Things to Do in Monterey in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
April Weather in Monterey
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
61°F (16°C)
High Temp
47°F (8°C)
Low Temp
1.1 inches (28 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is April Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + April in Monterey is the quiet shoulder season before the summer crush. You can walk straight into most restaurants on Cannery Row. Parking near the Monterey Bay Aquarium is still easy.
- + The marine layer that famously blankets the coast in summer is still patchy in April. You get a better-than-average shot at clear, sharp light for photography along the 17-Mile Drive and at Point Lobos.
- + Wildflowers are peaking on the hillsides around Garland Ranch Regional Park. California poppies, lupine, and wild mustard turn the coastal blazes into a painterly wash of orange, purple, and yellow.
- + The gray whale migration is still in full swing. Water clarity off Monterey Bay starts to improve. April is surprisingly good for whale watching tours and the first decent scuba dives of the year in the kelp forests.
Considerations
- − The 'warm and humid' forecast is a local joke. It feels that way relative to winter's chill, but you'll still need a fleece or puffer jacket by 4 PM when the Pacific wind picks up.
- − While rainfall is low, those ten rainy days tend to be damp, misty affairs. They can roll in and linger, scuttling plans for a full day of cycling the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail.
- − Some seasonal attractions, like the butterfly migrations at the Monarch Grove Sanctuary in Pacific Grove, are completely over by April. You've missed that particular show.
Best Activities in April
Top things to do during your visit
Monterey in April feels like the city is finally exhaling. Winter's ten days of drizzle have scrubbed the air and sharpened the light. The coastal hills, brown by August, still wear deep spring green, and the summer fog is rare. Locals in layered sweaters walk the bluffs and claim waterfront tables before peak-season crowds arrive. You get the quiet rhythm of the bay, the sea lions' bark, the fishing boats rocking on steel-gray swells. Weather is a gentle transition. Highs hit 61 degrees, nights drop into the 40s. One minute a salt-cypress breeze slides in, the next the sandstone on Cannery Row glows in warm sun, then dusk demands a jacket. Forget sunbathing; April rewards hikers who want whales, sea caves, damp sand at Spanish Bay.
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
guided_experienceA Monterey Bay whale-watching tour motors over the canyon where upwelling feeds the planet's richest marine buffet. April delivers gray whales heading north, barnacle flukes rising, and early humpbacks breaching. Salt spray stings, the whale's blow thumps louder than the engine, the deck gasps when a dorsal fin cuts by.
You watch ocean giants migrate above the continent's deepest submarine canyon inside a national marine sanctuary.
Insider tip: Book mid-morning after overnight fog lifts. Wear layers you don't mind soaking.
This month: April straddles the gray-whale tail and the humpback/blue-whale start, so multiple species are possible.
Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour
cruiseThis dolphin-and-whale tour targets the bay's acrobatic year-round residents. Risso's dolphins surf the bow, sea birds click overhead, sea otters loaf in kelp while you taste brine on your lips.
Tight viewing of smaller cetaceans and birds, often closer and longer than with the big migrants.
Insider tip: Afternoon winds calm down. Pick that slot for steadier water and clearer air.
Guided 2-Hour Walking Tour in Carmel by the Sea
walking_tourA two-hour guided walk through Carmel-by-the-Sea threads crooked cottages, jasmine-scented lanes, and hidden passageways. Your guide unpacks Hugh Comstock's fairy-tale houses and wind-sculpted Monterey cypress framing a white-sand cove.
The village is easy to admire but tricky to read alone. The walk supplies the backstory.
Insider tip: Wear shoes with grip. Sandy paths tilt and steps are steep.
Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea
foodThis tasting-and-walking tour pairs Pinot Noir in a Carmel salon with ocean air on the sidewalk. You'll smell oak barrels, feel the cool breeze, and pass rose-filled courtyards while learning how the Santa Lucia Highlands climate shapes the glass in your hand.
It marries inland winemaking with coastal Carmel charm in one compact outing.
Insider tip: Tasting pours are generous. Schedule a late lunch at a cheese shop or bakery to cushion the effect.
Carmel-by-the-Sea 2.5-3 Hour Electric Bike Tour
guided_experienceAn electric-bike tour lets you glide past cypress bluffs above turquoise Carmel Beach, scent wild lilac, and hear waves explode into Stillwater Cove. The motor flattens the hills.
You cover dramatic coastal vistas and quiet lanes without breaking a sweat.
Insider tip: Ask for a cushioned seat and bring a windbreaker. Ocean exposure chills even on sunny April days.
Guided 2-Hour Point Lobos Nature Walk
walking_tourThe guided Point Lobos nature walk is a living postcard. Orange garibaldi flick in tide pools, surf detonates through the blowhole at Whalers Cove, sea otters nap in kelp. Pine-needle trails cushion your steps under wind-stunted trees while the sea's iodine scent fills your lungs.
Expert guidance unlocks the "crown jewel" of California's park system.
Insider tip: Arrive at gate opening. Weekend and sunny-day lots fill fast.
Where to Stay in Monterey in April
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for April travellers.
April Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Typically a weekend in mid-to-late April
Whale Fest Monterey
A celebration of the marine migration that defines spring here. The festival typically centers around Old Fisherman's Wharf with expert talks, kids' activities, and live music. The best part is often the enhanced whale watching trips with on-board naturalists giving deeper dives into the biology of the giants passing by. The wharf smells of chowder and saltwater, and the sound of barking sea lions provides a constant soundtrack.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Monterey Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Locals know the best whale watching often happens from land. Bring those binoculars to spots like the Coast Guard Pier in Monterey or the rocky outcrops at Soberanes Point in Garrapata State Park. You'll see the spouts for free. Smart move.
Skip the crowded chowder spots on the wharf. For the real deal, head to Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing (a 20-minute drive north). It's a chaotic, noisy warehouse where you eat at picnic tables. But the cioppino is legendary and the crab sandwiches are stuffed with meat from the docks next door. Go hungry.
The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is glorious. But for a quieter, more impressive coastal walk, drive to Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove. The boardwalk through the dunes and rocky tide pools feels wilder, and the sound of the surf is uninterrupted. Better views. Fewer people.
If the marine layer is thick on the Monterey side, drive over the hill to Carmel Valley for lunch. It's often sunny and 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit (5-8°C) warmer. You'll find patio seating and a completely different, golden-hilled landscape. Instant sunshine.
Avoid These Mistakes
Stop packing for 'California' weather. Monterey in April is not Los Angeles. Shorts and a t-shirt will leave you shivering and buying an overpriced sweatshirt from a souvenir shop. Pack layers.
Stop assuming you can just show up. While not peak season, the aquarium, popular restaurants, and even some parking lots still require planning. Not booking a timed ticket or not having a dinner reservation is a rookie error. Plan ahead.
Stop trying to do too much in one day. The weather is variable. Building a rigid, packed itinerary from Monterey to Big Sur leaves no room for a foggy morning to clear into a beautiful afternoon. Locals plan by the half-day. Be flexible.
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