Things to Do in Monterey in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
March Weather in Monterey
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
60°F (15°C)
High Temp
45°F (7°C)
Low Temp
2.9 inches (74 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + March is when the whales finally deliver. Gray whales cruise north with calves in tow, and the Monterey Canyon plunges 3,000 feet only 2 km (1.2 miles) offshore. You can stand on the sand at Lovers Point and see spouts without paying for a boat. Worth it.
- + Hotel rates hit the year's sweet spot. Winter discounts still apply. Yet the February rain crowds have gone. You pay shoulder-season prices for rooms that cost double in July. Book now.
- + The coastal fog machine is still idle. Mornings stay crystal clear, so the oak-covered Santa Lucia Range stares back at you from Cannery Row. The air stays cool enough that sea otters stay active past 9 AM. Keep watching.
- + Tide-pooling season peaks in March. Minus tides hit 8-10 mornings and expose purple-and-orange sea stars at Asilomar's rocky coves. Locals guard the spot like a secret. Check the chart taped inside the gatehouse window.
- + Artichoke harvest roars in the Salinas Valley. Drive 30 minutes inland and you'll see thorny green globes stretching to the hills. They end up grilled at roadside stands along Highway 1. Eat them hot.
Considerations
- − The ocean is still winter-cold at 12°C (54°F). Wetsuit rentals are mandatory for kayaking. Even then your hands go numb after 45 minutes. Bring gloves.
- − March winds average 24 km/h (15 mph) most afternoons. The Recreation Trail becomes a sandblaster between Fisherman's Wharf and the aquarium. Walk early.
- − Rain arrives in Pacific squalls that hit fast and leave faster. You'll get soaked walking from the parking garage to Monterey restaurants if you forgot a shell. The sun returns while you're still dripping. Pack smart.
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
Monterey in March is cool and damp. Mornings often start with a marine layer over the bay. The air smells of wet cypress and briny kelp. It gives way to the clear, sharp light of a California afternoon. This is not the crowded summer season. The rhythm is quieter, dictated by variable weather and local pursuits. You might see marathoners in bright jackets on Highway 1. Or you could sample new wines from stainless steel tanks at a custom crush facility. It is a world away from Napa's tasting rooms. The ten or so rainy days bring deep green to the hillsides. They swell the creeks in the canyons. This landscape is both coastal and wild. Visiting Monterey in March means engaging with a place in transition. The famous bay is alive with migrating giants. The community turns inward toward its craft.
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
guided_experienceThe Monterey Bay Whale Watching Tour puts you on the cold, blue water of the continent's largest underwater canyon. Feel the boat rise on swells. Scan for the explosive puff of a humpback's breath. Look for the gleaming black arch of a whale's back in the gray sea. Naturalists point out seabirds. They explain the behaviors of the marine mammals that live here.
This tour offers direct access to one of the world's most dependable year-round whale habitats. Expert interpretation turns a sighting into an understanding.
Insider tip: Book the first tour of the day. You will get the calmest water. You will also get the best chance to see wildlife before the afternoon wind.
This month: March often brings excellent visibility for spotting gray whales on their northward migration. Increasing numbers of humpback whales return to the bay.
Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour
cruiseThe Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour is a more intimate voyage. The sound of bow waves mixes with the clicks and whistles of a super-pod of Risso's dolphins. You might taste salt spray. The captain maneuvers for a view of a lunge-feeding humpback, its pleated throat full of krill and anchovies.
The smaller vessel allows for closer, more agile approaches. This creates moments of raw proximity to the bay's inhabitants.
Insider tip: Dress in layers you can seal against the wind. The damp chill on the water is pronounced, even on sunny March days.
Guided 2-Hour Walking Tour in Carmel by the Sea
walking_tourThe Guided 2-Hour Walking Tour in Carmel by the Sea winds past storybook cottages. See crooked chimneys and fragrant gardens of calla lilies and star jasmine. Your guide will point out hidden courtyards. They share tales of the artists and writers who shaped this village.
This walk unlocks the architectural whimsy and literary history behind Carmel's famous white-sand beach. It reveals a village with a deliberate soul.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, flat shoes. The charming but uneven paved pathways are tricky for heels or weak ankles.
Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea
foodThe Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea pairs sips of cool-climate Pinot Noir with strolls. You will pass historic missions and secret gardens. Feel the smooth weight of a wine glass in your hand. Move from a sun-dappled patio to a cozy tasting room. Discuss the influence of the nearby Santa Lucia Highlands.
It blends the tactile pleasure of wine with the visual delight of Carmel's streetscape. This has a curated taste of local viticulture.
Insider tip: Eat a solid lunch beforehand. The pours are generous. Navigating the village's irregular sidewalks is best done with a clear head.
This month: This tour pairs well with the mid-March Monterey Wine Experience. It has a village counterpart to the barrel-sample events in the Salinas Valley.
Carmel-by-the-Sea 2.5-3 Hour Electric Bike Tour
guided_experienceThe Carmel-by-the-Sea 2.5-3 Hour Electric Bike Tour lets you glide silently up Ocean Avenue. Feel a cool coastal breeze as you roll past the cypress trees framing Carmel Beach. The electric assist means you can cover more ground. Go from the rocky outcrops of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve to the fairytale homes in the forested hills.
It expands your range beyond the village center. It embraces the dramatic meeting of forest, village, and rocky coastline here.
Insider tip: Request a bike with a full battery at the start. Bring a windbreaker for the exposed sections along the scenic corridor.
Guided 2-Hour Point Lobos Nature Walk
walking_tourThe Guided 2-Hour Point Lobos Nature Walk immerses you in the thunder of surf against granite headlands. Smell the sharp, clean scent of Monterey pine and salt. You will see sea otters wrapped in kelp in the emerald coves. Hear the barking chorus of sea lions from their rocky haul-outs. A naturalist who knows every trail and tide pool guides you.
This walk provides focused, expert-led access to the ecological crown jewel of the Monterey coast. The reserve is densely packed with life.
Insider tip: Arrive right at opening to secure a parking spot inside the reserve. Lots fill quickly even in March, on weekends.
This month: The March rains keep the reserve's meadows and hillsides brilliantly green. They encourage a lively bloom of wildflowers like lupine and poppy.
Where to Stay in Monterey in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid March
Monterey Wine Experience
Winemakers pour barrel samples at custom crush facilities in the Salinas Valley. This isn't the touristy festival you get in summer. You taste 2025 vintage straight from stainless tanks while growers explain why the March rains mattered. Tickets include transportation from Cannery Row so you can swallow instead of spit.
Late March
Big Sur International Marathon training runs
The marathon isn't until April. But March is when serious runners log their final 32 km (20-mile) training runs along Highway 1 from Carmel River to Big Sur. Locals set up unofficial aid stations with orange slices and water jugs. Join for a 5 km segment even if you're not racing. The views beat any gym treadmill.
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 Recreation Trail's wind tunnel effect: between Fisherman's Wharf and the aquarium, afternoon gusts hit 32 km/h (20 mph). Walk the section before 11 AM or after 4 PM when it's calm enough to hear sea otters cracking abalone shells on their bellies
The free shuttle that loops between Monterey hotels and Cannery Row starts running weekends in March - saves the $25 parking fee and runs every 20 minutes. But hotel staff won't mention it unless you ask
If you see fog sitting like a wall at the mouth of the Salinas Valley while you're in Monterey, drive 15 minutes inland toward Carmel Valley Village - you'll emerge above the marine layer into 24°C (75°F) sunshine while the coast stays gray
Point Pinos lighthouse (the oldest on the West Coast) opens its tower only Thursday-Sunday in March, and the volunteer docents include descendants of the original keepers who'll show you the 1855 Fresnel lens that's still operational
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