

Get lost in halls of wondrous fish and exotic marine mammals at Monterey Bay Aquarium, a top attraction in New Monterey. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is full of friendly people and has lots of nice beaches. If you have fun at Monterey Bay Aquarium, you'll love Pacific Biological Laboratories and Monterey Mirror Maze & Lazer Challenge, both a short walk away.

Kids and adults alike can have a thrilling day at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, one of the top theme parks located 1.1 mi (1.7 km) from central Santa Cruz. If you have fun at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, you'll love Sky Glider and Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, both a short walk away.
Dramatic cliffs plunge into the Pacific along Highway 1, where sea otters float lazily in Monterey Bay and elephant seals sprawl on remote beaches. The Monterey Bay Aquarium showcases local marine life in tanks that make you forget there's glass between you and the sharks. Wine tasting in Paso Robles offers a less crowded alternative to Napa, with tasting room staff who remember your name. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk delivers old-fashioned amusement park thrills with ocean views. Don't miss Hearst Castle's absurdly opulent pools and art collections. For the perfect day, grab fish tacos from a coastal shack, then watch surfers battle waves while sea mist cools your face.
