Monterey Bay · Santa Cruz · $0
The coast for free
Art walks, farmers markets, tidepools, trails, beaches and cars & coffee that cost nothing to enjoy. Every one is checked against its own official page; where parking costs money, we say so.
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free things to do
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Looks free, isn’t
- Natural Bridges State Beach — $10 per vehicle (State Parks)
- Andrew Molera State Park — $10 per vehicle (State Parks)
- Point Pinos Lighthouse — $7 adults, $3 ages 7–17 (City of Pacific Grove)
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History — $12 adults; free for Monterey County residents
- Laguna Seca Cars & Coffee — $5 entry
- Winter Wonderfest at the Monterey County Fairgrounds — ticketed light show
- Old Fisherman's Wharf — free to walk, but parking is $2/hr ($14 max)
Checked 2026-10-05 against each place's or organizer's official page; this week's events come live from the events board — tap any pin for the source. Know a free one we missed? hello@carsandcoast.com