Monterey Travel Guide

There are more than 100 cities in California that are bigger than Monterey, but none of them are serious rivals to this unique and beautiful place. Monterey City has a rich history, a large population of eccentric artists and a landscape rich in natural beauty, set around Monterey Bay.

Perhaps one of the biggest draws to Monterey is the outdoors. The city’s coast makes it one of the best places to scuba dive in the state, with an amazing variety of marine life sharing the water with divers. For those who don’t want to take the plunge, the underwater world can still be experienced at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Many of the city’s attractions involve the ocean, including Cannery Row and the Fisherman’s Wharf.

Monterey attractions

Monterey Bay Aquarium: one of the continent’s largest aquariums is a great place to experience the watery world without getting your feet wet.

Cannery Row: Monterey’s waterfront street has transformed from a stretch of sardine canning factories to a trendy area with hotels and cafés, not to mention a marine sanctuary full of sea lions.

Fisherman’s Wharf: once home to a wholesale fish market, the wharf now hosts a number of excellent seafood restaurants with fantastic views over the ocean as well as a number of boutiques and souvenir shops.

Monterey State Historic Park: there are several historic buildings in the park reflecting Monterey’s key role in California’s history including many fine examples of Monterey colonial architecture including Larkin House and California’s first theater.

National Marine Sanctuary: home to many endangered species, this is an excellent place to spot the California sea otter and the San Jaoquin kit fox as well as explore the oak and cone pine forests and the sand dunes.