Things to Do in Monterey in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Monterey
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Wildflower bloom transforms the coastal hills - March through early April brings peak blooms along Highway 1, particularly at Garland Ranch Regional Park's 8 km (5 miles) of trails. The combination of winter rains and warming temperatures creates California's most reliable wildflower window.
- Gray whale migration reaches its peak - southbound mothers with calves pass within 90 m (300 ft) of shore throughout March. Morning visibility from Point Lobos averages 16 km (10 miles), making this the single best month for land-based whale watching without booking boat tours.
- Off-season pricing with improving weather - hotel rates run 30-40% below summer peaks while daytime temperatures reach comfortable 15-18°C (59-64°F) ranges. You'll actually find parking at Cannery Row on weekdays, and restaurant reservations open up even at popular spots.
- Dungeness crab season finale - commercial season typically runs through March, meaning fresh local crab at peak quality before the summer closure. Fisherman's Wharf vendors offer whole cooked crabs for $18-25, and you'll see locals buying them by the dozen for home feasts.
Considerations
- Unpredictable marine layer and fog - March sits in that awkward transition where you might get brilliant sunshine or thick fog that doesn't burn off until 2pm. About 40% of March days start overcast, and there's no reliable pattern to predict which days will clear. Plan indoor backup options.
- Ocean temperatures remain cold at 11-12°C (52-54°F) - even with warming air temperatures, the Pacific stays frigid through March. Surfing requires a full 4/3mm wetsuit minimum, and casual beach swimming is genuinely uncomfortable for most people. This isn't Mediterranean spring.
- Wind picks up in afternoons along the coast - typically 24-32 km/h (15-20 mph) gusts starting around 1pm, particularly at exposed spots like Asilomar Beach and Point Pinos. Outdoor dining gets chilly fast, and that morning hike might feel very different on the return trip.
Best Activities in March
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve hiking
March offers the sweet spot for Point Lobos - wildflowers emerging on the Carmelo Meadow Trail, whale spouts visible from Whaler's Cabin overlook, and minimal summer crowds. The reserve limits daily visitors to 150 vehicles, but in March you'll rarely hit capacity except holiday weekends. Morning fog actually adds drama to the cypress groves. The 9.7 km (6 miles) of trails stay comfortably cool even when hiking midday, unlike the scorching summer months.
Kayaking Elkhorn Slough
March brings harbor seal pupping season to Elkhorn Slough, 29 km (18 miles) north of Monterey. The combination of calm morning waters, active wildlife, and fewer rental groups makes this ideal timing. You'll paddle past sea otters with pups, spot leopard sharks in shallow channels, and watch over 100 bird species in the wetlands. Water temps are cold but you're staying dry in sit-on-top kayaks. The slough's protected location means you avoid the coastal wind that batters open-water routes.
Monterey Bay Aquarium visits
March weekdays offer the aquarium experience locals actually enjoy - you can spend 20 minutes watching the sea otter feeding without fighting crowds, and the kelp forest tank becomes meditative rather than a scrum. The jellyfish galleries stay equally mesmerizing regardless of season, but March means you're not navigating stroller traffic jams. Recent 2025 expansion added the Deep Sea Exploration wing, still new enough that many summer visitors don't know it exists.
17-Mile Drive scenic cycling
Cycling the 17-Mile Drive in March means dealing with occasional drizzle but escaping the summer tour bus parade. The route's 244 m (800 ft) of elevation gain stays manageable in cool temperatures, and you'll actually stop at viewpoints without jockeying for position. Lone Cypress and Bird Rock lookouts offer unobstructed whale watching during migration peak. The $11.25 vehicle entry fee doesn't apply to cyclists, saving money while getting better views than from a car anyway.
Carmel Valley wine tasting
March marks the quiet season in Carmel Valley's tasting rooms, located 19 km (12 miles) inland where temperatures run 5-7°C (9-13°F) warmer than the coast. The valley specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with about 25 small-production wineries offering $20-30 tasting flights. You'll get actual conversations with winemakers rather than rushed pours, and many rooms have outdoor patios perfect for March's mild afternoons. The valley stays reliably sunny when coastal Monterey sits under fog.
Pinnacles National Park hiking
Located 97 km (60 miles) southeast, Pinnacles offers the sunny, warm hiking that coastal Monterey can't guarantee in March. Temperatures reach 18-21°C (65-70°F) while the coast sits under fog, and March timing means wildflowers blooming across the High Peaks Trail without summer's brutal heat. The park's talus caves stay open in March before bat closures begin mid-May. California condors circle overhead year-round, but March's clear skies make spotting their 3 m (9.8 ft) wingspans easier.
March Events & Festivals
Whalefest Monterey
Typically held in late January through early March, this celebration of gray whale migration includes expert talks, whale watching excursions, and marine science exhibits at various Cannery Row locations. The exact 2026 dates weren't confirmed at time of writing, but it traditionally runs weekends and focuses on connecting visitors with marine researchers. Free admission to most talks and exhibits, though whale watching boats book separately.