Old Monterey Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

Popular places to visit

Colton Hall Museum showing 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 featuring interior views and marine life

Monterey Bay Aquarium

4.5/5(12 reviews)

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 a beach and rugged coastline

17-Mile Drive

4.5/5(15 reviews)

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 showing a beach as well as a small group of people

Cannery Row

4/5(17 reviews)

Renamed after John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row, this historic area has transformed since the gritty industrial days described in the book.

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

Fisherman's Wharf

4/5(31 reviews)

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 which includes a beach and mist or fog

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

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 Old Monterey Hotel Deals

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
Merritt House Hotel

Merritt House Hotel

2 out of 5
386 Pacific St., Monterey, CA
The price is AU$381 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
AU$381
6 Aug - 7 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Monterey. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a marina. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$471 per night from 29 Aug to 30 Aug
AU$471
29 Aug - 30 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
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

4.5 out of 5
400 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA
The price is AU$591 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
AU$591
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Monterey. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,343 reviews)
"We had a corner room and it faced the ocean. Was beautiful and quiet. The bed and pillows are super comfortable."

Reviewed on 2 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 AU$490 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$490
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Monterey. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,431 reviews)
"Nice quiet place to stay."

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa
See all 1,389 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 featuring a city, street scenes and nightlife

Downtown Monterey

5/5(5 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

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

Old Monterey Travel Guide

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