Things to Do in Monterey in October

From mid-October through February the monarchs pack Pacific Grove's Monarch Grove Sanctuary, spinning the eucalyptus into a living kaleidoscope. Arrive between 10-11 AM when the insects open their wings to warm up and the light cuts through the canopy like stained glass. October draws thinner crowds than November, leaving you alone with the soft rustle of thousands of butterfly wings overhead.

October is humpback high season in Monterey Bay. The whales shadow anchovy schools within 3 km (1.9 miles) of the harbor. Morning departures at 9 AM give you flat water and golden light for photos, plus you beat the afternoon breeze that whips up 1 m (3 ft) swells. Humpbacks breach more in October than any other month, likely because the water still holds enough warmth for their acrobatics.

Harvest rolls on in Carmel Valley through October. Tasting rooms pour barrel samples and winemakers linger to talk instead of pour-and-run. The valley sits 15 km (9.3 miles) inland and runs 5-8°C (9-14°F) warmer than Monterey, so you can sip outside at Chateau Julien without the ocean wind that forces sweater weather downtown. October is the final month before winter rains, so the vines still flame with fall color.

October is the final month you can ride 17-Mile Drive without jousting summer traffic. The 27 km (17 mile) loop keeps wide shoulders, and on weekday mornings bikes outnumber cars. The Lone Cypress glows in low fall light, and the sea otters at Bird Rock are busiest during calm October dawns. Pack layers, temperatures drop 10°C (18°F) once you hit the water.

Select Fridays in October the aquarium hosts 'Sleepover with the Sharks'. Once 6 PM hits and day guests leave, the place is yours. Touch pools feel different at night when bat rays glide beneath your fingers in dark water, and jellyfish tanks turn alien under low light. October nights fill slower than summer but still sell out 2-3 weeks ahead.