Monterey / Carmel-by-the-Sea with kids

Monterey / Carmel-by-the-Sea is a 1h 59m drive from Dublin, CA (100 miles) and rates 4.5 out of 5 for families with young kids. The aquarium that sets the standard, plus wild otters, a rocky headland and serious seafood. Good for 2–3 days. Budget roughly $1,500–3,000 against a fixed yardstick of 2 nights, family of four. Best months: April / August / December.

What to do with kids in Monterey / Carmel-by-the-Sea

• Monterey Bay Aquarium $65 adult, $50 kid
  World's premier marine aquarium, sea otters, giant kelp forest & touch pools.
• Dennis the Menace Playground Free
  Epic 4-acre community playground with suspension bridge & maze.
• 17-Mile Drive & Point Lobos $12.50 per car
  Lone Cypress, seal rock, and sea otters floating in kelp coves.

Prices link to the operator, last checked 2026-08. They change - check before you go.

Practical notes

• Underfoot: Cannery Row and the recreation trail are paved and flat; the Point Lobos trails are dirt, with roots and steps.

Where to eat

• Passionfish (Pacific Grove) — Top sustainable seafood in CA
• Crystal Fish — Excellent Japanese sushi on Cannery Row
• Old Fisherman's Grotto — Clam chowder sourdough bowls

How it scores

Weather by season

Common questions

• How long is the drive from Dublin, CA?
  About 1h 59m - roughly 100 miles.
• What does it cost for a family of four?
  Around $1,500–3,000 for 2 nights, family of four, including lodging, food and activities. Not the cost of the stay we recommend.
• When is the best time to go?
  April / August / December.
• What is the catch?
  The aquarium asks you to buy tickets in advance rather than at the door - book before you drive, because it is most of the reason to come.

This trip appears in

Under two hours from home · More than a day's worth · Beach days that actually work with kids · Best in April · Best in August · Best in December

What we checked, and when

True on the dates above. Prices and opening hours change without notice - check with the operator before you drive.

Other trips near here

Big Sur

The most dramatic stretch of the California coast, with a waterfall that falls onto a beach.

2.6 kids 3.3 adults 2h 40m 1–2 days $1,500–4,000

Santa Cruz / Capitola / Felton

An old-fashioned seaside amusement park at one end and a steam train through redwoods at the other.

4.4 kids 3.6 adults 1h 17m 2–4 days $1,200–2,500

Pinnacles National Park

Volcanic spires with talus caves you walk through by torchlight, and condors overhead.

2.7 kids 1.8 adults 2h 23m 1–2 days $800–1,500

Half Moon Bay / Pacifica

A farm with pony rides, a working fishing harbour and tide pools, all within a few miles.

4.2 kids 3.3 adults 56 min 1–2 days $1,000–2,200

Costs are a fixed yardstick: 2 nights, family of four, lodging, food and activities. Not the cost of the stay we recommend.