Things to Do in Monterey in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
November Weather in Monterey
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
62°F (16°C)
High Temp
46°F (7°C)
Low Temp
1.7 inches (43 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Sudden, dense fog can drop visibility on Highway 1 to near zero, near sunrise and sunset. Keep headlights on low and ease off the speed.
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Whales own November. Gray whales turn south, summer fog is gone, and spouts pop against cobalt water. Bring binoculars. Bring wonder.
- + Cannery Row breathes again. You hear sea lions, not strollers. Parking spots wait. Aquarium galleries echo.
- + Rates plummet. Ocean-view rooms that demanded July money now ask half. Book three weeks out for the best slash.
- + First rains rinse the air clean. 17-Mile Drive smells of wet sage and pine. Late light nails the Lone Cypress in gold. Shoot it.
Considerations
- − Weather flips coins. Crisp sun or weeklong gray drizzle. Plans stay loose.
- − Kayaks and some charters vanish for maintenance. Water fun turns patchy.
- − Dark arrives at 5 PM. Temperature dives with the sun.
Best Activities in November
Top things to do during your visit
Monterey in November feels like the coast exhales. The summer marine layer lifts earlier, uncovering pale blue sky while the Pacific turns steel grey. Expect 16 degrees Celsius, ten rainy days, and streets finally free of tourists. Locals reclaim benches and trails in fleece jackets. Damp cypress and salt spray linger longer than crowds. Pack layers. Let waves dominate the soundtrack. Weather flips within an hour, sun to cloud, dry to drizzle. November is cooler and wetter than summer, milder than mid-winter, good for windbreaker walks along empty cliffs. No festivals are listed. That is the point. You get the bay's drama without the queue.
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
guided_experienceBoard a dedicated whale watching vessel and glide across Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Deep canyons push nutrients up. Humpback blows explode on the horizon. Guides shout over diesel rumble while gulls wheel overhead.
You sit in the path of one of earth's largest marine migrations.
Insider tip: Book the morning trip right after a storm. Churned water pulls whales closer to shore.
This month: November starts the southbound gray whale migration.
Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour
cruiseThis cruise chases acrobatic dolphins and year-round whales. Feel the boat heel as hundreds of Risso's dolphins increase alongside. Hear the crowd gasp when a humpback fluke lifts. Diesel and ocean mingle on your lips.
The bay's cetacean density turns every outing into a dynamic spectacle.
Insider tip: Stand downwind for clearer views and less exhaust. Crew will point where animals surface.
This month: Nutrient-rich water still feeds wildlife. Expect cooler, wetter decks.
Guided 2-Hour Walking Tour in Carmel by the Sea
walking_tourWalk the storybook lanes of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Crooked cottages with shingled roofs lean above damp gardens; Monterey pines drip on cobblestones. Guides unlock hidden courtyards and spin tales of artists who once lived here.
You see architectural whimsy and literary history no map reveals.
Insider tip: Wear grippy shoes. Paths tilt and cobbles are slick.
Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea
foodTaste peppery syrah and bright chardonnay in Carmel's snug rooms, then step into crisp November air en route to the next pour. Warm oak-scented interiors meet cool sea breezes outside.
Local wine meets Carmel's fairy-tale passageways in one easy loop.
Insider tip: Eat lunch first. Pours look small but they add up over several blocks.
Carmel-by-the-Sea 2.5-3 Hour Electric Bike Tour
guided_experienceRide an electric bike around Carmel. Glide past Point Lobos vistas, Pebble Beach fairways, gnarled cypress against gray sea. Tidepool brine fills the air. The motor hums beneath you.
The assist flattens hills and racks up coastal views without sweat.
Insider tip: Dress in removable layers. Body temp swings between pedaling and ocean wind.
Guided 2-Hour Point Lobos Nature Walk
walking_tourWalk Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Waves detonate on granite. Sea otters nap in kelp. Harbor seals bark from rocks. Guides explain tidepool life while you touch cool cypress bark.
Expert narration packs the best coastal scenery and ecology into two hours.
Insider tip: Arrive at gate early. Parking is tiny and fills fast, even in November.
Where to Stay in Monterey in November
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for November travellers.
November Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Typically one weekend in early November
Whaling Station Days at Monterey State Historic Park
At the Old Whaling Station on Stanton Street, interpreters revive 1850s shore whaling while gray whales glide past offshore. Woodsmoke drifts, try-pots bubble, history feels raw and honest.
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 skip the fancy hotels for storm-watching. They head to the end of Ocean View Boulevard in Pacific Grove, near the American Tin Cannery. A small pull-out lets you watch waves slam rocks without soaking your jacket.
If the aquarium is jammed, duck into the adjacent Stanton Center. Their free 'Open Sea' exhibit, one huge window into the main tank, stays quiet and delivers the same wow minus the crowd.
The best November chowder rarely sits on Fisherman's Wharf. Locals aim for the plain diners and vintage spots along Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey. Less tourist gloss, more honest warmth.
Do not bail on 17-Mile Drive just because the gate looks gloomy. Microclimates flip fast. Fog can hug the Lodge at Pebble Beach while Spanish Bay glows in sun. Keep driving, you might burst into gold.
Avoid These Mistakes
Ignore the chill factor at your peril. That posted 62°F (16°C) high ignores relentless wind. Expect to feel colder, beside the water.
Pack only for rain and you will miss the brilliant sunny snaps. Bring gear for both moods.
Do not assume everything stays open. Check websites for seasonal closures. Kayak rentals, bike tours, and some boat operators shutter after Thanksgiving.
Do not cram the short daylight hours. Choose one major outdoor activity per day and relish it.
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