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Monterey
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Monterey, California pairs Pacific views with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, historic adobes, coastal wildlife and maritime heritage.

A Coast Shaped by History

Monterey occupies a sheltered stretch of California’s central coast, where the Pacific meets the deep submarine canyon of Monterey Bay. Long before Spanish settlement, the area was home to Indigenous Ohlone communities, including the Rumsen people, whose cultural connections with the coastline remain an essential part of the region’s history. Spanish soldiers and missionaries established a presidio and mission here in 1770, giving Monterey a pivotal role in the colonial development of Alta California. The city later became the Mexican capital of Alta California and, in 1849, hosted the constitutional convention that helped prepare California for statehood.
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Waterfront Character and Cultural Life

Modern Monterey is best understood through the relationship between its historic core and the ocean. Monterey State Historic Park preserves adobe buildings, the old Custom House and other reminders of the city’s Spanish, Mexican and early American eras, while Cannery Row traces the industrial story of the sardine-packing district immortalised by John Steinbeck. At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, visitors encounter the extraordinary ecology of the bay, from kelp forests to open-water species, through carefully researched exhibits and conservation work. Old Fisherman’s Wharf adds a working-harbour atmosphere, with boats, seafood restaurants and views across the water.

Exploring the Peninsula

The city’s compact historic areas are rewarding on foot, although the wider Monterey Peninsula extends into Pacific Grove, Carmel-by-the-Sea and other communities beyond the city boundary. Coastal paths, cypress-fringed viewpoints, public beaches and whale-watching waters provide a powerful counterpoint to Monterey’s civic landmarks and galleries. Alvarado Street supplies a more urban rhythm with restaurants, independent businesses and evening performances, while the city’s museums and preserved adobes reveal layers of maritime, political and literary history beneath its relaxed coastal surface.

When is the best time to visit Monterey?

Best: July–September · 20–21°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January1479
February1668
March1660
April1637
May1813
June194
July (best)202
August (best)214
September (best)208
October1818
November1540
December1468

Getting to and around Monterey

How to get there

Monterey Regional Airport is within the city and offers the most direct air access, though route choices can be more limited than at the major Bay Area airports. San Francisco International and Norman Y. Mineta San José International airports are larger alternatives, but both require a substantial road journey to the Monterey Peninsula. Highway 1 connects Monterey with the central and northern California coast, while Highways 68 and 156 provide inland approaches. Amtrak trains do not run directly to Monterey; rail travellers generally use services to Salinas and continue by road or local bus connections. Long-distance bus availability and schedules vary, so they should be checked before travel.

Transportation

Central Monterey, Cannery Row, the waterfront and much of the historic area can be explored on foot, with the Coastal Recreation Trail providing a scenic route beside Monterey Bay. Monterey-Salinas Transit operates local bus services across the city and wider Peninsula, although routes and frequencies vary by corridor. Taxis and app-based rides are available, while cycling is practical along the flatter coastal paths. A car is useful for reaching more dispersed Peninsula destinations, but parking near Cannery Row, the aquarium and the wharf can become busy. Read signs carefully, particularly where time limits, permits or seasonal restrictions apply.

Best attractions in Monterey

Monterey’s principal attractions bring together marine science, coastal scenery and layered history. The Monterey Bay Aquarium anchors Cannery Row with immersive displays of kelp forests, open-ocean life and local conservation research. Along the waterfront, the Coastal Recreation Trail links public viewpoints with beaches, benches and opportunities to watch seabirds and marine mammals, while Old Fisherman’s Wharf offers harbour views and excursion boats. Monterey State Historic Park introduces the city’s Spanish, Mexican and early American past through preserved adobes, gardens and the old Custom House. The Pacific House Museum and nearby cultural institutions add context to the region’s Indigenous, maritime and civic history. Dennis the Menace Playground provides a family-focused green space beside Lake El Estero, and the Monterey Museum of Art presents Californian and modern works in historic settings. Together, these sites make Monterey a city to explore through both its shoreline and its built heritage.

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Best landmarks in Monterey

Monterey’s landmarks record its changing role as an Indigenous homeland, Spanish outpost, Mexican capital, American port and modern centre of marine conservation. The Royal Presidio Chapel, associated with the 1770 Spanish settlement, is one of the city’s most important surviving religious buildings. At Monterey State Historic Park, the Spanish and Mexican-era adobe structures include the Pacific House, Custom House and Casa Serrano, while the Custom House is recognised as California’s oldest public building. Colton Hall carries national and state significance as the meeting place of California’s 1849 constitutional convention. Along the shore, Cannery Row’s former industrial buildings evoke the sardine-packing economy and the literary legacy of John Steinbeck. The Monterey Bay Aquarium represents a later chapter in the city’s identity, translating the ecological importance of Monterey Bay into a major public institution devoted to marine education and conservation.

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Explore Monterey on the map

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Neighbourhoods in Monterey

Best restaurants in Monterey

Monterey’s dining identity is anchored by the Pacific, with seafood restaurants serving locally associated specialities such as fish, crab, oysters and clam chowder, alongside menus shaped by the wider agricultural richness of California’s central coast. Cannery Row and Old Fisherman’s Wharf concentrate many visitor-oriented restaurants, while Alvarado Street and the downtown area offer a broader mix of contemporary Californian cooking, Mexican food, cafés, bakeries and casual dining. The city’s history as a fishing and canning port remains visible in waterfront menus, although present-day cuisine also reflects sustainability concerns and the influence of long-established Mexican-American communities. Farmers’ markets in Monterey and surrounding Peninsula communities provide seasonal fruit, vegetables, prepared foods and regional products. Dining ranges from relaxed counter service to polished restaurants, with coastal views often forming part of the setting rather than a substitute for the food itself.

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Best bars in Monterey

Monterey’s evenings are generally relaxed rather than centred on a large nightclub scene. Alvarado Street is the main downtown area for bars, pubs and restaurants, with venues offering craft beer, cocktails, wine and live music in an informal atmosphere. Cannery Row and Old Fisherman’s Wharf provide waterfront drinking and dining, though activity there is shaped strongly by tourism and tends to quieten outside peak periods. The Golden State Theatre on Alvarado Street brings concerts, comedy and other performances to a restored historic venue, while smaller bars and hotel lounges provide quieter places for an evening drink. Seasonal festivals, gallery events and performances at local cultural venues add alternatives to nightlife based on alcohol. Visitors should check current venue arrangements, as opening patterns and entertainment programmes can change, and late-night activity is more limited than in San Francisco or Los Angeles.

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Best nightclubs in Monterey

Monterey’s evenings are generally relaxed rather than centred on a large nightclub scene. Alvarado Street is the main downtown area for bars, pubs and restaurants, with venues offering craft beer, cocktails, wine and live music in an informal atmosphere. Cannery Row and Old Fisherman’s Wharf provide waterfront drinking and dining, though activity there is shaped strongly by tourism and tends to quieten outside peak periods. The Golden State Theatre on Alvarado Street brings concerts, comedy and other performances to a restored historic venue, while smaller bars and hotel lounges provide quieter places for an evening drink. Seasonal festivals, gallery events and performances at local cultural venues add alternatives to nightlife based on alcohol. Visitors should check current venue arrangements, as opening patterns and entertainment programmes can change, and late-night activity is more limited than in San Francisco or Los Angeles.

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Best shops in Monterey

Shopping in Monterey is concentrated around Cannery Row, the historic downtown and the Del Monte Center, with a mixture of independent boutiques, galleries, specialist food shops, souvenir retailers and national brands. Cannery Row caters strongly to visitors, offering coastal-themed gifts, local art, clothing and food products in buildings adapted from the former canning district. Downtown streets around Alvarado Street provide a more varied local rhythm, including galleries, books, jewellery and small businesses, while Del Monte Center offers a conventional open-air retail setting. Farmers’ markets in the city and on the wider Peninsula are useful for regional produce, baked goods and prepared foods rather than mass-produced souvenirs. Local purchases may include California wines, artisan ceramics, ocean-themed artwork and packaged food products, but visitors should consider transport and customs rules before carrying agricultural goods across international borders.

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Monterey essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar, written as USD or $. Credit and debit cards are widely used in hotels, museums, restaurants, shops and transport-related businesses, and contactless payments are increasingly common. Carrying a modest amount of cash remains sensible for small purchases, tips and occasional businesses with minimum card requirements. ATMs are available in central commercial areas, although a bank or card-provider fee may apply. International visitors should notify their card issuer before travelling and select payment in US dollars rather than accepting an unfamiliar dynamic currency conversion rate when offered.
Safety
Monterey is a generally straightforward destination for visitors, but ordinary coastal-city precautions remain appropriate. Keep valuables out of sight in parked cars, especially near scenic pull-ins and busy waterfront areas, and remain aware of belongings in crowded visitor districts. Use marked crossings and take care on uneven historic pavements, cycle paths and wet rocks near the shore. Ocean conditions can change quickly, so observe beach warnings and never approach sea lions or other wildlife. After dark, stay on well-lit streets and use a reputable taxi or ride service if walking between separated districts feels inconvenient.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 in the United States for police, fire or medical emergencies; the operator can coordinate the appropriate service. State the exact location, including a beach access point, trail marker or nearby landmark when reporting an incident along the coast. Monterey Fire Department and Monterey Police Department provide local emergency services, while hospital treatment is available through Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula in nearby Monterey. For non-urgent medical needs, pharmacies, urgent-care clinics and healthcare providers can advise on appropriate treatment. Travellers should carry travel insurance details and information about allergies or essential medication.
Do's and Don'ts
Treat Monterey’s marine wildlife as wild animals: keep well back from sea otters, seals, sea lions and nesting birds, and never feed or touch them. Stay on signed paths and respect barriers at cliffs, beaches and historic properties. In restaurants, tipping is customary for table service, generally calculated as a percentage of the bill, while counter-service expectations vary. Dress is informal but bring layers because coastal temperatures can change quickly. Do not assume that beaches or the open ocean are safe for swimming; follow posted warnings and local advice. Quiet behaviour and appropriate clothing are expected in churches and historic religious sites.
Local Tips
The waterfront is easiest to understand as a sequence of areas: the aquarium and Cannery Row to the north, coastal parks and beaches in between, and Old Fisherman’s Wharf and the historic centre farther south. Early mornings often provide calmer conditions for walking and better opportunities to observe shoreline wildlife, although sightings are never guaranteed. Monterey State Historic Park rewards a slower visit because several buildings and adobes are spread through the centre rather than enclosed in one museum complex. For regional excursions, distinguish Monterey from neighbouring Pacific Grove, Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pebble Beach when planning transport and timings.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHola[oh-lah]
GoodbyeAdiós[ah-dee-ohs]
YesSí[see]
NoNo[noh]
Please/You're welcomePor favor/De nada[por fah-vor/deh nah-dah]
Thank youGracias[grah-see-ahs]
Excuse me/SorryDisculpa/Lo siento[dee-skool-pah/loh see-ehn-toh]
How are you?¿Cómo estás?[koh-moh ehs-tahs]
Fine. And you?Bien. ¿Y tú?[bee-ehn. ee too]
Do you speak English?¿Hablas inglés?[ah-blahs een-glays]
I don't understandNo entiendo[noh ehn-tee-ehn-doh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMe gustaría ver el menú, por favor[meh goos-tah-ree-ah behr ehl meh-noo, por fah-vor]
I don't eat meatNo como carne[noh koh-moh kahr-neh]
Cheers!¡Salud![sah-lood]
I would like to pay, pleaseMe gustaría pagar, por favor[meh goos-tah-ree-ah pah-gahr, por fah-vor]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!¡Ayuda![ah-yoo-dah]
Go away!¡Vete![veh-teh]
Call the Police!¡Llama a la policía![yah-mah ah lah poh-lee-see-ah]
Call a doctor!¡Llama a un médico![yah-mah ah oon meh-dee-koh]
I'm lostEstoy perdido[ehs-toy pehr-dee-doh]
I'm illEstoy enfermo[ehs-toy ehn-fehr-moh]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Me gustaría comprar...[meh goos-tah-ree-ah kohm-prahr]
I'm just lookingSólo estoy mirando[soh-loh ehs-toy meer-ahn-doh]
How much is it?¿Cuánto cuesta?[kwahn-toh kwehs-tah]
That's too expensiveEso es muy caro[eh-soh ehs mwee kah-roh]
Can you lower the price?¿Puedes bajar el precio?[pweh-dehs bah-hahr ehl pree-see-oh]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?¿Qué hora es?[keh oh-rah ehs]
It's one o'clockEs la una[ehs lah oo-nah]
Half past (10)Media (10)[meh-dee-ah (deh-eez)]
MorningMañana[mah-nyah-nah]
AfternoonTarde[tahr-deh]
EveningNoche[noh-cheh]
YesterdayAyer[ah-yehr]
TodayHoy[hoy]
TomorrowMañana[mah-nyah-nah]
1Uno[oo-noh]
2Dos[dohs]
3Tres[trehs]
4Cuatro[kwah-troh]
5Cinco[seeng-koh]
6Seis[sehs]
7Siete[see-eh-teh]
8Ocho[oh-choh]
9Nueve[nweh-veh]
10Diez[dyehs]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?¿Dónde está...?[dohn-deh ehs-tah]
What's the address?¿Cuál es la dirección?[kwahl ehs lah dee-rehk-syohn]
Can you show me (on the map)?¿Puedes mostrarme (en el mapa)?[pweh-dehs mohs-trahr-meh (ehn ehl mah-pah)]
When's the next (bus)?¿Cuándo es el próximo (autobús)?[kwan-doh ehs ehl proh-ksee-moh (ow-toh-boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Un boleto (a ....)[oon boh-leh-toh (ah)]

History of Monterey

Ohlone Homelands and Coastal Life

The Monterey area lies within the ancestral homeland of Ohlone peoples, including the Rumsen community associated with the central Monterey Peninsula. Coastal resources, estuaries, grasslands and inland routes supported settled and seasonal patterns of life long before European arrival. Indigenous place knowledge shaped how the shoreline, plants and marine resources were understood, although later Spanish, Mexican and American settlement profoundly disrupted these communities through missionisation, disease, displacement and loss of access to traditional lands. Contemporary interpretations of Monterey’s history increasingly acknowledge this earlier human presence rather than presenting the city’s story as beginning with colonial occupation.

Spanish Settlement and the Presidio

In 1770, Gaspar de Portolá’s expedition established the Presidio of Monterey, while Junípero Serra founded Mission San Carlos Borromeo nearby. The mission was moved to Carmel in 1771, but the presidio remained an important Spanish military and administrative outpost. Monterey’s natural harbour made it a strategic base on the coast of Alta California, linking military authority, missionary activity and maritime supply. The surviving Royal Presidio Chapel, associated with the early settlement, is among the city’s most important reminders of this Spanish period.

Mexican Monterey and Maritime Trade

After Mexican independence from Spain in 1821, Monterey became the capital of the Mexican territory of Alta California. Its port connected the settlement with coastal shipping and international traders, including merchants who exchanged manufactured goods for hides, tallow and other Californian products. The Custom House, built in the early nineteenth century, reflects the importance of regulating this commerce and is recognised as California’s oldest public building. Monterey’s adobe residences and civic structures also preserve the architectural character of the Mexican period, when the town served as the region’s political centre.

American Conquest and Statehood

United States forces occupied Monterey in July 1846 during the Mexican-American War, bringing the city into a new political order. In September 1849, delegates met at Colton Hall for California’s constitutional convention, drafting the document that preceded the state’s admission to the Union in 1850. The convention took place amid intense debate over slavery, representation and the organisation of the new state. Monterey soon lost its role as California’s capital to San Jose and later Sacramento, but Colton Hall and the surrounding historic district retain the physical memory of this formative transition.

The Sardine-Packing Era

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Monterey developed a major commercial fishery, with sardines becoming the foundation of an expanding canning industry. The waterfront district that became known as Cannery Row filled with processing plants, warehouses, workers’ housing and immigrant communities drawn by industrial employment. John Steinbeck’s 1945 novel Cannery Row captured aspects of the district’s working life, though literary Monterey should not be treated as a complete historical record. By the mid-twentieth century, overfishing and the collapse of the sardine fishery brought the industry’s dominance to an end.

From Industry to Conservation

After the canneries closed, Monterey’s waterfront underwent a long transformation from industrial fish-processing district to cultural, educational and visitor-oriented shore. The opening of the Monterey Bay Aquarium in 1984 gave Cannery Row a new public identity while drawing attention to the bay’s marine ecology and the need for conservation. Former industrial buildings found new uses, and the city’s economy increasingly combined heritage tourism, marine science, hospitality and public culture. Today, Monterey’s identity rests on both sides of its past: the preserved traces of a working port and a strong international reputation for ocean research and environmental stewardship.

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Monterey, California

Discover Monterey with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more to make your trip unforgettable.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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Explore Monterey, California like never before with Evendo. This free app provides detailed information on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more – all in one place.

  • History of Monterey and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips to experience the city like a local
  • Easy navigation through the app and the city
  • 'Near Me' feature to see what's around you at any time
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs

Welcome to Monterey, California! As a traveler looking to make the most of your trip, Evendo is your go-to app. Monterey is a treasure trove of attractions, and with Evendo, you won't miss a thing. Visit the iconic Monterey Bay Aquarium, explore the historic Cannery Row, or take a scenic drive along the 17-Mile Drive. Evendo provides detailed information, local tips, and rich imagery for these and many other famous landmarks.

Hungry? Check out the best restaurants in town, such as the award-winning Tarpy's Roadhouse or the charming Old Fisherman's Grotto. Evendo helps you find the perfect dining spot with ease, offering descriptions, contact details, and maps.

The app also allows you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly, eliminating the hassle of planning. Whether you're interested in a guided tour of the famous Pebble Beach or a whale-watching excursion, Evendo has got you covered.

With features like the 'Near Me' option, curated local tips, and travel essentials, Evendo ensures you're always in the know. Best of all, it's 100% free to use with no hidden costs. Download Evendo today and turn your Monterey adventure into an unforgettable experience.

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