Fun Beginner’s Guide to Biking the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

Biking the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is a really fun and relaxing activity while in the Monterey Bay Area. It is personally my favorite Monterey Bay biking activity.

WHERE IS THE MONTEREY BAY COASTAL RECREATION TRAIL

Thinking about cycling Monterey? There are a lot of Monterey bike trails but my favorite is the Coastal Recreation Trail. It extends from Pacific Grove to Castroville. The trail is completely cut off from cars which makes it safe for kids and beginning cyclists! I personally love it when I find trails like this because I trust myself but I don’t trust bad drivers 🙂 See above for the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail Map.

I would recommend starting South to North so you can be in the main hustle and bustle of the Monterey area. I like staying in the Pacific Grove area because it’s a little more relaxed. Monterey can get crowded with the tourist attractions so during COVID especially I wasn’t as comfortable.

MONTEREY BAY COASTAL RECREATION TRAIL DETAILS

The trail one-way will take you 1.5 hours, 18 miles. A lot of the main attractions are in the first couple of miles, and you hit some of the more remote and beautiful beaches further north – so it’ really depends on however much you want to bike! This is one of my favorite Monterey Bay biking activities and I love how you can hop off or on any time.

Morning at Lovers Point is beautiful and I would recommend starting here early (I started at sunrise). Within the first 2 miles you will hit Cannery Row, then the Monterey Bay Aquarium. After that you’ll reach the more famous Del Monte Beach. I personally stopped at Monterey State Beach instead to take in the sights of the beautiful sand dunes!

From there I just kept riding north and didn’t stop anywhere else. It completely emptied out after Monterey State Beach and it was just really nice to breathe fresh air and zone out a little.

WHEN TO BIKE THE MONTEREY BAY COASTAL TRAIL

Are you thinking of when to bike Monterey? The best part of Monterey is that you can really go at any time of the year. In the summer, it doesn’t get too hot because of the fog and marine layer. In the winter, it only gets down to around 60 degrees. The perfect time is probably Spring in March or April but again it’s really good year round!

Just don’t forget to bring a jacket. Out of towners typically forget to check the weather before they come visit in the summer and by 7PM it becomes windy and chilly.

What to pack for biking

The trail can be pretty long and once you leave the city of Monterey, there are not that many food, water resources around. It’s important to pack everything that you need for a smooth trip! I will receive commissions from any purchases made but that does not change my opinion about the gear recommended below.

Here is my recommended gear list:

• A helmet: The most important thing here. I personally will pay a little more for a helmet because it’s protecting a very important part of your body – your brain!
• Sunscreen: Broad spectrum is a must. It may look cloudy in Monterey but the sun is just as strong.
• Water, water and more water: I like to carry my water in my MSR Dromlite in a backpack, so I don’t need to fuss with a water bottle.
• Level Foods Protein Bars: Like I mentioned above, there aren’t many places to stop for a snack once you’re out of the city. Biking burns a surprisingly large amount of calories and I got hungry FAST, even though I ate a big breakfast. Level Foods is packed with protein and nutrients without excess sugar. Read more on my review here.
• Icebreaker Merino mid-layer: a great mid-layer when it gets windy/cold in the fall and winter!
• Smartwool Short Sleeve Tshirt: great t-shirt for when it’s hot. Helps wick away sweat
• Nike Running Shorts: Call me simple, or too cheap to buy biking-specific gear 🙂 Nike shorts work fine. I’ve had my pair with me for over 10 years!

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS IN MONTEREY

While you’re in the area, don’t forget to check out some other famous places:

• Otters! You can see otters almost anywhere in Pacific Grove and of course at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Keep your eye out near Lovers Point
• The picturesque town of Carmel, with its dog friendly beaches and restaurants. Don’t forget 17 mile drive on your way there! See my blog post here
• The famous Big Sur highway. I love Pfeiffer Beach and McWay Falls. Don’t forget to download offline maps as there’s spotty cell service, bring cash for entry into parks, and visit Big Sur Cafe (go early for the famous baked goods)
• Revival Ice Cream. Does an ice cream shop need its own bullet? Yes because it’s my favorite in * all * of California!
• Carmel Valley. If you’re sick of the beach scene, head over to the romantic Carmel Valley. Lucia Restaurant is a great choice for dinner. Ask for a seat by the fire pits. At night, drive up Laurelels Grade to watch the Milky Way (or the stars when the Milky Way isn’t visible). The next morning, take your dog hiking at Garland Ranch Regional Park.

Looking for more outdoor and hiking ideas in Northern California? Check out my other posts here.

Have you biked the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail before? What did you think?