Old Monterey Travel Guide

Monterey

Golden State Theatre showing a city and theatre scenes
Old Monterey
Maritime Museum
Monterey State Historic Park featuring a park
Monterey State Historic Park

Popular places to visit

Colton Hall Museum which includes a house

Colton Hall Museum

Find out about the early days of Californian state rules via the displays and guides in this historic 19th-century building.

Colton Hall Museum
Monterey Bay Aquarium which includes interior views and marine life

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find a spectacular window into life both above and below the waves.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
17-Mile Drive featuring rugged coastline and a beach

17-Mile Drive

Discover palatial mansions, lush golf courses and a wild stretch of coastline inhabited by sea lions on a road often dubbed one of the world’s most scenic drives.

17-Mile Drive
Cannery Row which includes a beach as well as a small group of people

Cannery Row

Luxury, leisure and nature come together at this historic sardine-canning district, which is one of Monterey’s most acclaimed recreational areas.

Cannery Row
Fisherman\'s Wharf which includes boating and general coastal views as well as a large group of people

Fisherman's Wharf

Take a whale tour, admire the ocean views from seafood restaurants and browse the souvenirs for sale in this thriving marina.

Fisherman's Wharf
Del Monte Beach featuring mist or fog and a sandy beach

Del Monte Beach

Relax in this tranquil sandy bay hidden behind quaint coastal villas among the sand dunes and choppy waves of Monterey Bay.

Del Monte Beach

Things to do

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

£55
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
If you stay around long enough, you may feel a tug at your pant leg at Colton Hall Jail.

Monterey Ghosts Walking Tour By US Ghost Adventures

£19
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey Ghosts Walking Tour By US Ghost Adventures
Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

£52
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide
Picture 1 for Activity Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise

Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise

£70
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise
Monterey: Cannery Row Kayak Tour

Monterey: Cannery Row Kayak Tour

£48
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Cannery Row Kayak Tour
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Anytime Admission

Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo

£17
per adult
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo
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Top hotels in Old Monterey

Hotel Pacific

Hotel Pacific

3.5 out of 5
300 Pacific St, Monterey, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,326 reviews)
"Would stay here a million times even though it was on the pricey side"

Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025

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Hotel Pacific
Merritt House Hotel

Merritt House Hotel

2 out of 5
386 Pacific St., Monterey, CA
The price is £187 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
£187
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a marina. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"The Merritt House Hotel was beautiful and quaint. The employees were very cordial. The rooms were gorgeous. The seagulls do not sleep. The fireplace and skylight put a beautiful touch on the room as well. We could have used a microwave in the room but we loved it."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

Merritt House Hotel
The Monterey Hotel

The Monterey Hotel

3 out of 5
407 Calle Principal, Monterey, CA
The price is £90 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
£90
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,255 reviews)
"The hotel was conveniently located in the touristy area of Monterey so if you like that it's a good deal. But the hotel itself is worn down and needing an update. It IS clean though and feels safe. The staff were friendly and professional too."

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2025

The Monterey Hotel
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa

4.5 out of 5
1 Old Golf Course Rd, Monterey, CA
The price is £244 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
£244
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Monterey. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,422 reviews)
Nice and classy
"Nice facilities and amenities but wished the lobby restaurant stayed open later."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

4.5 out of 5
400 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA
The price is £287 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
£287
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Monterey. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,347 reviews)
"Lots of food options in the plaza and close by. On and off trolley was a great way to get around Monterey without driving ourselves!"

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
Stargazer Inn and Suites

Stargazer Inn and Suites

2.5 out of 5
1046 Munras Ave, Monterey, CA
Stay at this motel in Monterey. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,554 reviews)
"Even though they were sold out, and had a little issue with parking due to street parking being prevented by construction activity, we ended up having a spot each night and it was nice. This property is not walkable to fisherman's wharf, but unless you can't walk very far. You could easily do downtown ..."

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2025

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Stargazer Inn and Suites
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old Monterey

Carmel which includes street scenes, signage and a city

Downtown Monterey

4/5(31 area reviews)

The pristine beaches and popular aquarium are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Monterey. A stop by Monterey State Beach or Golden State Theatre might round out your trip.

Downtown Monterey
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Alta Mesa

While visiting Alta Mesa, you might make a stop by sights like Munras Avenue and Del Monte Shopping Center.

Alta Mesa
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Oak Grove

While Oak Grove may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Monterey Bay Aquarium and Monterey State Beach.

Oak Grove
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Monterey Vista

While Monterey Vista isn't home to many top sights, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Munras Avenue are some notable places to visit nearby.

Monterey Vista
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Lighthouse District

4/5(9 area reviews)

Lighthouse District is well-regarded for its pristine beaches, ample dining options and popular aquarium, and you might also want to make a stop by Cannery Row, a top sight in the neighbourhood.

Lighthouse District
Monterey Bay Aquarium showing marine life and interior views

New Monterey

If you're spending some time in New Monterey, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row are top sights worth seeing.

New Monterey

Old Monterey Travel Guide

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