can take to experience the zoo. They also offer a Bed and Breakfast experience! You can actually spend the night in the Monterey Zoo and feel like you’re on safari.
7. Cannery Row in Monterey with Kids
Cannery Row is a classic stop in Monterey, California. It’s full of history, great shops, and restaurants. The very first Bubba Gumps is located there and it’s one of our favorite places. The views inside are great! There is a fun little mall that you can explore with a wax museum that is all about Steinbeck and the history of Monterey. We also love visiting the Ghirardelli Chocolate shop as well as the Escape Room just down the street. There are lots of great activities for the kids.
Nearby Hotel: InterContinental The Clement Monterey
8. Old Fisherman’s Warf with Kids
The Old Fisherman’s Wharf is full of delicious food, cute shops, and beautiful views. We always stop by for a big bowl of clam chowder and if we’re lucky, a peek at the sea lions sunbathing on the docks.
Enjoy your time in Monterey with kids!
We truly love the Monterey area. While it’s an area we frequent often, we also have really enjoyed trying to find new places to visit and not always going back to the same locations. There are so many choices of beaches, restaurants, parks, playgrounds, and more. Monterey is a great place for families. We often travel and camp in our RV, so it gives us a chance to slow down and explore more as a family.
