On the road

There are places in our part of Monterey County that you can visit for free, which somehow offset the high cost of living in this popular tourist destination.

The impetus for this post (and please pardon the pause in postings) is the recent three-week visit of family members from the Philippines, one of whom could not help but say, “Monterey is a dream!” 

They had been here before, and I myself, county resident for the past year-and-a-half, had visited twice, the year before that. The remark from this Spring’s family get-together, however, made me reflect on what made things different this time around. Surely, the personal relationships and the ability to travel accounted for a large part of the fun, but the natural beauty of the spots on the itinerary provided the perfect backdrop for the priceless reunion. 

Which brings me to the general categories of places visitors or residents can drop in on, without having to pay any fees, except for parking, in some places. I have visited some of these places repeatedly over my stay here, and I can say that each trip has been nourishment for both the body and the soul.  This is by no means an exhaustive list, and I am basing it only on my experience, actual visits and limited knowledge, so I have included links for further information.

• The beaches of Monterey

There are a number of beaches lining the contiguous coastal cities of Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, and Sand City, all of which are open to the public for free. Seaside City, despite its name, is not blessed with as much beachfront as its neighbors, although it offers stunning views of Monterey Bay from its residential neighborhoods. These beaches exclude those on the 17-mile Drive on Pebble Beach located farther South.

The beaches could either be a whole stretch of oceanfront such as Carmel Beach or the mile-long Asilomar Beach in Pacific Grove. There is also the small patch of shore that is McAbee Beach right in the middle of the tourist area, Cannery Row, and San Carlos Beach close by. They are all accessible, like Sand City beach which is just down the road from Costco and other shopping establishments. 

Whatever they are, they offer refreshing sea breeze, a chance to dig your feet into the sand, and a respite from busy city life.

The most popular is Lovers’ Point Beach and Park in Pacific Grove, a tourist destination that is often at the top of the must-see list. It is also the go-to weekend destination for resident families longing for outdoor time without the hassle and the expense. At Lovers’ Point Park, you can lay your mat, open your picnic bag and fly your kite, if you wish. 

Visitors, however, have to exercise caution when going to the beaches. In December 2025, athlete Erica Fox died from a shark attack. Earlier in October, a father and his 7-year-old daughter died after being carried away by waves in Garrapata Beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

You can also read up more on the beaches of Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Carmel.

• The trails

One delightful thing about this part of Monterey is that it is a walkable, bike-able, joggable place, thanks to its pedestrian-friendly features. Monterey has what is known as the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail (Rec Trail), a paved walkway that follows the coastline for 18 miles from Castroville in the North to Pacific Grove in the South. 

The Rec Trail passes through sand dunes and parks and cuts into the historic part, the tourist area, of Monterey that was once known as the “Sardine Capital” of California, if not the whole United States or the world. 

Indeed, a stroll through the Cannery Row part of the Rec Trail would also be a lesson in history and literature. Visitors would surely encounter reminders of what were once sardine companies as well as landmarks and characters from the books of John Steinbeck, born and raised in nearby Salinas, who immortalized Monterey in his books “Cannery Row” and “Sweet Thursday.”  The trail also passes near the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. 

And then there is the Scenic Road Walkway, a trail in Carmel-by-the-Sea that runs by Scenic Route overlooking Carmel Beach. This trail is part paved, part gravel, but there’s a bonus to the spectacular view: a chance to ogle the impressive houses facing the Pacific Ocean. 

There are also trails inland, such as those on the Fort Ord National Monument Site, which offers miles and miles of jogging and biking paths. 

Pages from the cities of Pacific Grove, Carmel, and Monterey and trail or hiking groups that provide more information on trails.

• Parks

Our part of Monterey County is kids’ paradise because of the many parks that cater mainly to children, but actually to children of all ages. Dennis the Menace Park has the space and facility for older children to run and jump about, but there are several parks and playgrounds around. Dennis the Menaces is located near El Estero Park, right at the center of Monterey, across the road from Window on the Bay Park and Del Monte Beach. 

Caledonia Park and Playground in Pacific Grove is where people and groups converge, whether it is for a birthday party, or as the jump-off point to the Rec Trail and Lovers’ Point. Jewell Park, also in Pacific Grove, is a place where you can stretch your legs after sitting in the Public Library next door. The Laguna Grande Regional Park located in Seaside City and Monterey has a lake, trails, playgrounds and picnic areas. 

There are many more places in Monterey County to visit. The County is huge at 12 cities, 18 census-designated places, and several unincorporated communities. What most people know as Monterey are the tourist destinations, although there is much more to see outside them, including the Missions built by Spanish colonizers in the 1700s.

In writing this post, I am reminded that, despite everything that is going on in the world, I am lucky and grateful to be living in a place where a beach, a trail or a park is within easy reach. Indeed, living in a dream.  

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