Top things to do in Monterey
Attractions, tours, and activities in Monterey
Monterey: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Monterey
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Cannery Row
1 miles from downtown
Made famous by author John Steinbeck, this seafront district once hummed with fish factories. Today, it packs in bars and eateries like sardines in a can. At Sardine Factory, chow on crispy calamari and shellfish soup in classy surroundings. Then, suck in fresh sea air by the harbour and follow the strains of live jazz that float from McFly’s Bar.
Places to stay from $73 a night
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North Fremont
1.9 miles from downtown
It was here that Jimi Hendrix set his guitar alight and stuck it to “The Man” back in 1967. Nowadays, Fremont’s rather white-collar. Yet, locals like to let their hair down: from the cool cats and foxy ladies at the Monterey Jazz festival to the thrill-seeking paragliders on Monterey State Beach. For a more serene scene, escape to Laguna Grande Park.
Places to stay from $45 a night
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Munras Avenue
0.9 miles from downtown
Peppered with motels and malls, this suburban strip links downtown with the Pacific Coast Highway. The main hype centres on the Del Monte Center – cruise the likes of Macy’s and Banana Republic in between frappuccinos at Starbucks. Feeling peckish? Tuck into hearty Vietnamese noodle soup at Chopstix, or treat yourself to upscale tapas at Esteban.
Places to stay from $39 a night
About Monterey
Including tips for the best time to visit Monterey
Monterey, a picturesque city in California, is renowned for its wild natural beauty and laid-back West Coast vibe. From beaches to museums, there's a wealth of places to visit here.
Monterey’s rugged coastline is dotted with numerous beaches offering everything from swimming to scuba diving opportunities. At Monterey State Beach, you’ll find surfers, anglers and divers alongside those admiring sunset views from its sandy shores. Del Monte Beach – a hidden gem known mostly to locals – is located just a short drive away and features picnic spots and a boardwalk passing through sand dunes. Other famous beaches to visit in Monterey are San Carlos Beach and McAbee Beach, near Cannery Row.
With the Pacific Ocean lapping at its shores, Monterey is well-positioned to offer a slew of outdoor activities to visitors. Scuba divers can head to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to explore its aquatic world that includes an underwater canyon and a kelp forest. Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay are well-known kayaking destinations, where you can spot harbour seals, sea lions, pelicans and leopard sharks. For some land adventures, try mountain biking at Fort Ord National Monument or hiking, rock climbing and camping at several national and state parks nearby.
During your Monterey holiday, set aside some time to visit the Presidio of Monterey Museum, where you can gain insights into the illustrious past of the city through artefacts and photographs. Art lovers will find plenty of interesting exhibits at Monterey Museum of Art and MHAA: Salvador Dalí.
Tonight
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Next weekend
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| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | USD |
| Language | |
| Average weekend price | $163 per night |
| Average weekday price | $174 per night |
| Average stay | 1 night |
Points of interest in Monterey
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Monterey
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Cannery Row
1 miles from downtown
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Fisherman's Wharf
0.3 miles from downtown
Monterey reviews
What other travelers say about Monterey
What a beautiful and breathtaking spot in California to...
May 15, 2025
What a beautiful and breathtaking spot in California to visit. So much to see and do. Make sure to add extra time to your visit.. also, don’t forget to visit Carmel Valley and the Village there. Beautiful scenery , amazing garden centers, wineries and restaurants not to mention the art galleries and shops in the Village..A hidden gem of a destination!
Did not visit the aquarium this visit - but it is a must for...
April 28, 2025
Did not visit the aquarium this visit - but it is a must for first-time or any visitors. We visited several points of interest, ie, seal pupping area, Old Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row and of course 17 mile drive. Strolled around Carmel By the Sea - delicious oyster bars and bakeries!
Springtime is beautiful for ocean waves and flowers...
April 26, 2025
Springtime is beautiful for ocean waves and flowers throughout the city. We love to just walk around admiring the scenery. The downside is the parking which is overly expensive in my opinion and it seems like the meter maids are quite happy to jump on an expired meter immediately. We've been going to Monterey for decades and will continue to do so.
Monterey has ALWAYS been a favorite destination and still is.
March 24, 2025
Monterey has ALWAYS been a favorite destination and still is. It's a little slice of heaven for us. First stop, the Wharf for clam chowder!! It's a good time strolling down the Wharf. We were last there shortly after CoVid and was so disappointed that a lot of Monterey was shut down. But, its back and Im so grateful.
Nice place to go for mini vacation.
January 5, 2025
Nice place to go for mini vacation. Best foods at Tarpy's, never a disappointment. Fisherman's Grotto is another good place to eat. Fun activity is whale watching but not for people who gets seasick. Was planning to go to Monterey Aquarium but admission is too expensive for us. Overall, Monterey is a good place to go for mini vacation.
Have to see the sea lions in the harbor - what a show!
November 23, 2024
Have to see the sea lions in the harbor - what a show! Had a fun paddle in Elkhorn Slough, many sea otters and harbor seals, plus thousands of sea birds. Explored tide pools at Asilomar beach, and walked shore at Moss Landing. Best fish tacos ever at Sea Harvest, Moss Landing.
Popular places to stay in Monterey
Stay in some of the best accommodations Monterey has to offer
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3485 Avalon by the Sea home Monterey, United States
From $428.42 per night
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Victorian Inn Cannery Row, Monterey
From $189 per night
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Monterey Bay Inn Cannery Row, Monterey
From $269 per night
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Deep Blue Seaside Monterey, United States
From $181 per night
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