Things to Do in Monterey and Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz Beach UC Santa Cruz Monterey Bay Carmel Mission Wine Country Fisherman's Wharf

Northern California’s Monterey Bay area is a spectacular part of the state that offers visitors beautiful scenery, breathtaking beaches and a wide range of fun things to do at local attractions, festivals, wineries, restaurants, and events. When you visit the Monterey and Santa Cruz area and stay at the Comfort Inn Watsonville, you’ll find a variety of fun things to do just a few minutes away from our reasonably priced hotel. Enjoy our comfortable rooms and take advantage of the fun indoor and outdoor activities, family friendly attractions, shopping, beaches, and restaurants you’ll find right here on the Monterey Bay.

Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk. Enjoy a day of old fashioned family fun at this longtime Santa Cruz favorite.

You’ll find exciting rides for everyone from the smallest to the tallest, plus great food, mini golf, pool tables, an arcade, laser tag, and plenty of fun in the sun at spectacular Santa Cruz Main Beach.


Monterey Bay. The Monterey Bay attracts millions of visitors every year. From spectacular beaches to whale watching, sport fishing, historical monuments, and fields of artichokes and strawberries, the Monterey Bay area has something to offer every visitor.

Capitola by the Sea. Stroll through this tiny beachside village and you’ll find quaint shops, great restaurants, art galleries, and plenty of nightlife to keep you busy. Capitola hosts a variety of fun events throughout the year, from the Capitola Art & Wine Festival to the Begonia Festival and Parade.  [Top]

UC Santa Cruz. Located in the bluffs overlooking the city of Santa Cruz, the UCSC campus is nestled among 2,000 acres of forested hills and is a modern research university offering a diverse education for both undergraduate and graduate students in a wide range of disciplines, from Art to Business, Biology, Psychology, and Women’s Studies. www.ucsc.edu

Wharf to Wharf Races. Held each year on the fourth Sunday in July, the Wharf to Wharf is known as “The Best Little Race in California” and attracts thousands of runners and walkers for the six-mile race that runs along the beach from the Santa Cruz Wharf to the Capitola Wharf. Well-wishers and live bands line the course, helping to motivate the runners as they make their way to the finish line. www.wharftowharf.com

Clam Chowder Cook-off. This annual event held each February at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk features creative chowder chefs dressed in silly outfits cooking red and white chowder in this competition that features categories from best individual chowder to best professional chowder, most tasted and most original team costumes. www.beachboardwalk.com/clamchowder/   [Top]

Surfing on the Monterey Bay. From Capitola to Santa Cruz, Monterey to Carmel, the Monterey Bay offers some of the world’s best surfing. Challenge yourself with the pros at Steamer’s Lane or Pleasure Point, or take a lesson at Cowell’s Beach. No matter what your skill level, your sure to catch a wave on the Monterey Bay.

Cannery Row. Once the heart of Monterey’s thriving sardine-packing industry, Cannery Row is the waterfront district that was immortalized by John Steinbeck in his famous novel, Cannery Row. Today, visitors will find great shopping, dining, historical monuments, and fun attractions in this formerly industrial, historical area of the city. www.canneryrow.com

Monterey Jazz Festival. Founded in 1958, the Monterey Jazz Festival is now annual event showcasing the world’s best jazz performers. Featuring three days of live jazz performances, workshops, exhibitions, clinics, international food, shopping and festivities the Monterey Jazz Festival is held at the Monterey Fairgrounds each September. www.montereyjazzfestival.org  [Top]
 

Carmel Mission. Founded in 1770 by Father Junipero Serra, the Carmel Mission offers permanent exhibits of some of the most significant religious artifacts in California, a library, as well as a collection of antique Spanish and Native American tools and equipment. Open Mon. - Sat., 9:30am - 4:15pm, Sun. 8:30am - 4:15pm, June through August.

Pebble Beach Golf Courses. Pebble Beach is home to several world-class golf courses and plays host to several annual professional golfing events, including the AT&T National Pro-Am and the U.S. Open. With spectacular views of the Monterey Bay, Pebble Beach offers a superb golfing experience at famous courses like Pebble Beach Golf Links, Poppy Hills, Spyglass Hill, Spanish Bay, and Del Monte. www.pebblebeach.com or www.poppyhillsgolf.com

Monterey Bay Aquarium. Located on Cannery Row in a former working cannery building, the famous Monterey Aquarium offers a variety of exhibits that include huge albacore tuna, great white sharks, a life-sized kelp forest, jellyfish, live otters, bat rays, hands-on activities for the kids, and much more. Open daily, except Dec. 25 from 10am - 6pm. www.mbayaq.org  [Top]

Monterey’s Wine Country. From Carmel Valley to the coast, Monterey County is home to a wide range of wineries that produce a variety of fine wines.

Visit the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association at www.montereywines.org to get your wine country brochure, complete with winery listings, wine tasting events and a local winery map

National Steinbeck Center. Located in the heart of old town Salinas, the National Steinbeck Center offers a historical look at Monterey County's favorite native son through interesting, interactive exhibits highlighting the author’s life and his famous literary works. Open daily, 10am - 5pm, except holidays. www.steinbeck.org  [Top]

Old Fisherman's Wharf. Catch a glimpse of local sea lions and otters, enjoy a glass bottom boat tour on the bay, look for migrating whales, enjoy the freshest local seafood, and shop the day away at this popular Monterey attraction. www.montereywharf.com

Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca. Home to the Honda Grand Prix, exciting motorcycle and historic auto races, as well as several other events throughout the year, the world-class Mazda Raceway is located halfway between Monterey and Salinas on Highway 68. www.laguna-seca.com

17-Mile Drive. Enjoy a cruise along the world famous17-Mile Drive, a scenic road that runs through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, following the coastline and passing through several famous golf courses, nearby mansions and past California’s famed Lone Cypress Tree. Auto entry is $8.75. Pedestrians and bicycles enter free.

Cal State University Monterey Bay. Located at the former Fort Ord, CSUMB was founded in 1994 and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, ranging from Liberal Arts to Engineering, Business Administration and World Languages. www.csumb.edu  [Top]