Top 6 Dog and Toddler-Friendly Activities in Monterey

Monterey is a fantastic place for families with toddlers and dogs to visit. Monterey is pretty dog friendly, so it offers tons of fun activities that the whole family can enjoy together! Whether you’re strolling along the coast, exploring parks, or checking out the local wildlife, these top 6 dog- and toddler-friendly activities in Monterey are perfect for making core memories with the whole family.

1. Dennis the Menace Playground in El Estero Park

The Dennis the Menace playground in El Estero Park has play structures for all ages. Dogs are not allowed in the playground, but are allowed in the rest of the park on leash. Although if you have both a kid and a dog, you probably already have a playground routine since dogs aren’t usually allowed. Ours is to have one parent stay in the periphery with our dog while the other parent chases after the kiddo. After the kiddo gets tired out at the park, it’s the dog’s turn to burn off some steam with a walk around the lake.

2. Monterey Bay Coastal Trail

The Monterey Bay Coastal Trail stretches from Castroville to Pacific Grove. But you can join the trail at any point and walk as long as you like. We usually like to park on Ocean View Blvd (past the aquarium) and walk down the Monterey Bay Coastal trail towards Lovers Point. The trail is a paved coastal trail with beautiful views so it is an easy walk. Dogs allowed on leash.

3. Asilomar Trail

The Asilomar Trail is located within the Asilomar State Beach area in Pacific Grove. The Asilomar Trail actually connects to the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail after it loops around the peninsula. This scenic trail winds through sand dunes, cypress trees, and tide pools. Part of the Asilomar trail has a raised boardwalk that is fun for kiddos to run on. Dogs allowed on leash.

4. Moss Landing

Dogs aren’t allowed at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but that doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on seeing sea otters while in Monterey! Moss Landing is a great place to spot rafts of sea otters floating around and being cute. You can usually find the sea otters in Elkhorn Slough or the Moss Landing Harbor. Drive north up Highway 1 and turn left on Jetty Road.

If your family and dog are very comfortable in the water, then you can even take your older child and dog out on a kayak in Elkhorn Slough to get closer to the wildlife! Monterey Bay Kayak offers double kayaks that a parent can paddle with a kid aged 5 to 12 years old. And dogs can paddle with the other parent on open-deck kayaks. There is no extra charge for a dog if they are under 40 lbs and if they fit into a single kayak with one person. For younger kids aged 3-5 years old, Monterey Bay Kayak offers 1.5 hour guided kayak harbor tours. However, dogs are not allowed on these guided tours so you will have to find a dog sitter.

5. Whale Watching Boat Tour

The Monterey Bay Whale Watch has whale watching tours that are led by marine biologists. The best part is, they welcome well-behaved dogs on their boats. As long as your dog does not get sea sick, this would be an exciting family adventure to see the whales in action out on the open sea.

6. Explore Carmel

Dog-friendly Carmel is just a short drive away from Monterey. Carmel’s quaint town is full of fairytale-like architecture for kiddos to spot and dog-friendly stores to explore. Carmel has beautiful dog-friendly beaches, the Carmel Beach and Carmel River State Beach, that would make for great coastal walks. For a snack, pop into Dutch Door Donuts, Carmel Coffee House, or Rise and Roam, which are dog-friendly and more kid-friendly restaurants in Carmel that the whole family can enjoy.

Bonus: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

The Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is in the Santa Cruz mountains and not in Monterey, but it is an easy detour on the way to or from Monterey if driving from the Bay Area. While the popular Redwood Grove Loop trail is not open to dogs, the Pipeline Road is an easy dog-friendly trail that still gives you plenty of opportunities to see the majestic redwoods. There are plenty of old fallen trees to scramble over on this trail for extra fun for your kiddo.

For a stress-free dog and toddler friendly long weekend in Monterey, check out our complete itinerary to save yourself the planning!