Tips for visiting Carmel and Monterey, CA

[BlueLagoon]

My niece will be visiting me next month (15yr old) and I am thinking of taking a trip to Monterey and Carmel area.  We'll be staying one night (two full days).  Does anyone have any recommendations (hikes, drives, restaurants) or know of any hidden gems to check out?  The aquarium will be on our list to do and hope it's not overrated.  I know it's a touristy place so I hope to find some off the beaten path places along the way. 

[NICE!]

I live there for awhile and will return soon. The aquarium is absolutely NOT overrated. It is worth the price of admission.

You're going to one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Have fun.

Hikes:
Coastal Rec Trail
Garrapata
Point Lobos
Asilomar

Drives
Bixby Bridge
Big Sur
17 Mile Drive

Cool & Random Stuff:
Fisherman's Wharf
Carmel Mission
Jon Steinbeck Museum (in Salinas)
Carmel Beach - Look at the ridiculous homes, too
Dennis the Menace Park

[rob in cal]

The walk from the Aquarium, which is awesome, to Lover's Point in Pacific Grove is nice.  Pacific Grove itself is also worth checking out, as it has a nice "home-town" vibe to it but also attractive.  I grew up there, and still get to go back as my mother still lives there.

[Sid888]

This is one of the most beautiful places in the entire U.S.

Do not miss Point Lobos State Park south of Carmel.  Dress warm. 

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=571

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Lobos

Mission ranch at sunset is also very good for the terrific view and people watching (I saw a Kennedy clan member).  Clint Eastwood owns it (or used to own) it and he's often in the bar talking to chairs (RNC joke).

http://www.missionranchcarmel.com/

[Capsu78]

Aquarium definitely not over rated!  It tells the story of whats going on under the waters you are overlooking and what you are overlooking is comparable to the Grand Canyon in its majesty.

Also the whales and calfs could be running back to the north by this time. 
and if you had the time to go 20 miles north of Santa Cruz, the elephant seals are calving and is an afternoon never forgotten.
You would have to change your plans a bit...

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523

[Capsu78]

In fact, you can judge for yourself!  Just turn on the Pebble Beach pro golf tournament starting Thursday Feb 12 - Sun Feb 15.  They always have amazing aerial coverage of the whole Monterey Bay during this event.

[Happy in CA]

All good suggestions so far.  I would add

1) fish tacos at Turtle Bay Taqueria in downtown Monterey
2) Plumes coffee house, also downtown Monterey
3) the Old Town Monterey farmer's market if you happen to be there on a Tuesday
4) Nepenthe, a restaurant with a spectacular location on the ocean side of Hwy 1 in Big Sur - very casual with lots of outdoor seating; one of the most beautiful spots you will ever see
5) watching the surfers in Santa Cruz, either at Steamers Lane near the West Cliff lighthouse, or the Pleasure Point/the Hook area further south.
Often there's big surf at this time of year, and only 45 minutes from Monterey.  Free.

As previous posters have said, the aquarium is not overrated, it's not to be missed.  Also Asilomar and Carmel beaches are beyond beautiful.

[cbgg]

The Aquarium, while expensive, is GREAT.

I HIGHLY recommend you rent kayaks or paddle boards for a few hours and take them out in the Bay.  It's best to go early in the morning for calm water.  The volume and variety of wildlife out there is out of this world.  Seals, sea lions, and otters.  It's really magical and not too expensive.  I"ve rented with these guys in the past: http://www.montereybaykayaks.com/

[southern granny]

We vacationed there two years ago and had a fantastic time.  I second the recommendations for Point Lobos park and the aquarium was great.  There is a great view from the aquarium.  We were there during the summer and it was cool, so be sure and dress warm.  If you aren't familiar with tripadvisor.com, check them out.  They have good suggestions and visitor reviews. 

[galliver]

First time my bf came out to CA, we took him to the aquarium and the next day to Point Lobos. I found this a really cool order to do things in, given the aquarium has a pretty significant exhibit on the local sea life and Point Lobos has places to go down on the rocks (carefully) and look at real-life tidepools.

I think (as in, if I remember correctly) the Sea Lion Point area was the most fun (if you don't have time to go around the whole park and just want the tide pools.

It was 70 deg in January when we went, but bring a jacket...and a change of clothes. Just in case. >_> We accidentally the ocean.

[nrdeworks]

Kayaking in Moss Landing or Monterey is worth it. Lots of sea otters in Moss Landing just watch the tide/wind.

$35/day includes kayak, paddle, wetsuit, and splash jacket at Monterey Kayak.