Summer in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties doesn’t have to mean packed parking lots and pricey admission tickets. Some of the best family memories happen at a sun-warmed tide pool, on a shady trail, or with a picnic blanket spread out at a local park — and this region has no shortage of those hidden-gem moments. Whether you’re beating the beach crowds or discovering a farmers market your kids will actually love, our Family Summer Bucket List for Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties is packed with affordable, off-the-beaten-path adventures the whole family can enjoy all season long.
MONTEREY COUNTY
- Head to Monterey’s Dennis the Menace playground for some photogenic fun and don’t forget to bring a book to add or trade at the Little Free Library.
- Hit Monterey’s MY Museum for the typical fun plus special included-with-admission offerings like Toddler Gymnastics for ages 2 to 5 on Wednesdays and make and take crafts for ages 2 and up on Thursdays, both from 10:15 to 10:45 am. Tickets cost $10 per adult and $10 per child, with children under age 2 entering for free.
- Visit Dads Read the second Saturday morning of each month from 10 am – 12 pm at the Marina Library: bonus — give away kids clothes that no longer fit at the free exchange hosted by Buy Nothing Marina.
- Bike part of Pebble Beach’s 17 Mile Drive. Bike admission is free, but be extra careful around cars.
- Test some new-to-you snacks from Marina’s excellent Asian store options, such as Hayato Japanese Goods & More, or Monterey’s Malinka European Mini Market.
- Visit Moss Landing’s MBARI Research Center’s annual July open house on Saturday, July 11 from noon to 5 pm!
- Pack your own putter (or rent one) and take on the free 18-hole putting course at Pebble Beach’s The Hay. Front gate entrance costs $12.50 per vehicle.
- Try the zip lines at Prunedale’s Manzanita Park.
- Visit Marina’s Last Chance Mercantile to hunt for treasure. Bonus: set a timer and see who can find the coolest thing in ten minutes.
- Play pickleball, basketball or baseball at Monterey’s Via Paraiso Park.
- Borrow a telescope from the Monterey Public Library for some family stargazing.
- Local father Ezekiel Benavidez’ favorite quick adventure is visiting the Marina State Beach dunes around sunset: “The views are incredible and there is room to run…one of those simple Monterey Bay moments kids remember.”
- Wander Monterey’s Coast Guard Pier to look for starfish, otters, sea lions and more.
- Order one of the beloved sandwiches from Pacific Grove’s Compagno’s.
- Attend the 4th of July parade down Alvarado Street. Add breakfast on the way: Monterey County Firefighters host a joint fundraiser with MY Museum from 7:30 to 10:30 am — pancakes, music and activities for $15 at Fire Station #11, 610 Pacific Street.
- Attend Sand City’s Night Market 831 every first Friday from 5 to 9 pm.
- Drive to the Big Sur River Inn’s beautiful back lawn for live music every Sunday from noon to 4 pm.
- Visit Carmel Valley’s Earthbound Farm Stand’s storytime Mondays at 10:30 or 11 am — lots of room to roam and great smoothie and meal options nearby — or visit The Farm in Salinas’ storytime every Wednesday at 10 or 10:30 am plus enjoy the petting zoo and snack options.
- Drive down the coast to see the classic Bixby Bridge view and grab a family photo, then continue toward Nepenthe for the shop and patio view.
- Race to find a box of donuts from PG Donut Co. Instagram clues will help you search for a fresh box hidden somewhere around Pacific Grove!
- Carmel Valley’s Garland Ranch Regional Park is wonderful for stroller walks.
- Attend a Monterey Bay Football Club home game at Seaside’s Cardinale Stadium: typically Saturdays at 7 pm.
- Search for the fairytale cottages around Carmel-by-the-Sea using the online map or by asking at the library.
- Visit Marina’s Civic Center Community Playground for ADA-accessible options including the Explorer Dome, Double Tower and Super Nova, designed for ages 2 to 12.
- “We love Monterey State Beach for sea glass hunting during low tides. We show up an hour before the low tide and the kids love it because they can play on the beach, too!” shares Emily Woodyatt Michael, mom of two.
- Check out July 17, 24, and 31 Friday night concerts at Carmel Plaza.
- Visit the Monterey Farmer’s Market at the Del Monte Center on Fridays from 8 am to noon.
- Join Monterey Car Week August 7–16. Family-friendly events include Woodies in the Woods (August 14 near Asilomar), the Tiny Car Show (August 13 in Pacific Grove), Concours d’Lemons (August 16 in Seaside) and more.
- Try the cheese and butter at Carmel Valley Creamery.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Special thanks to Brooke Powell, local preschool teacher and mom, for her Santa Cruz County suggestions. She hosts playdates and Mini & Me music classes for ages 5 and under. Follow along at Miss Brooke’s Class on Facebook.
- Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery has fun for younger kids and parents, located in the Capitola Mall with shopping and food nearby. Adults and children over age 1 cost $10, with $5 senior specials and Active Duty military free all summer.
- Plan a stop at Seymour Marine Lab. Brooke Powell says, “Great spot for littles! They have a cozy reading area and occasionally have storytimes or arts/crafts days, too.” Children under 3 are free; adults $12, students $9.
- Hike the Redwood Grove Loop Trail (.9 miles) at Felton’s Henry Cowell State Park. Vehicle day use costs $10.
- Check out the inclusive Leo’s Haven Park in Chanticleer Avenue County Park.
- Choose an easy Nisene Marks hike in Aptos with the option to grab a meal nearby. Vehicle day use is $8.
- Check out the 30th anniversary of Woodies on the Wharf on June 27 in Santa Cruz.
- Visit Santa Cruz’s Wilder Ranch State Park with 34 miles of trail options. Vehicle day use is $10.
- Marvel at Watsonville Brillante’s outdoor mosaics made by over 100 artists (260 Rodriguez Street).
- Visit the Santa Cruz Mystery Spot and experience the gravitational anomaly. Tickets $10; children under 3 free. Book ahead on weekends and holidays.
- Explore plants from around the world and California at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden. Adults $10, youth ages 4–17 $5, seniors $8.
- Eat at Powell’s favorite, Taqueria Vallarta, for authentic Mexican food (locations in Capitola, Santa Cruz and Felton).
- Catch evening concerts every other Tuesday from 6 to 8 pm, May 26 through September 8, at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf’s Wharf Commons Stage. Parking free for two hours.
- Visit the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History to watch the FIFA World Cup (select June/July dates) for free, with popcorn and an art activity.
- Try Zoccoli’s Deli, a Santa Cruz favorite for over 70 years, for an excellent Italian sandwich with outdoor seating.
- Watsonville’s Gizdich Ranch offers olallie berry picking mid-June and boysenberries in July, plus pies, sandwiches, a gift shop and sandbox play area.
- Scotts Valley’s Skypark is newly renovated — enjoy chess, soccer fields, a pump track and skate park, plus food truck Fridays every last Friday of the month in summer.
- Visit Boulder Creek’s Big Basin Redwoods State Park for the Father of the Forest and Mother of the Forest on the Redwood Loop Trail. Parking is free for 2 hours, vehicle day use is $10.
- Taste Marianne’s Ice Cream’s Santa cruz
- Marianne’s Ice Cream’s beloved flavors — over 250 recipes with 100 in rotation.
- Picnic near the Felton Covered Bridge, built in 1892, or visit Aptos’ Seascape County Park for views and a playground.
- Pick out something delicious from Capitola’s Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria, voted best in Santa Cruz.
- Hike to the Santa Cruz Sandhills — home to three animal species found nowhere else in the world.
- Eat at Betty Burgers in Aptos or Santa Cruz. Andrea Houston-Garcia loves it for “fresh ingredients, big portions, and options for toppings. The old school diner vibe is fun, too.”
- Join the summer reading program read-in at Bookshop Santa Cruz on June 28 from 3 to 5 pm — read with others and enjoy cookies and prizes!
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