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Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey

4.2 (16)
Monterey, US
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Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey

4.2 (16)
Monterey, US
Share
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Experience the captivating history of Monterey's Cannery Row with this self-guided audio tour. Immerse yourself in the bustling heart of this once thriving fishing industry and discover the tales of fortune, overfishing, and the rise from the ashes. As you stroll through iconic landmarks and historic sites, you'll unravel the connection between John Steinbeck's novels and the colorful characters that inspired them. Witness the impressive Monterey Bay Aquarium and explore the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, indulging in the wonderful shops along the way. This 75-minute tour allows you to pause, restart, and complete at your own leisure, ensuring a personalized and immersive adventure through this remarkable waterfront. Uncover the stories, hear the voices, and step into the fascinating world of Cannery Row.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 1 hours 15 minutes
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Self Guided Experience & Audio Guided
  • Explore the historic Cannery Row in Monterey
  • Discover the connection between John Steinbeck and the area
  • Learn about the rise and fall of the sardine industry
  • Visit iconic landmarks such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium
  • Experience the waterfront of world-class hotels, wine rooms, restaurants, and shopping opportunities
  • VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Transportation
  • Food and drink

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

The Cannery Row Monument

(Pass by)

The tour takes you past the Cannery Row Monument and briefly explains the significance of each person depicted.

Monterey Canning Company

(Pass by)

The tour takes you past the original Monterey Canning Company warehouse. Outside the warehouse is where you'll hear the story of Cannery Row.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

(Pass by)

The tour passes the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant which is the highest-grossing restaurant on the Row. You'll hear about its connection to the Monterey Canning Company.

InterContinental the Clement Monterey, an IHG Hotel

(Pass by)

The tour will take you briefly inside the InterContinental The Clement Monterey Hotel where you'll be shown a historic aerial photograph of Cannery Row.

Doc Rickett's Pacific Biological Laboratories

(Pass by)

You'll walk past Doc Rickett's Pacific Biological Laboratories where you'll more about the man that lived there.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

(Pass by)

The tour takes you past the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Bechtel Family Center for Ocean Education and Leadership

(Pass by)

The tour takes you past this environmentally sustainable, 25,000 square foot center. It opened in 2019, to expand and enhance the Aquarium’s educational programs by offering free informative programs for teachers and students.

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

(Pass by)

The tour stops briefly outside the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa where you'll hear about some of its shops.

San Carlos Beach

(Pass by)

You'll walk along the San Carlos Beach.

More about this experience

Introduction

Welcome to the Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck's Monterey. This unique tour takes you on a journey through the fascinating history of Cannery Row in Monterey, California, and its connection to acclaimed author John Steinbeck. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this once-thriving industrial hub and discover the stories of the people who lived and worked here during its heyday in the early 1900s.

What to Expect?

During this self-guided audio tour, you can expect to explore the iconic Cannery Row and its surrounding area at your own pace. Through the VoiceMap App, available for Android and iOS, you'll have lifetime access to the tour in English, allowing you to listen to the captivating stories and historical facts as you walk along the waterfront. The tour also provides offline access to audio, maps, and geodata, ensuring a seamless and immersive experience without the need for an internet connection.

Who is This For?

This tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, literature lovers, and anyone curious about the rich heritage of Cannery Row. Whether you're a fan of John Steinbeck's novels, interested in the industrial history of Monterey, or simply looking to delve into the past of this iconic waterfront, this self-guided audio tour offers a captivating experience for all. The tour is designed for individuals, couples, and even small groups who prefer the flexibility of exploring at their own pace.

Why Book This?

Embarking on the Historic Cannery Row self-guided audio tour is a unique opportunity to uncover the hidden gems and lesser-known stories of this historic area. As you walk in the footsteps of Steinbeck's characters and learn about the rise and fall of the sardine industry, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the rich history and cultural significance of Cannery Row. The tour offers a fascinating blend of literature, history, and local insights, providing a truly immersive and educational experience.

Good to Know

While exploring Cannery Row, it's important to note that there is a separate admission charge for entrance to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which you can choose to visit during or after the tour. Make sure to bring your smartphone and headphones to fully enjoy the audio tour experience. The tour ends in front of the bust of John Steinbeck, just a short distance from the start location. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to visit world-class hotels, wine rooms, restaurants, and unique shopping destinations that have transformed Cannery Row into a vibrant waterfront.

Reviews

Feedback from individuals who have taken this self-guided audio tour has been overwhelmingly positive. Visitors praise the tour for its engaging storytelling, informative content, and the convenience of exploring at their own pace. Many reviewers have commented on how the tour brings the history and characters of Cannery Row to life, making it a must-do experience for fans of John Steinbeck or anyone interested in the fascinating history of Monterey. Overall, previous participants have found this tour to be an enriching and enjoyable way to discover the hidden treasures and captivating tales of Historic Cannery Row.

Reviews

(16)

4.2 (16)

Sandra_C

The only memorable parts were those provided by the local historical society. Your audio was poor, and only one of the 4 of us could use the app because of that. We did much better simply walking around. I basically wasted 3 purchases. Not a lot of $$ but still. . . . To be fair, we arrived late afternoon and didn't bother walking over to The Sardine Factory where, presumably, subscribers met.

frazzled1

had difficulty with the audio. wasn't pin pointing my location well. wouldn't work when i was at my location. when it did work it was too long winded.

Barbara_J

Very user friendly. You just need to walk and it will tell you where you are. Loved it. Lots of great information

534carynf

I just felt it was long winded and the audio didn't always go off so struggled with getting the right segment with the location. great more frustrating than enjoying.

Sally_S

This was a great tour we were able to complete at our own pace and stop and start as we wanted. Lots of great history and really feel like we were able to see Cannery Row from the eyes of John and Ed.

HongEng_N

The coastal access paths off Cannery Row, specifically to Ed Rickett's backyard, are a must see and do, yet would have been easily missed if not for the audio tour by Voice Maps. Yeah so there were corrugated cannery buildings that burned down at some point or other, but who would have known there's still an old ice box in a "general" store (with a Chinese sign) to look at. Sort of an intimate peek or we would just have mindlessly walked between the parking garage and the Aquarium, weaved around other visitors, stuck to Cannery Row with the usual foot traffic for a touristy town. We only had time to do the tour north of the Sardine Factory because published closing times (and re-entry opportunity!) for the Aquarium and the hotel pool had not been updated, or miraculously just generously extended for Mother's Day weekend. The Foam Street Garage is best for starting the tour and or doing the Aquarium - but our hotel is 20 minutes away and an alternate Start at San Carlos Beach would have been a cheaper less-harried choice. Anyway, it's not VoiceMap's fault that the free trolley was not running yet. However, now, we know when to come back, to do the last half of the tour from a less expensive parking lot, without need for a 1-night hotel booking or to re-enter the Aquarium for a 4th time in our lives. Parking cost is prohibitive STILL, but after prior visits of parking outside of town practically in the days before GPS and young children needing a stroller or a nap, we felt it was high time to know the area a bit better rather than just drive through and walk till we drop in the Aquarium. The Voice Map app, though half-used made this a more meaningful visit without tourists crowding the sidewalks unnecessarily, straining to hear above motor-bikes that decided to convene in Monterey on Mothers' Day weekend too. We look forward to other VoiceMap audio tours in future. The tour or app is a tiny bit glitchy, but narration well worth what we could get out of it in 1 hour, with 1 hour left to go, that maybe we could listen but "walk" by Google Maps if we dread 1-hr delays on highways in an out of Monterey. The traffic delays were the most wasteful energy-sucking portion of our weekend.

GoPlaces740045

We loved the audio tour! The first part of the tour was the only part we had trouble with since there is no longer a Carmel Winery at the first location. Thanks!!

Michelle_R

Great to see new things in Monterey that we hadn’t seen before! This tour took us to places we hadn’t been. Little nook and crannies. Didn’t even know there were murals here.

Notasushifan

What a wonderful experience! I had a great time learning about Cannery Row. The narrator had a lovely voice too. Absolutely thrilled to have learned about the VoiceMap app. Highly recommend this experience!

Andrea D

What a great walking tour. Very informative. My husband and I agreed this was a great addition to our 3 day trip to Monterey.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-03-29 10:05