Last Updated on August 8, 2026 by Themigonikitchen

3-Day Monterey with Kids Itinerary (Beyond the Aquarium!)

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The Monterey Bay Aquarium is world-famous for a reason, but exploring Monterey with kids has so much more to offer than just a single afternoon of ocean life. From spotting wild sea otters on a ocean-bound whale watching boat to scenic coastal drives, cozy clam chowder houses, and sunset beach sessions, Central California is an absolute playground for families.

When we planned our California coastal road trip, we knew we wanted a mix of bucket-list sights and relaxed, slow-paced family downtime. Here is our realistic, tried-and-tested 3-day Monterey itinerary with kids—including where we stayed, where to eat, and what to skip!

Why Monterey is the Ultimate Home Base for Central California

If you are traveling through Northern or Central California, staying in Monterey with kids makes the perfect home base. Instead of packing up bags and switching hotels every night, you can unpack once and easily take quick day trips to some of the state’s most iconic coastal destinations.

In fact, you could easily spend an entire week using Monterey as your hub to explore the surrounding area without getting bored!

Drive Times from Monterey (Quick Parent Reference):

• 17-Mile Drive (Pebble Beach): ~10 minutes away

• Carmel-by-the-Sea: ~20 minutes away

• Bixby Creek Bridge (Big Sur): ~1 hour away (This was our turnaround point, but you can easily continue further south to explore more of the Big Sur coast!)

Where We Stayed in Monterey with Kids: Intercontinental The Clement Monterey

If you are planning a trip to Monterey with kids, location is everything. We stayed at InterContinental The Clement Monterey, located right on Cannery Row.

• Why it worked for us: We were able to park our car, drop off our bags around 10:00 AM, and walk directly to the aquarium, local delis, and dinner spots without constantly re-buckling car seats.

• Kid-Friendly Highlights: My daughter, Mila, loved splashing in the hotel’s heated outdoor pool! The property also features a hot tub and a great fitness center for mom and dad.

Check Room Availability and Rates for InterContinental The Clement Monterey Here

• • Need other options? Check out other booking options nearby

Day 1: Aquariums, Heated Pools & Outstanding Clam Chowder

Morning: Monterey Bay Aquarium

After dropping off our luggage at the hotel, we walked straight over to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It is truly as incredible as everyone says, especially for toddlers and young children.

Want our full guide on navigating tickets, crowds, and stroller logistics? Read our dedicated Monterey Bay Aquarium Guide for Families!

Afternoon: Italian Deli Lunch & Pool Downtime

After wrapping up at the aquarium, we grabbed a quick and delicious lunch right next door at Coniglio Brother’s Italian Deli. It was fast, friendly, and ideal after a busy morning of walking.

We then headed back to The Clement to rest and recharge for a couple of hours. Letting kids swim in the heated pool or take a calm nap is the secret weapon to avoiding late-afternoon meltdowns on a road trip!

Evening: Chowder, Ice Cream & Beach Sunset

For dinner, we walked over to Vivolo’s Chowder House – a local favorite for over 35 years.

• The Verdict: The kids’ menu was great, the fresh local fish options were delicious, and their clam chowder was outstanding—easily one of the best on the coast.

• Logistics: It was an easy, low-stress walk from our hotel room.

To cap off the night, we strolled over to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop on Cannery Row for ice cream sundaes, then walked down to the sand to watch the ocean sunset. There’s also lots of little souvenir shops along the walk back. We did a custom engraved penny for our daughter at one of them – we love doing these on vacation as a cute (and cheap) memento for her.

Day 2: Whale Watching, 17-Mile Drive & Sunset in Carmel

Breakfast: First Awakenings

We started the morning early with a hearty breakfast at First Awakenings. Another locally owned spot, it’s been open for over 25 years. It’s super cute, budget-friendly diner spot with generous portions—perfect for fueling up before a morning on the water. Plus, it’s a short walk from the hotel so no worries about parking.

Morning: Whale Watching Tour from Fisherman’s Wharf

We booked a 10:00 AM excursion through Discovery Whale Watch, departing from historic Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

• Parent Transit Tip: Fisherman’s Wharf is about a 30-minute walk from Cannery Row. Since walking that far with a toddler isn’t always realistic and we didn’t want to bring our stroller onto the boat, we drove our rental car down. The wharf has ample, affordable parking lots right at the entrance.

• The Boat Experience: Discovery Whale Watch was incredible! We saw dozens of playful dolphins, massive humpback whales, sea otters, and sea lions. They sell snacks and drinks on board, and they offer free coffee and hot chocolate.

• Motion Sickness Warning: The ocean swells can get quite bumpy once you leave the harbor. If you or your kids are prone to motion sickness, be sure to take precautions beforehand or opt for a calmer shore activity.

Pre-Book Your Monterey Whale Watching Tour via Viator Here

Afternoon: 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach & Bixby Creek Bridge

After a quick lunch along the pier, we set off to explore outside the city limits. This also coincided with our daughter’s nap, so she was able to get a little shut eye post lunch. Because Monterey is so centrally located, these bucket-list coastal drives are right in your backyard:

1. The 17-Mile Drive (Pebble Beach, ~10 minutes from Monterey): Entry is $12.50 per vehicle, which is well worth it for the views. You can take your time pulling over at viewpoints. It wasn’t warm enough for sunbathing, but we loved taking in the ocean vistas and stopping by the famous Lone Cypress. Crocker Grove was another worthwhile stop to see the home of the largest and oldest Monterey Cypress trees in existence. We also made a pit stop at the visitor center for a quick bathroom break and to look at the golf memorabilia. We took about an hour to do a quick tour but you could easily spend several hours here taking in different stops.

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2. Bixby Creek Bridge (~1 hour from Monterey): We continued south towards Big Sur just far enough to see the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge. The drive along the cliffs is breathtaking! Parking gets tight as you approach the bridge lookout, but we managed to pull off safely and grab stunning family photos with the bridge stretching across the canyon. hile we turned around here to keep things easy with our toddler, you can easily continue further down the coast to explore more of Big Sur!

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Evening: Dinner in Carmel-by-the-Sea (~20 minutes from Monterey)

We looped back and headed into neighboring Carmel-by-the-Sea for dinner.

• Parking Heads Up: Street parking in Carmel is a massive challenge, especially on Saturday nights. Be prepared to circle the blocks for a bit before finding a spot!

• Where We Ate: We had reservations at Dametra Cafe right on the main street. They serve delicious Middle Eastern cuisine, feature lively acoustic music, and are exceptionally welcoming to families with kids.

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• Sunset: After dinner, we walked down the hill to Carmel Sunset Beach to watch the sun dip below the horizon before driving back to Monterey.

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Day 3: Fresh Sourdough & Heading to San Francisco

Before checking out and driving north, we grabbed a light breakfast at Happy Girl Kitchen Café.

• Must-Try: Delicious homemade yogurt, fresh sourdough, and artisanal jams. We picked up a few jars of jam to take home as gifts!

• Road Trip Tip: We made a quick stop back at Coniglio Deli to grab packed picnic sandwiches before starting our drive up to San Francisco.

Heading north next? Read our Realistic 48-Hour San Francisco Itinerary with a Toddler!