wy 1 winds along the Pacific Coast and passes through Big Sur.

Getting to Monterey

Whether you prefer planes, trains or automobiles, it's easy to get to Monterey County. With daily service from San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Denver, Dallas, Orange County, Seattle and Phoenix, Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) has reach to over 95 domestic and international destinations with just one connection.

Monterey Flight Map 2024

Carriers Flying Directly into Monterey County

  • Alaska Airlines
  • Allegiant Air
  • American Airlines
  • JSX
  • United Airlines

Driving Time From...

  • San Jose: 1 hr
  • San Francisco: 2 hrs
  • Oakland: 2 hrs
  • Sacramento: 3 hrs
  • Los Angeles: 5 hrs

Flying to Monterey County

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is located just 10 minutes from downtown Monterey, 15 minutes from Carmel-by-the-Sea, 25 minutes from downtown Salinas and 45 minutes from Big Sur. Private charters are also available through the MPI Jet Center. Learn more and get a quote.

Groome Transportation and Main Event Transportation offer convenient door-to-door service to and from SFO and SJC.

Monterey County by Car

There are two routes to Monterey by car, both very scenic. Highway 1 which runs from San Francisco to Los Angeles, offers breathtaking views of the Pacific coastline. Highway 101 runs down the valley corridor and allows the motorist to see the rich land that has made the Salinas Valley "the Salad Bowl of the World."

Bus or Train in Monterey County

Amtrak's Coast Stairlight Train cruises through Salinas each day on its route between Seattle, Washington and Los Angeles, providing a leisurely and scenic way to travel with packages to fit every budget. It's a great way to see the grandeur of the Central Coast at eye level. Free bus service is provided from Salinas to downtown Monterey, a 30-minute ride. There is also a Greyhound station in Salinas with connecting service to Monterey.

Traveling to Monterey to enjoy all the natural beauty here is easy, but no matter which mode of transportation you use – plane, train or automobile – it creates extra carbon emissions. We are now offering an opportunity to offset those emissions through a local, award-winning non-profit, The Offset Project. Learn how to offset your trip here.