17 Festive Experiences in Monterey County this Holiday ... Elkhorn Slough is located between Santa Cruz and Monterey. Pay a visit to Monterey's celebrated aquarium, dedicated to conservation of the ocean and the marine life that resides in it. Our favorite walk is the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail from Lover's Point to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Coast Guard Pier is located right next to the Reeside Access Beach Park. Directions. Occasionally, you can see otters in the calm waters of the Granite Point Trail. Five species of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) occur in Monterey Bay. A Monterey Harbor mother sea otter hugs her baby Sea Otter Viewing Tips. Explore Moss Landing, Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row. Kayak Rentals and Guided tours of Elkhorn, Slough in Moss Landing. One of California's most-visited institutions, Monterey Bay Aquarium displays 35,000 animals in massive walk-through displays containing 2.3 million gallons of filtered, pumped-in seawater to support naturalistic exhibits. You can see seals, sea lions, sea otters, whales, dolphins and seabirds any time of year! If you believe that mesmerizing jellyfish and cute sea otters should rule the world, you've come to the right place. It's possible to see bottlenose dolphins, Risso's dolphins, common dolphins, and Pacific white-sided dolphins. You can see them close to shore almost any time of year! Although hours may vary, so please check the website before planning your day. Just be aware that some of the places like restaurants around Cannery Row can get a bit pricey. Sea otters, Orcas, Humpback Whales, Blue Whales, and several species of dolphin, porpoise, albatross and sharks make this area their home - either permanently or seasonally. Visit the resident raft of otters that hangs out right in front of the shop! There's no more charming animal on the California coast than a sea otter, and Monterey is one of the most reliable places to see them. Kayaking on Monterey Bay and Elkhorn Slough is guaranteed fun. We came here three mornings in a row to see otters, with success every time. Although it may be tempting to approach them for a closer look, all of these animals are protected and it's against federal law to disturb or harass them. Then, an active vacation in Monterey calls for kayaking! The Harbor is also a great place to see sea lions, otters, great blue herons, cormorants and seagulls. Olympic National Park In Washington State You can see them close to shore almost any time of year! The tour lasts . The perfect place to start exploring Monterey is along Cannery Row where there are hotels, cafes, art galleries and shops lining the historic main street. Generally not as many and not as close, but they are there. Californian sea otters have been near extinction and now increasing again. Also check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium if you want to see more sea life. Sea lions and birds at Monterey. The second place to see otters in California is Monterey Bay. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the best places in the world to see seals, sea lions and sea otters. There are many places you can spot Sea Otters in the wild, including Fishermans Wharf, Pacific Grove, and Point Lobos. Sea otters live in Monterey Bay year round and can be seen just offshore floating on their backs among the kelp or diving for a meal. 5. There are three best locations to see otters in California: Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Bay within the limits of the town of Monterrey and Morro Bay. The Elkhorn Slough, located seven miles from Monterey Bay, boasts 125 of sea otters, not to mention seals, sea lions and 340 species of . We saw the fewest otters at 6:30, though they were more active at that time. Other locations in California include Fisherman's Wharf, Pacific Grove, and Point Lobos. It's not just the adorable sea otters, sea lions and harbor seals, or the soaring pelicans, sandpipers, loons, and grebes, you might catch a glimpse of a see leopard shark or a bat ray. Click Here for more information about MBNMS. Register Now. They can be viewed at Point Lobos State Reserve in Carmel and, potentially, although difficult spots to get to, along the Big Sur coast. A local fish processing plant pumps fish scraps just outside the entrance to the harbor, attracting a variety of wildlife from sea otters to seabirds. The best prospects are on the Bird Island Trail to beautiful China Cove. Moss Landing, California. Other California Locations. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the best places in the world to see marine wildlife. Was my favorite place to go as a kid. The winter is a perfect time to visit some of the marine mammals that live along our Bay Area coast. Kayak Rentals and Guided tours of Elkhorn, Slough in Moss Landing. In this regard, where is the best place to see sea otters? They tend to come and go. They are rarely found near SF itself. The best place to see otters is south--near Monterey. Lovers Point Park and Beach. Sea otters live in Monterey Bay year round and can be seen just offshore floating on their backs among the kelp or diving for a meal. DO #1 Monterey - Cannery Row. We saw the fewest otters at 6:30, though they were more active at that time. We came at 9:00, 8:00 and 6:30 A.M. in early April and found that there wasn't a great advantage to coming at daybreak. Yep Monterey as everyone is saying. Specifically, between Fisherman's Wharf and the Coast Guard Pier, off the deck at the Monterey Plaza Hotel (a half block from the rec trail), and along the shoreline of Pacific Grove between the aquarium and Point Pinos. Apr 13, 2017 - Take an unforgettable trip to one of the top five locations in Monterey, CA to spot adorable sea otters. The best viewing areas are located 90 miles south of Monterey, 5 miles north of Hearst Castle State Historical Monument in San Simeon. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.Morbi adipiscing gravdio, sit amet suscipit risus ultrices eu.Fusce viverra neque at purus laoreet consequa.Vivamus vulputate posuere nisl quis consequat. In addition, there were sea lions, seals . Whether it's seeing wildlife up close or seeing Cannery Row from the water, kayaking is a great . Aug 10, 2011 - Located at the ocean's edge on historic Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is your window to marine life. #2 Discover Monterey by Land & by Sea. 2 Amazing paddling destinations. The second place to see otters in California is Monterey Bay.Some people rent kayaks in the town of Monterey and paddle along the shores of the bay but often you can see otters from the shore as they love to come into the marina as well as hang out near Hopkins Marine Station. Paddle across the bay to Cannery Row, a protected marine conversation area, where an underwater kelp forest affords these magnificent sea mammals rare protection. Monterey isn't short on inspiring scenery, but the best views come from being on the bay. Kayak Rentals and Guided Tour on Monterey Bay National Marine sancutary. Nutrax The plural of anecdote is not data. Although it may be tempting to approach them for a closer look, all of these animals are protected and it's against federal law to disturb or harass them. Kayaking in Monterey Bay with Adventures by the Sea. 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