Monterey County Youth Museum - Monterey (CA)

Sunny Wu Great place to see sea lions up close. They stink though. Dont come here if you dont like hearing loud noises of "arrrr arrrr arrrr".

B Matt In a town of butterflies, the Butterfly House is really the cherry atop of the sundae. There are so many little details to take in, it’s definitely worth visiting when you’re in town. Though this is a private residence, so you should certainly be respectful of the occupants and their neighbors.

Samson O Beautiful park, distinct for its size and amount of attractions. This is a peaceful corner of the state and this is the best public park. The playground is sprawling and well-designed. Can get crowded at times.

Nicholas Shake McAbee Beach is a nice little beach in Cannery Row thats main purpose is for tourists to be able to take a short walk down the beach without all the hassle of a traditional sized beach. Im sure it has some historic reason for being there and having it stay the way it was since back in the day, but it serves its purpose well. No waves and a safe place to put your feet in the water without getting swept away. Sometimes there are little seashells and sometimes there are other cool things that washup on shore. This is the same beach where John Denver crashed his plane in 1997 just a little south of this beach (if you dont know who John Denver is, your parents are terrible people).

Candice Land We had such a great time, the tour guide Mckayla was the cutest and sweetest. She literally made the whole time worth it with her infectious laugh and super positive attitude. Her sister/assistant Nelly was also great, they made the experience fun and memorable. We had some time to kill and were visiting from Crescent City CA so stopped here to wander around and hear ghost stories, look at monuments of Monterey etc. I wish I wouldve brought cash to tip because Mckayla deserved it! Thanks for the fun time and great memories!

Thuy-Vu Nguyen Soft sand in a scenic beach with such an easy way in and out. Happened to pass by this really cool beach, not fully top up with tourists, worth spending time here.

A R Cypress Grove is one of the most beautiful hikes that I have ever stepped foot on. The hike is a short loop and gives some of the most memorable views of the Pacific Ocean and coastline that you will ever see! Make sure to bring a great camera.

B Matt In a town famous for its butterflies, it makes sense that they’d have a statue of one. This was a pretty nice tribute to the local bug.

Sandeepa Dey We visited the Carmel Mission Basilica Museum, one of the original 21 Spanish missions established in California. While much of it has been thoughtfully restored, the original bell tower and bell have been beautifully preserved. The chapel is serene and artistically stunning, featuring an extraordinarily detailed nativity scene. A corridor from the chapel leads to a spacious, open courtyard surrounded by historic quarters—likely once inhabited by the Spanish settlers. Part of these quarters has been transformed into a museum that offers a glimpse into the mission’s rich history. Visitors can tour through recreated rooms, including a library, kitchen, dining room, reading room, guest room, and the padres bedroom. The mission offers convenient amenities, including a parking lot and clean restrooms, and is located close to downtown Carmel and many great restaurants. It’s an ideal spot for tourists, with plenty to explore in just 1–2 hours.

Terrie Snell This place is Amazing!! It is absolutely beautiful. It is so neat and clean. The exhibits are very impressive. The vibrant colors of some are awe-inspiring. There is definitely plenty to see and do. All of the children that I observed seemed to be really enjoying themselves. I definitely will be back!