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
1.1 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 $74 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 $46 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 $40 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
From $98 per night
Next weekend
From $543 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | USD |
| Language | |
| Average weekend price | $272 per night |
| Average weekday price | $273 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
Monterey was amazing.
September 4, 2023
Monterey was amazing. We went to the aquarium and ended up upgrading to annual passes. The shops were great and plenty of items for my family of 4. The food selection was wonderful. Note to self the traffic is insane on the weekend. Leave early and arrive to Monterey around 9am before the city fills up. Pay the $20 for the parking garage and don’t worry about it.
Beautiful place.
August 24, 2023
Beautiful place. Nothing beats the views. Right on the beach. Bathrooms are small. Just a standup shower and toilet. Separate sink on the outside of bathroom. Super tiny shower and toilet area. Beds are not very comfortable. Large tv. Nice fire pits outside. Overall nice place to stay, but expensive for how old the rooms are. Nice pool area. Paying for the views.
We love going to Monterey-- we go at least once every year,...
August 5, 2023
We love going to Monterey-- we go at least once every year, usually during "Car Week". But we would go anyway whether or not it is Car Week. ALWAYS enjoy eating at Old Fisherman's Grotto on the wharf. One of the best, if not the best clam chowder anywhere, and that is just the start. Great food, great service, great place.
We stayed 2 nights on our way back to San Francisco.
August 3, 2023
We stayed 2 nights on our way back to San Francisco. This was enough to allow us to do a little sightseeing and get down the coast to see wildlife. We saw dolphins, otters, sea lions. We also saw whale spouts from land. If you want to go on the boat to see whales it is useful to book a few days in advance
Monterey hosts gorgeous beaches, restaurants,...
July 21, 2023
Monterey hosts gorgeous beaches, restaurants, hiking/biking trails and close proximity to Carmel. You can also enjoy wine tasting, the Aquarium and a multitude of other fantastic activities… You could easily spend 3 weeks there and never run out of options!
Monterey was good We were a bit disappointed as all the...
July 12, 2023
Monterey was good We were a bit disappointed as all the boats were grounded so didn’t get to see the whales. The Cannery Row area is worth a visit as it has some cool shops and eating places. Allows you to see the seals and sea otters.
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 of America
From $926.57 per night
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Spindrift Inn Cannery Row, Monterey
From $199 per night
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Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa Cannery Row, Monterey
From $278.10 per night
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Wave Street Inn Cannery Row, Monterey
From $199 per night
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Hotel Abrego Monterey, United States of America
From $160.65 per night
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