
Vacation rentals in Monterey
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Top-rated vacation rentals in Monterey
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Monterey beach vacation rentals

Santa Cruz Beach Cottage Getaway
This is by far the perfect beach getaway house! My husband had classes in the area so during the day my daughter and dog could walk right to the beach! There is even a museum right in walking distance I took my daughter to twice. And the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk is only a ten minute walk which we did another day! The Airbnb itself was beautifully decorated with a wonderful shower and a clawfoot tub. The outdoor area was so great to relax in as well. This place was stocked with beach chairs and toys and extra towels and even sunblock. Everything we could need. In fact we loved it so much we extended our stay. Yvonne was SO responsive and friendly and really made our vacation just completely hassle free and perfect. I can see why this place is always booked!

*Official Resort Listing*DLX Ocean View 2 BD Villa
We had a wonderful stay at this hotel. The room was clean and spacious, with a private balcony offering beautiful views of the ocean. It was the perfect place to relax and unwind. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. The hotel also offered a wide range of amenities. We enjoyed our stay.

Monterey Bay Oasis on the Ocean!
We loved staying at Shelli’s home in Monterey Dunes Colony. Every room was set up nicely and clean, and you could tell Shelli has put a lot of care into the home. There were 7 of us and each family member enjoyed their stay. We love staying at Monterey Dunes Colony because the location can’t be beat. Every home has their quirks but honestly we didn’t find any at Shelli’s. It was comfortable to hang out and enjoy the beach and scenery, and close enough to outdoor activities and the aquarium. The living room is set up comfortably for a big group, while offering privacy too. It was a restful and rejuvenating getaway! We plan to book again.

Oceanfront Beach House
Lovely well kept home right next to the ocean! Enjoy lovely ocean views and the sound of the waves. Only minor complaint is the walk to the beach was a bit longer than expected since some paths were closed when we were there. Overall we had a lovely relaxing stay!

Beach Suite
Andrew was a great host who was responsive and proactive. The space was comfortable, quiet and within walking distance of the ocean. The king sized bed was comfortable. There is a small kitenette with a mini-fridge. Parking is on the street in front of the unit. We were very happy with our stay and highly recommend this for your visit to Santa Cruz!

Jaw-Dropping Beach-Front Retreat!
Location location location! This home was steps from the beach and was so lovely to listen to the waves crashing from the comfort of our bed! Walkable to local coffee shop, deli and restaurant for yummy happy hour. 3 stories was nice for 2 families, each family had their own floor. Jaleh was very responsive if we had questions!

Best Beach House Santa Cruz-Opal Cliff Beach House
Joyce’s place was clean and had a really great location. We thought we were right on the Cliff so that was kind of a bummer to have a house in front of our ocean view. But the place was really nice, and very clean! The space was really cool and had great decoration. Beds were comfortable. Kids were happy. We loved playing in the hot tub and in the garden in the backyard.

Ocean View, 5min flat walk to Beach, Pet Friendly
Very peaceful and great place to stay
Home rentals in Monterey

CAPITOLA PERFECT LOCATION! Steps 2 Beach/Shops
Such a great location! Very peaceful and quiet spot. House was very comfortable and great for a group. Parking in the village is always a challenge but was made easier because the host outlined several options in pre-arrival messages and in an onsite binder.

Big Beautiful Home Away From Home/9beds/18 Guests
Nicer than the pictures. No complaints. Good value and nice home.

Carmel Hilltop Retreat - Views, Fire Pit, Hot Tub!
Incredible place. As amazing as it looks in the photos. View is beautiful, place feels very fresh, and host was a great communicator/very responsive

Home Away from Home 3
Very accommodating. Had a great experience!

Blue Whale Bungalow
We had such a wonderful stay at Mariam's place! From the moment we booked, Mariam was incredibly kind and communicative, making sure we had everything we needed and answering any questions right away. The house was spotless and super cozy — the perfect size for our family of four and our two pups! It's in a peaceful, quiet neighborhood, just a short walk to the beach, which was a huge plus for us. We felt so at home and would absolutely love to come back. Thank you again, Mariam, for such a lovely experience!

Carmel Oasis By The Sea TOT # 001407
April is beautiful in Carmel, and this house greets you with the most amazing landscaping. The backyard is private and delightful with the hot tub, fire pit and outdoor dining. The view across Carmel Valley is expansive.

The Coop
Clean, comfy, and conveniently located for our road trip to Santa Cruz and the coast. We walked to shops, the marina, and the beach during our stay. The large dining table was great for playing Yahtzee while Alexa served up our favorite tunes on demand. Al, the maintenance guy who lives next door, introduced himself the first day of our stay, gave us his card, and offered to support whatever we needed—but we didn’t need much. A previous guest left a broken corkscrew, and I could've called Al. Instead, I walked to Day’s Market Liquors & Deli and bought a $5 replacement, along with freshly made chicken tamales that were absolutely delicious.

Perfect house for a beach getaway
Lori's place was perfect for a large group of people to both enjoy each other's company in the large living/dining/deck areas, while having privacy for sleeping. It's two stories with lots of space inside and outside with a third story outside crow's nest deck as well. The hot tub was a bonus! The beach access was incredible and the best thing about the location. It's just a 2 min. walk away! The neighborhood is tranquil. Lori was easy and great to work with as well! What a special time!
Condo rentals in Monterey

Seascape Ocean View Condo
We absolutely loved our stay at Kristina’s condo! The place was spotless, beautifully furnished, and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. Kristina was incredibly responsive and helpful throughout, which made the whole experience even better. Highly recommend this Airbnb – we’d definitely stay here again!

Beachfront Tranquility
We had such a relaxing time! So close to the beach, loved being able to walk out the door and be at the ocean. We could hear the waves at night. Sunsets were beautiful. The condo was perfect for us, had everything we needed! Great place to stay!

Seascape Resort Villa Beautiful Ocean View Sleep 6
We had a wonderful short getaway at Sue’s place! The condo is just steps from the beach, pool, and jacuzzi. Falling asleep to the sound of the waves was relaxing, and the ocean breeze was very refreshing. It was exactly what we needed to reset and recharge. Everything was just as described, and we would stay here again! Thank you, Sue!

OCEAN Views and Steps from the BEACH, New & Modern
After a last minute cancellation by another property, we were lucky enough to find Blake and Lisa’s wonderful home. The whole space is beautifully renovated and the view is incredible. We actually changed some of our plans so we could spend more time staying in and watching everything going on at the beach. Getting to see dolphins from the kitchen, living room, and master bedroom was a real treat. The walking path along the beach is just steps from the door, as well as several restaurants, a market, and a deli. Parking was right outside the door as well, and the neighborhood was quiet. We can’t wait to go back and spend more time there. Thank you, Lisa, for being so accommodating and helpful with our last minute booking. We really appreciate everything!

Seaview Condo - 150 Steps to the beach!
This place was perfect for my family. Spacious, clean, and close to the beach. Highly recommend and hope to come back again

Beach Front Villa at Seascape Resort
Staying at Seascape was the perfect kid-friendly vacation. The pool was easy to access from our condo and the views were beautiful. The condo's set-up with two bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs and a half bath downstairs was great for our family of 5. The private beach was beautiful - we saw otters, whales, and my son found two perfect sand dollars walking down the beach. It was a little bit of a trek to get down to the beach with three little kids and all the beach gear, but once we were there no one wanted to leave. Several near-by restaurants were delicious, especially the newly opened Dos Pescados. It was fairly easy to get into Santa Cruz too, but we did have to time traffic or it would double the drive time (to almost 45 minutes).

Seascape Oceanv hot tub, pool, EV, Aptos, Cruz
The view from this property was extraordinary with amazing sunsets from the deck each night. The location was perfect to visit Santa Cruz one day and Pinnacles National Park the next. The host was very responsive. We’ll definitely save this to our wishlist.

Carmel downtown flat near shops and restaurants
The location of Jeanie's apartment is excellent. Down town Carmel by the sea has nice little boutique shops and lots of nice restaurants. It is a very cute town. We could walk down to Carmel beach. Apartment is small but private and quiet.
Quick stats about vacation rentals in Monterey
Total rentals
890 properties
Total number of reviews
81K reviews
Family-friendly rentals
460 properties are a good fit for families
Pet-friendly rentals
290 properties allow pets
Rentals with a pool
90 properties have a pool
Rentals with dedicated workspaces
450 properties have a dedicated workspace
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 490 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 450 vacation rentals in Monterey featuring dedicated workspaces. Stay connected and productive in your home away from home.
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- Santa Cruz Beach
- Capitola Beach
- Rio Del Mar Beach
- Pfeiffer Beach
- Seacliff State Beach
- Carmel Beach
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Davenport Beach
- Twin Lakes State Beach
- Capitola State Beach
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- Pinnacles National Park
- Carmel Beach
- Bonny Doon Beach
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- Waddell Beach
- The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
- Pasatiempo Golf Club
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Winchester Mystery House
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Pebble Beach Golf Links
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