Forest Bathing By Land & Sea

Nature and the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium Kelp Forest

Spend time in nature at and around the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Surround yourself with the tranquility of the Aquarium’s swaying Kelp Forest exhibit; then soak in more serenity hiking in a magical redwood forest in Carmel Valley or Big Sur. Try some aromatherapy courtesy of the fragrant native coastal plants and the misty ocean breeze along nearby biking and hiking trails. Journey the waterways in the birding haven of Elkhorn Slough. Creature comforts abound at the Aquarium—from the spellbinding bilingual Into the Deep/En Lo Profundo exhibit to the kids’ favorite “Underwater Explorers” surface scuba program.

Forest Bathing by Land & Sea

Monterey Bay Aquarium Kelp forest

Get into the flow at the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s tranquil Kelp Forest, one of the tallest aquarium exhibits in the world. It’s a three-story living entity where forest bathing is cast in brilliant light, thanks to the sunbeams glistening through the gently swaying kelp fronds. Schools of anchovies add extra glitter, as do the golden garibaldis (our California state marine fish) gliding along with leopard sharks.

hikers at Palo Corona in Monterey

hiker at Palo Corona in Montery

After visiting the Aquarium, be sure to soak in the oak and redwood forests of Monterey County. Locals love Palo Corona Regional Park, where a 4.5-mile (round-trip) hike passes through a magical oak forest and up to Inspiration Point. Here the cooling breeze of Carmel Bay combines for an aromatherapy of salt, sea, and fertile soil. 

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has an easy and scenic 3-mile (round-trip) hike through coastal redwoods and up to Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View Overlook. The 60-foot falls are lovely, but it’s the vista that inspires awe as you gaze toward Point Sur Lighthouse. Tip: Post-hike, visit lilac-colored Pfeiffer Beach.

Underwater Explorers Monterey Bay Aquarium

BONUS: Monterey Bay Aquarium’s popular Underwater Explorers summer program for kids runs through Labor Day. Created for kids ages 8 to 13, this adventure safely introduces scuba diving as expert divers lead lessons in the sheltered Great Tide Pool. Kids will encounter and learn about a variety of animals, all while in the comfort of a dry-suit.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Tickets

Slough Down, See the Birds

birding at Elkhorn Slough

birds at Elkhorn Slough

Standup paddleboard in Monterey

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is an ideal starting place for activities like whale-watching, scuba lessons, and kayak trips. You might spy otters as you float above sea kelp and—thanks to the Aquarium—know what lies beneath.

Bird and animal aficionados can venture beyond the Aquarium to Elkhorn Slough near Moss Landing. The slough is a huge tidal salt marsh that attracts birds (and birders!) from around the world. More than 300 species of birds thrive here. Try a complimentary guided excursion like Bilingual Bird Walks and Mindfulness tours.

You can also rent a kayak to explore the 7-mile-long slough independently, even if you’re new to paddling. Sea otters, harbor seals, and brown pelicans are relatively common sightings. Tip: Go in the morning for less wind. BONUS: Stop in at Sea Harvest afterward for a crab and shrimp Louie (or fish ’n’ chips) overlooking the water. If you’re lucky, the live entertainment includes resident sea otters.

Check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s excellent guide to birdwatching to optimize your experience.

Creature Comforts

penguin at Monterey Bay Aquarium

Into the Deep at Monterey Bay Aquarium

Whether it’s getting a few laughs witnessing the feisty and fun juvenile African penguin named Gerry, or feeling all warm and fuzzy amid the playfulness of sea otters, or staring in awe at the sublime Japanese spider crab in the groundbreaking bilingual deep-sea exhibit Into the Deep/En Lo Profundo, the Monterey Aquarium always brings new sightings and classic creature comforts.

Monterey Bay Aquarium outdoor deck at sunset

You’ve seen under the sea, now hit the deck! The Aquarium’s expansive outdoor deck overlooks the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, where staff are standing by to help you spy humpback whales arriving to feast on their favorite foods of plankton and squid and sardines. Dolphins, sea lions, and seabirds also visit these parts and are easy to spot from shore. Learn some of the history of the bay with the Turning the Tide program.

Later in the day, stroll or bike the multi-use Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. And be sure to grab some fresh chowder on Fisherman’s Wharf.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  2. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View
  3. Lake Nacimiento
    Sponsored

    Savor Summer in Paso Robles

    Ready for the “Great California Road Trip”? Keep it real and rolling in bucolic and beautiful Paso Robles. This down- to-earth destination has everything you need to enjoy the coolest experiences.

    View
  4. A Rose in the Pines

    A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis

    View