Things to Do in Monterey in August

A Monterey Bay whale watching tour places you on the swells of one of North America's deepest submarine canyons, where upwelling cold water supports a staggering density of life. You will feel the salt spray on your face as the boat cuts through the gray-green water, scanning the horizon for the explosive blow of a humpback or the sleek, rolling back of a blue whale. The air carries the faint, wild scent of the ocean, a mix of brine and damp kelp.

This dolphin and whale watching boat tour focuses on the acrobatic cetaceans that ride the bow waves and the massive whales that feed in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. You will see the shimmering, sunlit splash of a dolphin pod racing alongside the vessel and hear their high-pitched clicks and whistles through the hydrophone. The experience feels like gliding into a thriving, open-ocean arena just beyond the shelter of the harbor.

This guided walking tour in Carmel by the Sea meanders along narrow, flower-lined pathways and past storybook cottages hidden behind courtyard walls. You will hear the crunch of decomposed granite underfoot, smell the scent of star jasmine spilling over garden gates, and see the whimsical, crooked chimneys that define the village's architectural charm. The guide points out hidden courtyards and the tiny, secret passageways known as *hattie* gates that locals use.

A wine tasting and walking tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea pairs curated sips from local tasting rooms with tales of the village's bohemian history. You will taste bright, acidic Chardonnays from the Santa Lucia Highlands and earthy Pinot Noirs from the Carmel Valley, feeling the cool, polished stem of the glass as you stroll between venues. The experience weaves together the flavors of the region with the visual delight of art galleries and sculptured gardens.

The Carmel-by-the-Sea electric bike tour glides you easily along the scenic Carmel Meadows, down to the white sands of Carmel Beach, and past the fairytale towers of the Carmel Mission. You will feel the cool ocean breeze against your skin, hear the distant bark of sea lions from the rocky shore, and see the brilliant orange and purple blooms of ice plant covering the coastal bluffs. The electric assist makes climbing the gentle hills back from the shore feel nearly effortless.

The guided nature walk at Point Lobos follows trails through wind-sculpted Monterey cypress groves and along headlands overlooking coves of emerald water. You will hear the thunderous crash of waves against granite rocks, smell the pungent, musky odor of a sea lion haul-out on the distant rocks, and see the vivid greens and purples of tidal anemones in the still pools of Weston Beach. The guide helps spot sea otters wrapped in kelp and explains the ecology of this protected reserve.