Best Things to Do in
Monterey
The best things to do in Monterey, chosen by Pacific Coast Highway Travel, include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, whale watching and Fisherman's Wharf.
Choosing the best things to do in Monterey is fairly straightforward, as it's not a big city with dozens of museums, art galleries, and other attractions. The main sites are listed below, in no particular order.
Best Things to Do in Monterey
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The number one best thing to do in Monterey is definitely to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the best aquariums in the world with over 550 different species. Highlights for us include the sea otters, the jellyfish, the kelp forest, and any of the feeding times (but especially the otters).
For full details see our page on the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the very best attractions along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Address: 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone Number: (831) 648-4800
Website: montereybayaquarium.org
Cannery Row
Monterey's Cannery Row was made famous by John Steinbeck's novel of the same name. Back when he wrote it, it was a place filled with sardine canneries, which is how it got the name. Today it's very different! See our page on Cannery Row for more details.
Address: Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone Number: (831) 655-3130
Website: canneryrow.com
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is a popular spot for dining, shopping, and taking in the sights and sounds of the bay. It's a great place to just hang out, or book a boat trip (including whale watching trips), or watch the sea lions underneath the wharf. Best of all, we still remember the taste of the clam chowder we had there!
The wharf was originally built in 1845 for use by passenger and freight boats, but became more of a tourist attraction in the 1960s.
Address: 1 Old Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone Number: (831) 646-3474
Website: monterey.org/fishermans-wharf
Pacific House Museum
Built in 1847, the museum tells the story of Monterey’s early history, and its influence under Mexican and American leadership. One of the highlights of the museum is the Holman Collection of American Indian artifacts. The museum also has a gift shop that sells California State Park merchandise, books, cards, and items related to the Indigenous People of California.
Address: 20 Custom House Plaza, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 646-5640
Website: historicmonterey.org
Best Guide to Carmel and Monterey
Monterey State Historic Park
Monterey State Historic Park preserves and interprets the historic sites and buildings associated with Monterey's early history. You can explore the park's several historic buildings, take a guided tour, or attend one of the many events and programs offered. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970.
Address: 20 Custom House Plaza, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 649-7118 Or (831) 646-3474
Website: parks.ca.gov
17-Mile Drive
17-Mile Drive is a scenic drive from Monterey to Carmel that winds through Pebble Beach and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, golf courses, and mansions. See our page describing our experience of the 17-Mile Drive.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a beautiful reserve that features stunning rock formations, diverse wildlife, and scenic trails. You can hike, bike, or take a guided tour to explore the area. See our full page on a visit to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
Address: 6000 Hwy 1, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone Number: (831) 625-1470
Website: parks.ca.gov
Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is a scenic path that runs along the coast and offers stunning views of the bay and surrounding area. You can walk, jog, or bike along the trail and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The trail stretches 18 miles along the coast, from Castroville in the north to Pacific Grove in the south .
Address: Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone Number: (831) 646-3474
Website: monterey.org
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is a large underwater park stretching along the central coast of California, from just north of the Golden Gate Bridge at San Francisco to Cambria in San Luis Obispo County.
It's the biggest marine sanctuary in the contiguous United States, encompassing a vast 6,094 square miles of ocean and a coastline of 276 miles. It's been called the 'Serengeti of the Sea'.
The sanctuary protects one of the world's most diverse marine ecosystems, teeming with an abundance of marine mammals, seabirds, fish, invertebrates, and plants.
This rich biodiversity is attributed to a unique combination of geology, weather patterns, and currents that create a very productive ocean environment.
Animals travel vast distances each year to reach these feeding grounds. The MBNMS was established in 1992.
Website: montereybay.noaa.gov
Whale Watching Trips
Head for Fisherman's Wharf to sign up for one of the whale watching tours on offer there. It's hard to beat a few hours at sea on a sunny day with the excitement of searching for whales and other sea creatures.
Treasure Hunt: The Ride
The newest addition to the best things to do in Monterey is Treasure Hunt: the Ride, located right on Cannery Row, a 5-minute walk from the aquarium. It's a pirate-themed adventure that blends exciting twists and turns with interactive elements and is great for families.
Riders take part in an original pirate story, searching for hidden treasures beneath Cannery Row in specially designed cavern cars that seat four people.
The adventure is based on the legend of Captain Hippolyte Bouchard, a notorious pirate who supposedly raided Monterey in 1818 and stashed his loot in secret caverns beneath Cannery Row.
Riders become treasure hunters following clues and using interactive devices to unearth Bouchard's lost riches.
Address: 700 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone Number: (831) 747-1426
Website: treasurehuntride.com
Our Pick of the California Guides
Other Monterey pages
Monterey Boutique Hotel, the Hotel Pacific near Fisherman's Wharf
The Hotel Pacific is a Monterey boutique hotel in a good location close to Fisherman’s wharf and downtown restaurants and bars and with its own parking garage.
Point Lobos State Reserve near Carmel and Monterey, with photos
A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row is one of the top sights in Monterey and along the whole Pacific Coast Highway.
Best Time to Visit Monterey
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends the best time to visit Monterey with month by month and season by season information on the city’s weather and climate.
The Jellies Experience jellyfish exhibition at Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Jellies Experience jellyfish exhibition is the latest arrival at Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the top sights along the Pacific Coast Highway in California.
Where to Eat in Monterey
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to where to eat in Monterey including on Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row, fish restaurants and the best clam chowder.
Monterey, on the Pacific Coast Highway in California
Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.
Cannery Row in Monterey
To John Steinbeck Monterey's Cannery Row was a place of sardine canneries, bums and honky tonks, but today the Monterey Aquarium attracts visitors.
The 17-Mile Drive between Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Monterey
Pacific Coast Highway Travel takes the 17-Mile Drive from Carmel to Pacific Grove and Monterey, stopping to see the Lone Cypress and beautiful coastline views.
Monterey Inn
For a Monterey Inn just off the Pacific Coast Highway in California, the Mariposa Inn and Suites is hard to beat, providing good accommodation close to PCH.
Best Museums in Monterey
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the best museums in Monterey including art and history museums, museums for families and the fantastic Monterey Bay Aquarium.
John Steinbeck California Guide
This John Steinbeck California Guide, A Journey into Steinbeck's California, shows readers how towns like Monterey, Carmel and Salinas influenced the author.
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