Things to Do in Monterey in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Monterey
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
58°F (14°C)
High Temp
42°F (5°C)
Low Temp
2.9 inches (74 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December on the Monterey Peninsula slows to a local heartbeat once the summer hordes vanish. Mist hugs the coast at dawn, then lifts to reveal afternoons of hard blue sky over the bay. The quiet feels earned.
- + Hotel rates along Cannery Row and near Fisherman's Wharf bottom out for the year. Expect sharp drops from summer highs, so waterfront rooms land within reach. Book one.
- + The Monterey Bay Aquarium regains its neighborhood vibe. Weekday crowds thin so far you can stare alone at the kelp forest's slow dance. No elbows, no rush.
- + Gray whale watching season fires up mid-month. Pods cruise south only a few kilometers offshore. Spouts show from Point Lobos on clear days. Bring binoculars.
Considerations
- − The Pacific chill bites. A sunny morning can flip by 3 PM when a bone-deep ocean wind slices the exposed headlands of 17-Mile Drive. Pack layers.
- − Rain arrives hard but brief. A week of sun can collapse into two days of steady gray drizzle that floods low sections of the Coastal Recreation Trail. Check tides.
- − Many seasonal businesses shut for a week or two around the holidays. Smaller art galleries in Carmel-by-the-Sea and open-air tour operators vanish, trimming your choices. Plan ahead.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Monterey in December feels like the ocean's private rehearsal. Fog drapes the coast most mornings, the Pacific light turns pearly, and ten rainy days leave a cool mist on your face. Locals trade shorts for wool layers. Their pace matches the weather. This is not a month for predictable beach days. It is the season to hear winter waves slam the rocks without summer crowds, to smell wet cypress on a coastal walk, to watch wildlife peak while fireside chowder steams. Expect the coolest, wettest stretch of the year. Yet still milder than most of the States. Highs hit only 14 °C, lows dip to 5 °C, and nearly three inches of rain fall. The damp 70 % humidity makes 14 feel cooler, so pack a proper jacket. Whale watching turns compelling. Tasting rooms turn into sanctuaries of wood-panelled warmth. Accommodation along Cannery Row is easier to find in December. But always phone ahead for hours. Storm swells throw spray sky-high at Point Lobos. Carmel-by-the-Sea adds small-town sparkle: fairy-lights, narrow lanes, wine rooms with stone hearths.
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
guided_experienceOutside the bay the continental shelf drops fast. The boat engine thrums, salt stings your cheeks, and a humpback's fluke may rise against a grey sky. Naturalists read the water: diving birds, a smooth "footprint" left by a whale. You are inside Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
One of North America's most reliable year-round whale gatherings; December brings southbound gray whales and deep-feeding humpbacks.
Insider tip: Book mid-morning once the marine layer has burned off. Wear layers you do not mind soaking.
This month: December sees gray whales heading south. Winter storms can stir nutrients and spike activity.
Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour
cruiseThis cruise stays inside the bay, close to shore. Dolphins ride the bow, Risso's and harbor porpoises surface, and a distant whale blow may appear. The air is cool, gulls cry overhead, anticipation never stops.
Best chance for intimate dolphin encounters. Sightings are frequent and close.
Insider tip: Stand on the lower deck for eye-level views and a steadier ride if swells build.
Guided 2-Hour Walking Tour in Carmel by the Sea
walking_tourA guide leads you through Carmel's crooked lanes. Pine needles dust cottage roofs, jasmine blooms over courtyard walls, sand crunches underfoot. Stories of artists and oddball architects fill the walk.
Turns a wander into a find hunt of hidden courtyards and backstory.
Insider tip: Wear flat shoes with grip; Carmel's paths are sandy and uneven.
Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea
foodPinot Noir warms your hands inside a fire-lit tasting room, then you step into crisp December air and walk to the next stop. Cherry-bright Santa Lucia Highlands wine meets woodsmoke drifting from village chimneys.
Pairs indoor wine ritual with Carmel's outdoor storybook charm.
Insider tip: Ask if the tour visits an actual production room; gallery-style stops feel different.
Carmel-by-the-Sea 2.5-3 Hour Electric Bike Tour
guided_experienceAn e-bike lets you glide past cypress-clad cliffs and hear sea lions bark below. Ocean Avenue hill feels flat. The route usually ends at Carmel River State Beach where the river slips into the sea.
Covers more ground than walking, needs almost no effort, shows the peninsula's full sweep.
Insider tip: Demand a full battery and confirm the outfitter supplies a wind-blocking layer; December headwinds bite.
Guided 2-Hour Point Lobos Nature Walk
walking_tourA docent leads you across Point Lobos. Winter waves explode on granite, orange garibaldi glow in tide pools, otters lie wrapped in kelp. Peaty trails cushion your steps. Gulls wheel overhead.
Expert eyes reveal what you would miss alone in this ecological choke point of land and sea.
Insider tip: Arrive early. Parking is tiny and fills fast, even in December. A guide does not reserve a spot.
Where to Stay in Monterey in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Typically one or two evenings in early to mid-December
Christmas at the Adobes
A Monterey tradition: historic adobes along the Path of History open after dark. Candlelight flickers on whitewashed walls, period music drifts between buildings, and the scent of biscochitos and warm ponche fills courtyards. It feels like a quiet neighborhood party, locals greeting in the shadows.
Early December (often the first Friday or Saturday)
Wharf Tree Lighting & Boat Parade
Fisherman's Wharf turns festive for one evening. A giant tree glitters above dark harbor water, then the boat parade begins. Private craft draped in lights putter past while horns blast Christmas carols. Crowds bundle up, cheeks red, spirits high.
Packing Checklist
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Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Locals skip the choppy boat ride. They head to land for whale watching. Bring binoculars to Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove. Soberanes Point in Point Lobos works too. Pick a calm morning.
The 'Christmas House' in Pacific Grove is legendary. It is a private home that goes all out. Locals love the December traffic jam. Park a few blocks away. Walk up.
Foggy mornings are prime time. Take the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Run it between Fisherman's Wharf and the Aquarium. You will have the paved path mostly to yourself. Foghorns and barking sea lions keep company.
If afternoon wind whips up whitecaps, duck inside. Try the tasting rooms in Cannery Row. Wine shops in Carmel Plaza work too. They are cozy, quiet, and often have a local pouring who is happy to chat.
Avoid These Mistakes
Do not underestimate the microclimates. It can be sunny and mild in Carmel Cove. Just 8 km (5 miles) away, cold, dense fog can shroud Monterey's coastline. Check multiple local weather forecasts.
Do not book a whale watching trip for your last day. December seas are unpredictable. Operators cancel for swells or wind. Schedule it early in your visit. This gives you a rescheduling window.
Do not assume everything is open. Many smaller, family-run restaurants and shops in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pacific Grove close for a week between Christmas and New Year's. Always check hours.
Do not pay for a hotel 'view' that faces the open bay. In December, that often means a view of a solid gray wall of fog. A courtyard or garden view might be cozier and sunnier.
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