Monterey was founded in 1770, but Native Americans inhabited the area well before this time. Since its founding, the city, named for the Monterey Bay, belonged to the Spanish and Mexicans before becoming part of the United States. It’s home to the Old Custom House, which is the oldest building in California. Today, nearly 28,000 people and multiple interesting attractions call this city home as well.
One popular attraction in Monterey is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is known the world over for its interesting displays and variety of marine wildlife. This aquarium has more than 35,000 animals from over 550 different species and is the top destination on historic Cannery Row. Another fascinating historical area to visit is the Old Fisherman’s Wharf, which is just a 15-minute walk along the coast from Cannery Row. This restored wharf area is home to the Old Custom House, as well as the Monterey Maritime Museum and other historical buildings. Seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, art galleries, and more are also located here.
Unsurprisingly, Monterey has a lengthy history of commercial fishing and canning. That industry is no longer vibrant, but the area has been preserved and revitalized to form an excellent place to dine, shop, and appreciate local history. Wine and seafood are in abundance in Cannery Row’s restaurants, and adventure outfitters can help visitors go scuba diving, kayaking, and biking. No visit to Monterey is complete without spending time on the beach. Monterey State Beach is a great place to go swimming, surfing, and fishing. Another fantastic beach to visit is Lovers Point Park, which offers swimming, surfing, and bike and kayak rentals.
People often flock to this area to visit Pebble Beach and its famous golf course, which is only 15 minutes from Monterey. Many consider Pebble Beach Golf Links to be the top public golf course in America, so it’s a must-see for golf aficionados. Even if you’re not into golf, you can still cruise down 17-Mile Drive, which shows off the gorgeous scenery for which this area is known. Afterward, you can head to beautiful Carmel Beach for some stellar surfing and sunset viewing. If you want to head outside of Monterey itself and explore more of the Monterey Bay area, then you can find many exciting activities to enjoy in nearby Santa Cruz.
Pebble Beach Food and Wine – This four-day festival dedicated to the wine and cuisine of the Monterey Peninsula usually takes place in mid-April.
Monterey Jazz Festival – This is the world’s longest continuously running jazz festival; it takes place at the Monterey Fairgrounds and typically occurs in late September.
Carmel Bach Festival – This 15-day festival features musicians from around the world who play not only Bach’s music but also that produced by composers he influenced. It normally takes place from late October to early November.
Several national parks are within driving distance of Monterey. Pinnacles National Park is a little over an hour's drive to the southeast and is named for its distinctive rock formations. There’s more to see here than stone, however, thanks to the abundant wildlife and variety of landscapes on display. If you drive three and a half hours to the northeast, you’ll find stunning Yosemite National Park. Half Dome, Lower Yosemite Falls, Soda Springs, and more await. Sequoia National Park is a bit over four hours to the southeast, but the Ancient Sequoias here are well worth the drive. Mountains, valleys, and caves beckon in this national park.
If you take a 35-minute drive north on California’s legendary Highway 1, you’ll arrive at Sunset State Beach. Top-notch views of Monterey Bay, lovely RV campsites, and great places for surf-fishing can be found in this park. Given the nature of California’s coast, the fact that you can drive 40 minutes south on Highway 1 and find another awesome state park like Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is hardly surprising. This park is often referred to as “Little Yosemite” due to its stunning views and lovely hiking trails. New Brighton State Beach is 40 minutes north of Monterey just outside of Santa Cruz. Swimming, paddle boarding, boogie boarding, and hiking are favorite pastimes here.
Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of California’s top landmarks, but there are plenty of other landmarks and monuments in the Monterey area. There is, of course, the Old Custom House, which is California’s oldest building and thus California State Historical Landmark No. 1. Another landmark is the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which is the Pacific coast’s oldest continually operating lighthouse. In Steinbeck Plaza, you can visit the Cannery Row Monument, which is a tribute to legendary author John Steinbeck and other important figures from Monterey.
One great place to park your camper in Monterey is the Monterey Fairgrounds RV Park. This RV park at the Monterey Fairgrounds features full hookups, wireless internet, showers, and laundry facilities. If you’d rather stay somewhere else along Highway 1, there are a couple of campgrounds within a few hours of Monterey. One is Kirk Creek Campground in Big Sur, which is located in the Los Padres National Forest and can accommodate rigs up to 30 feet long. Another is in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, which offers multiple RV campsites near the ancient redwoods that soar majestically over this park.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Monterey, CA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Monterey?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Monterey from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Monterey?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
