Monterey

A picturesque coastal town famous for its world-class aquarium and charming Cannery Row with historic architecture. Perfect for marine wildlife viewing and enjoying fresh seafood.

Things to do

• Monterey Bay Aquarium — Explore one of the world's premier aquariums featuring kelp forests, sea otters, and deep-sea exhibits with stunning ocean views.
• Cannery Row — Stroll the historic waterfront street lined with converted sardine canneries, boutiques, restaurants, and galleries overlooking the bay.
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve — Hike scenic coastal trails through cypress groves and dramatic coves where you can spot sea otters, harbor seals, and migrating gray whales.
• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary — Take a whale-watching boat tour to observe humpback whales, blue whales, and sea lions in their natural habitat during migration seasons.
• Custom House Plaza — Visit the historic adobe buildings and museum that showcase Monterey's Spanish colonial and Gold Rush era heritage.
• Pacific Grove Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary — Witness thousands of monarch butterflies clustering in pine and eucalyptus trees during their winter migration.

Food to try

• Fresh Dungeness Crab — Sample locally caught Dungeness crab prepared simply with lemon and butter at waterfront restaurants, especially during winter season.
• Abalone — Enjoy this tender, locally-harvested mollusk breaded and pan-fried, a traditional Monterey Bay delicacy.
• Fish and Chips — Order crispy beer-battered local catch served with tartar sauce and views of the bay at Cannery Row establishments.
• Calamari — Try grilled or fried squid caught fresh from Monterey Bay, often served with marinara sauce at local seafood restaurants.
• Cioppino — Savor this Italian-American tomato-based seafood stew loaded with crab, shrimp, and fish, a Bay Area specialty popular in Monterey.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Marine Wildlife — Keep a safe distance from sea otters, seals, and other marine animals; they are protected and viewing from a distance preserves their natural behavior.
• Timing for Whale Watching — Plan visits between December and May for gray whale migrations and summer months for blue and humpback whales to maximize marine wildlife viewing.
• Cannery Row Crowds — Visit early morning or weekday afternoons to avoid the heaviest tourist crowds and enjoy a more authentic experience of this iconic street.
• Layers for Weather — Bring layers as Monterey's coastal climate can be cool and foggy even in summer, with temperatures varying significantly between sun and shade.