Monterey vacation rentals

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Top-rated vacation rentals in Monterey

Guests agree: these vacation rentals are highly rated for location, cleanliness, and more.

Guest favorite
Apartment in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Private romantic 1 br in Carmel Woods- love dogs
Dog friendly! Private entrance to 2 rm studio overlooking the forest w/ floor to ceiling windows. Queen memory-foam bed, bathroom w/shower & amenities, kitchenette w/ dishes, microwave/convection oven, burner, toaster, coffee.Far ocean view, sunsets, deck, gas grill. Quiet, fireplace, complimentary wood, free internet, TV, DVDs, LPS, All amenities. Beach towels/mats, ottoman/cot, free parking. Peaceful. Let us know about dogs when booking. note: ceilings are low in spots & there are some steps.
Jan 29 – Feb 5
$117 per night
4.87 out of 5 average rating, 818 reviews
Guest favorite
Apartment in Pacific Grove
Spectacular Award Winning Ocean Front 2 Bed 2 Bath
Award winning historic ocean front home with beautiful Spanish revival decor overlooking Monterey Bay. Gather around the ocean front fire pit and watch whales, seals, sealions, otters, dolphins from the traditional Talavera tiled patio. Ideally situated for walking to Pacific Grove, Cannery Row, Monterey Aquarium and Fisherman's Wharf. Fine dining, bars and shopping are a short stroll away. Convenient access for 17 mile drive, Carmel and Big Sur. A spectacular home in a World famous location.
Nov 28 – Dec 5
$726 per night
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 266 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Pacific Grove
Endless Summer Home Steps To Lovers Point Beach
Perfect home base to enjoy the Peninsula with family. Located on a quiet one-way street, steps to beach, restaurants, close to Monterey Bay Aquarium. Stroll to Lover's Point and seaside bike paths. Charming, spacious, yet cozy with lots of natural light and classic 1930's architecture. Kitchen and bathroom just renovated and fully equipped. Dine while enjoying ocean views from the light and airy sunroom. Outdoor decks and garden get great sunlight. Safe, fully gated with private parking.
Jan 17 – 24
$502 per night
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 165 reviews

Popular amenities for Monterey vacation rentals

Stay near Monterey's top sights

Monterey Bay Aquarium668 locals recommend
Cannery Row9 locals recommend
Old Fisherman's Wharf64 locals recommend
Lovers Point127 locals recommend
Monterey Tides5 locals recommend
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel And Spa On Del Monte Golf Course3 locals recommend

Monterey beach vacation rentals

Guest favorite
Guesthouse in Seaside
Cozy Seaside Cottage
May 3 – 10
$163 per night
4.88 out of 5 average rating, 914 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Pacific Grove
Cottage Retreat Steps from the Sea
Nov 1 – 8
$307 per night
4.86 out of 5 average rating, 630 reviews
Guest favorite
Guest suite in Carmel-by-the-Sea
GreyHavens studio, Carmel Highlands — NO FEES
May 6 – 13
$286 per night
4.99 out of 5 average rating, 234 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove Mid Century Near Beach
Jun 28 – Jul 5
$400 per night
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 443 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Pacific Grove
Beach Cottage - walk to ocean and restaurants
Jun 23 – 30
$452 per night
4.99 out of 5 average rating, 122 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Pacific Grove
Adorable Sea House
Jul 1 – 8
$685 per night
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 218 reviews
Guest favorite
Townhouse in Castroville
Monterey Dunes Oceanfront Beach House
Sep 6 – 13
$507 per night
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 234 reviews
Guest favorite
Vacation home in Watsonville
Magical & Romantic Beachfront Home at Pajaro Dunes
Nov 4 – 11
$295 per night
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 327 reviews
Superhost
Guesthouse in La Selva Beach
cute cottage walking distance to beach
Jul 23 – 30
$153 per night
4.9 out of 5 average rating, 555 reviews
Guest favorite
Apartment in Pacific Grove
Pacific Suite (PG License # 0420)
May 17 – 24
$258 per night
4.94 out of 5 average rating, 400 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Sand City
The Sea Glass Cottage
Sep 6 – 13
$443 per night
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 367 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Pacific Grove
Mermaid Beach House, Walk to Beach / Aquarium!
Dec 3 – 10
$691 per night
4.89 out of 5 average rating, 321 reviews

Monterey house rentals

Guest favorite
Home in Seaside
Artist's Cottage on the Hill
Jan 21 – 28
$150 per night
4.89 out of 5 average rating, 402 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Watsonville
Remarkable Reader's Garden Retreat in the Country
May 2 – 9
$139 per night
4.82 out of 5 average rating, 266 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Seaside
cozy 2bd with parking sleeps 6
Apr 6 – 13
$163 per night
4.93 out of 5 average rating, 213 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Del Rey Oaks
Cypress House in Monterey Bay
Aug 18 – 25
$376 per night
4.94 out of 5 average rating, 105 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Del Rey Oaks
Top-Rated Monterey Bay Home 3 Bed/2 Bath
Oct 29 – Nov 5
$499 per night
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 147 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Carmel
Carmel Oceanview Charmer
Sep 5 – 12
$486 per night
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 539 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Carmel-by-the-Sea
The Carmel Hideaway - A Luxury Pied-à-terre
Apr 28 – May 5
$781 per night
4.93 out of 5 average rating, 101 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Pacific Grove
Perfect Pacific Grove Getaway (Lic #0403)
Aug 21 – 28
$273 per night
4.93 out of 5 average rating, 250 reviews
Superhost
Home in Carmel
Big Sur Dream Home
Nov 2 – 9
$499 per night
4.93 out of 5 average rating, 327 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Watsonville
Sunset Cottage
Feb 6 – 13
$225 per night
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 614 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Seaside
Charming Entire House With Free Parking on Premise
Nov 13 – 20
$226 per night
4.89 out of 5 average rating, 227 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Pacific Grove
La Piccola Casa "The Little House" Lic. # 0446
Jul 6 – 13
$450 per night
5.0 out of 5 average rating, 161 reviews

Beach house rentals in Monterey

Guest favorite
Home in Watsonville
Copper Nest beach retreat with stunning views
Feb 5 – 12
$508 per night
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 107 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Aptos
Ocean View & Beach Walk at SeaBelow
Jun 8 – 15
$183 per night
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 393 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Carmel only 2-day min
Jul 31 – Aug 7
$195 per night
4.9 out of 5 average rating, 306 reviews
Superhost
Home in Pacific Grove
Beautiful Villa With Ocean View
Nov 11 – 18
$499 per night
4.89 out of 5 average rating, 407 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Sand City
Ocean View on the Dunes - Monterey!
Nov 27 – Dec 4
$296 per night
4.89 out of 5 average rating, 451 reviews
Superhost
Home in Moss Landing
Oceanfront beach house with private hot tub
Feb 8 – 15
$618 per night
4.86 out of 5 average rating, 315 reviews
Superhost
Home in Moss Landing
Oceanfront Beach House
Nov 3 – 10
$484 per night
4.9 out of 5 average rating, 227 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Castroville
Oceanfront Retreat w/Private HotTub
Nov 11 – 18
$843 per night
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 164 reviews
Superhost
Home in Seaside
Chic comfort just a stroll from the sea!
Jun 12 – 19
$320 per night
4.8 out of 5 average rating, 187 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Aptos
Aptos Beachfront House
Aug 30 – Sep 6
$426 per night
5.0 out of 5 average rating, 165 reviews
Superhost
Home in Pacific Grove
Mermaid's Delight
May 8 – 15
$383 per night
4.8 out of 5 average rating, 215 reviews
Guest favorite
Home in Seaside
Pet Friendly w/ an Ocean View ~ Seaside Sanctuary
May 3 – 10
$496 per night
4.91 out of 5 average rating, 111 reviews

Quick stats about vacation rentals in Monterey

Total rentals

780 properties

Rentals with dedicated workspaces

340 properties have a dedicated workspace

Rentals with a pool

40 properties have a pool

Pet-friendly rentals

250 properties allow pets

Family-friendly rentals

380 properties are a good fit for families

Total number of reviews

72K reviews

Your guide to Monterey

All About Monterey

Follow the scenic coastal Highway 1 two hours south of San Francisco and you’ll land in Monterey, a beach town on California’s Central Coast teeming with sea life and rolling sand dunes that hosts a number of historic sites. Visit Cannery Row, named for its focus as a sardine-canning hub, which houses colorful repurposed warehouses filled with art galleries and boutique shops. Pop over to Fisherman’s Wharf, a wooden pier with delicious seafood and chowder restaurants, where local outfitters can take you out on whale-watching, fishing and sailing trips, and cruises along the Monterey Bay. Follow Alvarado Street, and you’ll reach the central historic downtown district of Old Monterey with wide pedestrian walkways that connect to hundreds of shops and restaurants like Japanese tea shops, maritime pubs, and historic coffee houses.

More than just a maritime town, Monterey has drawn music lovers to its shores since the ‘60s when it hosted a historic international music festival, and golf lovers flock to its world-renowned courses.

On the city’s protected beaches, you can watch sea otters, sea lions, dolphins, and seals in their natural habitat. Just down the highway, the stunning Point Lobos State Natural Reserve offers incredible views of kelp forests, unusual rock formations, and forest and marine life.


The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Monterey

Monterey has a temperate coastal climate with warm, but not hot, weather and a steady amount of sun almost year-round, save for the rainy winter. Spring heralds the return of the “Magic Carpet,” a sea of purple ice flowers that coat the seaside hills for miles between April and May. In the summer, the city is lively during August as car enthusiasts spend time cruising down the coast for a well-known car show, and world-class golfers flock to the area for an annual tournament. The area’s annual jazz festival brings fans of famous jazz, blues, and folk artists to the area each September. Winter brings holiday lights to downtown buildings, and seasonal stalls sell Mexican-spiced hot chocolate.


Top things to do in Monterey

Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

Where the tracks of the Southern Pacific Railroad once ran now lies an 18-mile paved pedestrian trail with unobstructed views of the ocean. There are a number of rental shops along the trail that offer bikes, in-line skates, and kayaks. Along the path, you’ll find restaurants and cafes where you can stop to catch your breath and grab some food. If you’d rather bring your own snacks, you can picnic in the designated green areas and watch the sea otters — the city’s unofficial mascot — play in the waters below.

Old Monterey

In the center of town, you’ll find Old Monterey. Restored brick and adobe buildings from the city’s Spanish and Mexican periods line a two-mile stretch known as the Path of HIstory. The small Monterey State Historic Park serves as the anchor for this district with adobe buildings and cactus gardens, and its Pacific House Museum exhibits artifacts from Indigenous, Mexican, and Spanish communities who have impacted the city. You’ll find houses of important literary and artistic figures in Old Monterey, as well as breweries, cafes tucked inside historical buildings with inviting back gardens, upscale boutiques, and candle lit fine-dining restaurants serving sustainably-caught seafood.

Monterey State Beach

This protected beach lies inside the boundaries of a state park shared with the neighboring town of Seaside, and its sand dunes topped with native scrub grasses, succulents, and wildflowers make it a stand-out in the peninsula. Beachcombers arrive early to lay their claim to a wealth of shells, and swimming, surfing, kayaking, and kite-flying are popular throughout the day. Rocky outcrops on the beach’s far side shelter a small series of tide pools teeming with wildlife like sea stars and sea cucumbers. Dogs are welcome, but only on the south side of the beach.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How is the weather in Monterey?

    Monterey has a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and dry summers. The average temperature ranges from 50°F (10°C) to 70°F (21°C). Morning fog is common in summer, which usually clears by midday. Be prepared for cooler temperatures in the evenings.

  • What are some of the best things to do in Monterey?

    Visitors to Monterey often explore the Monterey Bay Aquarium, walk along the Cannery Row, visit the historic Fisherman's Wharf, or learn about the area's history at the Monterey State Historic Park. For nature lovers, a trip to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is frequently suggested.

  • What is the best time of year to visit Monterey?

    Monterey is a year-round destination, but the most popular time to visit is from April to November. The Monterey Jazz Festival in September and the California Roots Music and Arts Festival in May are two notable events that draw crowds to the area.

  • What are the best places to stay in Monterey?

    Downtown Monterey, Cannery Row, and Pacific Grove are popular areas to stay. Downtown Monterey is known for its historic buildings, while Cannery Row is famous for its waterfront views. Pacific Grove has local charm and offers easy access to the coastline.

  • What are the best places to visit in Monterey?

    The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Monterey State Historic Park are among the most popular attractions. For nature enthusiasts, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Fish Refuge are also frequently visited.

  • What are some hiking trails in Monterey?

    Monterey has numerous hiking trails. The Point Lobos Loop Trail at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, the Cypress Grove Trail, and the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail are often recommended. For more advanced hikes, the Skyline to the Sea Trail offers a challenging experience.

  • What are some family activities to do in Monterey?

    Families can explore marine life at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, go whale watching, ride bikes along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, or participate in hands-on activities at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

  • What are some of the best day trip ideas in Monterey?

    A drive along the scenic 17-Mile Drive, a visit to the charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, or exploring the natural beauty of Big Sur are all popular day trip ideas from Monterey. A visit to the Elkhorn Slough Reserve for bird watching is also often recommended.

  • What types of vacation rentals are available in Monterey?

    Uncover the perfect home-away-from-home with our diverse selection of vacation rentals in Monterey. From over 430 house rentals to over 40 condo rentals, we've got you covered. For even more variety, explore our Airbnb Categories to find the ideal space for your getaway.

  • Are there vacation rentals with a dedicated workspace in Monterey?

    Yes! Work meets play with ease at over 340 vacation rentals in Monterey featuring dedicated workspaces. Stay connected and productive in your home away from home.

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