Summary
- Monterey offers a range of eco-friendly tour options, from electric catamaran tours to electric bike tours, allowing visitors to explore the city sustainably.
- Tour the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to see a variety of marine life and historical sites like shipwrecks. Make sure to check tide and current predictions and follow best practices when tidepooling.
- Explore Monterey by taking advantage of the free MST Trolley, or go kayaking or whale watching with eco-friendly tour companies like Monterey Bay Kayaks and Sanctuary Cruises.
From ditching single-use plastics to skipping daily housekeeping, there are a number of easy ways to be eco-friendly while on vacation. And, as the world becomes more aware of the negative impacts that traveling can have on the planet — including soil erosion, habitat loss, and pollution, among others — sustainability has become increasingly important in travel hot spots like Monterey, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful eco-tourism destinations in California.
From electric bike outings to sustainable whale watching, the city offers visitors a plethora of exciting eco-friendly tour options for those keen on exploring the city without wreaking havoc on the planet.
10 Electric Catamaran Tour Of Elkhorn Slough
Explore Monterey Bay's wondrous seven-mile-long tidal slough and estuary — sustainably, of course. Monterey Bay Eco Tours' 1.5-hour electric catamaran tour along the calm waters of the Elkhorn Slough gives those on board a fantastic opportunity to see otters, sea lions, and birds, among other wildlife.
- Address: 10932 Clam Way, Moss Landing, CA 95039
- Hours: Visit the website for available times
- Cost: $43 for adults, $40 for seniors, $32 for children under 12 years of age
9 Electric Bike Tour Of Cannery Row
Exploring Cannery Row is one of the best things to do in Monterey, and now you can do it sustainably with a tour of the area on an electric bike, courtesy of Adventures by the Sea. Offering a two-, four-, or eight-hour option, tourists can see all of Monterey's fantastic sights on two wheels.
- Address: 299 Cannery Row Monterey, CA 93940
- Hours: Visit the website to book online
- Cost: $35 for two hours, $55 for four hours, and $85 for eight hours
8 Tidepooling At Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
A tour of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is an absolute must for ocean lovers. The federally protected marine area features a variety of fish, bird, turtle, and marine algae species, among others, as well as a variety of historical sites like shipwrecks.
Explore the sanctuary's rocky shores and tide pools to see some of the region's most wondrous creatures.
The tide pools are best seen at low tide. Visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's website to see tide and current predictions and be sure to read up on best practices when tidepooling, including treading lightly and respecting the animals.
7 Ride Monterey's Free Trolley Shuttle
The free MST Trolley takes tourists for a ride through Downtown Monterey, the Fisherman's Wharf, and Cannery Row, making for an excellent way to get around the city and sightsee at the same time.
- Hours: The trail operates daily from 10 am to 6 pm from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day
6 Guided Kayaking Tour Of Monterey Bay
Another great way to experience the National Marine Sanctuary is by getting out onto the waters. Monterey Bay Kayaks gives tourists the chance to explore Monterey Bay sustainably via a kayaking guided tour of the area.
Options include a 1.5-hour guided tour of the harbor and a 2.5-hour guided tour going beyond the harbor, among others.
- Address: 693 Del Monte Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
- Hours: Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm
- Cost: Prices vary per tour; visit the website for more details
5 Monterey Bay Whale Watching Tour With Sanctuary Cruises
Sanctuary Cruises is one eco-friendly tour company to know about. Hop aboard Sanctuary Cruises' fossil fuel-free charter boat, which is powered by a clean-burning bio-diesel made from recycled waste vegetable oil, for a whale-watching tour to remember.
- Address: 7881 Sandholdt Rd "A Dock, Moss Landing, CA 95039
- Hours: Open daily from 7 am to 9 pm
- Cost: Prices vary by tour option; visit the website for more details
4 Guided Walking Tour Of The Waterfront
For a peaceful journey around the Monterey Waterfront and Cannery Row, opt for the Original Monterey Walking Tours, which offers two-hour guided tours of the area. And, there's also a Historic Monterey Walking Tour option to see historical sites like Colton Hall, the Old Whaling Station, Thomas Larkin's house, and The Customhouse.
- Hours: The Historic Monterey Walking Tour starts at 2 pm (meet at 1:45 pm at the Portola statue in front of the Portola Hotel); the Monterey Waterfront and Cannery Row Walking Tours start at 10 am (meet at 9:45 am on Wave Street between Hoffman and Prescott)
- Cost: $25 for adults, $10 for students, children under 12 are free
Visit www.WalkMonterey.com to view availability for each of the respective tours.
3 Handcar Tour Of Fort Ord Dunes State Park
One of the more fun and interesting tour options on this list is Handcar Tours, which offers tours of the Central Coast on Saturdays and Sundays.
Ride the handcar for a breathtaking six-mile trip across the Monterey Peninsula, or opt for an easier option aboard an electric assist rail bicycle vehicle along the ocean through Fort Ord Dunes State Park.
- Address: 3071 Del Monte Blvd, Marina, CA 93933
- Cost: $159 on Saturdays/$149 on Sundays for the electric assist rail bike (which carries up to two people) and $298 for the handcars (which carry up to four people)
Be sure to check the website for age, weight, and other restrictions before riding.
2 Surrey Ride Along Monterey’s Recreation Trail
Embark on a self-guided tour along Monterey's Recreation Trail aboard a surrey, or four-wheeled bike carriage, which is another fantastic eco-friendly tour option by Adventures by the Sea. Spend the afternoon exploring Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row and get breathtaking views of the coastline.
- Address: 685 Cannery Row Suite 210 Monterey, CA 93940
- Hours: Visit the website to book online
- Cost: $70 for a small surrey for two hours, $105 for a small surrey half-day rental, $210 for a small surrey full-day rental, $90 for a large surrey for two hours, $135 for a large surrey half-day rental, and $270 for a large surrey full day rental
1 Segway Tour of Monterey
Another great eco-friendly tour option is to see Monterey via segway. Segway Tours Monterey offers a variety of tour options, including the Recreational Trail Tour and the Historical Monterey Tour.
During the latter, tourists can see The Customhouse, the oldest governmental building in California, Monterey State Historic Park, California’s First Brick House, the Old Whaling Station, and the San Carlos Borromeo Cathedral.
- Address: 125 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
- Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm
- Cost: Prices vary per tour; visit the website for more details