There are so many unique attractions in Monterey, it can be almost overwhelming! Having trouble picking a starting point? Travelers find themselves returning time and again to the locations below.
Discover life in Monterey’s bay without leaving dry land at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Dedicated to marine research and conservation, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is known throughout the world for its interactive exhibits and ability to present marine life on a truly grand scale. Learn more...
Happy 50th Birthday, Cannery Row! Fifty years ago, in January 1958, the City of Monterey officially re-named Ocean View Avenue "Cannery Row" in honor of John Steinbeck. Marking Cannery Row's 50th birthday will be the opening of the first hotel built on Monterey Bay in more than 20 years and a 290-seat IMAX theatre. Today's Cannery Row also features more than 25 restaurants stretching along the historic streets and waterfront, offering a variety of cuisines from formal to casual. Visitors can also browse through an eclectic blend of specialty shops and local artists' galleries, and sample Monterey County wines and gourmet foods. It's easy to shed your car and go "green and marine" on Cannery Row, taking in the wonders of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary by scuba diving with the starfish, kayaking with the sea otters, or bike riding from beach to beach along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail. Learn more...
Just a block from the Monterey Bay Aquarium is Cannery Row’s brand new IMAX Theater! Watch feature length 3D movies and dive into 12,000 watts of digital-surround sound and giant-screen action. The Cannery Row IMAX Theater also houses an exclusive Guy Buffet Art Gallery, and the Edgewater Café which serves Italian favorites such as gelato, sorbetto, espresso, pastries and chocolates. Learn more...
Old Fisherman's Wharf in downtown Monterey should be on the "must-do" list of every visitor to the area. This is a great place to take in the sights and sounds and smells of Monterey. Because neighboring Wharf 2 is the heart of the area's thriving fishing industry, you can usually watch the working trawlers unloading the catch of the day — just look for all of the seagulls hoping for a handout to know who's had a successful day on the Bay! Stroll down the wharf with a cup of hot clam chowder, or stop by one of several restaurants featuring fresh Monterey Bay seafood. You can photograph sea lions and otters frolicking in the calm inner harbor waters, or, if you're feeling more adventurous, take to the waters with a glass bottom boat tour, deep-sea fishing trip or whale watching tour in season. Learn more...
Discover Nature’s treasures as you explore one of the most scenic drives anywhere in the world. 17 Mile Drive, which runs through Del Monte Forest, is seventeen miles of sea and sky, immaculate golf courses, and dream homes set graciously behind elegant gates. Here you will experience the magic of this legendary scenic tour that’s home to The Lone Cypress, Seal and Bird Rocks, Fanshell Beach, Point Joe, and the colliding currents of The Restless Sea, as well as the natural habitat of the black cormorants, brown pelicans, California sea otters, harbor seals, and idle sea lions. Additionally, along the way, you’ll encounter the emerald fairways of such famous golf courses as The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill and the world-renowned Pebble Beach Golf Links. For a gourmet picnic lunch along 17-Mile Drive, visit Pebble Beach Market adjacent to The Lodge at Pebble Beach. Learn more...
Experience the thrill of world-class motorcycle and auto racing in the heart of Monterey County. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is home to the popular Monterey Sports Car Championship and the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. Racing enthusiasts flock here by the tens of thousands each year to watch professional drivers scream through the hairpin turns at top speeds. Learn more...
Works of literary art created by Monterey County's favorite native son, Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck, are on permanent display at this new museum in the heart of Salinas. Let the diverse, interactive exhibits take you into the heart of such novels as Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, and Cannery Row. Also featuring rotating art exhibits and a gourmet café. Full catering and meeting facilities are available seven days a week. Now open: The Valley of the World agricultural wing, sharing the stories of the Salinas Valley "from field to fork." Learn more...
500-pound African lion, a Bengal tiger and three elephants are just a few of the residents of Wild Things, a wild animal park on River Road in Salinas. This exotic animal facility is a training ground for animals that star in film, TV and live productions. Over 100 animals in all at this educational and safe animal compound. Daily tours begin at 1pm. In addition, a new, safari-style bed-and-breakfast facility allows adults to stay overnight within the grounds. Learn more...
Join over 25,000 butterflies from October to May at the Monarch Grove Sanctuary in Pacific Grove. The unique microclimate and plentiful eucalyptus trees have made the area the perfect winter residence for migrating Monarch butterflies. The butterflies cluster together on trees for warmth, looking like leaves until the temperature rises above 55 degrees, when they soar through the sky seeking nectar. Each short-lived butterfly comes to Pacific Grove only once, but their descendants somehow find their way back every year. The Sanctuary is always open, and admission is free. Learn more...
Learn about the plants, animals, sea life and native peoples of Monterey County at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. Learn about whale life with "Sandy", the life-size gray whale sculpture directly in front of the building. Then come in and explore the Cetacean Room's audio exhibits and artifacts, including the giant jawbone of a humpback whale! Children can learn about underground wildlife with the crawl-through burrow in the Children's Touch Gallery. Get information about the Ohlone, Salinan, and Esselen tribes of the area in the Native American Room. Then go outdoors to the gardens to explore native plant life. Groups, which must reserve admission in advance, can participate in an on-site educational program, which is free to Monterey County schools. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., except on major holidays - and it's free! Learn more...
Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau P.O. Box 1770, Monterey, CA 93942 1-877-MONTEREY info@mccvb.org
In partnership with Monterey County and the cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas,
Sand City, Seaside, Soledad, Pebble Beach, Moss Landing, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, and Salinas Valley.
© Copyright 2008 Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
