Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey

 
by yo007
 
  •   Fisherman's Wharf
    by yo007
  • Fisherman's Wharf
      Fisherman's Wharf
    by Jim_Eliason
  • Fisherman's Wharf
      Fisherman's Wharf
    by Jim_Eliason
  • Fisherman's Wharf
      Fisherman's Wharf
    by Jim_Eliason
  • Lights along the wharf at night
      Lights along the wharf at night
    by Ewingjr98
 

27 Reviews of Fisherman's Wharf

Sort by: Most recent | Most helpful

Write a Review
Fisherman's Wharf - Kiddie Ride
yo007 profile photo
yo007 4 reviews

This was a huge disappointment for me. If you've been to San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey is like going on a kiddie ride. It's made to look like something wonderful, but it isn't. Walk through, but save your money for another destination.

Written Jul 31, 2011

Was this review helpful?

Eat some Clam Chowder
krissyM profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

krissyM 281 reviews
1 more image

Fisherman's Wharf is an historic wharf in Monterey, California. It was used as an wholesale fish market up until the 1960s.It is now a tourist attraction as commercial fishing tapered off.

Fisherman's Wharf is lined with seafood restaurants ranging from casual, open-air clam bars, to formal indoor dining with views of the bay. Along with Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf is one of the few areas in Monterey that sells souvenirs, so the restaurants are interspersed with gift shops, jewelry stores, art galleries, and candy shops. Whale watching tours and fishing trips leave from the wharf, and Sea Lions often sleep on the pilings, buoys, and moored boats in the bay. It is accesable by foot only.

Written Nov 5, 2008

Was this review helpful?

Fisherman's Wharf
Ewingjr98 profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Ewingjr98 4734 reviews
Beautiful day on the wharf
4 more images

Fisherman's Wharf has a combination of great views, wildlife, and history, along with a lot of tourist traps; if you want to hear about the touristy shops, below average restaurants, and crowds of people, check out my tip listed under Tourist Traps.

This is a great place to watch the sea lions in the late evening after most of the tourists have moved on. There are also some fishing boats that unload and clean their catch here while the birds watch. You will also get some great views of the marinas, Commercial Wharf, and the Bay.

The history of Fisherman's Wharf is much more interesting than the tourist junk! After Spanish, Mexican, and finally US rule, Monterey's first wharf was constructed in 1870 by the Pacific Coast Steamship Company. The city purchased the wharf in 1916 and expanded it to include warehouses, seafood wholesalers & retailers, and its first tourist attraction--a restaurant! In 1923 a 123-foot section of the wharf broke during the loading of a ship, and the city rebuilt and expanded the wharf, adding the docking areas to the east where the whale watching boats dock today. Fisherman's Wharf really didn't become a tourist destination until after the sardine industry began to fail, but by the mid 1950s tourism was a booming business.

This wharf's official name is Municipal Wharf I, helping to explain why nearby commercial wharf is Municipal Wharf II, or sometimes just Wharf II.

The Monterey County Weekly "Best Of 2006 Readers' Picks" named Fisherman's Wharf as the best Place to People Watch in Monterey County!

Updated Apr 27, 2008

Address: Fisherman's Wharf

Website: http://www.montereywharf.com/

Was this review helpful?

Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey
orcoastgirl profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

orcoastgirl 77 reviews
Entrance to Fisherman's Wharf
4 more images

It's always a pleasure to take some time while visiting Monterey to stroll through the Historic Fisherman's Wharf area. Touristy shops, candy stores, seafood restaurants and lots more can be found here.

There is also a marina where several fishing trips leave from. The Glass Bottom Boat ride is only $10/pp for about a 25 mintue ride around the harbor and is great fun for all ages. Isabella's, Domenico's and Cafe Fina are 3 of our favorite places to eat while visiting Fisherman's Wharf.

You can also purchase fresh seafood and sample clam chowder from the restaurant vendors. Pelicans, sea gulls and harbor seals are also fun to watch here.

Updated Nov 14, 2006

Related to:
 Sailing and Boating
 Family Travel

Was this review helpful?

Walking Tour of Monterey (2)
Ewingjr98 profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Ewingjr98 4734 reviews
Fishermans Wharf
4 more images

Continued from my previous Walking Tour of Monterey Tip where you were at Commercial Wharf.

9. Cross Del Monte Street and stop by El Estero Park, where the tourist information center sits in the old French Consulate. Also in this area is Dennis the Menace Park if you have kids.

10. Near the back corner of the park, along Fremont, is Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo, the oldest cathedral in the US.

11. Heading back northeast into downtown, catch the Monterey Path of History Walking Tour making certain to stop at Colton Hall and the old jail.

12. Head into downtown along Alvarado Street. If you are hungry there is no better place in town to eat: Old Monterey Cafe for breakfast, the Britannia Arms for lunch (especially if there are sports on!), Turtle Bay Taqueria for lunch, and the Crown and Anchor or Mucky Duck for dinner.

13. Swing by Customs House Plaza and visit some of the small gardens just north as you stroll toward Pacific Street. Ensure you see California's First Theater and it hidden garden to the rear.

14. At Pacific turn right and head to the Lower Presidio Historic Park where you will see the Father Serra Monument and enjoy a spectacular view over the Bay.

15. Out the other side of the Presidio Park puts you on Lighthouse Ave, just a few streets above Cannery Row. This stretch has several good restaurants and bars as you head back to the parking garage.

Updated Nov 10, 2006

Was this review helpful?

Touristy, but cute
Lhenne1 profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Lhenne1 308 reviews

Fisherman's Wharf was built in 1870 for the fishing industry in Monterey. The wharf has seen a lot of history,from being a major part of the sardine industry, to a favorite stomping ground of Steinbeck. Today the pier is still acts as a dock, but mainly to whale watching cruises, not to fishing boats. Overlooking the marina, you can watch the sea lions and birds who fill the area.

This wharf area has a definate tourist feel. Sort of like a boardwalk back East. A good number of restaurants and a few shops line the pier. The problem here are the crowds. We went back and walked along it after everything had closed up and it was a nice spot to look over the city at night. While this is a good place to see, keep it brief, there are other areas of the city worth more of your time.

Written Oct 11, 2006

Website: http://www.montereywharf.com/

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Eco-Tourism

Was this review helpful?

A must see
tvdandy profile photo

1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

tvdandy 291 reviews
Fishermans Wharf
2 more images

Fisherman's Wharf can rival San Francisco's as far as I am concerned. This has a very lively atmosphere where everybody seems to be having a blast. Very scenic as well. Food galore and boating excursions. A must see.

Written Oct 8, 2006

Was this review helpful?

This Has It All
PorkTeriyaki profile photo
PorkTeriyaki 44 reviews
Approaching Pier #1
4 more images

This long pier is crammed with restaurants & shops. From here you can catch boat rides for whale watching & other water tours. Sea lions & other wildlife congregate here, so it's a good spot for nature watching. When fishermen come in & cut up their catch, pelicans & seagulls jostle for the scraps. It's a fun place for the whole family. The nearby Custom House Plaza contains two museums. To the east is Del Monte Beach, one very long strip of sand with plenty of room for many activities.

Written May 26, 2006

Address: At the north end of Figueroa Street

Related to:
 Museum Visits
 Beaches
 Whale Watching

Was this review helpful?

Fisherman's Wharf is touristy but pleasant enough
atufft profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

atufft 2638 reviews
Fisherman's Wharf and Harbor
2 more images

The wharf at Monterey has lost all of it original authenticity, so don't get your hopes up on a freshly caught fish dinner. The seafood at the restaurants are sometimes local, but they are part of the same global fish distribution system any fish monger would have along the coast. The souvenir shops are full of kitch--logo sweatshirts, sea shells, etc,--non of which are really produced locally, but are nevertheless Monterey Logo junk. A walk out to the end of the pier offers a view of the sea lions on the rocks beyond although it's also possible to walk around to see the animals up close. Whale watching tours leave every hour from the wharf, but see my "tourist traps" warning about this activity. Also, see my recommendation about restaurants here. There are quite a few to choose from and the menu outside can be deceptive. The restaurant business is competitive, so don't forget to ask for the window table before you step inside and commit yourself.

Written Nov 26, 2005

Address: Monterey Wharf

Website: http://www.montereywharf.com/

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Food and Dining
 Romantic Travel and Honeymoons

Was this review helpful?

Boat cruise
Tom_Fields profile photo

2 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Tom_Fields 2300 reviews
Tour boats at Fisherman's Wharf
4 more images

A visit to Monterey is just not complete without a boat cruise. I happened to miss the whale migration. But on a good day, you'll see plenty of marine mammals, birds, fish, and other wildlife. At least you'll see the top of the kelp forest, growing in Monterey Bay. Have plenty of film on hand!

The tour that I took was called Bay Watch Cruises. As luck would have it, no one else showed up, as the big tourist season was over. So I had my own private one-on-one tour.

Written Oct 23, 2005

Address: 90 Fisherman's Wharf #1, Monterey, CA 93940

Phone: 831-372-7151

Website: http://www.baywatchcruises.com/

Related to:
 Cruise
 Sailing and Boating
 Beaches

Was this review helpful?

Top 3 Hotels in Monterey

Monterey Plaza Hotel  Monterey

 5 Reviews and 1063 Opinions  This was a family trip for us to celebrate my mom's birthday. We were really looking forward to our... 

 Hotels in Monterey

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay  Monterey

 5 Reviews and 657 Opinions  The Portola Plaza is one of the best-locating lodging facilities in Monterey. Besides the location,... 

 Hotels in Monterey

Spindrift Inn  Monterey

 1 Review and 771 Opinions  Charming rooms,beautifully decorated,can make for a romantic getaway.Wine and cheese time in the... 

 Hotels in Monterey

The Place

Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf tips and photos posted by real travelers and Monterey locals.

  Write a Review  
Experience Monterey
 

The People

117 Members Live Here
 
Our Members Say
 profile photo

 A visit to Monterey is just not complete without a boat cruise. I happened to miss the whale migration. But on a good day, you'll see plenty of marine mammals,... 

117 members live in Monterey

 

Questions and Answers

cali2012 profile photo

Q:  Hi there, Myself and some friends are travelling to California from London, UK for a bachelor party. We then plan to drive down... 

zuriga profile photo

A: For me, the nicest area in the Monterey area is Pacific Grove. There are some really nice old inns to stay in, and they're right across from the water, seal-watching etc.... 

Read 4 Replies

postQuestion_button

Top Monterey Writers

1

Watching the Sunset in Monterey...

Ewingjr98 profile photo

 Founded by Spanish missionaries & soldiers, Monterey was the capital of the old Spanish then Mexican state of Alta California. The area was captured by the US in 1846, and Monterey became the new US... 

2

City by the Sea

Lhenne1 profile photo

 “So my job is sending me to a new office,” my boyfriend told me one evening over dinner in his Delaware home. “Where to? Philly? New Jersey? DC?” “Not quite,” he replied. “Where?” “Monterey,... 

3

Monterey - Beginning of the U.S. tour

rsilva profile photo

 This was our first stop in our first U.S. trip. My girlfriend attended a conference and I gladly joined her afterwards for what turned out to be a great 10-day vacation. Monterey is a small town, 200... 

4

Monterey and Its Beautiful Big Sur Country

KimberlyAnn profile photo

 Monterey lies on a peninsula and ranges in altitude from sea level to 360 feet This town is rich in history and natural beauty, and has a wide range of activities, shops, and restaurants which keeps... 

5

Life's a Kelp Forest...

squidly2 profile photo

 I moved here in 2005, so on my pages I've included some things I've learned along the way. If someone already wrote about a place, I haven't included it in my "tips". I'm just trying to fill in the...... 

View all rated pages

View newest pages

Build your own Monterey page