- The list below includes 144 free or cheap things to do in or near Monterey, California, including 77 different types of inexpensive activities like Walking Trails, Piers & Boardwalks, Art Museum and History Museums.
- From Waterfront to Monterey Bay, there are a variety of budget-friendly attractions in Monterey and in nearby cities within 25 miles like Carmel, Pacific Grove, Salinas and Seaside.
Showing 111-120 of
314
11.9 Miles
90%
10 votes
Portola Dr & Reservation Road, Salinas, CA 93908
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Once a military installation, Ford Ord is now a national monument surrounded by the Fort Ord Public Lands. The Public Lands are thousands of acres of protected, undeveloped land, home to many rare plant and animal species.
12.0 Miles
Carmel, California is home to The Barnyard, an outdoor shopping complex full of unique boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. It also contains The Barnyard Gardens, which cover roughly one acre and include seven rustic barns and thousands of plants.
12.9 Miles
Featuring a 120-foot waterfall, Salmon Creek Falls Trail brings visitors close up to the waterfall over rocky terrain. The trail can be used for hiking and also has swimming areas and a shallow river that can be used for wading.
13.7 Miles
A 30-lane bowling center, Valley Center Bowl offers open and league bowling with overhead monitors featuring 3D graphics. The center provides a grill with food and drinks, television screens, party hosting and a bar with adult beverages.
13.7 Miles
Jim Cox Adventures is a full service archery range and wild game hunting training facility. Bow hunting for beginners is featured, along with a gun range and a bow shop is available on site.
14.1 Miles
94%
51 votes
132 Central Ave., Salinas, CA 93901
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Fan's of John Steinbeck will enjoy a visit to The Steinbeck House and Best Cellar Gift shop. The house was the childhood home of the famed author and now operates a restaurant and museum, while the gift shop offers a wide array of specialty gifts and Steinbeck's books.
14.3 Miles
Popular first-run movies are shown across 14 individual screens at Maya Cinemas, which validates parking for movie-goers at the adjoining parking structure since there is no on-site parking. When available, movies are shown in 3-D or Dolby Atmos.
14.3 Miles
One Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901
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The National Steinbeck Center celebrates the life and works of author John Steinbeck. Visitors will discover artifacts from his life and pieces of his history that shaped the stories he told including, The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden.
14.3 Miles
95%
21 votes
120
The Farm
Hwy 68 off the Spreckels Road Exit, P.O. Box 247, Salinas, CA 93902
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The Farm, located in Salinas, is a working farm that also operates as an agricultural center, educational demonstration farm and produce stand. The farm allows adults and kids to pick their own produce, visit with the animals and tour the grounds.