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

Picture 9 for Activity Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

AU$95
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

AU$115
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

AU$40
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

AU$107
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

AU$145
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise
Monterey: Sunset Whale Watching Cruise with A Guide

Monterey: Sunset Whale Watching Cruise with A Guide

AU$115
per adult
Monterey: Sunset Whale Watching Cruise with A Guide
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! (1,310 reviews)
"Loved the location. Suite was okay but shower flow was poor and sink drained slowly. Breakfast was okay but less than I expected. There's a cost for parking. This place needs a good overall cleaning. Not sure that I got value for what I paid. Staff was outstanding."

Reviewed on 9 Jul. 2025

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Hotel Pacific
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! (1,233 reviews)
Quaint and Convenient
"The Monterey Hotel was great find. Location was really good and the hotel was quaint and charming. The public areas were a little worn out but the rooms were in good shape and the bed was very comfortable."

Reviewed on 14 Jul. 2025

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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 AU$449 per night from 15 July to 16 July
AU$449
15 July - 16 July
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! (1,387 reviews)
"The property is out dated but reasonably well managed. The location is not ideal - quite far from the beach and other attractions. Overall the staffs are friendly and room is clean."

Reviewed on 9 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 AU$581 per night from 28 July to 29 July
AU$581
28 July - 29 July
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! (1,327 reviews)
"The hotel is beautiful and feel luxury. The ocean view is breathtaking."

Reviewed on 13 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 WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,532 reviews)
"Well located, property well maintained."

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

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Stargazer Inn and Suites
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
4 out of 5
Two Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA
The price is AU$520 per night from 20 July to 21 July
AU$520
20 July - 21 July
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! (2,685 reviews)
Perfect getaway
"The hotel is centrally located, steps away from fisherman's wharf. Your can walk to the cannery row, aquarium or take the free trolley. Trolley stop is steps away from hotel, and it goes by every 10-15 minutes with various stops on their route. Make sure to stop by Carmel Bakery in the hotel and ..."

Reviewed on 14 Jul. 2025

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
See all 1,398 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

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 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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