With fall arriving in Monterey County, nice weather is ahead. A fun outdoor activity for your kids to enjoy this autumn is to look for wildlife.
Whether you are hoping to spot sea otters lounging in the sheltered coves of the peninsula or deer grazing in the meadows of Pacific Grove, there are always animals for the entire family to enjoy.
Here are some of our favorite spots in Monterey County to see our animal friends:
San Carlos Beach
Located along the Monterey Recreation Trail, San Carlos Beach offers stunning views of Monterey Bay while home to many marine life. You can walk along the pier access to see the sea lions lounging along the rocks. Try to spot the sea otters resting in the safety of the kelp or the seagull chicks huddling near their nests. If you have a kayak or paddleboard, explore the cove further for up close and personal viewing of the wildlife (always remember to keep a legal distance between yourself and wild animals).
Old Fisherman’s Wharf
Located in the heart of Monterey, this iconic location offers excellent views of the local marine life. Look for the harbor seals sleeping on the rocks or seagulls flying overhead. Look at the water to see jellyfish floating with the ebb and flow of the tide. Mussels also cling to the pier’s wooden support beams. One of the most famous animals for your kids to see at the wharf are the sea lions piled on the wooden planks. You can view hundreds of these giant animals from a safe viewing point.
17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach
This famous road around the golf courses of Pebble Beach offers some of the County’s best wildlife viewing spots. Stop to look for sea otters and seals nestled in the sheltered coves of the coastline. Let the kids get out to look for shorebirds sitting on the rocks. You can spot deer grazing on the grass at nearby golf courses if you are lucky. There is an entrance fee to get in.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Located in Carmel, this state park hosts an abundance of wildlife both on land and in the ocean. Along the reserve’s many trails, deer and rabbits are grazing in the meadows. Look for pelicans and seagulls flying overhead and cormorants diving in the water for fish. Whales and dolphins can be seen from the shoreline, along with many otter residents floating in the coves. The kids will enjoy seeing the many harbor seals and sea lions swimming in the waves. There is an entrance fee to get in.
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