Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Sea Life, Monterey
Search:

Monterey Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

Sea Life, Monterey

A nap in the sunshine - Monterey
A nap in the sunshine
by phildeni
Sea Life tips and photos posted by real travelers and Monterey locals.
• 16 Photos
• 8 Reviews

See all Monterey Off the Beaten Path
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Sea Life: Tidal pools
  • Tip Rating:
  • Lhenne1
  • By Lhenne1 on October 14, 2006
  • Monterey Page by Lhenne1
  • Sea Life - Monterey
    by Lhenne1
    All around the harbor area, as well as along the rocky areas of the coast, you'll find tidal pools. When the tide is out, these pools are left with starfish and other sea critters. They also offer a spot for kids to play in the water without having to worry about rip-tides and currents that are in the ocean.

    Be careful handling any of the animals...they could you or you could hurt them. But they're neat to look at and I got to see some huge starfish up close.

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Monterey?

    Read reviews about Monterey Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Sea Life: See the Sea Lions frolic along Commercial Wharf
  • Tip Rating:
  • Ewingjr98
  • Updated By Ewingjr98 on January 24, 2007
  • Monterey Page by Ewingjr98
  • Regulating body temp - Monterey
    Regulating body temp
    by Ewingjr98, 4 more photos
    Most tourists view the sea lions between Fishermans Wharf and Cannery Row while they sun themselves on the rocks like lazy old cows. People who have spent more than a night or two in town know the sea lions get loud and obnoxious from about sunset until 2 or 3 in the morning. Where do they go when its time to frolic in the the Monterey Bay? Many head to Commercial Wharf.

    Here you will see groups of 20-30 begging for food, swimming, diving, and playing sea lion king of the mountain on the buoys and piers. We saw a couple of big fellas out at the very tip of the Commercial Wharf fighting for position on a small horizontal slab of concrete just a few feet above the water. The bigger one had been there long enough that he was dry, but a younger, and stronger sea lion jumped up and threw him off as we watched.

    Sea lions occasionally swim with one flipper out of the water. When the water is cool, they stick a flipper out into the sun to absorb the sun's warmth. When the water is too warm, they will wet a flipper, then stick it into the air so it gets cooled off by the breeze.

    Of course if you want to see even more of the noisy buggers, try the Coast Guard Wharf.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Sea Life: Whale Watching
  • Tip Rating:
  • Bregman
  • Updated By Bregman on April 9, 2005
  • Monterey Page by Bregman
  • Whale Watching - Monterey
    Whale Watching
    by Bregman
    Moneterey is one of the places on the Californian coast where you can go whale watching. A word of caution though, these boats are not for the squeemish!. The waves can be several metres high once you go out of the bay.

    For one of the oparators of such tours have a look at http://www.montereybaywhalewatch.com.

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Sea Life: Everyone says there are many...
  • Tip Rating:
  • Monique_T
  • By Monique_T on August 26, 2002
  • Monterey Page by Monique_T
  • Sea Life - Monterey
    by Monique_T
    Everyone says there are many seals there...and guess what...we only saw one!!! Think we wen to the wrong place. If you look carefully you can see that one seal.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Sea Life: Monterey Off the Beaten Path Tip (Untitled)
    applixman
  • By applixman on August 25, 2002
  • Monterey Page by applixman
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Monterey?

    Read reviews about Monterey Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Sea Life: Watch the penguins swim and play
    halloweengirl
  • By halloweengirl on December 4, 2004
  • Monterey Page by halloweengirl
  • Playful penguins - Monterey
    Playful penguins
    by halloweengirl
    This isn't actually off the beaten path, but it is a seperate area in the aquariu, so I guess I can put it here. Besides, this is just another way to post more pictures..

    The penguins are a new addition to the aquarium. In fact an entire area is dedicated to them. They are very playful and smart. This picture is blurred, even though I used the freeze frame function on my camera, they were just too lively.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Sea Life: See sleeping Sea Lions up close
    phildeni
  • By phildeni on August 1, 2003
  • Monterey Page by phildeni
  • A nap in the sunshine - Monterey
    A nap in the sunshine
    by phildeni
    Walk below the pier to where the fishing boats are tied up and you may spot a huge Sea Lion...but don't get too close..he is not really asleep!!

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Sea Life: Moss Landing's Elkhorn Slough
    Ewingjr98
  • Updated By Ewingjr98 on September 29, 2007
  • Monterey Page by Ewingjr98
  • View over the slough from the visitors center - Monterey
    View over the slough from the
    visitors center
    by Ewingjr98, 4 more photos
    Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is a 1400-acre laboratory for scientific research and estuarine education. It is one of just 26 National Estuarine Research Reserves nationwide and is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and managed by the California Department of Fish and Game. The reserve has a visitors center, 5 miles of trails, and various kayaking routes. To walk the trails there is a $2.50 day-use fee.

    During my visit I hiked all three major trail loops and a few of the spur trails in about two hours. Sure it was a fast walk and I didn't see much wildlife, but to me, a bird is a bird is a bird... I did see some cool crabs and a mule deer during my hike. This is not the best hiking around in my opinion, and could get expensive at $2.50 a person if you had a big group, so I'd recommend Pinnacles, the Santa Cruz Redwoods, Point Lobos, or Big Sur for a much more entertaining hiking experience.

    From Highway 1, take Dolan Road east, which is right at the power plant. Go about 5 miles then take a left on Elkhon Road, another 2-3 miles and the front entrance will be on the left.

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: 831-728-2822
  • Website: http://www.elkhornslough.org/
  • Other Contact: 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville,
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    More Monterey Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 84 - Photos: 115
    Things To Do
    Tips: 315 - Photos: 510
    Nightlife
    Tips: 43 - Photos: 112
    Transportation
    Tips: 33 - Photos: 61
    Restaurants
    Tips: 205 - Photos: 336
    Shopping
    Tips: 26 - Photos: 58
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 73 - Photos: 203
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 18 - Photos: 23
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 15 - Photos: 29
    Local Customs
    Tips: 38 - Photos: 129
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 9 - Photos: 9
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 13 - Photos: 27
    General Tips
    Tips: 83 - Photos: 169
    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 0

    Best Monterey Travel Deals

    Monterey Hotels & Motels
    Cannery Row has the most ocean view rooms in Monterey

    Hotel Packages Monterey
    Find Fun Things to Do in Monterey. Visit Now for Package Deals & More!

    Portola Hotel & Spa, CA.
    Overlooking Monterey Bay. Luxury Rooms & Microbrewery Onsite.

    Carmel Valley Ranch
    Official Site. Carmel Valley Ranch. Best Rates & Services Guaranteed.

    Hilton Garden Monterey
    A Hotel Located in Monterey, CA. Our Best Rates. Guaranteed.

    Sponsored Links

    More Monterey Travel Deals

    Monterey's New Lux Hotel
    Luxurious beds overlooking the Bay on Cannery Row. Reserve now & save!

    San Francisco Blimp Rides
    Fly an Airship over the Golden Gate Tours depart from Oakland & Moffett

    Hotels in Monterey
    Save up to 50% on Hotels at Expedia No Expedia change or cancel fees!

    Sponsored Links


    Monterey Hotels





    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.