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

£56
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

£71
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise
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
Monterey: Cannery Row Kayak Tour

Monterey: Cannery Row Kayak Tour

£48
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Cannery Row Kayak Tour
See all activities in Monterey

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! (1,337 reviews)
"Great location! Easy walk to the pier."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 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 £175 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
£175
1 Sept - 2 Sept
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! (1,003 reviews)
"Location was very convenient, we parked our car when we checked in and didn’t use it again until we checked out! We walked and or took the free trolley to the wharf and cannery row. We brought our e-bikes and rode for miles and miles along the coast in either direction. The property was well maintained ..."

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2025

Merritt House Hotel
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

4 out of 5
Two Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA
The price is £233 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
£233
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Monterey. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,693 reviews)
Check in procedure.
"Our stay was very nice! Just had to wait for our room to be ready. We arrived around 3:40, but we could not get to our room until close to 4:30. My husband is on oxygen, so it was quite important for him to charge his portable machine."

Reviewed on 6 Aug 2025

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
The Monterey Hotel

The Monterey Hotel

3 out of 5
407 Calle Principal, Monterey, CA
The price is £106 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
£106
10 Aug - 11 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! (1,267 reviews)
"Enjoyed the location in downtown Monterey. It is a historic hotel. Comfortable, no housekeeping service, but able to request towels as needed. Staff was nice!"

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

The Monterey Hotel
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

4.5 out of 5
400 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA
The price is £286 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
£286
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! (1,346 reviews)
"Wonderful experience here, bedding was so comfortable and staff was so friendly. Would definitely stay here again!"

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
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 £237 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
£237
1 Sept - 2 Sept
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! (1,430 reviews)
"Nice quiet place to stay."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa
See all 1,393 properties in Old Monterey
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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