Explore
Things to do near our hotels.
Local favorites on the Monterey Peninsula and in Silicon Valley, each matched with the Otter hotels closest to it.
Photo: John Dillenbeck, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Monterey Peninsula
The Aquarium, Cannery Row, 17-Mile Drive, Carmel, Big Sur, and more, close to our eight Monterey and Seaside hotels.
-
Family and nature · Cannery Row, Monterey Monterey Bay Aquarium One of the best-known public aquariums in the country, built over the edge of Monterey Bay at the end of Cannery Row. Read more → -
Historic waterfront · New Monterey Cannery Row The waterfront street of former sardine canneries made famous by John Steinbeck, now lined with restaurants, shops, and bay views. Read more → -
Historic waterfront · Downtown Monterey Old Fisherman's Wharf Monterey's historic wharf, with seafood restaurants, harbor views, sea lions, and the departure point for whale-watching and fishing trips. Read more → -
Wildlife · Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Whale watching on Monterey Bay The deep Monterey Submarine Canyon brings whales, dolphins, and seabirds close to shore, with tours running year-round. Read more → -
Scenic drive · Pebble Beach 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach A scenic private road through Pebble Beach between Pacific Grove and Carmel, past the Lone Cypress, rocky coves, and famous golf courses. Read more → -
Scenic drive · Highway 1 south of Carmel Big Sur and Bixby Creek Bridge The dramatic stretch of Highway 1 south of Carmel, with Bixby Creek Bridge, redwood state parks, and cliffs dropping into the Pacific. Read more → -
Nature and hiking · Carmel Highlands Point Lobos State Natural Reserve A protected headland just south of Carmel with coastal trails, hidden coves, sea otters, and harbor seals. Read more → -
Village and beach · Carmel Carmel-by-the-Sea A storybook village of cottages, galleries, and courtyards that ends at a white-sand beach. Read more → -
Motorsports and events · Highway 68, east of Monterey WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca The historic road course famous for the Corkscrew, host to major races and Monterey Car Week events. Read more → -
Town and coast · Pacific Grove Pacific Grove and Lovers Point A quiet Victorian seaside town with a picnic-perfect point, a scenic coastal walk, and an overwintering monarch butterfly sanctuary. Read more → -
Beach and tide pools · Pacific Grove Asilomar State Beach A rugged stretch of coast with tide pools, a dune boardwalk, and some of the best sunsets on the Peninsula. Read more → -
Walking and biking · Pacific Grove to Seaside and beyond Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail A paved, car-free path along the bay connecting Pacific Grove, Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, and Seaside. Read more → -
History · Downtown Monterey Old Monterey and Monterey State Historic Park Adobes, gardens, and the Custom House from the years when Monterey was the capital of Spanish and Mexican California. Read more → -
Family · Lake El Estero, Monterey Dennis the Menace Park A free, imaginative city playground beside Lake El Estero, a favorite stop for families with young kids. Read more → -
Events · Fairground Road, Monterey Monterey County Fair and Event Center The Monterey fairgrounds, home of the county fair, the Monterey Jazz Festival, and events through the year. Read more → -
Beach · Seaside and Sand City Monterey State Beach in Seaside Wide, sandy beach and dunes along the curve of the bay in Seaside, with the Coastal Recreation Trail running behind it. Read more →
Silicon Valley
Levi's Stadium, Santana Row, historic missions, and tech landmarks near our hotels in Santa Clara and Campbell, plus Gilroy Gardens, the outlets, and Santa Clara Valley wine country near Gilroy Inn.
-
Sports and concerts · Santa Clara Levi's Stadium Home of the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, and a major venue for concerts and big events. Read more → -
Family · Santa Clara California's Great America The amusement park next door to Levi's Stadium, with roller coasters, family rides, and a seasonal water park. Read more → -
Shopping and dining · San Jose Santana Row An open-air shopping and dining district in San Jose, with boutiques, restaurants, and a lively evening scene. Read more → -
History · San Jose Winchester Mystery House Sarah Winchester's sprawling, eccentric Victorian mansion, with stairs to nowhere and doors that open onto walls. Read more → -
History · Santa Clara University Mission Santa Clara de Asís A historic California mission church at the heart of the Santa Clara University campus, surrounded by gardens. Read more → -
Dining and shopping · Campbell Downtown Campbell and the Pruneyard A small, walkable downtown with restaurants and a weekly farmers market, plus the Pruneyard shopping center nearby. Read more → -
Outdoors · Campbell and Los Gatos Los Gatos Creek Trail and Vasona Lake A popular creekside trail linking Campbell and Los Gatos, with Vasona Lake County Park along the way. Read more → -
Business and events · San Jose Downtown San Jose and the Convention Center San Jose's downtown, home to the McEnery Convention Center, SAP Center, The Tech Interactive, and a growing dining scene. Read more → -
Tech · Cupertino Apple Park Visitor Center The public visitor center across from Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, with an Apple Store, a cafe, and a rooftop terrace. Read more → -
Tech and museums · Mountain View Computer History Museum The museum that tells the story of computing, from early calculators to the internet and the companies of Silicon Valley. Read more → -
Family and theme park · Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park A garden-themed family theme park west of downtown Gilroy, with rides for every age and big seasonal celebrations. Read more → -
Shopping · Leavesley Road, Gilroy Gilroy Premium Outlets A large open-air outlet center right off Highway 101, a short walk from Gilroy Inn. Read more → -
Historic downtown · Monterey Street, Gilroy Historic Downtown Gilroy Gilroy's walkable historic downtown along Monterey Street, anchored by the landmark Old City Hall. Read more → -
Wine country · Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy, San Martin, and Morgan Hill Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail More than 30 wineries in one of the Bay Area's closest wine regions, from Hecker Pass Highway near Gilroy north to Morgan Hill. Read more →
Plan a trip
Not sure where to start?
Our sample itineraries string these places together into easy one- and two-night trips.