Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail runs 18 paved miles along the waterfront from Castroville to Pacific Grove, passing through Monterey, along Cannery Row, and out to Lovers Point.

The experience

The trail is flat, wide, and separated from vehicle traffic for most of its length, which makes it accessible to riders of any ability and well suited to e-bikes. The ocean is in view for most of the ride. The Cannery Row section passes the Monterey Bay Aquarium and runs directly along rocky shoreline where harbor seals rest below. The stretch out to Lovers Point in Pacific Grove is quieter, with views across Monterey Bay to Santa Cruz on clear days. The practical virtue is flexibility: a full 18-mile out-and-back in under three hours, or a shorter ride to a Cannery Row restaurant with a return after lunch. After three days of walking courses, an e-bike makes the coast accessible without taxing the legs you need for tomorrow.

Logistics

Bike rentals run $24 for a standard bike for two hours up to $64 for a full-day e-bike. Adventures by the Sea, Bay Bikes, and Big Sur Bikes operate rental shops along the trail. Guided e-bike tours run around $89 per person. Shops typically open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Helmets are included and strongly recommended. The trail gets busy on summer weekends, particularly the Cannery Row section; mornings before 10 a.m. are quieter, and the Pacific Grove end is less crowded throughout. Walk-in availability is usually fine outside peak summer weekends.