Downtown Monterey Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Downtown Monterey
Carmel featuring a city, street scenes and nightlife
Monterey featuring a bridge, rugged coastline and mountains
Monterey Bay Aquarium which includes interior views and marine life
Carmel featuring shopping, a city and street scenes

Popular places to visit

Golden State Theatre showing theatre scenes and a city

Golden State Theatre

Sit back, relax and enjoy the show at Monterey’s legendary movie palace, which has been delighting theatergoers since 1926.

Golden State Theatre
Dennis the Menace Park which includes a playground as well as children

Dennis the Menace Playground

Set up a picnic on the tranquil shore of Lake El Estero and let the kids run free in this sandy playground.

Dennis the Menace Playground
Monterey State Historic Park showing a park and signage

Monterey State Historic Park

Find out about California’s Spanish, Mexican and American past with a tour of this park’s restored historical houses and museums.

Monterey State Historic Park
Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo featuring religious elements, heritage elements and a monument

San Carlos Cathedral

Admire ecclesiastical relics on display in the heritage center to learn about this cathedral, which is California’s oldest stone building.

San Carlos Cathedral
Maritime Museum showing interior views

Maritime Museum

Follow the story of this fascinating area from the first inhabitants 6000 years ago, to the days of Cannery Row and beyond.

Maritime Museum

Monterey Convention Center

Learn about the events happening in Monterey Convention Center during your trip to Monterey. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the seafood restaurants while you're in the area.

Monterey Convention Center

Activities

Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

AU$107
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide
Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise

Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise

AU$99
per adult
Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

AU$114
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1

AU$30
per traveller
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1
Picture 1 for Activity Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise

Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise

AU$146
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

AU$35
per adult
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo
See all activities in Monterey

Our pick of the best Downtown Monterey Hotel Deals

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

4 out of 5
Two Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$481 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
AU$481
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 our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,707 reviews)
"Beautiful property, great location, friendly staff"

Reviewed on 3 Aug. 2025

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
The Monterey Hotel

The Monterey Hotel

3 out of 5
407 Calle Principal, Monterey, CA
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,266 reviews)
"We stayed here for one night, and for a night's stay we enjoyed the hotel. It is centrally located to coffee shops, restaurants, and only a short drive to the wharf and aquarium. The hotel is quaint, with a lot of charm, and our standard king room was small, but for an overnight stay it was just ..."

Reviewed on 4 Aug. 2025

Get rates
The Monterey Hotel
Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa

Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa

3.5 out of 5
700 Munras Ave, Monterey, CA
The price is AU$551 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
AU$551
23 Aug - 24 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,591 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on 26 Jul. 2025

Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa
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 WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
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
Monterey Marriott

Monterey Marriott

3.5 out of 5
350 Calle Principal, Monterey, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$496 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
AU$496
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Monterey. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Great place to stay! Clean, friendly staff"

Reviewed on 30 Jul. 2025

Monterey Marriott
The Stevenson Monterey

The Stevenson Monterey

2.5 out of 5
675 Munras Ave, Monterey, CA
The price is AU$222 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$222
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly motel in Monterey. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
Clean and convenient
"It was a nice room and very clean. Extremely friendly and accommodating staff and great parking availability."

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

The Stevenson Monterey
See all 1,390 properties in Downtown 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 Downtown Monterey

Golden State Theatre showing theatre scenes and a city

Old Monterey

4.5/5(12 area reviews)

Old Monterey is a destination visitors seek out for its pristine beaches, ample dining options and popular aquarium. You might also want to check out attractions like Waterfront or Monterey State Historic Park while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Old Monterey
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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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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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Lighthouse District

5/5(4 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 which includes interior views and marine life

New Monterey

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

New Monterey
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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

Downtown Monterey Travel Guide

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