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
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Grey whales kick off their 10,000 km (6,200 mile) marathon past Monterey Bay in November, the final curtain call for whale-watching season. Pods cruise by daily, close enough to spot from the weathered planks of Fisherman's Wharf.
- + October leaf-peepers vanish and Thanksgiving travelers haven't arrived yet, so hotel rates tumble 25-30%. Waterfront rooms that were impossible to snag a month ago suddenly welcome walk-ins.
- + The marine layer lifts by 10 AM instead of lingering until noon, gifting photographers longer stretches of blue sky at Point Lobos and along 17-Mile Drive.
- + Winter menus debut in local restaurants, Dungeness crab steals the spotlight at tables where tourists once paid premium prices for lobster rolls.
Considerations
- − Afternoons swing from 18°C (64°F) sunshine to 12°C (54°F) fog with zero warning. That weather app promising clear skies might be feeding you fiction.
- − Rain can leave coastal trails at Point Lobos muddy for days, and when waves start hammering the rocks, rangers shut down entire sections without apology.
- − After mid-November, most kayak operators drop to weekend-only schedules. If paddling is non-negotiable, confirm availability before you lock in hotels.
Year-Round Climate
How November compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15°C | 6°C | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Feb | 15°C | 6°C | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Mar | 15°C | 7°C | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Apr | 16°C | 8°C | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
| May | 17°C | 10°C | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Jun | 18°C | 11°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 18°C | 12°C | 0.0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 19°C | 12°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 20°C | 12°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Oct | 19°C | 10°C | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| Nov | 16°C | 7°C | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
| Dec | 14°C | 5°C | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
Best Activities in November
Top things to do during your visit
Monterey in November has clear, crisp air. It sharpens the scent of damp cypress and salt spray. Summer crowds are gone. The coastal paths and historic lanes are quieter now, a rhythm set by Pacific waves crashing on granite cliffs. Locals reclaim their favorite tables at wharf-side restaurants. They plan holiday shopping around the Carmel Mission Holiday Bazaar. There, pine boughs and cinnamon scent the cool, stone-chilled air of the mission's ancient courtyard. The weather is variable. Cool mornings shift to mild afternoons. It is good for layered exploration. You can watch a gray whale's exhalation from a boat deck. You can wander beneath the gnarled branches of Point Lobos. Mid-November brings an intimate intensity to the Monterey Jazz Festival Fall Series. Venerable theaters become spaces where you see sweat on a performer's brow and hear fingers whisper on brass. This is not a season for sunbathing. It is for seeing the raw, elemental beauty of the California coast as it prepares for winter. This is a time of profound transition, mirrored in the migrating giants just offshore.
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
guided_experienceA Monterey Bay whale watching tour puts you on the swells of one of the world's richest marine canyons. Cold, nutrient-dense water supports an astonishing parade of life. The deck shudders as the boat passes sea otters wrapped in kelp. You will scan the horizon for the sudden geyser of a humpback's blow or the slick, arching back of a blue whale. A trained naturalist narrates the drama. You will see lunge-feeding and tail-slapping happen mere yards from the rail.
This is the most direct way to witness the impressive scale and grace of the ocean's largest mammals in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Insider tip: Book the first morning departure. The sea is often at its calmest then. The low-angle light dramatically illuminates every spray-filled exhalation.
This month: November marks the start of the southbound gray whale migration. You can see these leviathans alongside year-round residents like humpbacks.
Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour
cruiseThis dolphin and whale watching cruise skims Monterey Bay's surface. Pods of acrobatic Risso's dolphins often race the bow wave. Sea lions bark from rocky haul-outs. The captain will cut the engines. Silence settles, broken only by a whale's deep, resonant breath before it slips into the ink-blue depths. It is an experience of patient anticipation. It is rewarded by sudden breaches and the sight of a thousand seabirds wheeling over a bait ball.
You get potential cetacean sightings and the spectacle of the bay's entire coastal ecosystem from the water. It is an immersive marine safari.
Insider tip: Position yourself on the upper deck for a 360-degree view. Dress in layers for the wind that sweeps unimpeded across the open water.
Guided 2-Hour Walking Tour in Carmel by the Sea
walking_tourA guided walking tour through Carmel-by-the-Sea reveals a storybook village. See hidden courtyards, crooked chimneys, and fairytale cottages shrouded in ivy. Your guide points out subtle details carved into heavy wooden doors. They share tales of the artists and writers who shaped this enclave. Your feet crunch on gravel paths lined with manicured hedges. You will smell the earthy perfume of damp leaves. You will feel the cool, still air trapped within secret passageways known only to residents.
This tour deciphers the architectural codes and local lore that give Carmel its unique, whimsical character, far beyond its postcard facade.
Insider tip: Pay close attention to the route through residential areas north of Ocean Avenue. The most distinctive and historic homes are tucked away there.
Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea
foodThis wine tasting and walking tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea weaves viticultural discovery with architectural charm. It stops in curated tasting rooms housed in historic buildings. Taste the bright, acidic notes of a local Chardonnay. Taste the earthy complexity of a Pinot Noir. Learn how the Santa Lucia Highlands' climate shapes each vintage. Between sips, you will stroll past vine-covered courtyards. The fermented grape scent lingers as you move from one hidden venue to the next.
It turns a casual stroll into a structured exploration of Monterey County's wine region, framed within the lanes of its most charming coastal village.
Insider tip: Ask your guide at each stop to highlight wines from specific sub-appellations like the Arroyo Seco. Taste the distinct terroir differences a few miles can make.
Carmel-by-the-Sea 2.5-3 Hour Electric Bike Tour
guided_experienceAn electric bike tour lets you glide along the cypress-lined curves of Carmel's Seventeen-Mile Drive. Feel the cool ocean breeze as you pass the Lone Cypress. The silent motor assists you up gentle inclines. You can cover impressive coastal and forested terrain without strain. Hear the distant roar of waves crashing against rocky headlands. You will see the impossibly green fairways of famed golf courses. You will smell the pungent aroma of Monterey pines. Feel the temperature drop as you ride through misty groves.
It delivers the panoramic vistas and landmark sights of the peninsula's most famous scenic route with an exhilarating sense of freedom.
Insider tip: Use the electric assist conservatively on the flats. Preserve battery for the few modest hills to ensure an effortless return journey.
Guided 2-Hour Point Lobos Nature Walk
walking_tourThe guided nature walk at Point Lobos plunges you into a windswept realm. See gnarled cypress, turquoise coves, and barking sea lions. Every turn reveals raw coastal beauty. You will tread on spongy trails padded with fallen pine needles. Your ears fill with the chorus of sea birds and the thunderous crash of surf against hidden sea caves. The guide points out harbor seals on sun-warmed rocks. They show the bright green fronds of bull kelp swaying below the water's clear surface.
This walk unlocks the ecological secrets and dramatic geology of a place often called the greatest meeting of land and water in the world.
Insider tip: Arrive at the reserve entrance early. The limited parking fills quickly. Morning light is good for spotting sea otters in Whalers Cove.
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
Mid-November
Monterey Jazz Festival Fall Series
The festival's November series squeezes Grammy winners into intimate venues like the Golden State Theatre. Same talent as September's main stage, but you're 20 feet from the strings instead of 200. Jam sessions erupt spontaneously at Cooper's Pub afterward.
Weekend before Thanksgiving
Carmel Mission Holiday Bazaar
Local artisans transform the 240-year-old mission into a Christmas market stocked with Big Sur-kiln ceramics and abalone jewelry. Pine and cinnamon wrestle with salt air drifting through stone arches. Locals knock out holiday shopping before tourists flood the streets.
Packing Checklist
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Need the full list with shopping links?
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
Park in the garage behind Portola Hotel downtown, it's cheaper than Cannery Row and five minutes from everything
Skip the restaurant view tax, grab takeout from Loulou's Griddle on the Wharf and dine on the rocks while sea lions perform
The back door to 17-Mile Drive is Sunset Drive in Pacific Grove, biking saves you the $10.75 gate fee
Thursday equals locals' day at the aquarium, Monterey County residents snag discounts, crowds thin out, and staff relax
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't schedule outdoor plans for 1 PM, that's when fog barges in and erases visibility for two solid hours
Leave the white sneakers at home, coastal trail dirt stains permanently and screams tourist
Avoid booking hotels in Seaside to save a few bucks, the Uber tab to Monterey nightlife erases any discount
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