🏙️ City

Things to Do with Kids in Monterey, CA

Explore 40 family-friendly activities in Monterey — filtered by age, scheduled around nap time, and ready to drop into your personalized itinerary.

Top Family Activities

40 of 40 selected
📌

Monterey State Beach

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Wide sandy beach with easy stroller access via paved coastal path. Water is cold — bring layers even in summer. Del Mont...

🎡

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Book tickets online in advance — sells out on weekends. Strollers allowed throughout; baby carrier recommended for toddl...

🎡

Cannery Row

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Flat, wide sidewalks make it very stroller-friendly. Stop at the free tide pools just north of the aquarium. Parking gar...

📌

Lover's Point Park Tide Pools

1–2 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

Check tide charts before visiting — low tide is essential for good viewing. Paved path leads to a viewpoint but the rock...

📌

17-Mile Drive

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Entry fee per vehicle; scenic stops have paved pullouts accessible for strollers at most viewpoints. Bird Rock and Seal ...

📌

Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

18-mile paved path — do a manageable 2-3 mile stretch with kids. Fully stroller-friendly. Rent bikes or surreys near Fis...

🎡

Fisherman's Wharf Monterey

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Stroller-accessible along the wharf boardwalk. Sea lions regularly lounge below — kids love it. Clam chowder bread bowls...

🌳

Dennis the Menace Playground

1–2 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

Free admission; one of the best playgrounds on the Central Coast. Designed by Hank Ketcham, creator of Dennis the Menace...

📌

Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur

Half DayAges 312+

Cash-only entry ($12/vehicle). Road is very narrow — no vehicles over 8 feet wide. Not stroller-accessible on the sand b...

📌

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Half DayAges 012+

Reserve timed parking reservations online — fills up fast on weekends. Most trails are unpaved and not stroller-friendly...

📌

Carmel Beach

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

One of the most beautiful beaches in California — white sand, turquoise water. Dogs allowed off-leash which kids love. P...

📌

Carmel-by-the-Sea Village

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Charming fairy-tale village with kid-friendly atmosphere. Ocean Ave slopes gently — manageable with strollers. Many rest...

🏛️

Monterey County Youth Museum (MY Museum)

2–4 hoursAges 110+Stroller OK

Hands-on interactive exhibits designed specifically for children up to age 10. Perfect rainy-day activity. Stroller park...

📌

Sea Otter Viewing at Moss Landing

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Moss Landing harbor has the highest concentration of wild sea otters in the world — free to view from the jetty. Bring b...

📌

Monterey Bay Whale Watching (Monterey Bay Whale Watch)

Half DayAges 312+

Book in advance; tours run 3-5 hours. Bring warm layers and seasickness medication for kids prone to motion sickness. Mi...

📌

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Full DayAges 212+Stroller OK

About 45 minutes from Monterey but worth the trip for a full family day. Rides for all ages from toddler-friendly carous...

🍕

Phil's Fish Market & Eatery

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Famous for cioppino and fresh seafood right on Moss Landing harbor. Kid-friendly atmosphere with casual seating. Watch f...

📌

Big Sur Scenic Drive (Highway 1)

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Drive south on Hwy 1 stopping at Bixby Creek Bridge, McWay Falls overlook, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Pull-out...

🥾

Garland Ranch Regional Park

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Flat Lupine Meadow loop (~1.5 miles) is excellent for toddlers and stroller-friendly in dry season. Longer trails for ol...

🍕

Old Fisherman's Grotto

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Classic Monterey seafood restaurant right on the wharf with views of the bay. Booster seats and kid menus available. Cla...

🏛️

Presidio of Monterey Museum

1–2 hoursAges 512+Stroller OK

Free military history museum with interactive exhibits that older kids find engaging. Stroller-friendly interior. The su...

📌

Monterey State Historic Park (Path of History)

2–4 hoursAges 412+Stroller OK

Self-guided walking tour of 30+ historic buildings downtown. Most of old Monterey is flat and stroller-accessible. Pick ...

📌

Pebble Beach Spanish Bay Picnic & Beach

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Accessible via 17-Mile Drive entry fee. Boardwalk path to the beach is stroller-friendly. Beach is relatively calm and g...

📌

Asilomar State Beach

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Boardwalk trail along dunes is fully stroller-accessible and has stunning views. Cove areas have calmer water for older ...

📌

Pacific Grove Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Docents on-site Oct-Feb to help spot butterflies clustered in eucalyptus trees. Path is flat and stroller-accessible. Fr...

📌

Elkhorn Slough Safari Nature Boat Tours

2–4 hoursAges 212+

Guided pontoon boat through Elkhorn Slough estuary — sea otters, harbor seals, and shorebirds. Kid-friendly tour guide, ...

📌

Carmel River State Beach

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Calmer lagoon on the river side is perfect for toddlers to splash. Main beach faces the ocean with views of Point Lobos....

📌

Adventures by the Sea Bike Rentals

2–4 hoursAges 012+

Rent surreys (4-person pedal cars), kid-seat bikes, and tandem cycles along the coastal trail. Surreys are great for fam...

🥾

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (McWay Falls)

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Short 0.5-mile paved trail to the iconic McWay Falls overlook — totally accessible with a stroller. Trail is slightly un...

🏛️

Pacific House Museum

1–2 hoursAges 512+Stroller OK

Free museum in historic adobe building showcasing California Native American artifacts. Simple and engaging for older ki...

🏛️

Maritime Museum of Monterey

1–2 hoursAges 412+Stroller OK

Two-story maritime history museum near the waterfront with a highlight 2-story Fresnel lens. Stroller-friendly on ground...

🌳

Lover's Point Park

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Protected cove with a grassy park, picnic tables, and a small beach perfect for toddlers. Stroller-accessible paved path...

📌

Monterey Bay Kayaks

2–4 hoursAges 612+

Offers guided kayak tours in Monterey Bay with sea otters and harbor seals common sightings. Tandem kayaks work for pare...

🍕

Gianni's Candy & Ice Cream

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Local ice cream shop on Cannery Row, beloved by families. Multiple flavors of hard ice cream and novelty items. Great po...

🌳

El Estero Park & Lake El Estero

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Small lake with paddle boats for rent, a paved walking path, and ducks kids love to feed. Adjacent to Dennis the Menace ...

🍕

Carmel Valley Village

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Sunny inland village 12 miles from the coast — warmer and often fog-free. Multiple family-friendly restaurants and ice c...

🥾

Andrew Molera State Park

Half DayAges 212+

Large state park at the Big Sur River mouth. Beach Trail (2 miles round trip) is mostly flat and good for older toddlers...

📌

Ghost Tree & Pescadero Point Viewpoint

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Iconic wind-sculpted cypress tree at the edge of dramatic cliffs — a stunning photo stop. Short flat walk from the parki...

🏛️

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

1–2 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

Free admission, stroller-friendly throughout. Excellent exhibit on monarch butterflies and local wildlife including a li...

🍕

A Taste of Monterey Wine & Visitor Center

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Bayfront wine tasting venue — adults taste wines while kids enjoy the incredible views of the bay through floor-to-ceili...

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Packing Tips for Monterey
  • Sunscreen & hats for outdoor activities
  • Comfortable walking shoes for the whole family
  • Stroller or baby carrier
  • Snacks & water bottles
  • Rain jacket or poncho (just in case)
  • Small first-aid kit with band-aids
  • Entertainment for transit (books, tablet, coloring)
  • Hiking gear & bug spray
Get a full personalized packing list when you plan your trip.
Sample Family Itinerary
Day 1 — Explore
📌
Monterey State Beach
2–4 hours
🍕
Lunch Break
🎡
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Half Day
Day 2 — Adventure
📌
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Full Day
Build Your Custom Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do with kids in Monterey?

Top family activities include Monterey State Beach, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Lover's Point Park Tide Pools, 17-Mile Drive. Toddler Trip curates age-appropriate activities and builds nap-aware itineraries for your family.

Is Monterey good for toddlers?

Yes! Many activities in Monterey are suitable for toddlers. Toddler Trip filters activities by your children's ages and schedules around nap time so everyone enjoys the trip.

How do I plan a family trip to Monterey?

Use Toddler Trip's free planner: enter your family profile, pick from AI-curated activities, and get a nap-aware day-by-day itinerary with a personalized packing list — all in about 5 minutes.

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