Monterey

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.

Entrance to the Monterey Bay AquariumMonterey Bay Aquarium

We love Monterey, which makes a perfect stopping-off point on any Pacific Coast Highway drive. 

In fact there’s so much to see and do here, you might want to break the journey and spend two nights. You can spend at least half a day just at the fantastic Monterey Bay Aquarium.

And then there’s Cannery Row with its John Steinbeck connections, the Monterey State Historic Park with some fine old buildings (including the oldest government building in California), the fun of Fisherman’s Wharf, whale-watching cruises, and lots more.

A Shark in the Monterey Bay AquariumA Shark in the Monterey Bay Aquarium

In the Monterey Bay Aquarium. All Photos (c) Donna Dailey

Things we love about Monterey

Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is definitely one of our top Pacific Coast Highway attractions, and one of the finest aquariums in the United States. Allow at least half a day if you want to have a chance to see everything, including of course popular events like feeding the sea otters, the penguins, the sharks, and catching some of the talks and displays that change regularly. (Check the Daily Activities page on the Monterey Bay Aquarium website for details.)

An otter eating at feeding time in the Monterey Bay AquariumAn Otter Eating at Feeding Time

We couldn’t get enough of fascinating creatures like the jellyfish and the sea dragons (above), while other big attractions include the hauntingly beautiful Kelp Forest, the Giant Pacific Octopus Exhibit, and the Open Sea Exhibit, where you can gaze through a 90-ft window onto sea creatures including tuna, turtles, sharks and puffins, all enjoying the natural feel of their 1.2 million gallon home.

Best Guide to Carmel and Monterey

Moon-Monterey-and-Carmel.png

It’s not surprising that the Monterey Bay Aquarium has been called one of the best family attractions in the USA. See our separate page that tells you much more about the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

A Seadragon in the Monterey Bay AquariumSeadragon

Cannery Row

See our Cannery Row page.

Fisherman's Wharf

Eating clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, CaliforniaMike Loves Clam Chowder!

You can’t visit Monterey without going to Fisherman’s Wharf, where you’ll probably be greeted by the sounds of sea lions barking, and some of the restaurant owners trying to tempt you in with free samples of their clam chowder, and other food. There are several restaurants along the Wharf, and after a mouthful of their clam chowder we just had to eat at Abalonetti’s, where we had a great front seat view to watch the sea lions playing in the water.

The Wharf has lots of shops too, and a choice of several whale watching cruises. If you want to go see some whales, just head straight to Fisherman’s Wharf. Read our Whale Watching in California page first, to find out when the best whale watching seasons are.

To find out more about Fisherman’s Wharf visit the official Fisherman’s Wharf website. 

Where to Stay in Monterey

Monterey State Historic Park

As well as being a lively town with its many visitor attractions, one of the things we love about Monterey is that it’s so steeped in history. You can take a walking tour around the historic district, following the markers on the ground that guide you along the Path of History.

We picked up a leaflet at the tourist office, or you can get one from the Monterey State Historic Park Visitor Center on Custom House Plaza, a few short blocks back from Fisherman’s Wharf. We were fascinated to see the house where the Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson lived for a while in 1879, and the 1827 Custom House, the oldest government building in California.

For more information visit the official Monterey State Historic Park website.

And see our page on the Best Museums in Monterey.

Monterey State Historic ParkMonterey State Historic Park

Point Lobos State Reserve

See our separate page about our visit to the Point Lobos State Reserve, a few miles south of Monterey and right on the Pacific Coast Highway. Don't miss it!

More Information
For more information on the many things to do in Monterey, where to stay and where to eat, visit the official Monterey Tourist Office website. 

Also, don't miss our page on Where to Eat in Monterey.

For more photos, see our YouTube slide show of
The Best of Monterey

Other Monterey pages

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    Bodega Bay

    Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

  • Mendocino in Mendocino County is a small but pretty California coastal town, popular with artists and with travelers. It has featured in many songs and movies.

    Mendocino

    Mendocino in Mendocino County is a small but pretty California coastal town, popular with artists and with travelers. It has featured in many songs and movies.

  • Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

    Coastal California Guidebook

    Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

  • A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

    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.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's list of the best beaches in California with beaches in Santa Monica, Big Sur, Malibu, Carmel, Cambria, La Jolla and Coronado.

    Best Beaches in California

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's list of the best beaches in California with beaches in Santa Monica, Big Sur, Malibu, Carmel, Cambria, La Jolla and Coronado.

  • Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

    Carlsbad

    Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

  • One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.

    California Coast Guide

    One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.

  • 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.

    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.

  • 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.

    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.

  • For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.

    Moss Beach Hotel

    For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.

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    San Luis Obispo

    San Luis Obispo in California is half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast Highway and with lots of things to do and see.

  • Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.

    Whale Watching in California

    Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.

  • Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.

    Encinitas

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  • The Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row is one of the top sights in Monterey and along the whole Pacific Coast Highway.

    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.

  • 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.

    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.

  • Standing on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Santa Barbara is an attractive resort with a historic downtown, sandy beaches, a mission, and good museums.

    Santa Barbara

    Standing on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Santa Barbara is an attractive resort with a historic downtown, sandy beaches, a mission, and good museums.

  • 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.

    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.

  • 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.

    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 Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on California's Central Coast has oceanfront views, swimming pool, gardens, and is right on the beach near Hearst Castle.

    Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on the Central Coast of California

    The Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on California's Central Coast has oceanfront views, swimming pool, gardens, and is right on the beach near Hearst Castle.

  • Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

    Morro Bay

    Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

  • Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

    Santa Monica, California

    Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

  • The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo

    The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.

    Laguna Beach Inn and Spa

    The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

    Top Wildlife Spots on the California Coast

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  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the ten best things to see at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, one of the highlights of driving the PCH.

    Ten Best Things to See at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the ten best things to see at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, one of the highlights of driving the PCH.

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