Monterey & Carmel, United States

Things to do in Monterey & Carmel

94 ranked activities1 in the 90+ Club

Monterey Bay is one of the best whale watching stretches in the world, alongside kayak tours over the kelp forest, 17-Mile Drive and Big Sur coastal runs, and Carmel wine walks. Boat size and naturalist quality decide the whale trips, and we score them accordingly.

Quick answer

What are the best things to do in Monterey & Carmel?

Outty ranks 94 bookable experiences in Monterey & Carmel, United States. The highest scoring is Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr at 94 out of 100, followed by Whale Watching Tour From Monterey, Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour, 17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Guided Tour. Prices start at $8 per person and 1 experiences score 90 or above, putting them in the Outty 90+ Club. April to November for whales and calm seas.

Ranked experiences
94
In the 90+ Club
1
From
$8 per person
Bookable today
94

Most Popular in Monterey & Carmel

The experiences travelers book most right now.

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Most Highly Reviewed in Monterey & Carmel

Highest traveler sentiment with enough reviews to trust it.

Last Minute in Monterey & Carmel

Confirmed availability today or tomorrow.

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Family Friendly in Monterey & Carmel

Works with children in tow, by age policy and pacing.

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Food & Drink in Monterey & Carmel

Food tours, tastings, markets and dinner experiences.

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Culture & History in Monterey & Carmel

Museums, landmarks and stories behind the streets.

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Outdoors in Monterey & Carmel

Fresh air, water, trails and skyline views.

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Nightlife in Monterey & Carmel

After dark: bars, shows and evening cruises.

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Planning questions about Monterey & Carmel

What are the best things to do in Monterey & Carmel?
Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr is the highest ranked experience in Monterey & Carmel, scoring 94 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking from 938 traveler reviews. Whale Watching Tour From Monterey, Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour, 17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Guided Tour, Whale Watching Tour Monterey California round out the top five. Outty ranks 94 bookable experiences in Monterey & Carmel, United States, and 1 of them score 90 or above.
How much do activities in Monterey & Carmel cost?
The median price across everything we rank in Monterey & Carmel is $75 per person, and the cheapest starting price is $8 on Off the Beaten Path in Carmel-by-the-Sea: A Self-Guided Tour. Guided, small-group and skip-the-line versions sit above the median, and peak weekends price higher than midweek mornings.
Can I book something in Monterey & Carmel for today?
Yes. 94 of the 94 experiences we rank in Monterey & Carmel currently show same-day availability. Same-day slots are limited, so book early in the day where you can.
Is Monterey & Carmel good for families?
Yes. 13 of the experiences we rank in Monterey & Carmel are family friendly, covering short, low-cost activities as well as full-day outings. Check the minimum age on each experience page before booking.
How many days do you need in Monterey & Carmel?
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting: one anchor experience each morning, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
When is the best time to visit Monterey & Carmel?
April to November for whales and calm seas. Prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
Can I cancel a booking in Monterey & Carmel?
67 of the 94 experiences we rank in Monterey & Carmel offer free cancellation, usually up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact window is shown on each experience page before you book.
How does the Outty Ranking work?
Every experience in Monterey & Carmel gets a single 0 to 100 score built from traveler sentiment, the depth of review evidence, recent booking momentum, price fairness against comparable options in the same city, operator standing and cancellation flexibility. Scores are benchmarked within Monterey & Carmel so a strong local option is not buried by global volume, and anything at 90 or above joins the Outty 90+ Club.