Monterey Travel Guide

  Sea Otter Spotting at Lovers Point
by vichatherly
 
  • Sea Otter Spotting at Lovers Point
      Sea Otter Spotting at Lovers Point
    by vichatherly
  • Lovers Point
      Lovers Point
    by vichatherly
  • Shark
      Shark
    by vichatherly
  • The Lone Cypress on 17 Mile Drive
      The Lone Cypress on 17 Mile Drive
    by sue_stone
  • Me and my grandfather in 1965
      Me and my grandfather in 1965
    by DEBBBEDB
 

Pro

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 Natural Beauty, Historic Sites, the Bay 


Con

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 It gets cold in summer. Bring a jacket. 


In a nutshell

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 Eclectic blend of a city, an historical society and a wilderness preserve. 

 

Explore Monterey

Things to Do  

17 Mile Drive

17 Mile Drive, Monterey

 48 Reviews  17 mile drive is a gated drive around the ocean in the Pebble beach area. it costs about 10 dollars per car and although beautiful doesn't really contain anything ( other than the golf courses) that can't be seen elsewhere on the coast. 

Cannery Row

Cannery Row, Monterey

 24 Reviews  Like the title states this is tourist focused area. Nice to visit with some visit with some wonderful history of the fishing industry. Many shops for souvenirs and large restaurants. Many of the restaurants will have someone standing outside with samples of the food and offering a free "chefs... 

Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey

 23 Reviews  I think the highlight of fisherman's wharf is the seal's lounging out on a dock, waiting for fisherman to through the scraps of their daily catch into the bay. Great fun to watch. Some just lounge on the dock while others swim in group and are very playful. The pier also has a number of restaurants... 

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey

 54 Reviews  Part two of my Aquarium tips with more pictures in and inside the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Monterey Bay Acquarium is one of the Highlights in walking around Cannery row of Monterey and is an important things to do in the area. It is located near the southern end of Cannery row. It was once one of... 

Downtown

Downtown, Monterey

 14 Reviews  Also known as San Carlos Cathedral, this church, built in 1794, was originally used for the soldiers stationed at the Presidio. Today its still a functioning church but is not associated with the modern Presidio site. 

Whale Watching

Whale Watching, Monterey

 7 Reviews  We had such an outstanding trip with the Monterey Bay Whale Watch! Our trip lasted for 3 hours and the boat ride alone was fun, not to mention the whale! And did we see whales! Besure to read about our experience in the next tip. We could not decide whether to take this trip or the trip offered by... 

Big Sur

Big Sur, Monterey

 8 Reviews  We drove down to the Big Sur area and spent part of it simply driving along the coast and the rest hiking a Pfieffer Falls Park. The views are spectacular and it is definately worth a drive if you have a chance. 

Carmel

Carmel, Monterey

 11 Reviews  Carmel By The Sea is just a few miles south of Monterey and while driving along the 17 mile drive, you can take the Carmel exit of the 17 mile drive to go to this quaint artistic and luxe shopping town. I will do separate tips on Carmel at my Carmel pages. Carmel By the Sea is a quaint town in the... 

Hotels  

Monterey Plaza Hotel

 5 Reviews and 1671 Opinions  This was a family trip for us to celebrate my mom's birthday. We were really looking forward to our... 

InterContinental The Clement Monterey

 4 Reviews and 1156 Opinions  We love to stay with InterContinental properties. The Clement is another upscale new hotel from the... 

Restaurants  

The Fish Hopper Restaurant

The Fish Hopper Restaurant, Monterey

 8 Reviews  Part Two of my tips around the fish hopper restaurant this fish hopper restaurant is the busiest restaurant in Cannery Row and offer the most spectacular views of the Monterey Bay inside the restaurant. you can dine inside or al fresco outside. They also have a branch in Kona in the Big Island of... 

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Monterey

 4 Reviews  Bubba Gump Shrimp and Company Restaurant is easily one of my favorites plus their branch here at Monterey has panoramic views of the Monterey Bay Area. Almost everyone is familiar with the movie "Forrest Gump," and this is an excellent commercial adaptation of that theme and story in a fun eatery.... 

Nightlife  

Live Music

Live Music, Monterey

 20 Reviews  Possibly the most beautiful theatre I have ever seen in my life. I am so excited to see The Robert Cray Band this month! And the Growlers in December should be fantastic. They've had to move their smaller acts from The Lobby to the main stage due to sound complaints, which I thought would be kind of... 

Transportation  

By Car

By Car, Monterey

 13 Reviews  There are many Metered Parking Slots along Cannery Row and the absolute limit is just 2 hours and you have to be early as to find the cheap metered parking since it will fill up rapidly before 10:00 am. There are several Pay Parking options in monterey and parking near the Main Stores and Shopping... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Flora / Fauna

Flora / Fauna, Monterey

 2 Reviews  Nature is beautiful and fun, but be careful among some of the birds in Monterey. The area around the bay is home to more Seagulls than you can begin to count. They tend to be loud and can be aggressive if provoked (don’t tease them). Don’t be surprised if you find your car has become their latrine.... 

Tourist Traps  

Cannery Row

Cannery Row, Monterey

 8 Reviews  The Cannery Row is one whole district that is aimed for shopping, eating and dining! The former Sardine Canneries are now converted into assorted Shops, Stores, Restaurants, inns, hotels, bars and chocolate shops so that the area can be decribed as one big shopping mall. The Cannery Row Has two... 

What to Pack  

Sweater / Jacket

Sweater / Jacket, Monterey

 6 Reviews  if you plan to stay a night or two at the hotel, then bring a light travel bag but you're only here for a day tour, then a small type of bag will do. the weather can change abruptly in monterey, always bring a handy sweater or scarf or a wind breaker so that you are prepared for sudden weather... 

Dress in Layers

Dress in Layers, Monterey

 2 Reviews  Bring a jacket, or be prepared to wear several layers during summer mornings. The summer fog (and wind) can be cold, although it usually burns off by noon. And the water is always cool, so wear a wetsuit if you plan on staying in the water for a long time! 

Off The Beaten Path  

Parks

Parks, Monterey

 19 Reviews  The Frog Pond Wetland Preserve in Del Rey Oaks is maintained and operated by Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. This tiny 17 acre park is open for pedestrians only and has about one mile of hiking trails. The park is surrounded by houses or road on all four sides, and has a variety of... 

Coastal Views / Beaches

Coastal Views / Beaches, Monterey

 8 Reviews  if you are visiting the Hearst Castle Historical State Park after a walk through of Monterey and Carmel with lost of spare time or having 2 to 3 day extra time, I would suggest a timely stop along Big Sur and the historic Highway 1 that straddles the Santa Lucia Mountain range and the Pacific Ocean... 

Favorites  

17 Mile Drive

17 Mile Drive, Monterey

 4 Reviews  The community of Pebble Beach is actually an unincorporated area run by a corporation rather than by an elected government but it falls under a census designated place called Del Monte Forest. Del Monte Forest has an average house value of about $800,000, while the residents are 90% white, with... 

Walk / Hike / Play

Walk / Hike / Play, Monterey

 6 Reviews  Monterey County Weekly (http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/) is the paper the locals read for the best entertainment listings. It features the annual "Best of Monterey County" listings, as well as the weekly "club grid" for the entertainment at all the clubs and bars, movie listings, art, and... 

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Map of Monterey