Visitors Guide 2024

42 The Best of Monterey Bay ® 2024-2025 At Play Rock Climbing Hang on to your carabiners. The few but intense climbing choices merit a permanent space in your memory bank. Garrapata State Park On the south end of Garrapata, a series of 15- to 20-foot cliffs rising from the sandy beach offer a great chance for beginners and more advanced climbers to hone their bouldering skills. Highway 1, 6 miles south of Carmel. (831) 624-4909, parks.ca.gov Pinnacles National Park Primeval spires and volcanic crags offer a range of challenges to serious rock climbers in an otherworldly setting. Pinnacles also offers great hiking and cave exploring. 13 miles east of Soledad on Highway 146 (west entrance), or 30 miles south of Hollister on Highway 25 (east entrance). (831) 389-4486, nps.gov/pinn Sanctuary Rock Gym Whether you’re looking for a fully indoor experience or you’re training for outdoor rocks, the region’s only indoor climbing gym has what you’re looking for. Go solo for bouldering options or team up with a buddy (it’s a famously friendly gym), or take a class to develop your skills. 1760 Fremont Blvd. #D2, Seaside. (831) 899-2595, rockgym.com Skydiving The area’s plane jumpers swear there’s no better way to experience Monterey Bay than seeing it from above. Skydive Monterey Bay An unequaled 18,000-foot tandem launch height translates to one minute of free falling, then four minutes of breathtaking views of the bay. The adrenaline-soaked experience defies words. 721 Neeson Road #1, Marina. (831) 384-3483, skydivemontereybay.com Family Activities There’s a lot more to see in Monterey County beyond the great outdoors, and you don’t have to wait for a rainy day to justify it (good thing, because there aren’t many of those). Consider the range of family-friendly activities, indoors and out, for learning and for fun and, in some cases, a combination of both. Bowling Alleys Monterey Lanes From the outside it looks like an old-school alley. But Monterey Lanes is anything but on the inside: 24 lanes with touch-screen consoles and an automatic scoring system. Darts and billiards available. There’s food and a full bar. 2161 N. Fremont St., Monterey. (831) 373-1553, montereylanes.com Round 1 The Monterey County location of a national chain that mixes bowling with all manner of fun. There are arcade games, billiard tables and even karaoke. 1600 Northridge Mall #200, Salinas. (831) 287-3848, round1usa. com Valley Center Bowl Fun for everyone is here—especially if you happen to bowl. There are 30 lanes for bowling by the hour, as well as arcade games, a bar and grill, and tables to shoot pool. 1081 S. Main St., Salinas. (831) 422-9031, valleycenterbowl. com Museums and Attractions Monterey Bay Aquarium The region’s biggest attraction may be its namesake bay, and this is the best place to get a glimpse of the extraordinary creatures that live in its waters. With a guiding mission “to inspire conversation of the ocean,” the Aquarium celebrates the diversity of life therein, with mesmerizing exhibits for all ages. In the evening, it also often becomes a stage for special events. 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. (831) 648-4800, montereybayaquarium.org Monterey Zoo Oh my! There are lions and tigers, a leopard and a black panther, elephants, rhinos, zebras, monkeys and more unusual animals. What is a caracal? You have to visit to find out (looking it up is not as much fun). Many of the animals are from private collections or were formerly circus animals. 400 River Road, Salinas. (831) 455-1901, montereyzoo.com MY Museum The slogan “where children play to learn and adults learn to play” is apt. There are interactive exhibits where youngsters can harvest crops or construct buildings or hang out in a treehouse, all while learning about the world and building creativity. 425 Washington St., Monterey. (831) 649-6444, mymuseum.org Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History It’s a field guide with something for all ages. There are exhibits exploring everything from monarch butterflies to whales, along with a garden, artifacts and interactive programs. 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 6485716, pgmuseum.org Games, Arcades, Rides 2 Player Arcade Shop Both a retro gaming lounge and a shop (repairs, used games), there is an array of vintage arcade video games (think Mortal Kombat II or Joust), as well as console games and even tabletop board games. It’s just good gaming fun all around, tucked in an unassuming storefront. 398 Foam St., Monterey. (831) 324-0669, 2playerarcade.com Escape Room 831 Escape rooms challenge you and your team to work together finding clues and solving riddles. They can take you through a range of emotions, all while you are having a lot of fun—and OK, maybe a moment or two of frustration. Don’t be afraid to ask for a clue. Three Monterey locations: 599 Lighthouse Ave.; 765A Wave St.; 700 Cannery Row, Suite DD. (831) 241-6616, escaperoom831.com High Scores Arcade This throwback is like a museum of video games dating back decades. But it’s not for just looking. No, you get to play—High Scores is an arcade that celebrates classics like Donkey Kong, Frogger, Pac-Man and more. 459 Alvarado St., Monterey. (609) 468-3083, highscoresarcade.com Links Club Ever wanted to take a golf outing to Pebble Beach, St. Andrews or another bucket list course? Links Club is a restaurant with several bays for simulated play using the high-tech Trackman system. Choose from 250 courses. The clubs are real, so is the frustrating fun of golf…with tacos. Ocean and Mission (Carmel Plaza), Carmel. (831) 250-7816, linksclubgolf. com Lynn’s Arcade Lynn’s is an unusual place in today’s video world. It’s a throwback pinball parlor, where words like “flipper” and “bonus” are still common. Pay one fee and play all you want (games are set to free play). It’s also a “can slangery,” meaning there are canned beers and soft drinks available. Let the digit counters fall. 1760 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. (831) 641-7173, lynnsarcade.com Monterey Mirror Maze “Get lost” is not an insult here, it’s a reality. The mirror maze is difficult to solve, but also a lot of fun. And if you find your way out, try the laser challenge. Try to find a way through the beams, just like in the big heist movies. 751 Cannery Row, Monterey. (831) 649-6293, montereyfamilyfunadventure.com Oscar’s Playground An arcade with a view. Oscar’s overlooks Monterey Bay, but your attention will more likely be on the mix of arcade games, from throwbacks (you can even buy quarters) to the newest video simulations. Oscar’s has two escape rooms, as well. And there’s also a bar and a relaxing lounge area—something for everyone. 685 Cannery Row, Monterey. (831) 241-6616, oscarsplayground.com Tipsy Putt A pub and miniature golf all in one, with tacos. The Monterey edition of Tipsy Putt is all ages until 5pm and then drinking-age only. There is a more typical mini golf experience and a tabletop layout. Their slogan is “drink local, putt tipsy.” 95 Prescott Ave., Monterey. (831) 297-9048, typsyputt.com

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