![\"Families](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.explorer1.com\/images\/page2\/tide-pools.jpg?w=1080\")
\n<\/p>\n\n\t\n<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\tResidents of Monterey strive to protect the natural beauty of Monterey County. By protecting the ocean, beaches, harbor and green space, Monterey has established many eco-friendly activities, such as exploring local tide pools, hiking open space preserves, or simply taking in the breathtaking beauty of our local beaches.\n\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\tTo review our listings, please scroll down the page.\n\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\tClick here to search <\/a>\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tHalf Moon Bay<\/a> (90 miles north) or Santa Cruz<\/a> (40 miles north) \n\t\t\t \n\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n\t\t\tContaining 4,800 acres, Andrew Molera State Park is located in the spectacular Big Sur Area. The Big Sur River runs through the park. Miles of trails wind through meadows, beaches and hilltops. Primitive campsites, popular with hikers and bikers, are located approximately one third mile from the parking area.\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tFor a very detailed list of the best birding locations and organizations, please review tour page dedicated to bird watching<\/a>.\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tElkhorn Slough harbors the largest tract of tidal salt marsh in California outside of San Francisco Bay. This ecological treasure at the center of the Monterey Bay coastline provides much-needed habitat for hundreds of species of plants and animals, including more than 340 species of birds.\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tDocent-led tours of the Reserve are held every Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. There is also an early birding walk the first Saturday of every month at 8:30 a.m. For the kayak lovers, the reserve is absolutely wonderful! Click here to read how to protect the reserve and where to launch and land your kayak<\/a> >>\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tThe park stretches from the Big Sur coastline into nearby 3,000-foot ridges. The park features redwood, tan oak, madrone, chaparral, and an 80-foot waterfall that drops from granite cliffs into the ocean from the Overlook Trail. A panoramic view of the ocean and miles of rugged coastline is available from the higher elevations along the trails east of Highway 1. The park offers Environmental Camping only. Located west of the highway a little over 1\/4 mile from the parking lot, Saddle rock (No 1) and South Garden (No. 2) are the park's only campsites. Visit their Web site for additional information.\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t250 Ridge Rd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 (831) 648-5716\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tEvery October the migrating monarchs return to Pacific Grove to weather the winter months. The best time to view the monarch butterflies is mid-October through mid-February at the Monarch Grove Sanctuary.\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tThe Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California offers visitors nearly 200 award-winning galleries and exhibits. Explore the Monterey Bay Aquarium web site to learn about ocean life, take a virtual tour of the aquarium or plan a visit.\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t7700 Sandholdt Road, Moss Landing, CA (831) 775-1700\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMBARI's goal is to develop state-of-the-art equipment, instrumentation, systems, and methods for scientific research in the deep waters of the ocean.\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tThis site is dedicated to the preservation of Monterey Bay.\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tThe beach is a favorite place for surfers and tide pool watchers. Fishing is popular, too. The cities of Monterey and Seaside share the park, which has three separate beaches approximately a mile apart.\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tGray Whales – 20,000 Gray Whales pass by the Central Coast two times every year. During December through mid February, the whales migrate south from the arctic waters off the coast of Alaska to their winter birthing grounds off of the Baja Peninsula. Then from mid February through April, they return to the arctic waters to feed. Peak viewing times are usually mid January and mid March. More background on the Gray Whale <\/a>>>\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tHumpback Whales – Spending the winter months off of the Mexican Coast to breed and give birth, the Humpback Whales migrate north to polar waters to feed during the summer months. Humpback Whales are most common off the Central Coast from April through November. More background on the Humpback <\/a>>>\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t \n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tSee also\n\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t \n\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\tAndrew Molera State Park<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t\tBig Sur, Hwy. 1\n\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\tBirding in Monterey County<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\tElkhorn Slough Foundation<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t\tBox 267, Moss Landing, CA 95039 (831) 728-5939\n\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\tJulia Pfeiffer Burns California State Park<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t\tBig Sur, Hwy. 1\n\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\tMonarch Grove Sanctuary<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\tMonterey Bay Aquarium<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t\t886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA (831) 648-4888\n\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\tMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\tMonterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\tMonterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Map<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\tMonterey California State Beach<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\tWhale Watching<\/a> – Monterey, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n