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Getting Here

There are many ways to get to Monterey County. Air is the quickest. Three airlines offer direct service to the Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY) via international and domestic connecting routes in Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Phoenix (PHX), Denver (DEN) and Las Vegas (LAS), plus Salt Lake City (SLC) beginning August 1. The Monterey Peninsula Airport is served by American Eagle, America West and United Express, with Delta Connection beginning in August.

A trip by train is a more leisurely and scenic way to get to Monterey. Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train cruises through Salinas each day on its route between Seattle, Washington, and Los Angeles, California. There are packages to fit every budget and it’s a great way to see the grandeur of the Central Coast at eye level. Free bus service is provided from Salinas to downtown Monterey, a 30-minute ride. And there’s a Greyhound station in Salinas with connecting service to Monterey.

For the motorist, there are two main highways into Monterey County. Highway One runs from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The views of the Pacific coastline are magnificent from this marvel of human ingenuity. Highway 101 runs down the valley corridor and affords the motorist an opportunity to see the rich land that has made the Salinas Valley “the Salad Bowl of the Nation.”

Hop aboard a free shuttle during peak visitor days in Monterey. The Trolley operates during the summer months (between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day), as well as major holidays. The Trolley runs continuously between 9:00am and 6:30pm in a circular route from downtown Monterey to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It makes stops at major hotels, points of interest, tourist attractions, and shopping areas. What better way to see Monterey—for free! Call 831-899-2555.

Tours are a great way to see our county and discover what makes it unique. Book a tour with one of the many tour operators in the area: there are sea tours, garden tours, sunset tours, even agricultural tours, and many more. Passengers can relax and learn about the many faces of Monterey from knowledgeable and friendly guides.

Walking tours are the most delightful way to experience our rich Spanish heritage. Occasionally, tours feature guides dressed in costumes of the period, regaling visitors with tales of old Monterey and details of historical interest. Monterey State Historic Park offers two different guided tours which include some of Monterey’s oldest and most important buildings. A self-guided Path of History tour begins at the Maritime Museum Visitor Center with a 20-minute film shown upon request. Round yellow tiles designate the path that meanders through gardens and by buildings from Monterey’s colorful past. In Carmel, the Carmel Heritage Society and Carmel Walks both offer fascinating guided walks.