What Nobody Tells You About Visiting Monterey In March (Until It's Too Late)

Monterey in March sits in this weird weather limbo that catches most visitors completely off guard.

You’re probably googling “Monterey March weather” right now, wondering if you should book that trip or wait until summer.
I get it.
March doesn’t scream “beach holiday” like July does.

But here’s the thing: March in Monterey is actually one of the most underrated times to visit, as long as you know what you’re walking into.

The Weather Reality Check That’ll Save Your Trip

Let me be blunt about Monterey’s March weather.

You’re looking at daytime highs around 60-61°F and nighttime lows dropping to 48-49°F.
That’s cardie weather during the day and proper jacket weather once the sun dips.
The ocean breeze makes everything feel about five degrees cooler than the thermometer suggests.

March sits right at the tail end of the rainy season, which means you’ve got a 24% chance of rain on any given day.
That’s roughly one in four days.
The month typically sees about 3.5 inches of total rainfall spread across five rainy days.

But here’s what the weather websites don’t tell you: early March and late March feel like completely different seasons.

Early March (1st-15th):

Cooler temperatures averaging 58°F
Higher chance of rain
More winter-like conditions
Fewer crowds

Late March (16th-31st):

Warmer temps pushing toward mid-60s
Drier conditions
Spring finally showing up
Slightly busier attractions

The daylight situation is pretty solid though.
You’ve got nearly 12 hours of daylight to work with, from sunrise around 6:52 AM to sunset at 6:47 PM.
That’s plenty of time to explore without feeling rushed.

Key takeaway: March is transitional, which means wildly unpredictable. You might get gorgeous sunny days or grey drizzly ones. Sometimes both in the same afternoon.

Why Your Packing List Is Probably Wrong

Most people either overpack or show up completely unprepared for Monterey in March.

I learned this the hard way three years ago when I visited in mid-March wearing a light jumper and trainers, thinking “California = warm weather.”
Spent the first evening shivering on Cannery Row whilst my partner smugly wore the jacket I’d mocked her for bringing.
Never making that mistake again.

Here’s what actually works:

The Layer System (this is non-negotiable):

Base layer: light long-sleeve shirt or thermal
Mid layer: fleece or chunky knit jumper
Outer layer: windproof jacket (not just wind-resistant, properly windproof)
Waterproof shell: packable rain jacket that doesn’t take up half your suitcase

The bits everyone forgets:

Scarf or neck warmer (that coastal wind is sneaky)
Beanie or hat for morning/evening walks
Sunglasses (yes, even if it’s cloudy)
SPF 30+ sunscreen (UV index is moderate but still there)

Footwear reality:

Forget sandals. Forget flimsy trainers.
You need proper walking shoes with decent grip and water resistance.
The coastal paths get damp from morning fog even when it hasn’t rained.
Plus you’ll be walking way more than you think.

The temperature swing from day to night is about 12-13 degrees.
That means comfortable at 2 PM and properly cold by 8 PM.
Layers aren’t optional, they’re survival gear.

One more thing: that breeze off Monterey Bay isn’t a gentle sea breeze.
It’s a proper wind that cuts through thin fabrics like they’re not even there.
Your “light jacket” from home probably won’t cut it.

The Secret Sweet Spot That Changes Everything

Right now you’re probably thinking March sounds a bit rubbish for a beach town.

Wrong.

March is when Monterey sheds its tourist skin and shows you what locals actually love about living here.

The weather uncertainty keeps away the summer crowds, which means:

You can actually get dinner reservations without booking weeks ahead
Cannery Row is walkable without playing human dodgems
The Monterey Bay Aquarium isn’t packed with school groups (they usually hit in April-May)
Hotel prices haven’t hit their summer peak yet

But here’s the real magic: wildlife.

March sits right in the middle of grey whale migration season.
These massive creatures are heading north from Baja California to Alaska, and they pass right by Monterey’s coastline.
You don’t need a boat tour (though they’re brilliant if you want one).
You can spot whale spouts from various coastal viewpoints on clear days.

The elephant seals are still hanging about too.
March is breeding season at places like Año Nuevo, which means you’ll see massive bulls fighting for territory and adorable pups learning to swim.
It’s proper nature documentary stuff happening right in front of you.

Sea otters don’t care what month it is.
They’re out there year-round, floating on their backs, cracking shellfish on their bellies, being unreasonably cute.
Moss Landing is particularly brilliant for otter spotting in March.

What’s actually happening in Monterey during March:

Spring festivals start ramping up toward month’s end
Outdoor markets begin their seasonal schedules
Hiking trails are lush and green (but potentially muddy)
Wine tasting rooms in Carmel Valley are quieter
Restaurant patios start opening for lunch service

The 11.9 hours of daylight gives you proper time to explore without feeling rushed.
Sunrise comes late enough that you don’t need to be a morning person.
Sunset timing is perfect for that golden hour photography along the coast.

I’ve visited Monterey in both March and July.
July has better weather, sure.
But March has better Monterey.

It’s the difference between visiting a tourist attraction and experiencing an actual place where real people live.

When Exactly Should You Book (And Why It Matters)

Timing your March visit isn’t just about checking a calendar.

If you’re targeting late March (after the 20th), you’re essentially getting early spring conditions with significantly better weather odds.
The rain probability drops.
Temperatures creep up a few degrees.
Outdoor venues start their spring schedules.

But you’ll pay for that privilege.
Accommodation prices start climbing as you get closer to April.
Spring break crowds from nearby California universities begin filtering in.

Early March (before the 15th) is the gamble play:

Cheapest accommodation rates
Emptiest attractions
Most authentic local experience
But also highest chance of grey, wet days

Mid to late March (15th-31st) is the safer bet:

Weather trending warmer and drier
Still cheaper than April onwards
Spring activities beginning
Slight uptick in visitors but nothing like summer

Here’s something nobody mentions: March weather in coastal Monterey versus inland areas like Carmel Valley is dramatically different.

Coastal areas stick around 61°F.
Inland spots hit high 60s, sometimes low 70s.

That means if you wake up to grey skies and drizzle on the coast, you can drive 20 minutes inland and find completely different conditions.
It’s like having a weather escape hatch built into your trip.

Weather variability checklist:

Check the forecast daily, not just before you leave
Have both indoor and outdoor activity options planned
Book accommodation with flexible cancellation if possible
Keep an eye on marine forecasts if you’re planning boat tours

The transitional nature of March means you could experience:

Warm sunny days that feel like summer arrived early
Cool grey days that remind you winter just left
Everything in between, sometimes in the same day

That unpredictability is exactly why March works if you’re flexible.
It filters out the rigid planners who need guaranteed sunshine and leaves room for people who can adapt on the fly.

Planning a March trip to Monterey requires a different mindset than summer travel, where you can reliably count on certain conditions and pack accordingly.
For more on the bigger picture of California in March, check out our full guide here: California in March.

The Activities Nobody’s Talking About (That’ll Make Your Trip)

Everyone hits the same spots in Monterey.

Aquarium. 17-Mile Drive. Cannery Row. Fisherman’s Wharf.
All brilliant, don’t get me wrong.
But they’re also the places where whatever crowds exist in March will congregate.

The real Monterey in March reveals itself in the overlooked corners.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve becomes something special in March.
The trails are empty compared to summer.
The wildflowers are just starting to emerge.
The clarity after rain makes the turquoise coves look like they’ve been photoshopped.

I spent four hours there last March and saw maybe twenty other people total.
Compare that to my July visit where the car park was rammed by 10 AM and the main trails felt like a queue at the post office.

The tide pools along Asilomar State Beach are at their best in March.
Lower spring tides expose sections that stay underwater most of the year.
You’ll find sea stars, anemones, hermit crabs, and if you’re lucky, the occasional octopus hiding in rock crevices.

Just check the tide tables first.
Low tide is when you want to go, obviously.
And be respectful – look but don’t touch, and never remove anything.

Wine tasting in Carmel Valley is criminally underrated in March.
The valley sits inland where temperatures run warmer and sunnier than the coast.
Most tasting rooms have outdoor spaces that are actually usable this time of year.
The crowds are minimal because tourists haven’t discovered this is prime season yet.

I stumbled into Bernardus Winery one drizzly March afternoon thinking it’d be dead.
Ended up having a private tasting with the winemaker who had time to actually chat because they weren’t slammed.
That doesn’t happen in July.

The lesser-known trails:

Jack’s Peak County Park: highest point on the Monterey Peninsula, brilliant views when clear
Garland Ranch Regional Park: 4,500 acres in Carmel Valley, multiple trail options
Jacks Peak to Skyline Trail: moderate difficulty, wildflowers emerging in March

These trails have something summer trails don’t: mud.
Which sounds rubbish but actually means you’ll have them nearly to yourself.
Fair-weather hikers stay away, leaving the good bits for those willing to get their boots dirty.

The indoor backup plan (because you’ll need one):

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History (small but excellent, free admission)
National Steinbeck Center in Salinas (20 minutes away, worth the drive)
Monterey Museum of Art (two locations, both quiet in March)
The various galleries along Cannery Row and downtown Monterey

The key is having a flexible itinerary.
Morning looks grim? Start with museums and galleries.
Sun breaks through at lunch? Pivot to outdoor activities.
Evening turns clear? Hit the coastal trails for sunset.

This adaptability separates good March trips from brilliant ones.

The Food Scene When Nobody’s Looking

March in Monterey does something interesting to the restaurant scene.

The summer tourist prices haven’t kicked in yet.
But the spring ingredient season is starting.
Which means you get better value and seasonal menus that actually mean something.

Dungeness crab season runs through March (it ends in April).
This is when you want to order anything with local crab.
Fresh-caught, sustainable, and at its peak quality.

Artichokes come into season in March.
Castroville, the “Artichoke Center of the World,” is just up the road.
Local restaurants do incredible things with fresh artichokes during this window.

The local abalone farming operations provide year-round supply, but March is when restaurants start featuring it more prominently on spring menus.

Where to eat when it’s actually local (not the tourist traps):

Monterey’s Fish House
Passionfish in Pacific Grove
Crystal Fish in Monterey
Wild Plum Cafe in Monterey

The farmers markets are just starting their spring schedules in March.
Monterey Peninsula College Farmers Market runs Fridays (weather permitting).
Old Monterey Marketplace starts up late March.

Coffee culture heads-up:

Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill – Yes, they do coffee
Monterey Bay Coffee Company – Local beans, great vibes
Lola’s Market Cafe – Coffee and real food

The restaurants with outdoor seating start opening their patios for lunch service in late March when weather cooperates.

The Money Reality That Changes Your Budget

Let’s talk about what March actually costs compared to other months.

Average price fluctuation (same hotel, same room type):

January-February: baseline pricing
March: 10-15% above winter baseline
April: 25-30% increase from winter
May-September: 40-60% increase from winter
October: drops to March levels
November-December: back to baseline

March sits in this sweet spot where prices have ticked up from winter but haven’t hit the spring/summer surge yet.

The hidden costs people forget:

Parking
Attraction entry fees
Wine tastings
Boat tours for whale watching

But March offers cost advantages:
– Restaurants have lower demand
– Shoulder-season discounts
– Rental car rates are lower
– Less competition for everything

Budget breakdown for a realistic March trip (per person, 4 nights/5 days):

Accommodation: £400-500
Food: £200-300
Activities: £150-200
Transport: £100-150
Miscellaneous: £100

Total: £950-1,250 per person

What Your Accommodation Choice Actually Means

Where you stay in Monterey during March matters more than summer.

Coastal properties: more fog, wind, but walkable

Inland options: warmer, quieter, need a car

The middle ground: more balanced

Accommodation features that matter in March:

In-room heating
Coffee maker
Flexible check-in/check-out
On-site parking

The Social Reality Most Visitors Miss

March travelers in Monterey are a different breed than summer tourists.

The unexpected March visitor types:

Wildlife photographers
Birding enthusiasts
Wine tourists
Writers and artists
Retirees
Europeans embracing the 60°F air

The Environmental Angle That Actually Matters

Visiting Monterey in March isn’t just about what you get out of it.
It’s about what you’re not taking away.

Learn more about average weather conditions in Monterey during March and use this seasonal weather guide for planning your Monterey trip.

What You Need To Know Before You Book

Checklist before booking:

Can I be flexible with daily plans?
Am I comfortable with cooler temperatures and possible rain?
Do I prefer authentic experiences over guaranteed weather?
Am I interested in wildlife and nature?
Is saving money compared to peak season a priority?

The Verdict On Monterey in March

It’s not perfect weather.
It’s not guaranteed sunshine.
It’s not the stereotypical California beach holiday you’ve seen in films.

But it’s real.

Final checklist for your March trip:

Book accommodation with flexible cancellation
Pack proper layers and rain gear
Build flexible daily itineraries
Research indoor and outdoor options
Check marine forecasts
Make restaurant reservations
Download offline maps
Bring a good camera

What Nobody Tells You About Visiting Monterey in March (Until It’s Too Late)