Let's face it, if your children aren't engaged and happy on your Monterey family vacation, it's not a vacation. Staying at the Portola Hotel & Spa puts you within walking distance to many of the areas kid friendly attractions and just a short drive away from the rest. The Monterey Peninsula offers a wide variety of things to do with children in Monterey, making it the perfect choice for a summer vacation or weekend visit. This guide will help you plan your next family getaway with fun and stimulating entertainment for children in Monterey. You might even find yourself partaking in some of the childhood activities you enjoyed as a youngster. We have listed the activities from walking distance to beyond.
The Portola Pirates program is focused on kids between the ages of 3-12 that want to come to Monterey and have fun! The hotel has created a fun scavenger hunt around the nautically inspired decor which incorporates fun and the educational history of Monterey. Antique model ships are located throughout the hotel in addition to anchors and photographs from days gone by.
Upon each return visit to the Portola Hotel & Spa your little crewmembers will earn additional benefits and surprises when they continue take part in our Portola Pirates Program! Upon your second overnight visit, you will be an official Captain's Club member! See our full program outline below:
Maiden Voyage - Enjoy a treasure chest filled with toys to include a pirate bandana, tattoos, necklace and pirate figurine. A treasure map will take you on scavenger hunt around the hotel, guided by pirate stickers and flags, ultimately ending Peter B's where a treasure chest filled with pirate loot and unique treasure is waiting.
2nd Leg of Your Adventure – Continue your pirate voyage with two children's tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium PLUS admission for two children to the Monterey County (MY) Museum in downtown Monterey.
3rd Leg of Your Adventure- Explore the Coast of Monterey and look-out for pirate ships from a family friendly Surry bicycle. Stay warm with your new pirate-themed sweatshirt or tee-shirt . One shirt per child, up to two children per family/reservation.
4th Leg of Your Adventure– Receive a kids-sized sleeping bag to use on your own adventures out on the seven seas!
5th Leg Adventure – An All-Nighter Pirate Party! Invite up to 10 of your friends under the age of 12 to enjoy this “suite” sleepover (parent supervision required). Our family suite allows up to 10 children to curl up on the floor with their own sleeping bags. Two connecting guest rooms allow a bit of peace for your chaperones (must be 18 years of age). Your party will feature a pirate-themed buffet filled with goodies (including our famous chocolate chip cookies) and snacks created for the pickiest of pirates. And not to worry, a Wii gaming console and library of the coolest games will provide hours entertainment for all of your mates! Terms & conditions may apply.
The Portola Hotel is located in the heart of historical Monterey, CA. The area in which the hotel sits was named Portola Plaza after Gaspar de Portola, the late explorer that landed in Monterey on May 24, 1770.
Jack's and Peter B's restaurant have designed a new Portola Pirates Kids Menu with fun items such as; MacAAAARRRoni and Cheese, Captain Jack's Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Black Beard Pasta and our popular Portola Pirate Pizza (all come with choice of scaly wag fries and/or Jolly Roger fruit cup). Prices are $4.99 per children's entrée including beverage and Landlubber Root Beer Float or Matey scoop of Ice Cream.
The Portola Hotel and Spa is looking to offer this fun experience all year to not only children traveling with their families but also to local parents for birthday parties, and educational groups to learn about our historically rich environment. Did you know Monterey was the original state capital for California?
Monterey Bay Aquarium
(831) 648-4888
The renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium is open seven days a week and a marvel of an attraction. Tickets available for purchase at the front desk & concierge desk for guests staying at the Portola Hotel & Spa.
Adventures by the Sea
(831) 372-1807
Discover the beautiful Monterey Peninsula pedaling a bicycle along the recreation trail, around the rocky shores of Pacific Grove and into breathtaking 17-Mile Drive. Or explore the kelp forest and abundant marine life along Cannery Row or Stillwater Cove from an ocean kayak! Rent a kayak or take a guided tour. Try something new with their Stand Up Paddle-boarding and experience this new sport!
Del Monte Beach
Bring the buckets, shovels and boogie boards to Del Monte Beach.
Monterey’s My Museum
(831) 649-6444
Located on Washington Street in downtown Monterey; the My Museum provides an environment unique to any other in Monterey County. This 8,500 square foot museum is packed with a variety of hands on exhibits, making each visit unique and exciting.
Dennis the Menace Playground
(831) 646-3860
This famous playground is known throughout the state for its whimsical equipment, which includes a drinking fountain inside the mouth of a lion, a swinging rope bridge, a roller slide, and a life-sized hedge maze, among others.
Lake El Estero Paddle Boats
(831) 375-1484
Walk from the hotel to one of Monterey’s landmarks. A skateboard park is nearby and a baseball park with group BBQ facilities. Kids love powering their own paddle boat on Lake El Estero, a freshwater lake surrounding Dennis the Menace Park. Kayaks and canoes can also be rented for use on the lake.
Jump-N-Around
(831) 657-9841
Do the kids need to burn off some energy? Take them to Monterey’s Jump-N-Around. 6000 square feet of inflatable fun. Velcro walls, giant slides, bounce houses, bungee runs, boxing rings, video arcade, air hockey, private parties and more!
Sanctuary Rock Gym
(831) 899-2595
Do your kids like to climb? The Sanctuary Rock Gym provides learning on how to boulder, top-rope or lead climb.
Monterey Mirror Maze / Laser Challenge
(831) 649-MAZE
A high quality, creatively designed mirror maze walk-through is the feature attraction at this brand new family attraction. No matter what your age you will love getting lost in our psychedelic setting complete with high tech lighting and pumping music. It’s a great opportunity for families and couples to solve this challenge together. “Break the Vault" Laser Maze Challenge is for the competitive visitor who wants to try their skill in a Mission Impossible setting. It’s time to put your game face on…The object is to navigate the laser maze as quickly as possible to reach the end of the Bank Vault without breaking a beam. Jump, crawl, climb & sliver your way through an obstacle course of brilliant green highly, sensitive lasers radiating from the walls of the bank vault.
Oceans 18 Black light Miniature Golf
(831) 643-9215
Oceans 18 is the first and only indoor black light miniature golf course on the Monterey Peninsula! We offer a unique recreational facility to the Peninsula and its guests. Come experience the entertainment! Located upstairs in the West wing of the American Tin Cannery.
Del Monte Movie Theater
(831) 373-8051
Walk along and shop at Del Monte Center. Once you are done, head to the movie theater and watch that new movie you have been dying to see.
Wild Things & Exotics
(831) 455-1901
Wild Things, Inc. is an animal rental company that provides dedicated service to providing professionally, humanely trained wild and exotic birds and animals.
John Steinbeck Center
(831)775-4721
The Center is located in John Steinbeck's hometown of Salinas, California, a scenic 17-mile drive from Monterey in the heart of Steinbeck Country. The Museum offers three distinct visitor experiences in literature and history, agriculture and art, as well special events and educational programs.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
(831) 423-5590
The Boardwalk is a half-mile long historic park next to Santa Cruz's mile long main beach. It includes more than 34 rides and attractions and features two national historic landmarks.
Bonfante Gardens
(408) 840-7100
Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park is a one-of-a-kind experience combining four unique gardens and amusement rides with the mid-20th Century history and agricultural roots of Santa Clara Valley.