Snow shovels and frozen windshields can wait until next year. Thanksgiving in Monterey trades your winter experience for boots, sandy toes, and the beautiful coast. Late November brings our sunniest weather, and fog that rarely crashes the party. Here's how to fill the week with whales, turkey, and a few cozy drinks.
Go ahead and reserve your holiday stay at Old Monterey Inn while you plan the fun parts.
What Can You Do During Thanksgiving in Monterey?
Plenty, and most of it happens outside. Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean Monterey stays silent. The opportunity is there, so you can plan as much or as little as you like.
We always suggest pairing one big activity with a slower afternoon. Holiday weeks go fast, and a lighter schedule leaves room for tasty bites and happy detours.
Here are a few favorites to add to your list:
Monterey Bay Aquarium: One of the world's most renowned aquariums. Check their schedule, since Thanksgiving week may bring special events or extended hours.
Cannery Row: This historic waterfront street is lined with shops, restaurants, and attractions. It's made for a slow stroll and a deep breath of sea air.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: Hike through the landscape, spot wildlife, and take in the coastal beauty.
Wine tasting: Monterey County has some great wineries, and a holiday week is a perfect excuse to compare favorites.
Kayaking or paddleboarding: The bay is right there, so get on the water and enjoy some sunshine.
Carmel Beach: Soft white sand and gentle Pacific waves make this a peaceful spot for a sunny holiday walk.
Shopping: Browse local shops for gifts nobody else will find.
Pick two or three and call it a well-planned week. The rest can happen on Monterey time.
When Can You Spot Whales in Monterey Bay?
October through December is a wonderful window for whale watching. Humpback whales, blue whales, dolphins, and killer whales all make appearances this time of year. Migrating gray whales tend to join the parade, too.
Several tour operators depart from Monterey Bay. We'd point you toward a four-hour morning tour, which allows more time with the whales and dolphins. Longer trips also improve your odds of spotting rarer wildlife, such as orcas and blue whales. During your experience, marine biologists ride along and help identify seabirds.
In our opinion, whale watching might be the best part of Thanksgiving in Monterey.
Where Should You Eat?
Monterey is known for excellent seafood and a diverse culinary scene. Several restaurants in Monterey and Carmel serve delicious options during your stay.
Thanksgiving Buffet at Fin + Field
Fin + Field Restaurant hosts a Thanksgiving buffet dinner on November 26. Starters include roasted cauliflower and butternut squash soup, plus a roasted pear and beet salad with goat cheese.
The main event brings free-range turkey with gravy and cranberry, cornbread stuffing, and Manchego-chive mashed potatoes. Candied sweet potatoes with marshmallows naturally make an appearance.
Save room for dessert. Pumpkin pie shares the table with raspberry white-chocolate bread pudding and apple crumb mini tarts.
Dinner runs $65 per adult and $55 for seniors 65 and up, exclusive of taxes and gratuity. Two hours of complimentary valet parking is included.
To reserve, email montereydining@marriott.com or call (831) 647-4018.
Is the Big Sur Drive Worth It in November?
Yes, especially on a clear day. Take a scenic drive down Highway 1 and watch the Big Sur coastline unfold beside you. Stop at Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls, then pull over wherever the view insists.
Afterward, make your way to Nepenthe for a legendary view and a long list of coffee drinks. The star is the Keoki Coffee, made with specialty coffee, Kahlua, crème de cacao, and brandy. A crown of whipped cream finishes it off.
Where Can You Warm Up After a Day Outside?
Cozy drinks are part of the holiday charm, and Monterey pours plenty of them. Here are two more spots worth a stop. The Beerded Bean serves both coffee and beer, which settles many debates. Try the Mexican Mocha or one of their seasonal drinks.
Our dressiest pick is The Lobby Lounge at the Inn at Spanish Bay. Settle in by the patio fire pits and listen for the bagpiper, who plays right before sunset. Order a traditional Irish coffee, a Nutty Scotsman, or the Hot Oaxaca Chaca.
That last one blends Hornitos Reposado, agave, hot cocoa, whipped cream, and cinnamon. Browse more holiday cocktails around Monterey before you go.
Where Can You See Monarch Butterflies in Winter?
Pacific Grove, also called Butterfly Town, U.S.A., hosts one of the season's quiet marvels. Monarchs begin arriving in October and stay through February. California's central coast is the only place in America where they migrate to overwinter.
At Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary, clusters of orange and black hang from eucalyptus, pine, and cypress trees. Each year's butterflies arrive having never visited before, so their migration remains a mystery. Plan your visit for early afternoon, the warmest time of day, when the monarchs are most active.
Pass the Pie and the Sunscreen
Thanksgiving in Monterey offers up sunshine, whales, and a holiday dinner that nobody has to clean up later. Add a Big Sur drive, a warm drink, and a grove full of monarchs.
A getaway with beauty and charm is worth slowing down for, especially this week. Book your Thanksgiving getaway at Old Monterey Inn and let us handle the welcome.
Photo Credit: © Clément Proust from Pexels via canva.com, © Francesco Ungaro from Pexels via canva.com