Monterey

Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

Entrance to the Monterey Bay AquariumMonterey Bay Aquarium

We love Monterey, which makes a perfect stopping-off point on any Pacific Coast Highway drive. 

In fact there’s so much to see and do here, you might want to break the journey and spend two nights. You can spend at least half a day just at the fantastic Monterey Bay Aquarium.

And then there’s Cannery Row with its John Steinbeck connections, the Monterey State Historic Park with some fine old buildings (including the oldest government building in California), the fun of Fisherman’s Wharf, whale-watching cruises, and lots more.

A Shark in the Monterey Bay AquariumA Shark in the Monterey Bay Aquarium

In the Monterey Bay Aquarium. All Photos (c) Donna Dailey

Things we love about Monterey

Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is definitely one of our top Pacific Coast Highway attractions, and one of the finest aquariums in the United States. Allow at least half a day if you want to have a chance to see everything, including of course popular events like feeding the sea otters, the penguins, the sharks, and catching some of the talks and displays that change regularly. (Check the Daily Activities page on the Monterey Bay Aquarium website for details.)

An otter eating at feeding time in the Monterey Bay AquariumAn Otter Eating at Feeding Time

We couldn’t get enough of fascinating creatures like the jellyfish and the sea dragons (above), while other big attractions include the hauntingly beautiful Kelp Forest, the Giant Pacific Octopus Exhibit, and the Open Sea Exhibit, where you can gaze through a 90-ft window onto sea creatures including tuna, turtles, sharks and puffins, all enjoying the natural feel of their 1.2 million gallon home.

Best Guide to Carmel and Monterey

Moon-Monterey-and-Carmel.png

It’s not surprising that the Monterey Bay Aquarium has been called one of the best family attractions in the USA. See our separate page that tells you much more about the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

A Seadragon in the Monterey Bay AquariumSeadragon

Cannery Row

See our Cannery Row page.

Fisherman's Wharf

Eating clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, CaliforniaMike Loves Clam Chowder!

You can’t visit Monterey without going to Fisherman’s Wharf, where you’ll probably be greeted by the sounds of sea lions barking, and some of the restaurant owners trying to tempt you in with free samples of their clam chowder, and other food. There are several restaurants along the Wharf, and after a mouthful of their clam chowder we just had to eat at Abalonetti’s, where we had a great front seat view to watch the sea lions playing in the water.

The Wharf has lots of shops too, and a choice of several whale watching cruises. If you want to go see some whales, just head straight to Fisherman’s Wharf. Read our Whale Watching in California page first, to find out when the best whale watching seasons are.

To find out more about Fisherman’s Wharf visit the official Fisherman’s Wharf website. 

Monterey State Historic Park

As well as being a lively town with its many visitor attractions, one of the things we love about Monterey is that it’s so steeped in history. You can take a walking tour around the historic district, following the markers on the ground that guide you along the Path of History.

We picked up a leaflet at the tourist office, or you can get one from the Monterey State Historic Park Visitor Center on Custom House Plaza, a few short blocks back from Fisherman’s Wharf. We were fascinated to see the house where the Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson lived for a while in 1879, and the 1827 Custom House, the oldest government building in California.

For more information visit the official Monterey State Historic Park website.

And see our page on the Best Museums in Monterey.

Monterey State Historic ParkMonterey State Historic Park

Point Lobos State Reserve

See our separate page about our visit to the Point Lobos State Reserve, a few miles south of Monterey and right on the Pacific Coast Highway. Don't miss it!

More Information
For more information on the many things to do in Monterey, where to stay and where to eat, visit the official Monterey Tourist Office website. 

Also, don't miss our page on Where to Eat in Monterey.

For more photos, see our YouTube slide show of
The Best of Monterey

Other Monterey pages

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the most scenic spots on the Pacific Coast Highway in California with Big Sur, Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.

    Scenic Spots on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the most scenic spots on the Pacific Coast Highway in California with Big Sur, Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.

  • Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

    Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

  • La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

    La Jolla, in southern California

    La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

  • The Hotel Pacific is a Monterey boutique hotel in a good location close to Fisherman’s wharf and downtown restaurants and bars and with its own parking garage.

    Monterey Boutique Hotel, the Hotel Pacific near Fisherman's Wharf

    The Hotel Pacific is a Monterey boutique hotel in a good location close to Fisherman’s wharf and downtown restaurants and bars and with its own parking garage.

  • Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

    Bodega Bay

    Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

  • Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.

    Bixby Bridge

    Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.

  • For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.

    Moss Beach Hotel

    For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.

  • The Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row is one of the top sights in Monterey and along the whole Pacific Coast Highway.

    Monterey Bay Aquarium

    The Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row is one of the top sights in Monterey and along the whole Pacific Coast Highway.

  • San Luis Obispo in California is half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast Highway and with lots of things to do and see.

    San Luis Obispo

    San Luis Obispo in California is half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast Highway and with lots of things to do and see.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to where to eat in Monterey including on Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row, fish restaurants and the best clam chowder.

    Where to Eat in Monterey

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to where to eat in Monterey including on Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row, fish restaurants and the best clam chowder.

  • Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

    Carlsbad

    Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

  • San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.

    San Clemente California

    San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.

  • The best things to do in Monterey, chosen by Pacific Coast Highway Travel, include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, whale watching and Fisherman's Wharf.

    Best Things to Do in Monterey

    The best things to do in Monterey, chosen by Pacific Coast Highway Travel, include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, whale watching and Fisherman's Wharf.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

    Top Wildlife Spots on the California Coast

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

  • A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

    Point Lobos State Reserve near Carmel and Monterey, with photos

    A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

  • This John Steinbeck California Guide, A Journey into Steinbeck's California, shows readers how towns like Monterey, Carmel and Salinas influenced the author.

    John Steinbeck California Guide

    This John Steinbeck California Guide, A Journey into Steinbeck's California, shows readers how towns like Monterey, Carmel and Salinas influenced the author.

  • This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.

    Visiting Hearst Castle

    This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.

  • The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

    Point Reyes National Seashore

    The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

  • San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

    San Simeon

    San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

  • The Jellies Experience jellyfish exhibition is the latest arrival at Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the top sights along the Pacific Coast Highway in California.

    The Jellies Experience jellyfish exhibition at Monterey Bay Aquarium

    The Jellies Experience jellyfish exhibition is the latest arrival at Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the top sights along the Pacific Coast Highway in California.

  • PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

    Best Time to Visit Mendocino

    PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

  • Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

    Santa Monica, California

    Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

  • Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.

    Dana Point

    Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.

  • Oceanside is a typical southern California beach town with a surf culture and with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.

    Oceanside

    Oceanside is a typical southern California beach town with a surf culture and with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.

  • One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.

    California Coast Guide

    One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Best Budget Hotels in Santa Cruz

    Apr 17, 25 05:44 PM

    sea-and-sand-inn-budget-cheap-hotel-santa-cruz.webp
    Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks its list of the best budget hotels in Santa Cruz, including hotels near the Boardwalk, the Wharf, state parks, and the beach.

    Read More

  2. Governor Newsom announces Pacific Coast Highway will reopen in time for summer as California’s all-in fire response continues ahead of schedule

    Apr 14, 25 11:22 AM

    What you need to know: The Pacific Coast Highway, which was closed following the Palisades Fire, will reopen to public travel by the end of May – months ahead of schedule.

    Read More

  3. Central Coast city finally tops list for best beach town of the year

    Apr 11, 25 10:39 AM

    A Central Coast beach town offering a quick escape from the Bay Area or Los Angeles (and famously name-dropped in an iconic 1990s movie) was just crowned the coastal small town of the year.

    Read More