Enjoy thrilling adventures in the sky, on the shore in Monterey County

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Monterey has long been famous for its coastal beauty, rafts of adorable floating otters, delectable restaurants and world-class aquarium. It’s all very accessible and relaxing. What’s an adventure lover to do?

While softly crashing waves and fluttering monarch butterflies don’t exactly sound like a recipe for an adrenaline high, visitors looking for a little extra excitement can still find plenty of options to get their hearts pumping. Here are a few of the unique activities that provide new perspectives on Monterey’s beloved attractions:

Freefall while gazing at the ocean

For thrill seekers of the highest magnitude, Skydive Monterey Bay offers 90 seconds of freefall from 18,000 feet — higher than both Mount Shasta and Mount Whitney. That’s like jumping from atop 50 football fields, 17 Eiffel Towers or 60 Statues of Liberty.

If you’re looking for an action-packed jump, your instructor can help you try spirals or other tricks while feeling the g-forces build as you float on a column of air down to the ground far below. Or you might opt for a more tranquil experience, taking in the views of the Santa Lucia Mountains and stunning coastline laid out beneath you.

Since Skydive Monterey Bay flies and lands closer to the ocean than any other skydive center in the state, you’ll be treated to unmatched views of the blue crescent of Monterey Bay and its companion sand dunes, with Santa Cruz — and on a clear day, sometimes even San Francisco — in the distance. In the winter, you can sometimes spot migrating gray whales.

Enjoy a bird’s eye...