One of the world’s best teachers? Mother Nature. And one of the best destinations to learn from her? The Monterey Bay Aquarium. Spend a few hours at the Aquarium, then take your pick of self-guided walks, bike rides, and a historic coastal state park. Cycle to a 19th-century lighthouse that’s the oldest continually operating on the West Coast. Enjoy a secluded picnic spot overlooking colorful Fisherman’s Wharf. And follow the yellow tiles of Monterey’s Path of History to discover secret gardens and other hidden gems.

Let There Be Light

Pedal to Point Pinos—the oldest continually operating lighthouse on the West Coast, with quite a storied history! Named by a Spanish explorer, the first lightkeeper was killed chasing an infamous outlaw, and his wife took over duties until she married the assistant lightkeeper. There are plenty more tales about the evolution of this beautiful beacon created at the southern entrance to Monterey Bay.

Pacific Grove Pedal

Roll on over to peaceful Pacific Grove and the Museum of Natural History. Here you’ll find an exhibit about the Point Alones Chinese fishing village that was a vital part of the community (and located next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium). Tip: You can also include a complimentary audio history walk from the Aquarium and past the former village). Opened the same year as the Brooklyn Bridge, the interactive Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History is among the oldest in the country, with exhibits refreshed for modern times.

Dune It Right

Undiscovered Fort Ord Dunes State Park is beach and sand dune bliss. Enjoy the park’s walking and biking trails, some of which lead to exceptional views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Whether you want to go for a shoreline stroll along the park’s four miles of oceanside or head a bit farther inland to cycle among impressive dunes, this state park belongs on everyone’s to-do list.

Walk This Way

Secret gardens, historic architecture, and fun places to eat: Embark on Monterey’s Path of History. Follow the yellow sidewalk tiles for a self-guided walk (or use this map), then see and learn about the Mexican Era adobes and explore the oldest structure in Monterey—the Royal Presidio Chapel. Book buffs will appreciate seeing part of author Robert Louis Stevenson’s lodging house, where he began writing his classic novel Treasure Island. Be sure to visit Pacific House—an adobe near Fisherman’s Wharf showcasing the Holman Collection of Native American artifacts. Bonus: The Path of History also includes California State Historic Monument #1.

Vista for the Ages

For a short and interesting walk up to a sweeping vantage point overlooking sailboats and colorful Fisherman’s Wharf, Lower Presidio Historic Park is an undiscovered gem smack in the middle of Monterey. Some historians call it “the most historically significant site on the West Coast of America.” Events here span eras of Native Americans, the Spanish and Mexican periods, through to invading Americans and the stationing of Buffalo Soldiers. The park’s short and easy Harbor Trail documents Monterey’s First Peoples—the Esselen and the Rumsien Ohlone.